Topline
Steven Spielberg’s iconic flick “Jaws” returned to theaters for a 50th anniversary re-release and beat out newcomer and Austin Butler-headlined “Caught Stealing” at the box office this Labor Day weekend, as Zach Cregger’s horror hit “Weapons” returned to the top spot after briefly falling behind a Netflix animated musical.
The Steven Spielberg flick returned 50 years after its theatrical release.
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Key Facts
“Jaws,” which returned to 3,200 theaters 50 years after its initial theatrical release in June 1975, ranked second at the box office after collecting $8.1 million through Sunday and an estimated $9.8 million through Monday.
The Spielberg film fell behind “Weapons,” which jumped back to headline the box office in its fourth weekend of release after drawing $10.2 million over three days and about $12.4 million into Labor Day.
Behind “Jaws” came box office newcomers Darren Aronofsky’s “Caught Stealing” at No. 3, bringing in $7.8 million over three days and $9.5 million through Monday, and the Benedict Cumberbatch- and Olivia Colman-led “The Roses,” which collected $6.4 million through Sunday and $8 million through Monday.
Between “Caught Stealing” and “The Roses” sat Disney’s “Freakier Friday” at No. 4, bringing in $6.5 million and $8.3 million over the three- and four-day periods, respectively.
Surprising Fact
“Weapons” reclaimed the weekend box office crown after being succeeded by “Kpop Demon Hunters,” an animated musical that debuted with an estimated $18 million. The film, the second-most-streamed film on Netflix since its release in June, opened at roughly 1,700 theaters across the U.S. and Canada and sold out an estimated 1,100 screenings. A soundtrack for the film also saw success, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart of highest-selling albums, while songs “Golden,” “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop” reached No. 2, No. 4 and No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Big Number
“Jaws” was the highest-grossing film ever following its 1975 release, bringing in $480 million at the global box office. It was later surpassed by “Star Wars,” which was released in 1977 and collected $775 million globally.
Key Background
A 50th anniversary re-release headlines a cooled summer period for movie theaters. Among the leaders at the box office in recent weeks, including “Weapons,” “Freakier Friday” and “Fantastic Four: The First Steps,” are weeks old, as new releases have yet to bring in substantial revenue. Paul Dergarabedian, a box office analyst for Comscore, told Forbes that each weekend in August grossed less than the corresponding weekend last year. On Aug. 25, the 10 top-grossing films at domestic theaters each brought in less than $5 million, marking one of the worst days at the theater in five months. Dergarabedian said he expects the box office to recover in November and December, with sequels like “Wicked: For Good” and “Zootopia 2” hitting theaters.
Further Reading
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/08/31/jaws-re-release-beats-newcomers-at-box-office-as-weapons-returns-to-no-1/
