How To Watch The Jaws Movies In Order

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As a lifelong aficionado of all things Jaws, I can confidently say that the evolution of this franchise is as unpredictable as the great white shark itself. The original movie, with its gripping suspense and iconic theme, remains a masterpiece, unrivaled in the annals of cinema history.

As it approaches its 50th anniversary, “Jaws” is universally recognized as a timeless masterpiece and one of the best films ever created. It’s featured in Empire’s list of greatest movies, AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies list, and our collection of top movies of all time. Regrettably, the other films in the series don’t share this acclaim, but if you’re a completist or have an intense fondness for shark-themed movies, you might be interested to know the optimal way to watch the four films sequentially.

The good news is it’s super simple: The chronology of the movies matches up with the release order, so you can watch “Jaws,” “Jaws 2,” “Jaws 3-D,” and “Jaws: The Revenge” in that order. Now that you’ve hopefully got them queued up and ready to go, let’s take a look at the classic 1975 movie and its lesser (but still enjoyable) sequels in a bit more detail.

Jaws (1975)

Many fascinating points can be made regarding the iconic film, “Jaws”. Known as the pioneer of box-office smashes, it instilled an unprecedented fear in a large segment of the population about venturing into water, and served as the catalyst for the meteoric rise of Steven Spielberg’s career.

On the peaceful island of Amity, a young woman is assaulted near its coastline. The new police chief, Martin Brody (played by Roy Scheider), must ensure the town’s residents remain safe from whatever lurks in the ocean. Butting heads with Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) who wants the beaches to stay open, Brody is compelled to take extreme measures and join forces with visiting shark expert Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), a shark aficionado, and local fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) to permanently eliminate the danger posed by the sea monster.

The captivating aspect of “Jaws” lies in its straightforwardness, yet upon closer examination, there’s a depth hidden beneath the surface. On one side, it’s a basic tale of man versus nature; on the other, it delves into survival, healing past wounds, and the marks they leave behind, the tensions between upholding the law and preserving political image, and the power struggles depicted through a masculine lens. Furthermore, “Jaws” struck a chord with both audiences and critics, winning Oscars for sound design, editing, and John Williams’ iconic theme. While awards are always welcome, the lasting impact of “Jaws” is in its ability to continue resonating with viewers today – much like it did back in 1975.

Jaws 2 (1978)

Nowadays, a financially successful film usually leads to a series of sequels – sequels, prequels, reboots, and even legacy sequels. However, in the 70’s, things weren’t as predictable. But it’s understandable that the success of “Jaws” in 1975 inspired the studio to capitalize on the summer box office success by creating more films in a similar vein.

In “Jaws 2”, we encounter familiar characters like Roy Scheider as Chief Brody, Lorraine Gary as his wife Ellen, and Murray Hamilton, with everyone going about their daily lives in Amity. However, when a shark reappears near the island, it stirs up Brody’s deepest fears. When Brody’s sons Michael (Mark Gruner) and Sean (Marc Gilpin), along with some friends and boats, venture out to sea, they find themselves in grave peril. It falls upon Chief Brody to rescue them from danger.

Attempting to replicate a masterwork can prove challenging, yet “Jaws 2” manages to deliver as an acceptable sequel, especially due to the return of original cast members. Its most intriguing aspect lies in its portrayal of Brody’s PTSD. Not only does he grapple with the terrifying reality of confronting his past, but also with the parental distress of his sons being endangered – all while wrestling with his own thoughts and traumatic recollections. Despite being a noticeable step down from its predecessor, lacking the guiding touch of Steven Spielberg, approaching it with modest expectations could lead to a satisfying experience.

Jaws 3-D (1983)

In contrast to other films in the Jaws series, “Jaws 3-D” stands out as the only one without any recurring actors. Instead, it focuses on the Brody family, specifically Michael and Sean, who were portrayed by Dennis Quaid and John Putch respectively, while Joe Alves, the production designer for both “Jaws” and “Jaws 2”, took over direction. This installment shifts the setting to a SeaWorld park.

In the Florida park, Michael, the chief engineer, receives a visit from his younger brother. A malfunction leads one of the ocean gates to stick shut, and surprisingly, a shark finds its way into the aquarium, causing chaos for the marine life and the park’s guests. Despite having minimal continuity with the other movies, “Jaws 3-D” can be enjoyed as a self-contained, humorous, and somewhat absurd shark film. Given its outrageous premise, it acts as an amusing precursor to the even more eccentric shark films produced by The Asylum or the Syfy channel in later years.

Despite earning a dismal 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and receiving five Razzie nominations, it’s clear that “Jaws 3-D” is generally considered a poor film. However, it has an unusual appeal due to its questionable 3-D effects, which appear even more problematic in high definition, and offers a particularly thrilling scene where someone is eaten by the shark if you appreciate such moments.

Jaws: The Revenge (1987)

It’s widely acknowledged that the quality of the Jaws films deteriorates over time, as indicated by their Rotten Tomatoes scores dropping significantly from a stellar 97% for the original Jaws to a dismal 2% for Jaws: The Revenge in 1987. The reputation of this film is so poor that a criticism from its lead actor, Michael Caine, is often more famous than the movie itself. As Sir Michael Caine put it (via Raremedia), “I haven’t seen it, but I have seen the house it bought my mother, and it’s marvelous!” According to many reviews, Jaws: The Revenge is one of the worst films ever produced.

In a seemingly strategic choice, “Jaws: The Revenge” disregards all events in “Jaws 3-D.” Instead, this installment primarily revolves around Ellen Brody, who returns delightfully to her role, played by Lorraine Gary. With another shark-related calamity befalling the family, Ellen suspects the creature holds a grudge against them. This suspicion appears valid when the shark pursues her from Amity Island to the Bahamas.

There’s little argument against the facts when discussing “Jaws: The Revenge” – its dismal Rotten Tomatoes rating and seven Razzie nominations (with one win for worst visual effects) clearly tell the tale. If you can look past the preposterous notion of a vengeful shark, “Jaws: The Revenge” remains a goofy delight. Ellen’s revenge narrative is quite badass, and it’s refreshing that her storyline, which was mostly in the shadows for two films and absent in the third, finally gets a fitting resolution.

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2024-12-24 20:30