‘The Physical Media History of JAWS’

By Jeff Rauseo

As a lifelong JAWS enthusiast, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to experience this cinematic masterpiece across various home video formats. Although I wasn’t alive for many of these releases, I do own each of them and cherish them more than any other film in my personal collection. Let me take you on a detailed journey through the history of JAWS on home video, celebrating the different milestones that have allowed fans like me to relive the terror of Amity Island from the comfort of our own homes.

Home Video Beginnings: LaserDisc and VHS

In 1978, just three years after JAWS shocked theaters worldwide, the film made its home video debut on MCA DiscoVision LaserDisc.

JAWS was actually the first Laserdisc release marketed in North America, marking a major moment in home video history.

The JAWS LaserDisc release was spread across five discs due to the film’s length, requiring viewers to flip or swap discs five different times during viewing.

It was certainly not the most convenient method of watching a movie, but getting to watch the film at home in full, even before it hit cable in 1979, was a big deal for fans.

While LaserDisc offered a better audio visual experience, the format’s high barrier to entry and cost limited its reach with consumers.

In 1980, VHS entered the market, which revolutionized home entertainment accessibility. Universal’s release of JAWS on VHS opened the floodgates for the film to reach a wider audience, as VHS players were cheaper and far more common in American homes. The lower cost format, ease of use, and accessibility of VHS tapes made it the dominant home video format throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

For many fans, JAWS on VHS was their first chance to own the movie (it was my first viewing experience) and watch it repeatedly without a ton of disc changes.

Special Editions and DVD

The 1990s saw the rise of special editions aimed at collectors as the DVD format expanded , and JAWS was no exception. Universal recognized the film’s status as a pop culture milestone and began packaging it with lots of bonus materials and special extras for fans.

The 1995 Collector’s Edition, available on both VHS and LaserDisc (yes, Laserdisc was still kicking around in 1995), was the biggest release to date. It included rare behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews with cast and crew, and even a copy of Peter Benchley’s original novel. It was an exciting package for fans interested in the creative process behind the film, and it included some of the first behind the scenes looks at the film, diving into the practical effects, suspenseful storytelling, and Spielberg’s directorial prowess.

Entering the new millennium, Universal marked the 25th anniversary of JAWS in 2000 with a special two-tape VHS set and for the first time, a new DVD release. The DVD format in particular was a game-changer. DVD offered vastly improved picture quality and sound over VHS, with a new digital remaster created for the new format. +DVD also included interactive menus that made navigating bonus features much easier than changing tapes, or rewinding to the end.

This new DVD edition included deleted scenes, outtakes, and the original theatrical trailer, allowing fans to explore parts of the film that hadn’t been seen before on any format.

High Definition: Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD

Blu-ray first arrived in the late 2000s, marking a new era of home video in high definition. This new format combined HD visuals and audio with increased storage capacity allowing for loads of new extras.

In 2012, Universal released JAWS on Blu-ray as part of the studio’s 100th anniversary celebration, with a fully restored film transfer sourced from the original 35mm camera negatives. The restoration was scanned at full 4K resolution before being downscaled for the 1080p Blu-ray, resulting in the sharpest, most detailed version of the film on home video at the time.

This release also included over four hours of bonus content, including the incredible documentary The Shark Is Still Working, which is a must-see for fans of the film. This documentary dives deep into the film’s legacy, featuring interviews with Spielberg, cast members, and numerous film historians.

The leap to 4K Ultra HD in 2020 took JAWS to the next level. With the existing 2012 4K restoration as its foundation, this edition enhanced the picture with High Dynamic Range (HDR) color, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision.

These enhancements delivered richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, bringing the underwater scenes and Amity Island’s backdrops to life like never before.

The audio was also upgraded to a brand-new Dolby Atmos audio track, the peak of audio technology to date. For purists, the release included the original mono audio track, preserving the film’s original theatrical sound presentation, but the Atmos track is likely closer to what Spielberg and team always wished they could have done.

At this point, JAWS has likely peaked from an audio and visual perspective, and the 4K release is as good as the movie has ever looked. I highly recommend it for those who are huge fans of the film, like myself.

Celebrating 50 Years: The 2025 Anniversary Edition

To celebrate JAWS’ monumental 50th anniversary, Universal is releasing a definitive special edition, set for release on June 17, 2025. This commemorative package promises to be the most comprehensive JAWS home video release yet, available across 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms.

Personally, I am looking forward to the limited edition SteelBook, which features exclusive artwork that pays homage to the film’s iconic poster design, characters, and legacy. It is a real beauty!

One of the centerpiece features of this edition is the brand-new documentary JAWS @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, directed by Laurent Bouzereau, a renowned filmmaker known for his incredible documentaries on classic films. This new feature, which will also air on National Geographic this summer, dives into fresh archival materials and includes new interviews with Steven Spielberg, key members of the cast and crew, and cinematic and marine science experts, providing new perspectives on the film’s cultural and scientific impact.

I want to give a big shoutout to my friend Ross from The Daily JAWS, who was also interviewed for this documentary! I have not seen the documentary yet, but it will be one of the first things I watch when the new disc comes in.

This 50th anniversary edition honors both the film’s legacy and showcases just how far home media has come in the last 50 years. For hardcore JAWS fans, this release offers the best looking presentation of the film (same as the previous 2020 release) paired with more special features than ever before.

From the first ever LaserDisc release, where home theater enthusiasts tolerated disc changes for superior quality, to the upcoming 4K Ultra HD edition showcasing stunning visual and audio enhancements, JAWS has continually benefited from the evolution of home media technology.

For collectors and casual fans alike, JAWS is more than just a movie; it’s a cultural touchstone that has luckily been preserved and celebrated through decades of technological advances. Its home media journey mirrors the shifts in how we consume content, reminding us that great storytelling transcends formats and time, and that the menace lurking beneath Amity Island’s waves will forever haunt screens, both big and small.

ABOUT JEFF RAUSEO
Jeff Rauseo is an author, content creator, and lifelong movie collector whose debut book Lost in the Stream releases in August. Known for his deep knowledge of film and passion for physical media, he shares reviews, recommendations, and behind-the-scenes insights with a community of fellow cinephiles.  For more details, visit HERE