Fifty years ago, a film arrived that changed cinema forever and terrified audiences like nothing before it. Now, the entire iconic horror series, including all four films, is coming to Netflix, ready to haunt a whole new generation.
The original Jaws, released in 1975, introduced viewers to the terrifying Great White shark stalking the waters around the small town of Amity Island.
Sheriff Martin Brody, played by Roy Scheider, teams up with marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and local fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) to take down the deadly predator.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Jaws became a cultural phenomenon, breaking box office records and shaping the modern summer blockbuster. It held the title of highest-grossing film ever made until Star Wars came along two years later.
The saga continued with Jaws 2 in 1978, bringing back Roy Scheider as Brody, now police chief, who suspects another shark is terrorising Amity Island after a series of disappearances and bloody incidents.
Lorraine Gary and Murray Hamilton reprise their roles as Ellen Brody and Mayor Larry Vaughn.In 1983, the franchise took a surprising turn with Jaws 3-D. This sequel stars Dennis Quaid as Michael Brody, Sheriff Brody’s son.
Set in SeaWorld, the film follows a young shark that infiltrates the park, attacking employees and causing chaos. Though it received mixed reviews, Jaws 3-D remains a unique chapter in the series.
The final sequel, Jaws: The Revenge, released in 1987, features Lorraine Gary reprising her role as Ellen Brody, who comes out of retirement convinced a shark is seeking revenge on her family.
This film ignores the events of Jaws 3-D and directly follows Jaws 2. Despite critical panning and holding a low 2% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it concludes the saga with a dark and personal twist.
The original Jaws holds an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece. Critics praise its compelling storytelling and masterful tension, cementing Steven Spielberg’s place in film history.
While its sequels have fared less well critically with Jaws 2 at 56%, Jaws 3-D at 10%, and Jaws: The Revenge at 2%, they contribute to the legacy of this enduring franchise.
Behind the scenes, Spielberg once revealed he mistook a panic attack on set for a heart attack while filming the original, underscoring the intense pressure involved in crafting the film’s iconic suspense.
Spielberg may have been directing a shark attack on screen, but behind the scenes, it was his body that felt under siege.
In a powerful new interview for Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, airing NOW on National Geographic, the 78-year-old filmmaker has revealed that the gruelling production of the film left him so traumatised he thought he was “having a heart attack”.
With all four films now available to stream on Netflix, fans old and new can dive into the full saga, from the ground-breaking original to the wild and varied sequels.
Whether you’re revisiting Amity Island or meeting the shark for the first time, this collection is perfect for anyone ready to experience one of cinema’s most famous horror stories.
