Credit: Universal Pictures/Disney/ Edited by ITMWhen it comes to epic Hollywood rivalries, Disney and Universal have always found themselves in the same waters. From dueling theme parks in Orlando to battling for box office dominance, these two entertainment giants rarely miss a chance to outshine each other. But just when you thought things couldn’t get more ironic, Disney made a move with Jaws, causing fans to double-take.
This time, the Mouse didn’t just flex its creative muscle—it snagged something with Universal’s fingerprints.
Longstanding Disney vs. Universal Showdown
Disney and Universal have gone head-to-head in almost every way possible for decades. While Disney World set the gold standard for family-friendly magic, Universal struck back with its edgier offerings—Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and of course, Jaws. In fact, Jaws was more than just a movie for Universal. It became a centerpiece of the park experience.
Universal Studios Florida once featured a full-blown Jaws ride, where guests would scream through Amity Island with a hungry great white lurking nearby. It was iconic, memorable, and unmistakably Universal.
Which is why what just happened is so unexpected.
A Shark-Sized Win for Disney
To fully grasp how strange this latest move is, let’s rewind. Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) wasn’t just a movie—it changed cinema. It introduced the concept of the summer blockbuster and launched Spielberg’s career into the stratosphere. It also gave Universal Studios one of its most legendary intellectual properties. The film became a cultural touchstone and helped define what Universal was all about: thrilling, edgy storytelling with a bit of bite.
So, how exactly did Disney end up involved with Jaws fifty years later?
Wait—Disney Did What?
Yep, that’s right. National Geographic, which Disney owns, produced and released a brand-new documentary commemorating the 50th anniversary of Jaws. The special dives into the making of the film, its cinematic impact, and why audiences still can’t get enough of that ominous two-note theme.
It’s a slick, well-researched look at how Jaws reshaped Hollywood—and Disney’s name is attached. That alone is enough to raise a few eyebrows in the entertainment world. After all, you’d expect Universal to lead the charge in celebrating its classic. Instead, Disney got there first.
A Power Move or Just Good Timing?
Of course, it’s not like Disney stole Jaws. Universal still owns the rights to the movie and its characters. But through its National Geographic banner, Disney found a clever—and legitimate—way to join the conversation around the film’s milestone anniversary.
The move speaks volumes about how the rivalry between Disney and Universal has evolved. It’s no longer just about theme parks or animation studios. It’s about who controls the narrative, who gets the eyeballs, and who’s telling the stories that matter.
Disney is producing the documentary, shaping how a new generation remembers this iconic film. That’s more than a nod of respect—it’s a statement.
The Legacy of Jaws Lives On… Just Not Where You’d Expect
As fans look back on five decades of Jaws, it’s wild to think Universal didn’t lead the 50th anniversary celebration. The original ride is gone, and the movie isn’t as front-and-center in the parks anymore. But the legacy of Jaws is still massive, and now Disney is helping carry it forward, even if it’s from behind the scenes.
Is it a little weird? Definitely. Is it a clever play? Absolutely.
In the shark-infested waters of Hollywood competition, Disney just landed a big one—and Universal never saw it coming.