Hollywood Anticipates Summer Success, 50 Years After 'Jaws'

Fifty years ago, 'Jaws' premiered in June 1975, setting the standard for summer blockbusters and changing Hollywood's approach to movie marketing and scheduling. This shark thriller became a cultural phenomenon, leading to the establishment of a defined summer movie season that now generates about 40% of annual box office returns in the U.S. and Canada, with $3.7 billion in ticket sales projected for 2024. As Hollywood prepares for the summer season, studios are optimistic about reversing a trend of declining ticket sales, which are currently 11% behind last year's figures. However, cinemas face significant competition from streaming platforms. At CinemaCon, studios showcased major summer releases, including Marvel's 'Thunderbolts' and a new 'Superman' film, hoping to reignite audience interest in theaters.