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How ‘Jaws’ Revolutionized Action Movies and Inspired Jason Statham’s Shark-Fueled Thrills

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2025 signifies the golden jubilee for the release of “Jaws”. The film by Steven Spielberg not only instilled fear in people about venturing into water, but it also paved the way for the summer blockbuster era, an ongoing trend. With immense box office success, many films subsequently aimed to replicate the aquatic terror and human vs animal battle that Spielberg’s movie embodied.

Since the 1970s up to the present, numerous films have portrayed man versus nature conflicts in a brutal way, with some not shy about acknowledging their influence from Spielberg’s initial concept. The influence of Jaws on film distribution trends is widely recognized, but its impact on a subgenre of horror movies where nature rises against humanity is equally significant. Modern examples include films like Sharknado, Under Paris, and blatant imitations of Jaws such as Cruel Jaws and Mako: The Jaws of Death, which were released only a year after Jaws. It’s clear that the legacy and inspiration of Spielberg’s film continues to persist.

Copying and Pasting a Familiar Narrative

In reference to films strongly inspired by “Jaws“, two primary methods exist for incorporating Spielberg’s storytelling style into their own creations. One popular approach involves using an underwater environment to generate tension, fear, and apprehension as nature appears to retaliate against humanity. The alternative strategy is constructing a plotline where a problematic force is initially dismissed by those in power, causing professionals from various disciplines to handle the situation independently.

William Girdler was among the pioneers who effectively leveraged the success of Jaws, and his 1976 film, Grizzly, replicated Spielberg’s land-based storyline by having a park ranger chase after a vicious grizzly bear that had been responsible for several camper deaths. This scenario led to a power struggle with an obstinate authority figure unwilling to close the park. In 1977, Girdler continued this theme of nature reclaiming its dominance over humans with Day of the Animals, which also incorporated social commentary on environmentalism.

Films like Piranha, Sharks, Frogs, and others that followed in the shadow of Jaws’ success during the ’70s also made a mark. The influence of Spielberg’s human-versus-nature storytelling persisted throughout the ’80s, giving rise to cult classics such as Slugs and Alligator. The 1980s trend continued in the ’90s with titles like the Tremors series becoming popular.

In a similar vein to the storyline in Jaws, where a skeptical authority figure disregarded a dangerous sea threat for tourism, a comparable narrative was present two years prior in Return of the Evil Dead, the second film in Amando de Ossorio’s “Blind Dead” series. However, it’s the aquatic horror genre that has flourished most significantly as a result of Jaws, with numerous films continuing to be produced within this realm.

The Sharks Keep Attacking With No End in Sight

The numerous films that cashed in on the success of Jaws by portraying the animal world attacking humanity, such as those featuring terrifying sharks lurking beneath the waves, are a significant aspect of how Spielberg’s 1975 summer blockbuster impacted cinema. In a similar vein, movies that evoke fear of the deep ocean and man-eating sharks have been equally influential.

Due to the immense success of Jaws, numerous films attempted to capitalize on Spielberg’s momentum. For instance, movies like Mako: The Jaws of Death, which marketed itself as being devoid of mechanical sharks or safety measures, were among the earliest imitators in the shark-horror genre. Rene Cardona Jr., who faced harsh criticism for his portrayal of Jonestown in Guyana: Cult of the Damned, also joined the trend with Tintorera: Killer Shark in 1977, followed by Cyclone in 1978. Cyclone is one of the most infamous Jaws imitations, known for its cruel treatment of live animals. The Jaws copies didn’t stop appearing in the 1970s; instead, Italian B-movie maestro Bruno Mattei released Cruel Jaws in 1995, and more recently, too.

the Netflix movie Under Paris borrowed heavily from Spielberg’s film, almost to a fault.

Apart from numerous movies heavily influenced by Jaws, there are others that have significantly elevated the theme of the killer shark. Although not universally praised by critics, the Sharknado film series has gained popularity due to its extravagant and dramatic style. It’s also worth mentioning that Jason Statham‘s The Meg series has made sure that sharks will continue to play a significant role in aquatic horror movies.

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

As we mark half a century since ‘Jaws’ turned our fear towards the deep waters and kickstarted the era of summer blockbusters by Spielberg, it’s equally important to acknowledge the significant impact ‘Jaws’ had on the horror genre. Over the past five decades, the shark-centric plot has been replicated in numerous films, establishing the shark as a prominent horror icon. It’s likely that when we celebrate ‘Jaws’ at 100, there will be plenty of freshly minted shark-themed horror flicks to analyze and admire.

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2025-05-18 21:36

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