This page is an independent editorial tribute to the cultural legacy of the 1975 film Jaws. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Universal Pictures or any official entity.
This iconic Jaws poster entered the U.S. public domain due to a defective copyright notice when first published in 1975.
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic shark stories ever told. Since its debut, the film sent ripples through pop culture, shaping how generations feared — and admired — the ocean’s apex predator. Today, we invite you to rediscover the real great white: not a monster, but a marvel of evolution.
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Did You Know?
Great white sharks can detect a drop of blood in 25 gallons of water and can sense tiny amounts from miles away.
Unlike most fish, great whites are warm-blooded, giving them an edge in cold water hunting.
Their teeth are constantly replaced — some sharks go through over 20,000 teeth in their lifetime.
The largest verified great white shark was over 20 feet long and weighed more than 5,000 pounds.
Despite their reputation, great whites are responsible for fewer fatal attacks than lightning strikes each year.
Jaws Trivia
The mechanical shark used in Jaws was nicknamed “Bruce” by the production team — and constantly malfunctioned during filming.
Steven Spielberg shot many ocean scenes without the shark visible because the mechanical prop kept breaking — a decision that made the movie even scarier.
After Jaws was released in 1975, beach attendance dropped in many places across the U.S. — a rare example of a film changing public behavior.
Jaws was the first true summer blockbuster, setting box office records and forever changing how movies are marketed.
The iconic Jaws poster is now in the public domain in the U.S. due to a copyright notice defect when it was originally published.