For generations, audiences have been captivated by a film that redefined what it means to be truly gripped by suspense. This legendary thriller Jaws set the standard for summer blockbusters and left a mark on both popular culture and the art of filmmaking.
Its influence can be felt in everything from the way movies are marketed to how filmmakers build tension and deliver unforgettable cinematic moments.
When it first premiered in 1975, few could have predicted Steven Spielberg’s Jaws’ seismic impact – not just at the box office but in shaping Hollywood itself.
Adapted from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel, Spielberg’s vision transformed a simple man-versus-nature tale into a white-knuckle masterpiece.
The story follows police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and grizzled fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) as they hunt a monstrous great white shark menacing Amity Island.
A Rotten Tomatoes review sums it up perfectly: “Masterpiece of cinema, first summer blockbuster, and Spielberg’s greatest film. Jaws is infinitely watchable. Even 50 years later.”
The film’s enduring appeal rests on its relentless pacing and razor-sharp storytelling. Every character is memorable, and every line serves a purpose.
Jaws was the first true summer blockbuster – a term coined in part because queues for tickets stretched around city blocks. Its success reshaped studio thinking about big-budget releases and event films, setting the template studios still follow today.
Jaws quickly became a pop culture juggernaut upon release: The phrase “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” entered the lexicon, and beach attendance dropped across America that summer as shark paranoia swept the country. Its influence continues to ripple through everything from Shark Week to countless homages and parodies.
Another review reads: “Let’s not waste time: JAWS is a perfect 10/10. It’s not just a great shark movie; it’s the shark movie. Everything that came after it? Either trying to copy it, parody it or escape its shadow. And nearly half a century later, nobody’s topped it.”
Jaws is available to stream on Netflix and, until the end of August, on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.