PopHorror Let's Get Scared
When Steven Spielberg’s Jaws came out in 1975, few knew it would flip the entire film industry on its head. What started as a suspenseful adaptation of Peter Benchley’s novel became the first true summer blockbuster — a cultural phenomenon that redefined how movies are made, marketed, and remembered.
Why Jaws is an Essential Classic
Based on the 1974 novel by Peter Benchley, the success of the film isn’t just the shark, but the core cast: Roy Scheider as Police Chief Martin Brody, Richard Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper, and Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint. There’s a lot to be said of their chemistry, but also just how natural their characters feel. They feel real, and their motivations are pretty clear (and relatable, for the most part).
And yes, there’s a killer plot. A great white shark begins attacking swimmers off the coast of Amity Island. With tourists panicking and local officials scrambling, Police Chief Brody teams up with Hooper and Quint to hunt the predator. The story is simple, but the execution — a mix of horror, action, and razor-sharp suspense — keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
A savvy viewer will even relate to that annoying Mayor (Murray Hamilton) who wants to keep the beach open. After all, aren’t those tourist dollars important? Also, isn’t it important to feed that shark some tasty tourist meat? It’s a win-win!
(In my view, the beach should have been kept open for thrill-seekers and their families; “Are you brave and smart enough to outwit our shark? Come down to Amity Island and show us what you’re made of! Shark attack survivors get a free t-shirt!”)
Jaws Invented the Summer Blockbuster
Before Jaws, summer was a dumping ground for studios. Spielberg changed that by using wide theatrical release and aggressive TV marketing. The result? Lines around the block and a blueprint every major studio still follows.
The movie also re-emphasized the power of a good cinematic score. John Williams’ so-called two-note theme (“duuun dun”) is now shorthand for lurking danger. It’s one of the most recognizable pieces of film music ever written. Granted, people forget the theme actually expands to include more notes, blending into the greater score…but, conventionally speaking, people will always call it a “two-note theme.”
Shark Panic?
After Jaws, the public saw sharks less as ocean wildlife and more as monsters. It sparked fear, fascination, and eventually a wave of shark-centric thrillers. This fear of sharks might tarnish the film’s reputation for some, but look at it this way: If you base your perception of reality on a fictional film, aren’t you a bit of the problem?
The movie might have increased shark phobias, but gullibility is definitely a factor. Also, let’s be honest and look at those teeth — can you honestly say it’s not legitimate nightmare fuel? You should be able to enjoy Jaws and not be pro-shark extermination, right?
Production Problems Made It Better
Painter Bob Ross called mistakes “happy little accidents,” and sometimes those improve art. In this case, the mechanical shark — nicknamed “Bruce” — malfunctioned so often that Spielberg had to hide it for much of the film. Ironically, the absence of the shark made the suspense unbearable and the eventual reveals more terrifying. It’s part of why Jaws broke records, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time until Star Wars arrived in 1977 (and after that, E.T.).
It spawned three sequels (none of them came close to the original), inspired a whole subgenre of ocean-based thrillers, and launched Spielberg into the directorial stratosphere. From the iconic line “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” to its lingering influence on pop culture and filmmaking, Jaws isn’t just a movie about a shark — it’s the movie that devoured Hollywood and spit out the modern blockbuster era.
