Jaws

Name: Jaws
Genre: Adventure, Thriller, Horror
Released: June 20, 1975
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 87
Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider

1975

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 21 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 739 Ratings

See All

8.6

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.6	Your Score
8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 739 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Jaws

Now Playing: Jaws

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: June 20, 1975 | PG

Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider

Summary: When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled shark hunter (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. [Universal Pictures]

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre(s): Adventure, Thriller, Horror

Rating: PG

Runtime: 124 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

A.D. Murphy

Robert Shaw [is] absolutely magnificent as a coarse fisherman finally hired to locate the Great White Shark; and Richard Dreyfuss, in another excellent characterization as a likeable young scientist. Read full review

100

John Bleasdale

Importantly, Spielberg instinctively knows exactly when to keep his camera still and allow what's in front of it to take precedence. Read full review

100

Ty Burr

Steven Spielberg overcame the lumpy plotting of Peter Benchley's novel to create an efficient, graceful fright machine in Jaws. Read full review

100

The Telegraph Martin Chilton

The terror, panic and small town politics are all brilliantly done but this is also a film about bravery and friendship and the scenes in which the trio bond as they sit out at sea waiting to fight death itself are moving and witty. Read full review

100

Arthur Knight

Perhaps the most perfectly constructed horror story in our time. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

What sets Jaws apart from most of the other ceiling busters and makes it a special case, like "The Godfather," is that it is quite a good movie. For one thing, it is mercifully free of the padding—cosmic, comic, cultural—that so often mars "big" pictures. In that sense, the movie is very like its subject. If the great white shark that terrorizes the beaches of an island summer colony is one of nature's most efficient killing machines, Jaws is an efficient entertainment machine. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Steven Spielberg's mechanical thriller is guaranteed to make you scream on schedule (John Williams's score even has the audience reactions programmed into the melodies), particularly if your tolerance for weak motivation and other minor inconsistencies is high. Read full review

SEE ALL 21 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

TheNewSpielberg

Mar 31, 2011

Jaws is simply one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. Based on the best-selling novel by Peter Benchley, the film opened to audiences around the world and apart from receiving critical acclaim, grossed hundreds of millions thanks to word of mouth and clever advertising. ThreeJaws is simply one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. Based on the best-selling novel by Peter Benchley, the film opened to audiences around the world and apart from receiving critical acclaim, grossed hundreds of millions thanks to word of mouth and clever advertising. Three mediocre sequels followed in 1978, 1983 and 1987 but the original from 1975 is THE definitive suspense film. The plot concerns a small New England holiday resort that is being terrorized by a killer great white shark. The corrupt mayor of the town wishes to regard the numerous shark attacks as boating accidents. However, as the bodies mount it becomes clear to police chief Martin Brody that the problem can no longer be ignored. So, with the help of oceanographer Matt Hooper and crusty old fisherman Quint, Brody heads out to sea on a small boat in order to catch and kill the shark once and for all. Once they get on open sea, the film suddenly becomes a straight out action-adventure film, which is a genius move by both Spielberg and the producers, because in the first half of the film, the tension is slowly built up notch by notch so that when the viewer wants the shark dead too, then the characters decide to do the same and the way it gradually makes the transition is brilliant. Also, one cannot review the film without mentioning the iconic musical score by composer John Williams, a frequent choice in nearly all Spielberg's films. The music represents the mindless attack of the shark and it also is accompanied by some traditional swashbuckler music in the less suspenseful moments. The film's other big claim to fame is the fact that it had one of the most troublesome shoots in film history. The three mechanical sharks constructed for the film rarely worked, and when they did it was only for a short while. The reason for having three sharks was so that the filmmakers could exercise their control over the shark. The cast is superb also, with Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss all giving their signature performances. However, the star of the show, as all learned movie buffs know, is really the shark. The film was released on June 20th of 1975 and quickly became the most popular film of all time at that time. It set the record for summer blockbusters since, grossing over 400 million dollars and shooting Spielberg to international fame. Overall, a classic chiller that belongs in every DVD collection. (10/10)… Expand

25 of 28 users found this helpful253

PvtJackson

Jun 23, 2014

In comparison with modern horror-free, idiotic and laughable movies about killer sharks, we gradually pay more and more tribute to Steven Spielberg's original Jaws as a classic horror cult that successfully rose beyond mediocre plotting and storytelling in spite of somewhat umimpressiveIn comparison with modern horror-free, idiotic and laughable movies about killer sharks, we gradually pay more and more tribute to Steven Spielberg's original Jaws as a classic horror cult that successfully rose beyond mediocre plotting and storytelling in spite of somewhat umimpressive visual effects as regards to presence.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

AxeT

Jun 21, 2015

The classic summer blockbuster that started the 40 year continuing trend not only holds up but is better with every viewing (save that very first time as a young kid in the theatre, nothing could compare). It's one in an extremely rare pantheon of movies that defy all odds by being betterThe classic summer blockbuster that started the 40 year continuing trend not only holds up but is better with every viewing (save that very first time as a young kid in the theatre, nothing could compare). It's one in an extremely rare pantheon of movies that defy all odds by being better than their best selling novels. The vision of its new director was a most assured behind the camera presence that I sensed even as a seven year old. It was a whole new level of movie.
Now the DCP being shown for its theatrical re-release shows how amazingly that original film photography holds up. It still looks like a contemporary shot movie in many ways, and the digital surround sound is on the same level.
This is an example of pure 100% efficiency movie making with not a second wasted in its Oscar winning editing packed so tight with goods you are amazed how much and rich a story for one feature. That was the case in 1975 and holds true today. I feel sorry for those younger generations who think it drags in the second act. They've been brainwashed by too much of today's insipid pace for pace's sake bloated VFX movies which leave character and nuance in the dust. The balance of pacing achieved by Jaws was at an all time pinnacle I'd say.
Probably the most famous music score in cinematic history with maybe only Psycho, Rocky, Star Wars and 007 as contenders, and despite being endlessly used in parodies, it's still absolutely effective.
The secret to the monster movie here was casting great actors in a human story that only amplifies the menace of the terrifying beast below in that rare Hollywood scenario (especially these days): a horror that is entirely possible and real yet never underwhelming. If Jaws was made today, undoubtedly it would be too over-the-top. CGI would certainly ruin it and not because of that wonderful technology itself but the misuse and overuse of it.
Even rarer, it is that once in a generation cinematic event that transcends the silver screen and becomes a cultural milestone and part of our collective consciousness. Psycho did it with the shower. Fatal Attraction did it with the one night stand. Jaws did it not just with sharks but with the water itself, and in even deeper and more primal terms with what lies beneath the water - the great unknown.
Equally simple B grade thriller material elevated by class A big studio machinery which took the project seriously, a man against nature adventure classic for the ages, and a well researched scientific study of sharks and the oceans which became the inspiration for so many marine biologists, conservationists, and documentarians; JAWS is as great as movies ever get. The old saying, they don't make 'em like they used to never applied more.
Long Live The Great White!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SteveP

Dec 12, 2005

OK i know it's a cult movie, and i am a member of it's cult. But even if you Hate Cult Movies, you'll love this. The acting was Great, the setting was really belivible, the music was some of the best i have ever herd in a film and really got you in the mood of the film. And OK i know it's a cult movie, and i am a member of it's cult. But even if you Hate Cult Movies, you'll love this. The acting was Great, the setting was really belivible, the music was some of the best i have ever herd in a film and really got you in the mood of the film. And it really did scare me and kept me on the edge of my set. Even after seeing it 100 times there are parts that will still get you. The acting was acctualy really good, I loved Richard Dryfuss as Matt Hooper. I am now reading the book to and it's even more exciting. Truely the greates 70s Disaster movies, no greates Disaster movie Period.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

GustavoH.R.

Jan 16, 2005

A genuine classic; filled with great suspensful moments, wonderfully directed and precisely shot. The main trio of characters and its performers as well as their interaction are as remarkable as the film itself. John Williams' widely known score needs no compliments. One of A genuine classic; filled with great suspensful moments, wonderfully directed and precisely shot. The main trio of characters and its performers as well as their interaction are as remarkable as the film itself. John Williams' widely known score needs no compliments. One of Spielberg's best.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Aboodash56

Jul 6, 2021

Jaws is one of the most intense and suspenseful films I've ever seen. Based on the 1974 best-selling novel by Peter Benchley, Jaws is highly regarded as the first blockbuster summer movie and it does a great job in building up suspense towards the shark's first appearance. This is also theJaws is one of the most intense and suspenseful films I've ever seen. Based on the 1974 best-selling novel by Peter Benchley, Jaws is highly regarded as the first blockbuster summer movie and it does a great job in building up suspense towards the shark's first appearance. This is also the film that made Steven Spielberg famous, who does a great job building up the tension and making the shark's presence ominous. The practical effects do a fantastic job in bringing the shark to life and making it realistic. The score by John Williams is phenomenal and add to the film's suspenseful nature. The cast do a great job in their roles, especially Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw. Still remains one of the greatest horror movies ever made and will always be regarded as a classic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JamesC.

Nov 27, 2007

Filed: Jaws, the worst movie of all time, Spielberg's worst, what a waste of time.

0 of 12 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 150 REVIEWS