Steven Spielberg’s classic thriller Jaws is considered one of the greatest films ever made. It created the “blockbuster” phenomena that in contemporary cinema can be witnessed in crowd-pleasing franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It set the conventions for modern man-versus-monster movies – Ridley Scott’s Alien was pitched as “Jaws in space”, for example. And it put its director on a career path that would make him the most commercially successful filmmaker of all time.
However, Jaws’ legacy also saw it have a profound impact on pop culture. From leisure activities like swimming and fishing to merchandise, gaming, and fashion. It even saw some of its classic lines like “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” frequent conversations in which people, with a tongue in their cheek, wanted to suggest they felt out of their depth. The reasons behind the film’s longevity as an audience favourite extend beyond the on-screen battle between Chief Brody and the Great White shark.
A Look at Jaws’ Wider Legacy
Infamously, Jaws’ immediate impact saw many being deterred from swimming. It turned sharks into malevolent creatures almost overnight, emptying tourist hotspots as sun-seekers avoided the beaches. Conversely, it boosted the shark-fishing industry, creating a frenzy of activity especially on the U.S. East Coast where the film is set.
The appeal of sport fishing can be seen in the games that were influenced both directly and indirectly by the film. Ravensburger developed a strategy board game in which players set out on the Orca to get the shark, while video games, such as 1987’s Jaws for the NES console and Zen Studios’ virtual pinball game in 2017, which featured the boat captain, Quint, each incorporated the fishing theme.
In addition, Aristocrat unveiled a video slot machine in 2009 called Jaws: Night Hunter. It features a progressive jackpot with familiar symbols, such as a shark cage and the recognisable yellow buoys used to spot the aggressive fish, helping to bring the movie to life.
Fishing also remains a very popular theme for slots and has witnessed a variety of online versions emerge as a result. Jackpot Fu Fish by Skywind, in which the traditional sight of spinning reels is discarded for shoot‘em up game mechanics, recalls the end of Jaws in which Chief Brody, down to the last bullet in his rifle, has one last chance to kill the shark before it makes him lunch. Similarly, Razor Shark from Push, which is a popular online fish shooting game real money no deposit slot available with free spins at top platforms like Bet365, features a Great White that mimics the creature seen in the film.
Elsewhere, Jaws’ influence can be seen in everything from theme park rides to theatre plays. For example, it inspired two rides based on the movie — one at Universal Studios Florida, which ran until 2012, and another in Japan, alongside an animatronic scene featured in the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour. On the stage, the movie has been adapted twice into musical parodies while a more recent musical, Bruce, premiered in 2022. In 2024, the film’s legacy could be seen in Lego’s collectable 1,500-piece set depicting the dramatic attack scene on the boat.
Beyond the Screen
The legacy of Jaws reaches far beyond the screen, cementing its place in pop culture through theme parks, games, musicals, and merchandise. Spielberg’s thriller not only transformed the film industry but also inspired diverse adaptations and memorabilia, ensuring that its influence remains vibrant and enduring across generations.
