This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws, the Steven Spielberg classic that made millions afraid to go back in the water. The film hit theaters nationwide on June 20, 1975, but it had already made waves in Dallas months earlier. On March 26, 1975, a now-legendary test screening was held at the Medallion Theatre in northeast Dallas, where unsuspecting moviegoers got a sneak peek at what would become one of the most influential thrillers of all time.
According to film historians, the audience’s reaction that night helped confirm Spielberg’s instincts. There were screams, gasps – and even a reported instance of someone throwing up in the theater. Spielberg later joked that the vomit was a good sign. That early Dallas test screening played a key role in cementing the final edit of the movie, which would go on to become the first summer blockbuster and a cultural phenomenon.
When it officially opened in Dallas in June of 1975, Jaws played at several theaters, including the NorthPark I & II and the Wynnewood Theater in Oak Cliff. The film quickly sold out across the city and stayed in rotation for weeks, feeding on a mix of word-of-mouth, wide-eyed audiences, and the unforgettable terror of that now-iconic two-note shark theme.
Fifty years later, Dallas is still celebrating its early connection to the film. The Alamo Drafthouse is featuring Jaws as part of its “Great Bites” summer series, while the historic Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff has planned anniversary screenings for nostalgic fans and first-timers alike. Both venues are leaning into the retro vibes with themed drinks and pre-show trivia…