Jaws is a 1975 American thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the novel by Peter Benchley, that follows Police Chief Martin Brody as he faces an unseen terror lurking beneath the waters of a quiet New England beach town. When a series of brutal shark attacks shatter the summer season, Brody joins forces with a marine biologist and a hardened shark hunter to track and destroy the great white responsible, before fear consumes the island entirely.

Filmed on the open ocean off Martha’s Vineyard, the production became legendary for its challenges, with malfunctioning mechanical sharks forcing Spielberg to rely on tension, suggestion, and the now-iconic, pulse-pounding score by John Williams. The result is a masterclass in suspense that redefined how audiences experience fear.

Widely regarded as the first summer blockbuster, Jaws transformed Hollywood forever, pairing a simple, high-concept premise with groundbreaking marketing and unforgettable filmmaking. Its legacy endures as one of the most influential and thrilling films ever made.

Runtime: 124 minutes

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Music by: John Williams

Based on the novel by: Peter Benchley
Screenplay by: Peter Benchley & Carl Gottlieb

Starring: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton