The documentary JAWS @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story premieres July 10, 2025 at 9/8 Central on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

In tribute to Steven Spielberg’s classic blockbuster Jaws, the film that sparked a lasting fascination with the ocean’s most misunderstood predator, National Geographic goes behind the scenes of the iconic film with JAWS @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau (Faye, Music by John Williams), the 90-minute documentary takes viewers on a deep dive, from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to the cinematic phenomenon that is Jaws, and how the film continues to ripple through pop culture, cinema and shark conservation.

JAWS @ 50 is produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, in partnership with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling, and is the anniversary’s only authorized documentary on the making of the movie Jaws, with the award-winning director himself diving back into the story that launched his career and earned him final cut on the film, a creative control he maintained throughout his 50 plus year career.

This definitive account offers an unfiltered look at the chaos and creativity behind the making of Jaws, featuring never-before-seen footage from Spielberg’s and Benchley’s personal archives, including home videos and rare outtakes. Through candid reflections, Spielberg recounts the high-stakes production, from battling a malfunctioning mechanical shark and relentless weather delays to his own post-production PTSD and fears that the film would end his career. The documentary also reexamines the infamous “Jaws effect” – the wave of shark fear it unleashed – and reframes it as a legacy of awe, curiosity and enduring respect for the ocean’s top predator. Complemented by interviews with the cast, crew, filmmakers and shark advocates, JAWS @ 50 captures the full creative and cultural shockwaves of the first-ever summer blockbuster.

In addition to Steven Spielberg, the documentary includes exclusive interviews from Joe Alves (production designer), Jonathan Filley (Cassidy), Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Carl Gottlieb (Meadows, screenwriter), Jeffrey Kramer (Hendricks), Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw, who played Quint), Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner), and composer John Williams – along with numerous modern filmmakers and super fans – including J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis, and more – reflect on how Jaws shaped their work and the cinematic landscape.

Alongside cast and crew, the film also features heartfelt insights from Peter Benchley’s wife, who is a voice for sharks and ocean policy advocate – Wendy Benchley – and the Benchley children, Tracy Benchley Turner and Clayton Benchley, as well as his brother, Nat Benchley, offering a rare glimpse into the real-life inspiration behind the bestselling novel that started it all.

Through thoughtful conversations with leading marine advocates and scientists – including Philippe Cousteau, Candace Fields, Austin Gallagher, Gibbs Kuguru, Dr. John Mandelman (New England Aquarium), National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, Dr. Greg Skomal and others, the documentary explores how Jaws reshaped man’s relationship with the ocean and helped transform public perception of sharks, turning fear into fascination and sparking real-world conservation efforts.