🦈 Jaws Marathon: Which Jaws Movie Still Rules the Ocean?
Our Definitive Ranking of the Jaws Franchise
🫎 The Doozy Dude Says…
“Some traditions involve fireworks. Around our house, it’s not really the Fourth of July until someone hears… ‘You’re gonna need a bigger boat.'”
Few movies are as closely tied to summer as Jaws. Since its release in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece has become as much a part of the Fourth of July as backyard barbecues, hot dogs, and fireworks.
This Independence Day weekend, we decided to revisit the series.
Our lineup?
✅ Jaws
✅ Jaws 2
✅ Jaws 3-D
❌ Jaws: The Revenge
Yeah… we’re skipping that one.
❤️ Why We Love a Jaws Marathon
- It’s the ultimate summer movie series.
- Nothing says “beach vacation” like a giant shark.
- The original is still one of the greatest thrillers ever made.
- Every sequel gets a little crazier…
- …and somehow they’re still fun.
🦈 Jaws (1975)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The one that started it all.
Spielberg’s masterpiece still works nearly fifty years later because it understands something many modern blockbusters forget:
Less is more.
You barely see the shark for much of the movie, yet it’s terrifying because your imagination does the heavy lifting.
Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw deliver one of the greatest casts ever assembled for a thriller.
And Quint’s USS Indianapolis speech?
Absolute cinema.
🫎 The Doozy Dude Says…
“This isn’t just one of the best shark movies ever made—it’s one of the best movies ever made.”
🦈 Jaws 2 (1978)
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The original is impossible to top…
…but Jaws 2 comes surprisingly close.
Chief Brody returns.
Amity Island still refuses to believe there’s another shark.
Teenagers head out sailing.
You already know this isn’t going to end well.
While it lacks Spielberg’s suspense, it’s still an entertaining summer thriller with several genuinely tense sequences.
Best line?
“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”
One of the greatest movie taglines ever created.
🦈 Jaws 3-D (1983)
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Let’s be honest…
This movie is ridiculous.
A giant shark trapped inside SeaWorld?
3-D effects?
Over-the-top deaths?
Absolutely.
But here’s the thing…
It’s FUN.
Sure, the effects haven’t aged particularly well.
Okay…
Some of them look hilariously bad today.
Still, if you embrace the ’80s cheese, Jaws 3 becomes an enjoyable popcorn movie.
It’s not great…
…but it knows exactly what it is.
🦈 Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
⭐☆☆☆☆
Then…
…there’s this one.
The premise asks us to believe a shark has developed a personal vendetta against the Brody family and follows them to the Bahamas.
Even by franchise standards…
…that’s a stretch.
The visual effects are inconsistent, the story is difficult to take seriously, and many longtime fans consider it one of the weakest entries in the series.
That said, if you’ve never seen it…
Watch it once.
Then you’ll understand why so many fans stop after Part 3.
🫎 The Doozy Dude Says…
“Sometimes the best sequel is pretending there wasn’t another sequel.” 😂
🎬 Franchise Rankings
🥇 Jaws (1975) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🥈 Jaws 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🥉 Jaws 3-D ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🚫 Jaws: The Revenge ⭐☆☆☆☆
🧠 Did You Know?
🦈 Jaws was the first movie ever to earn more than $100 million at the U.S. box office, helping create the modern summer blockbuster.
🎥 Mechanical problems with the shark forced Steven Spielberg to show it less often—an accident that made the film even more suspenseful.
🎼 John Williams’ iconic two-note shark theme is one of the most recognizable pieces of film music ever composed.
🎆 Because Jaws premiered in June 1975 and became a summer sensation, many people still associate it with Fourth of July celebrations nearly 50 years later.
🍿 Pair It With
A Jaws marathon deserves great snacks.
- Buttered popcorn
- Fish-shaped crackers
- Cheeseburgers
- Shark gummies
- Blueberry Bourbon Lemonade
- The Freedom Smash
- Root beer floats
🛒 Movie Night Favorites
- Popcorn maker
- Movie theater popcorn seasoning
- Cozy throw blanket
- Bluetooth speaker
- Candy variety pack
🫎 Moose Rating
🫎🫎🫎🫎🫎
Perfect For: Fourth of July weekend, rainy summer nights, beach vacations, and movie marathons.
🫎 Moose Nugget
The original Jaws didn’t just change shark movies—it changed Hollywood. It proved that a summer release could become a cultural event, paving the way for the blockbuster era we know today.
Final Bite
Nearly five decades later, Jaws remains the king of shark movies.
Whether you’re watching for the first time or the fiftieth, the original is essential summer viewing. Jaws 2 is a worthy follow-up, Jaws 3-D is goofy fun if you’re in the right mood, and Jaws: The Revenge… well… let’s just say there’s a reason our marathon ended after Part 3.
So grab the popcorn, dim the lights, and remember…
You’re gonna need a bigger boat.
🫎 The Doozy Dude™
Ambassador of Awesome™
Awesomeness Awaits. 🦈🍿🎬
