I thought I knew Jaws. I’d watched it countless times on TV, on DVD, even streaming. But nothing – NOTHING – could have prepared me for the cinematic thrill of seeing it on the big screen for its 50th anniversary. From the moment the lights dimmed, the theatre buzzed with excitement, and I felt like every heartbeat was synced with the ominous dundun… dundun… of John Williams’ iconic score.

The sound hit me first. Deep, bone-rattling, chest-shaking. The water wasn’t just on the screen – it was all around me. Every ripple, every splash, every tense pause felt alive. And then came the audience: gasps, nervous laughter, whispered “oh no’s. We weren’t just watching Amity Island – we were living it.

Seeing the shark in IMAX was a revelation. Fifty years old, yet terrifyingly real. Spielberg’s timing, the practical effects, and Williams’ score combined to create moments of pure panic. When the first attack happens, the theatre collectively jumped, and I could practically feel the fear ripple across the rows. Quint’s gritty one-liners landed harder than ever, Brody’s wide-eyed panic had us gripping our seats, and Hopper’s clever manoeuvres made the audience cheer.

4DX kicked it up another level. When the boat rocked, I felt it. When the water splashes, my clothes tingled. When the shark lunged, i nearly flinched right out of my seat. Every sense was engaged – sight, sound, touch – and it made the suspense electric. I swear I wasn’t just watching a movie; I was trapped on the Orca, with that giant predator just beneath me, waiting.

Leaving the theatre, I was buzzing – heart racing, grin plastered across my face, shaking from the intensity. It was nostalgia turned up to eleven, but also a reminder: Jaws didn’t just change summer movies, it changed cinema. It still leaves you checking the water behind your feet.

If you ever get the chance to see Jaws on the big screen, don’t hesitate. Bring a friend – or don’t, and let your screams be yours alone. Fifty years later, Jaws still bites, and experiencing it like this… it’s a thrill that doesn’t quit.