E.T. and JAWS Getting First-Time Imax Theatrical Release
Good news for fans of classic Steven Spielberg films! Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment have announced that E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Jaws on Imax screens nationwide for the first time.
“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial told the story of a troubled child who summoned the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet. Originally released in the summer of 1982, the film soared to become the highest-grossing film of the year, capturing four Academy Awards and nine Oscar nominations including Best Picture, and has endured as a universal favorite in the decades since.”
“Based on the bestselling novel by Peter Benchley, Jaws saw a killer shark unleash chaos on a beach community off Long Island, with a local sheriff, a marine biologist and an old seafarer then teaming up to hunt the beast down. The thriller released in June of 1975 became the first true summer blockbuster and a cultural tsunami, likewise coming in as the highest-grossing film of its year. The film earned a Best Picture Oscar nom and won three statuettes, including one for John Williams’ iconic score. Almost five decades later, Jaws has become inexorable from global film culture, has inspired multiple generations of filmmakers and remains one of the most thrilling, terrifying and unforgettable films of all time.”
Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures, said of the releases:
“Universal is honored to have been a part of so many extraordinary, unforgettable Steven Spielberg films over the past 47 years, including Jaws in 1975, E.T. in 1982 and Jurassic Park in 1993. No filmmaker, it’s fair to say, has had a greater or more enduring impact on American cinema or has created more indelible cinematic memories for tens of billions of people worldwide. We couldn’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate the anniversary of E.T. and the first Universal-Spielberg summer blockbuster, Jaws, than to allow audiences to experience these films in a way they’ve never been able to before.”
Megan Colligan, President of IMAX Entertainment, added:
“IMAX is thrilled to partner with Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment to offer audiences the opportunity to experience these two iconic films in IMAX for the very first time. Steven Spielberg redefined modern cinema and ushered in a new era of bold, swing-for-the-fences filmmaking, and the IMAX Experience has expanded around the world because of the trail blazed by films like E.T. and Jaws.”
These two movies will be awesome to rewatch on the big screen. I remember going to see E.T. in theatres on the 20th anniversary of the film’s release! It would be a lot of fun to take my kids to watch both these movies now.
E.T. will be released exclusively on Imax beginning August 12th, in celebration of the film’s 40th Anniversary, with Jaws to be released on Imax and in RealD 3D beginning September 2nd.
via: Deadline