Avatar Regains Box Office Crown From Avengers: Endgame With Tradition Started By Jaws.

Back in 1975, Jaws was a phenomenon, a blockbuster in the truest sense of the word that saw crowds (remember those) queuing round the block to be scared witless.

That saw the Steven Spielberg directed thriller chew through box office records and become the first film to smash through the $100 million barrier at the US box office.

Over 60 million Americans watched Jaws when it was first released in theatres in 1975.

It was a huge cinematic (20...25) feat, still talked about today. However, Jaws didn't stay the biggest box office fish at the cinema for long as he was 'forced' from his position by Star Wars.

In recognition of that Spielberg posted an ad in Variety congratulating his friend and Star Wars writer and director George, passing on the box office king baton. It's something which must have given George extra pleasure, especially after getting his head stuck in the Bruce model ahead of filming of Jaws.

Variations on the ad have now become a lovely Hollywood and filmmaker tradition. That baton got passed back from Lucas to Spielberg with E. T. - the extra terrestrial.

Spielberg upped himself in 1993 with Jurassic Park, proving yet another monster success for him and Universal Studios.

The re-release of the original Star Wars saw it fly back in front, but not for long as James Cameron came along with a bigger boat and bigger box office returns, with Titanic.

Avengers Endgame sank Titanic's reign, but now - with the release of Avatar back on the big screen in China, Cameron is back as box office king of the world and the Na'vi are feeling far from blue.

FURTHER READING: The Day JAWS Bit Through The $100 Million Box Office Barrier

Words Dean Newman

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