Steven Spielberg’s classic blockbusterJawsis heading to Netflix in September, and the sequels will also be coming to the platform. The movie was based on Peter Benchley’s book, which was published just one year before Spielberg released his breakout movie. While the director previously worked onDuel(1971) andThe Sugarland Express(1974), it wasJawsthat made him the famous creator he is today.
With sharks bringing havoc to various fictional tourist destinations, staying at home and watching Amity Island and SeaWorld-set adventures is likely the wisest decision. Three of the fourJawsmovies will now streamdirectly from a popular platform.Jaws,Jaws 2, andJaws 3-Dwill be coming to Netflixon September 1st, where they will join Spielberg’sBand of Brothersfor easy viewing.
Did You Know: The shark would have appeared more regularly, if not for repeated issues with the robotic shark.
Jaws
Cast
Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the residents of Amity Island as they face terror from a menacing great white shark. The town’s police chief, a marine biologist, and a seasoned shark hunter join forces to track and kill the predator threatening their coastal community. Released in 1975.
Spielberg is today an acclaimed director with beloved content in his catalog. When he first began directing his renowned shark movie, however, he was still a relatively unknown name in Hollywood. His skill in developing the world of Amity Island helped to establish him, as it takes an extraordinary movie to kickstart a career as respected as his. WithoutJaws, it is unlikely that there would have ever been anE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial(1982), aRaiders of the Lost Ark(1981), or aSchindler’s List(1993), as studios might have been less willing to take risks on a new director.
Outside of boosting Spielberg’s career, the horror ofJawsis its biggest draw.Characters are routinely hounded by a shark that rarely shows its face. Spielberg never shies away from showcasing the sheer terror of being chased by deadly sea-life or worrying about children trapped in the water. It helps that he adds surreal characters who could have been lifted out of Herman Melville’sMoby-Dick. Robert Shaw’s Quint, Roy Scheider’s Martin Brody, and Richard Dreyfuss' Matt Hooper all feel larger-than-life, which helps them stand out against the threat of the great white in the original.
How Big The Shark In Jaws Was (& Comparison To The Largest Great White Sharks Ever)
Bruce, the terrifying shark from Jaws, was built to be massive. Unfortunately, his size may be what separates him from real Great White Sharks.
While the later movies are not quite as beloved, they are worth watching, if only to complete the story. The final movie,Jaws: The Revenge(1987), is not coming to Netlix, but the other three need to be witnessed to fully grasp the enormity of the stakes in a relatively grounded story. The suspense stands above all else, as the often-unseen shark can draw worry from even the most seasoned viewer. Even those who have seen it before can have the opportunity to watch a classic movie again from the comfort of their own couch.
WhatScreenRanthas said aboutJaws:
There are almost too many shocking iconic moments in Jaws to count, and the sheer abundance of them proves why it’s earned a rightly-deserved place as being considered a classic must-watch movie by many critics and viewers alike. In 1975, Steven Spielberg unwittingly created the summer blockbuster that changed the movie business forever with the shark-movie Jaws — a suspense-filled, seafaring thriller that brought artistic filmmaking techniques and careful character development to a high-concept Hollywood production, Jaws has been praised as one of the greatest films ever made.Jaws: 10 Most Iconic Moments, Ranked
Jaws Key Facts
Box Office
$476.5 million (Jaws), $208 million (Jaws 2), $88 million, (Jaws 3-D)
90% (Jaws), 39% (Jaws 2), 17% (Jaws 3-D)
Major Awards
Academy Award for Best Film Editing (Jaws), Best Original Dramatic Score (Jaws), Best Sound (Jaws).
