As a gamer with a soft spot for classic films and a deep appreciation for the impact they’ve had on popular culture, I can confidently say that “Jaws” is one of those timeless masterpieces that left an indelible mark on my cinematic journey. The original film was not just a blockbuster, but a game-changer that redefined what a summer movie could be.
Back in 1975, if you had any knowledge about film history, you’d recognize that director Steven Spielberg skyrocketed to fame with the release of “Jaws”. This iconic movie was based on Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel and featured impressive performances by Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss. The film significantly contributed to the New Hollywood movement in cinema. To put it mildly, “Jaws” was an extraordinary success; earning over $260 million on a budget of just $7 million, it demonstrated to the industry that blockbusters were worthwhile investments.
Despite the fact that the fearsome shark was eventually vanquished, the movie “Jaws” gave rise to a sequence of sequels, paving the way for an expansive franchise. If you’re curious about where to catch each episode in the “Jaws” series today and how many there are, we’ve got you covered. So, buckle up and get ready, because we’re diving into the depths of this shark-filled series!
Here’s where to watch the entire Jaws movie series
To begin with, it’s important to note that there are just four authentic “Jaws” films in existence. If you’ve been told differently, there might have been a misunderstanding. An unofficial fifth film titled “Cruel Jaws,” also known as “The Beast” or “Jaws 5: Cruel Jaws,” was produced in Italy. This movie used footage from the original films (as well as the Italian movie “Great White”), but it has no real connection to the series. In summary, there are only four legitimate “Jaws” productions, and most of them can be found on streaming services. The first three “Jaws” movies can be streamed on Netflix, while the fourth installment, “Jaws: The Revenge,” is available for rental on digital platforms.
- “Jaws” (1975) is available for streaming on Netflix
- “Jaws 2” (1978) is available for streaming on Netflix
- “Jaws 3-D” (1983) is available for streaming on Netflix
- “Jaws: The Revenge” is available for rent digitally on Apple TV and Prime Video
What’s the Best (and worst) Jaws movie?
It’s no exaggeration or shock to fans of the series that they consider the first “Jaws” movie as the best in the franchise, even one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces. Spielberg’s precise direction, Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb’s sharp script, and outstanding performances by the main actors make “Jaws” stand out as a cinematic triumph. Regrettably, this excellence sets a high bar that the subsequent films seem unable to match, eventually falling short completely. Each sequel is progressively worse than its predecessor, but “Jaws 2,” despite mixed reviews, isn’t as bad as some might think. Interestingly, most of the original cast (with the exception of Richard Dreyfuss and obviously Robert Shaw) reappears in the sequel, with Jeannot Szwarc replacing Spielberg as director for this installment.
Apart from “Jaws 3-D,” often referred to as simply “Jaws 3”, there’s also “Jaws: The Revenge.” These films, when compared to the original, lack cohesion and quality. Interestingly, “The Revenge” disregards the events of the third film and instead serves as a direct continuation of “Jaws 2.” However, neither manages to recreate the charm of the first movie. In contrast to the 1978 sequel, which had many original cast members, few from the original cast chose to participate in these later films. The original “Jaws” boasts a remarkable 97% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, whereas the sequels struggle to attain even a fraction of that success, with the fourth and final film earning a dismal 2% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Will there ever be another Jaws movie?
Despite Universal Pictures playfully hinting at additional “Jaws” sequels, including a fictional “Jaws 19,” following a specific scene in “Back to the Future Part II,” no genuine continuation of the “Jaws” series is being developed currently. The franchise has essentially stalled since the lackluster response to “Jaws: The Revenge.” In all honesty, there’s not much scope for “Jaws” to expand as a franchise given its premise. Once or twice a killer shark (even if it doesn’t appear until later in the film), there isn’t much else to explore, and each subsequent sequel seemed increasingly repetitive of the original.
Currently, there’s been a lot of chatter suggesting a remake, but truthfully, we’ve had enough shark films as it stands. With “The Meg” and its sequel, along with the six-part “Sharknado” series, another “Jaws” would merely blend in like background noise. Frankly, the original still holds a special place, even with its inaccuracies about sharks, and remains timeless after all these years.
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2024-11-22 18:30