When you think about it, National Geographic’s SharkFest season wouldn’t exist without the film that changed cinema – and our relationship with sharks – forever – Jaws. As an avid fan of the film, I feel like the stories about how it came to be have been in discussion for as long as I can remember.

This summer, we’ll finally get to dive into Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, from National Geographic, a new documentary that goes behind the scenes of the legendary blockbuster and will reveal everything we’ve wanted to know, from the movie that sparked a lasting fascination with the ocean’s most misunderstood predator.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau (Faye, Music by John Williams), the 90-minute documentary will take us 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 to this day.

JAWS @ 50 hails from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, in partnership with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling, and is the only authorised 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. It’s set to premiere on Friday 11^th July at 8:00PM on National Geographic and streams the same day on Disney+

Here’s a little teaser:

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 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 – 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 – and a who’s who of modern filmmakers and superfans – 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, it’ll also feature insights from Peter Benchley’s wife, renowned voice for sharks and ocean policy advocate Wendy Benchley; their children, offering a rare glimpse into the real-life inspiration behind it all.

JAWS @ 50 is also a celebration of a legacy that fuelled a global shark obsession and inspired generations of scientists, storytellers and ocean defenders. Through 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 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.

Can’t wait!

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story dives into action on Friday 11^th July at 8:00PM on National Geographic and streams the same day on Disney+