the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Fifty years ago today, moviegoers were introduced to the terrifying depths of the ocean with the release of “Jaws” (1975) — a film that would forever change the entertainment industry. Directed by a then-28-year-old Steven Spielberg, the movie became the first true summer blockbuster, famously grossing over $100 million at the box office and launching a new era in Hollywood.
🦈 A Cinematic Game-Changer
Released on June 20, 1975, Jaws was only Spielberg’s second theatrical release, but its impact was immediate. With its blend of thriller, suspense, and character-driven storytelling, the film captivated audiences and set a precedent for big-budget summer releases.
Set on the fictional Amity Island (but filmed on location at Martha’s Vineyard), the story follows:
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Roy Scheider as Chief Martin Brody
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Richard Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper
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Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint
Together, they battle a man-eating great white shark that’s been terrorizing the beach town.
🦈 Meet “Bruce”: The Mechanical Star
The true star of the movie? “Bruce”, the nickname given to the three mechanical sharks built for filming. Each 25-foot, 1,200-pound animatronic was a marvel of 1970s engineering—though prone to malfunction, which led Spielberg to limit the shark’s on-screen presence. Ironically, this creative decision only heightened the suspense and solidified the film’s legacy.
🎵 The Sound of Fear
Few movie scores are as iconic as John Williams’ two-note “da-duh” theme, now universally associated with looming danger. The minimalist score earned an Academy Award and remains one of the most recognizable pieces of film music in history.
💰 Box Office & Legacy
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Budget: $3 million
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Original gross: Over $470 million
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Inflation-adjusted gross (2025): $1.56 billion
Despite being two months over schedule, the film’s massive return marked a turning point for Hollywood, inspiring studios to chase summer blockbusters with wide releases and national marketing campaigns. Without Jaws, there might never have been Star Wars, Jurassic Park, or the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it.
📽️ Celebrating the 50-Year Legacy
Today, Jaws is celebrated as a pop culture phenomenon, honored by:
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50th anniversary screenings in theaters nationwide
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Documentaries and behind-the-scenes retrospectives
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Fan tributes and exhibitions featuring original props and mechanical shark replicas
It’s not just a horror film—it’s a cinematic landmark that redefined how we watch movies and what we expect from them.
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