Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story to Debut on National Geographic

This summer, in tribute to the movie that sparked a lasting fascination with the ocean’s most misunderstood predator, National Geographic goes behind the scenes of the legendary blockbuster 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 an in-depth exploration, from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to the cinematic phenomenon that is Jaws, and how the film continues to resonate through pop culture, cinema, and shark conservation to this day. You may think you know the full story of Jaws—but not until now.

Jaws @ 50 hails from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, in partnership with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling, and is this summer’s only authorized documentary on the making of 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 has maintained for the last 50 years.

The documentary premieres July 10 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

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 new 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 brand-new interviews with cast, crew, filmmakers, and shark advocates, Jaws @ 50 captures the full creative and cultural shockwaves of the first summer blockbuster.

In addition to Steven Spielberg, the documentary includes exclusive interviews from original cast and crew members, including 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.

Also featured are J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis, and more.

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

But Jaws @ 50 is more than a behind-the-scenes doc; it’s a celebration of a legacy that fueled a global shark obsession and inspired generations of scientists, storytellers, and ocean defenders.

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 the film reshaped our relationship with the ocean and helped transform public perception of sharks, turning fear into fascination and sparking real-world conservation efforts that continue today.

For National Geographic, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story is produced by Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films. For Amblin Documentaries, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are producers.

For Nedland Films, Laurent Bouzereau and Markus Keith are producers, with Bouzereau also directing. Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling executive produce the documentary. And, for National Geographic, Tracy Rudolph Jackson and Ted Duvall serve as executive producers.