Like Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park films, the Jaws movies are set in the present day but with a historical event as their backstory.
The first movie in the series, Jaws, was released in 1975 and directed by Steven Spielberg. It is considered one of the greatest films of all time and is responsible for popularizing the summer blockbuster film. The movie was based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Peter Benchley.
After the first movie’s success, two sequels were released quickly. Jaws 2 came out in 1978 and was once again directed by Steven Spielberg. The third movie in the series, Jaws 3-D, was released in 1983.
The franchise broke after Jaws 3-D and returned in 1987 with the fourth and final installment, Jaws: The Revenge. This movie was not as well-received as the previous ones but is still considered a cult classic by some fans.
The Jaws franchise is one of the most popular and well-known movie series of all time. It is based on the story of Amity Island and the Brody family dealing with various shark attacks.
List of All Jaws Movies in Order of Release
- Jaws (1975)
- Jaws 2 (1978)
- Jaws 3-D (1983)
- Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Jaws (1975)
Director: Steven Spielberg | Writers: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb | Stars: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: The runtime of the movie is 2 hours and 4 minutes. | Release Date: June 20, 1975, | Language: The language is English. | Genres: The movie genres are adventure and thriller. | Filming Locations: Water Street, Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA | Production Companies: Zanuck/Brown Productions, Universal Pictures | Budget: The budget for the movie was $7 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $476 million.
The first movie was released in June of 1975 and was titled Jaws. The movie was based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Peter Benchley. The movie tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes the beach community of Amity Island.
When the killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it’s up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down. The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. It starred Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss.
The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $476 million at the box office with a budget of only $7 million. The movie was also responsible for popularizing the summer blockbuster film.
During a beach party, Chrissie Watkins goes missing while she goes for a swim in the ocean. The next day, her severed head and left arm washed ashore. Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) suspects a shark is responsible and closes the beaches. However, the mayor refuses to do so as it will damage the town’s summertime economy.
A short time later, a young boy named Alex Kintner is killed by a shark while swimming. Brody then persuades the mayor to hire shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) to kill the beast. The three men set out on a boat to find the shark, but it proves to be more difficult than they thought.
To maintain the summer economy, Larry Vaughn confirms Chrissie’sChrissie’s death as a boating accident and reopens the beaches. However, after another young boy is killed, he closes the beaches again.
This time, Brody enlists the help of oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) to find the shark. The three men set out on a boat to find the shark, but it proves to be more difficult than they thought.
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Jaws 2 (1978)
Director: Jeannot Szwarc | Writer: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb, Howard Sackler | Stars: Roy Scheider, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: The runtime of the movie is 1 hour and 56 minutes. | Release Date: June 16, 1978, | Language: The language is English. | Genres: The movie genres are adventure, horror, and thriller. | Filming Locations: Okaloosa Island, Florida, USA | Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Zanuck/Brown Productions | Budget: The budget for the movie was $20 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $187 million.
The second movie in the series was released in 1978 and is titled Jaws 2. The movie was again based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Peter Benchley. The sequel to the first movie tells the story of another shark terrorizing the citizens of Amity Island. This time, however, the sheriff is joined by his son in taking on the beast.
The movie was directed by Jeannot Szwarc and written by Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb, and Howard Sackler. It starred Roy Scheider, Lorraine Gary, and Murray Hamilton. The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $187 million at the box office with a budget of $20 million.
After three years of events in the previous film, At Amity Island, Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) now has two sons, Sean (Mitchell Anderson) and Michael (Jonathan Brandis). One night, a group of teenagers is attacked by a great white shark while sailing.
The only survivor, Mike Brady, is rescued by his father and Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss). The next day, the beaches are closed, but the mayor refuses to do so as it will damage the town’s summertime economy.
A short time later, a group of teenagers, including Sean, go out on a boat. The shark attacks and kills several of them. Sean is able to get away and swims to shore, where his father and Hooper find him.
After the police recover a Camera of one of the divers who was attacked, Martin and Hooper watch the footage and discover that there is a baby great white shark with the mother. They realize that the shark is protecting its offspring, and that is why it is attacking. The three men set out on a boat to find the shark, but it proves to be more difficult than they thought.
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Jaws 3-D (1983)
Director: Joe Alves | Writer: Peter Benchley, Richard Matheson, Carl Gottlieb | Stars: Dennis Quaid, Bess Armstrong, Simon MacCorkindale | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: The runtime of the movie is 1 hour and 39 minutes. | Release Date: July 22, 1983, | Language: The language is English. | Genres: The movie genres are adventure, horror, and thriller. | Filming Locations: Universal Owned Property, Orlando, Florida, USA | Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Alan Landsburg Productions, MCA Theatricals | Budget: The budget for the movie was $20 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $87 million.
The third movie in the series was released in 1983 and is titled Jaws 3-D. The movie was again based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Peter Benchley. The movie tells the story of a great white shark terrorizing a theme park. The movie is notable for its use of 3D technology and for being one of the first movies to be released in IMAX.
The movie was directed by Joe Alves and written by Peter Benchley, Richard Matheson, and Carl Gottlieb. It starred Dennis Quaid, Bess Armstrong, and Simon MacCorkindale. The movie was a commercial success, grossing over $87 million at the box office with a budget of $20 million. However, the movie was a critical failure, with many claiming that it was nothing more than a cash grab.
Orlando theme park’s new underwater tunnel is ready to open, but before its opening, a great white shark enters the park through the tunnel and begins attacking people. Park owner Calvin Bouchard (Simon MacCorkindale) orders the park to be closed, but the mayor refuses to do so as it will damage the town’s summertime economy.
Meanwhile, Brody (Roy Scheider) and Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) team up with marine biologist Kay Morgan (Bess Armstrong) to try and stop the shark. The three men set out on a boat to find the shark, but it proves to be more difficult than they thought.
When Shelby Overman, a mechanic, dives into the water to find and fix the issue, the shark attacks and kills him. Brody, Hooper, and Kay find his body. They realize that killing the shark is the only way to stop it. The three men set out on a boat to find the shark, but it proves to be more difficult than they thought.
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Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Director: Joseph Sargent | Writer: Peter Benchley, Michael De Guzman | Stars: Lorraine Gary, Lance Guest, Mario Van Peebles | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: The runtime of the movie is 1 hour and 29 minutes. | Release Date: July 17, 1987, | Language: The language is English. | Genres: The movie genres are adventure, horror, and thriller. | Filming Locations: Bahamas | Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment | Budget: The budget for the movie was $23 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $51 million.
The fourth and final movie in the series was released in 1987 and is titled Jaws: The Revenge. The movie was again based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Peter Benchley. The sequel to the first movie tells the story of another shark terrorizing the citizens of Amity Island. This time, however, the sheriff is joined by his son in taking on the beast.
The movie was directed by Joseph Sargent and written by Peter Benchley and Michael De Guzman. It starred Lorraine Gary, Lance Guest, and Mario Van Peebles. The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $51 million at the box office with a budget of $23 million.
At Amity Island, After the death of Police Chief Martin Brody, Ellen, Martin’sMartin’s widow, continues to live in their house on the island with their son, Michael (Lance Guest). One night, a great white shark attacks and kills Michael while he is swimming.
Ellen becomes obsessed with finding and killing the shark. She teams up with Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and they set out on a boat to find the shark. The three men set out on a boat to find the shark, but it proves to be more difficult than they thought.
While they are out at sea, the shark attacks and kills Hooper, Ellen is able to kill the shark, and she finally has her revenge. Michael, Martin’sMartin’s older Son, comes to Amity for Sean’sSean’s funeral and finds his mother in a state of shock. He takes her back to New York with him.
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Jaws Movies In Order by IMDB Rating
| Movies | Rating on IMDB |
|---|---|
| Jaws | 8.1/10 |
| Jaws 2 | 5.8/10 |
| Jaws 3-D | 3.7/10 |
| Jaws: The Revenge | 3.0/10 |
FAQs
Are All of The Jaws Movies Part of The Same Series?
Yes, all of the Jaws movies are part of the same series. The first movie was released in 1975, and the most recent movie was released in 1987.
Do You Need To Watch Jaws Movies In Order?
No, you don’t need to watch the Jaws movies in order, but if you want to, the order they were released is Jaws (1975), Jaws 2 (1978), Jaws 3-D (1983), and Jaws: The Revenge (1987).
What Are The Main Characters In The Jaws Movies?
The main characters in the first movie are Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw). The main character in the second movie is Chief Brody’sBrody’s son, Sean (Mitchell Anderson).
The main characters in the third movie are Calvin Bouchard (Simon MacCorkindale), Brody, and Hooper. The main character in the fourth movie is Ellen Brody (Lorraine Gary), Chief Brody’sBrody’s widow.
What Are The Jaws Movies About?
The first movie is about a great white shark that terrorizes the town of Amity Island. The second movie is about a great white shark that attacks a group of teenagers, including Sean Brody.
The third movie is about a great white shark that attacks people at an underwater theme park. The fourth movie is about Ellen Brody’sBrody’s obsession with finding and killing the great white shark that killed her son.
Do The Jaws Movies Take Place In The Same Universe?
Yes, the Jaws movies take place in the same universe.
What Is The Best Jaws Movie?
That is a matter of opinion, but the first movie is generally considered to be the best of the series because it is the most suspenseful and scary. The second movie is also considered good, but it is not as highly regarded as the first. The third and fourth movies are not as well-liked as the first two movies.
Do The Jaws Movies Have Any Remakes?
No, the Jaws movies do not have any remakes.
Do The Jaws Movies Have Any Connections To Other Movies?
Yes, the character of Hooper from the first movie appears in the second movie. Also, the third movie features cameos from Steven Spielberg (the director of the first movie) and Roy Scheider (the star of the first movie).
What Are The Jaws Movies Rated?
The first movie is rated PG, the second movie is rated PG-13, the third movie is rated R, and the fourth movie is rated PG-13.
Where can I watch Jaws Movies?
Right now, you can watch Jaws on Amazon Prime. You are able to stream Jaws by renting or purchasing on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.
Conclusion
Jaws franchise is a great series of movies to watch if you’re looking for suspense, scares, and thrills. All of the movies are connected and take place in the same universe. The first movie is generally considered to be the best, but all of the movies are worth watching.
In this article, we discussed the release order of the Jaws movies, the main characters in each movie, what the movies are about, if the movies take place in the same universe, what is the best Jaws movie, if the movies have any remakes, if the movies have any connections to other movies, and where you can watch them.
We also provided some suggestions for other movie franchises that you can binge-watch. I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. Thank you for reading!
Hey, My name is Charles Eames, I am a designer, filmmaker, and lover of photographic arts. And I usually write about movies, Famous/Influential People. I am running this blog with my girlfriend Bernice.