Common Sense Media Review
1970s shark horror tale still has scare factor.
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Jaws
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 123 parent reviews
Parents say that this movie is generally not suitable for young children due to its graphic violence, nudity, and intense scenes that can be frightening. While some reviewers believe it can be appropriate for older kids (around 10-11 years old) if they are mature enough, many strongly advocate for a higher age rating, emphasizing that it may traumatize sensitive viewers.
- graphic violence
- not for young children
- suitable for older kids
- age rating concerns
- parental guidance recommended
- intense scenes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 492 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie is a classic but warning is advised for younger viewers due to its intense scenes of violence, blood, and occasional nudity, making it more suitable for older teens and adults. Many praise its suspenseful atmosphere and memorable score, although some find it less frightening than initially perceived, with graphic depictions of shark attacks and frequent strong language contributing to its adult themes.
- intense violence
- strong language
- age-appropriate warnings
- suspenseful atmosphere
- classic status
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
At the start of JAWS, during a late-night beach party, a girl disappears while swimming. When her remains come ashore, Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) believes it was a shark attack. The mayor (Murray Hamilton) is worried about the effect such news might have on the tourist trade and covers up the incident. After a few more high-profile attacks, some local fishermen catch a shark. The mayor ignores warnings from ichthyologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) that this shark was too small to have been the one in the attacks. Another fatality sends Brody, Hooper, and local fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) off to find the great white shark. While they're an unlikely group to work together -- Quint is simply doing it for the money and clearly disrespects Chief Brody's inexperience, as well as Hooper's college education -- the three slowly begin to bond when they realize that the shark is larger and much more vicious than they could have ever anticipated.
Is It Any Good?
This film remains a horror classic that effectively transcends the genre and the time in which it was released. Though Jaws is one of Steven Spielberg's early films, his adept building up of the tension -- heightened by the now almost universally known two-note "shark attack" music provided by John Williams -- shines in both the shark attack scenes and in the spaces in which the story and the characters have room to develop. Even with a shark that doesn't look terribly realistic by today's standards, the film still delivers suspense and terror and is a textbook study on how to escalate tension for maximum payoff.
In terms of the acting, the chemistry between Scheider, Dreyfuss, and Shaw is still a delight to take in. But the movie does feel dated due to its entirely White cast and cliched female characters. Nevertheless, at the time of its release, it was the highest-grossing box office movie of all time and it continues to remain a pop culture staple.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Jaws. Is it necessary to the story, or does it simply provide added scares and horror for viewers?
How is music used to build suspense in this movie? What are some other examples of well-known horror movie soundtracks?
Do you think this movie still works today, or is it too dated? Why?
Do you think it's scarier when you see violent things like shark attacks or when you only hear about them and use your imagination to fill in what you don't see?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 20, 1975
- On DVD or streaming : June 21, 2022
- Cast : Richard Dreyfuss , Robert Shaw , Roy Scheider
- Director : Steven Spielberg
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Fantasy , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Run time : 125 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence
- Last updated : January 10, 2026
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