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Jaws Celebrates 50th Anniversary With NBC Telecast and Definitive Documentary

The 50th anniversary celebrations have spurred themed merchandise, a major NBC prime-time event, new scholarly reflections, renewed scrutiny of the film’s effects on shark conservation

Robert Shaw (from left), Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss track a great white shark in 1975's "Jaws."
Ippei Mizuhara (R) leaves the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, California, on February 6, 2025. The former interpreter to Shohei Ohtani, who admitted stealing almost $17 million from the Japanese baseball star to pay off illegal gambling debts, was sentenced to 57 months in prison on February 6. Mizuhara was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $18.1 million in his sentencing in federal court. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
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A great white shark opens his mouth to eat a man on a boat in Jaws: The Revenge

Overview

  • NBC will air a three-hour prime-time special on June 20 featuring iconic scenes, cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage to honor Spielberg’s landmark thriller.
  • National Geographic premiered Jaws @50: The Definitive Story this month to chronicle the film’s challenging production and lasting influence on popular culture.
  • Universal Pictures has rolled out an official line of Jaws-themed apparel and collectibles timed to coincide with the anniversary events.
  • Shark conservation groups are calling for enhanced protections after research and historical accounts tied the film’s portrayal of great whites to increased hunting and population declines.
  • Richard Dreyfuss has publicly apologized for his early on-set criticisms and original cast members have reunited at special screenings to share memories of Spielberg’s suspense-building techniques.