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Summary
Jaws is an American film franchise that consists of a novel, four films, a theme park ride, and other tie-in merchandise. The franchise primarily focuses on a great white shark, and its attacks on people in specific areas of the United States. The Brody family is featured in all of the films as the primary antithesis to the shark. The original film was based on a novel written by Peter Benchley, which itself was inspired by the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916. Benchley would adapt his own work, along with help from Carl Gottlieb and Howard Sackler, into the 1975 film Jaws, which was directed by Steven Spielberg. Although Gottlieb would go on to pen two of the three sequels, neither Benchley or Spielberg would return to the film series in any capacity. The first film was regarded as a watershed film in motion picture history; it became the father of the summer blockbuster movies and one of the first "high concept" films. The film is also known for the introduction of John Williams' famous theme music, which was a simple alternating pattern of the E and F notes of a piano. Williams' theme would go on to win an Academy Award. The film would win other Academy Awards, and even be nominated for Best Picture. The success of Jaws led to three sequels, which have amassed almost $800 million worldwide in box office gross. The franchise has also seen the release of various soundtrack albums, additional novelizations based on the sequels, trading cards, inspired theme park rides at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Japan, multiple video games, and a musical that premiered in 2004. Although the first film was popular with critics when it was originally released, the sequels have generally been seen negativity by critics. This reception has spread to the merchandise, with video games seen as poor imitations of the original concept. Nevertheless, the original 1975 film has generally been regarded as one of the greatest films ever, and frequently appears in the top 100 of various American Film Institute rankings.
latest Jaws Articles
Jaws: Why the Original Blockbuster is the Ultimate Summer Horror Film
Summer is in full swing, and it's time to revisit one of the best seasonal horror films of all time, Steven Spielberg's 1975 hit, Jaws.
David Crosby and Jaws Screenwriter Carl Gottlieb Almost Made an Apocalyptic Hippie Movie
"It was basically a dawn-til-dusk, group-eye-view of a post-apocalyptic world in which an extended family group is moving," Gottlieb said of the film.
Steven Spielberg 'Truly' Regrets the Influence Jaws Had on the 'Decimation of the Shark Population'
Steven Spielberg regrets the influence that Jaws' had on the shark population.
Jaws: How a Masterpiece Produced a Terrible Franchise
The first Jaws film is seen as one of the greatest movies of all time. The sequels, however, are known as some of the worst, so what happened?
Every Film in the Jaws Franchise, Ranked
Jaws was the first official summer blockbuster film. It also spawned three sequels. Here, we rank the entire franchise, to see if the sequels hold up.
Ripped from the Headlines: 5 Horror Classic Movies Based on True Stories
Every idea isn't always original. These are five horror movies were based on true stories, and are about to get ten times scarier.
Steven Spielberg Recalls Thinking Jaws Theme Was a Joke
When John Williams first played the Jaws theme song for Steven Spielberg, the director didn't think he was being serious.
10 Wild Animal Movies That Will Keep You Out of the Woods Forever
From killer sharks to massive boars, here are 10 movies about dangerous beasts that will keep viewers under the safety of their blankets.
Jaws Musical Bruce Will Debut in 2022 in Seattle
The unlikely stage production is based on a memoir about the making of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster movie, Jaws.
Jaws TUBBZ Ducks Float in for Bathtime Fun: You're Gonna Need a Bigger Tub
You're gonna need a bigger bathtub for the lastest cute little versions of the classic movie characters.
Jaws on the Water 'Dive-In' Screening Is Back in Texas Next Month
The mega-popular outdoor film event of the summer, watching Jaws on the water in Austin, Texas, is back just in time for Fourth of July weekend.
Universal's Jaws Reboot Pitch Got a Firm 'No' from Steven Spielberg
Universal was seemingly interested in bringing the Jaws franchise back to life with Steven Spielberg as a producer.
New Jurassic World 3: Dominion Photo Pays Tribute to Jaws
A newly released behind-the-scenes image from Jurassic World: Dominion pays homage to Jaws.
Sharks of the Corn Trailer: It's Jaws Meets Children of the Corn
Filmmaker Tim Ritter is returning with Sharks of the Corn, arriving on Blu-Ray and VHS this summer.
Bruce Lives: Jaws Shark Goes on Display at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
The last-surviving shark created from the original mold from Jaws has been restored and placed on display in an L.A. museum.
Real-life Jaws Stalks Swimmers, Gets Shot at by the Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball's crew decided to go for a swim call, but an uninvited friend tried to join them repeatedly.
Jurassic Park and Jaws Top Weekend Box Office Along with Other Spielberg Classics
Steven Spielberg's blockbuster classic Jurassic Park surprisingly came in at the top of the box office over the weekend.
Jaws 45th Anniversary Tribute Video: Robert Shaw's Son Introduces Fan-Made Remake
Ian Shaw presents a special fan-made remake of Jaws for the 45th anniversary of the Steven Spielberg classic.
Jaws Twitter Watch Party Hosted by Kevin Smith Is Happening This Saturday
Universal Pictures has enlisted Kevin Smith to host an online watch party for Jaws in honor of its 45th anniversary.
Jaws Production Designer Opens Up About His Contentious History with the Shark Franchise
Production Designer Joe Alves looks back at the tumultuous production of the classic great white thriller Jaws on its 45th anniversary.