Jaws Could Be Among Universal Studios Great Britain’s Attractions

Universal Studios Great Britain doesn’t open until 2031, but that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating on what the company’s first UK resort might include. Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Paddington, Back to the Future, and James Bond have all been floated as likely candidates, but there’s one name the rumors haven’t put forward yet, and it’s perhaps the most obvious: Jaws.

It’s hard to believe that Jaws (1975) actually turns 50 years old this year. Steven Spielberg’s spine-tingling classic is still the blueprint for the summer blockbuster as we know it (in fact, it’s described as the first-ever blockbuster) and remains one of the studio’s most iconic films of all time. But it’s also responsible for one of Universal’s best-remembered theme park attractions.

The original Jaws ride opened in 1990 at Universal Studios Florida and ran for more than two decades. Guests boarded a boat and toured Amity Island—until, of course, things went sideways. The ride featured pyrotechnic effects and a massive animatronic shark that rose from the water in ways that still stick in the memory (a bit like the film itself). It was loud, chaotic, and relentlessly fun.

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Sadly, Universal shuttered the ride in 2012 to make room for an expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (thanks a lot, Hogwarts), but it never fully disappeared. Thankfully, a scaled-down version still runs as part of the Studio Tour in Hollywood, and Universal Studios Japan continues to operate the full version, which has been running since 2001.

Universal hasn’t said a word about bringing Jaws to the UK, but it would make perfect sense seeing as the character—and the ride—still has pull with audiences and theme park guests alike. Parkgoers love a comeback as much as the average cinemagoer, and Universal now has the opportunity to dig into its own legacy while giving UK something it’s never had: a Great White Shark.

Set to follow existing Universal destinations in Hollywood, Orlando, Japan, Singapore, and Beijing, Universal Studios GB will be built in Bedfordshire. Spanning a whopping 700 acres (3 km²), it’s fair to say that there’s more than enough room for all the aforementioned themed areas and/or attractions, as well as a pretty decent-sized body of water (and a big-enough boat, of course).

It’s all pure speculation for now. But in a lineup that’s already leaning on blockbuster hits, adding Jaws would be a guaranteed hit.

Would you brave the Jaws ride again? Let us know in the comments!