Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the theater...

"Jaws," the quintessential summer movie, is getting set to take another big bite out of the the box office this June, with a return to theaters timed to its 40th anniversary. The shark attack flick -- which first hit screens in June 1975 -- will return for a limited run in approximately 500 theaters nationwide, presented through a collaboration between Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies, and Universal Pictures.

"Jaws is a classic thriller enjoyed by generations and it is ready for a comeback," said Kymberli Frueh-Owens, vice president of programming for Fathom Events, in a statement. "Movie buffs will love seeing their favorite killer shark larger than life on the big screen. No risk of shark bite!"

The Steven Spielberg classic, based on the novel by Peter Benchley, made the director a household name, and for a time held the title of highest-grossing movie of all time -- until a little flick called "Star Wars" stole the crown in 1977. "Jaws" had a notoriously fraught production (the mechanical sharks used to portray the titular menace frequently malfunctioned), but its success wound up setting a trend that Hollywood would follow into perpetuity: greenlight big-budget, spectacle-laden pictures to dominate the multiplex during the summer months, and enjoy major profits.

But "Jaws" was the first, and arguably best, example of that model, and its iconic, haunting score (John Williams more than earned that Oscar) and heart-racing set pieces set it apart from plenty of imitators that followed. Check out the original on the big screen while you can.

"Jaws" will enjoy a limited run beginning on June 21. For more details, visit FathomEvents.com.

[via: Entertainment Weekly]

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