MOVIE NEWS – National Geographic celebrates the 50th anniversary of the now-legendary Jaws with a fresh documentary that delves into the remarkable history, hidden challenges, and pop culture legacy of Spielberg’s breakthrough film.

Premiering July 11 on Disney+ and airing July 12 at 7:30 PM on National Geographic, Jaws: The Inside Story of the 50-Year Phenomenon goes far beyond the usual PR nostalgia, focusing on untold stories and rare behind-the-scenes moments from Steven Spielberg and Peter Benchley’s private archives. The film’s approach is less about marketing and more about revealing the fascinating realities and difficulties that shaped a movie that changed Hollywood forever.

Viewers will hear Spielberg candidly discuss the infamous mechanical shark mishaps, the harsh weather, the onset of post-production stress, and his fear that the whole project might end his career before it even began. Rare home videos and never-before-seen production footage give new depth to the making of Jaws, while the film’s pop culture impact and the controversial “Jaws effect” on shark perception are also re-examined.

The documentary goes beyond the film set, examining how Jaws transformed not only movie marketing and summer blockbusters but also sparked a wave of public fear and fascination toward sharks. Top marine conservationists and scientists—Philippe Cousteau, Candace Fields, Austin Gallagher, Gibbs Kuguru, Dr. John Mandelman (New England Aquarium), Brian Skerry (National Geographic), and Dr. Greg Skomal—reflect on the film’s legacy and its ongoing influence on shark protection and ocean awareness.

This new feature is a collaboration between Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries, Nedland Films, Wendy Benchley, and Laura Bowling, produced by Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey (Amblin Documentaries), Laurent Bouzereau (also director), Markus Keith (Nedland Films), Tracy Rudolph Jackson, and Ted Duvall (National Geographic). Executive producers: Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling.

Source: Disney+