Jaws 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Jaws 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker June 27, 2025

Just when you thought it was safe to back into the movie store, err, water, Steven Spielberg's landmark 1975 film 'Jaws' returns to 4K UHD courtesy of Universal in the 'Jaws 4K 50th Anniversary Edition'. This release features same Dolby Vision presentation and Dolby Atmos audio track that was found on the 'Jaws 4K 45th Anniversary Edition', and all of the legacy supplemental material is here as well. Unique to this release is a Blu-ray disc which is dedicated to the new 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story', an in-depth feature-length retrospective filled with archival and modern footage and a host of familiar faces. A 1080p Blu-ray disc with the film and legacy features, a Digital Code redeemable through Movies Anywhere, and a slipcover are also included in this three-disc release.

For an appreciation of the film, please follow this link to Jeffrey Kauffman's review of the Blu-ray disc from 2012.

Jaws 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For an assessment of the 2160p presentation of the film, please follow this link.

Please note that all screenshots are sourced from the included 1080p Blu-ray discs. Shots 1 through 10 are from the film, while 11 through 21 are from the new Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story.

Jaws 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a review of the Dolby Atmos audio track please follow this link.

Jaws 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All of the legacy features are brought forward here as the discs are identical to those found in the Jaws 4k 45th Anniversary Edition. For all full accounting of this material please follow that link. Please note that the booklet packaged with that release is not included here, nor is the lenticular slipbox. All on-disc supplemental material is found on the 1080p disc, and everything but the 'Jaws' Archives is found on the 4k UHD disc. This material includes:

• The Making of Jaws (2.02.48)

• The Shark is Still Working: The Impact and Legacy of 'Jaws' (1.41.06)

• Jaws: The Restoration (8.29)

• Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (13.33)

• From the Set (8.46)

• Theatrical Trailer (3.15)

• Jaws Archives - This collection of material is only found on the Blu-ray.

The main draw here, though, is the new feature-length extra, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (1:28.04), which has been given its own disc. For many, no doubt, it will be the most significant impetus to open their wallets one more time to secure a copy of the 50th Anniversary Edition. The extra opens by displaying the massive crowds lined up to see the film at the time of its original theatrical release, with Spielberg worried that the film would spell the end of his career. From there, we return to the very origins of Jaws and Peter Benchley's novel, his inspiration, the quest to find the right title, and the book's success. From there, the focus shifts to crafting the screenplay and the team that was involved, and the choice to focus on Chief Brody and his actions. From there, we follow the start of principal photography and Spielberg's proclivity to cast locals for the film due to his success doing so with Sugarland Express. Archival material showcased includes concept sketches, a life-sized 26-foot-long schematic for the shark, and footage from the beast's construction, and much more. A fair amount of time is devoted to the difficulties of shooting on the water and the numerous problems with the shark. Spielberg responds to the initial critical reception and the awards the film eventually won, and effects wizard Greg Nicotero speaks about restoring the original shark after it was rediscovered. Jaws's unexpected environmental impact is also explored. Various other filmmakers, including Robert Zemeckis, Jordan Peele, James Cameron, George Lucas, and Guillermo del Toro, also weigh in with their thoughts on the film's artistry and reactions from time to time, as do numerous shark experts. It's a well-done piece.

In addition to the film, the package I received also included a variety of merchandise emblazoned with the Jaws 50th Anniversary logo, and there is no shortage of items available for fans of the film to enjoy (see screenshots 22 through 25). Included in the assortment of #Jaws50 items Universal shipped to me were an insulated water bottle, a Jaws branded wine spritzer, hat, beach blanket, canvas tote, portable speaker, and snacks like Swedish Fish, gummy sharks, and popcorn, as well as a constructable paperboard shark tail popcorn tub. It's an impressive mix of items which are but the tip of the iceberg, or fin, as it were, in the flood of Jaws merch that's just a click away for those so inclined. Also, in honor of its 50th Anniversary, the film is available to stream on Peacock, and was aired on NBC in a three-hour event with an introduction by Steven Spielberg on June 20th. Physical media fans should note there is also a Jaws 4K 50th Anniversary SteelBook option to consider as well.

Jaws 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Five years ago, the Jaws 4K 45th Anniversary Edition came outfitted with a slipbox that sported a lenticular cover on a slipcase and a booklet. The release from just two years ago (Jaws 4K) deleted both of those elements in favor a stripped down option. While the 50th Anniversary is not providing any new audio or video revelations, it does include the approximately 90-minute new Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story retrospective. It's an entertaining watch that is filled with insights, reactions, trivia and analysis, and is housed on it's own disc. For those who have yet to grab a copy of this film which belongs in the collection of every film fan, this release with the new retrospective is, in my opinion, the obvious choice. Those who already the excellent Jaws 4K 45th Anniversary Edition face a tougher choice, though I suspect many diehard fans will no doubt grab this edition as well. One thing is certain though, it's the same brilliant film it's always been. Driven by the inclusion of the substantial new extra, the Jaws 4K 50th Anniversary Edition comes highly recommended.