Beyond the Film: The Best Jaws-Inspired Entertainment Online
Over 50 years have passed since one of the top shark movies, the Steven Spielberg-directed film "Jaws", first hit the screens. The story, originally described in Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel and adapted by Universal Pictures, has captivated audiences through the decades. It does so just as effectively as the danger and fear gripped everyone on Amity Island.
Naturally, suspense overflowed into a whole ocean of themed entertainment that extended far beyond cinema. It didn’t limit itself to references to the film in other movies but also spilt over into video games, slot reels, documentaries and even podcasts dedicated to Carcharodon carcharias.
Let’s look at which activities fans of the “Jaws” film can flock to online to span their immersion in the killer shark universe.
Greatest Shark Movies and Non-Fiction Media
Although "Jaws" is the masterpiece that wasn’t remade (no surprise – try challenging a masterwork!), there are other shark films with no less thrilling survival stories.
There is no shortage of such films, but there is a shortage of solid ones. Among the best shark movies, we’d like to point to:
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Dr. Susan McCallister decides to enlarge shark brains to improve research results. But instead of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease that she hopes to discover, she creates real monsters. One of the intelligent sharks escapes into the open sea, causing many problems. The message remains unchained: messing with killer sharks is a one-way ticket to catastrophe. Fans of “Jaws” will like it for the cast, enhanced image and sound, Samuel L. Jackson's monologue and Renny Harlin’s directorial talent.
47 Meters Down (2017)
Why not take a look at giant white sharks off the coast of Mexico? – thought Kate and Lisa. The sisters descend 47 meters underwater in a small cage. Their vacation quickly turns into a terrifying battle for life. Suspense tingles every nerve right from the moment the girls enter the protective cage and it breaks, and every turn tears hope away from viewers. This aquatic horror film is not a competitor to the legendary “Jaws”, but it has its own charm and thrill. Despite a predictable ending (though it’s really, really tragic), Deep Blue Sea is worth watching.
Best Shark Documentaries and Podcasts for Deeper Immersion
Fiction movies no longer satisfy you? Well, then you should check out a few documentaries and podcasts that show the real underwater life and how sharks behave in their natural setting. These non-fiction media are a brilliant starting point for scouting dangerous territory from one’s sofa:
Shark Week (Discovery Channel), launched in 1987, offers real footage, true stories, explanations of the species' biology, and reports on the top and most fascinating scientific studies. Wonderful educational content you can watch with kids.
Great White Lies (2015), directed by Skyler Thomas, reveals the political and social motives that led to the 2014 Western Australian shark culling policies. Shark nets are neither a protection layer nor a safety measure; they are killing tools to reduce the animal species to very few or even to zero. This documentary swiftly debunks all the myths and tells the truth about the danger to the ecosystem resulting from artificial shark culling, which is masked as the right thing.
Sharkopedia podcast, active from 2021 to 2024, is a deep ocean of stories about shark behaviour, interesting cases, interviews with experts and legends in the field and all nuances of the animal’s life. The podcast’s creators, Meghan Holst and Amani Webber-Schultz (both well-educated in marine science), aim to make shark discoveries accessible to a wider audience. If you’re looking for quality content to broaden your horizons on the topic, there are 33 episodes – all currently airing on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Shark Games: References to "Jaws" in Gaming Culture
The story of Bruce the Shark has inspired many gaming developers. Now, we have many Jaw-themed video games in various editions, but not all of them stand out. Here are the titles that will impress most of the legendary movie fans:
Stranded Deep – Top Survival Simulation
Stranded Deep is a fantastic survival horror game, released by the Australian studio Beam Team Games. It’s available on Xbox One, PC, and PS4. The story throws the player onto an island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. According to the plot, you've survived a plane crash, but the worst is not behind – all dangers lie ahead. You will need to collect felled trees to build a hut and a raft, and at any moment, players can encounter the great white shark and smaller predators.
The constant threat doesn't allow the user to relax for long, making this one of the most popular yet challenging shark games online. This simulator lets you experience the rush of danger without the actual risk of being eaten. Repair an airplane and hell out of there or die – admirers of “Jaws” who are unfamiliar with this game will rank it high.
Maneater – Top SharkPG Revenge Story
Maneater, released by Tripwire Interactive, will surely penetrate the hearts of fans of “Jaws” and the action-adventure genre in video games. The best part is that you survive not by defending yourself from a shark, but by playing as the shark – you grow from a pup into a Mega monster of the seas. Now you are the apex predator, creating tension, devouring everything in your path. With each successful round, you (i.e., the shark) become stronger and more dangerous.
By the way, Chris Parnell (Rick and Morty, SNL) narrates the story. This adds a special vibe to gameplay due to the hilarious comments about marine biology and the absurd things the protagonist (i.e., you) does.
Online Slots Themed Around Sharks and Stuff
The allusions to "Jaws" have also made their way into the endless world of shark slot games. There are actually lots of them, so fans of Bruce the Shark certainly have no time to be bored. The most iconic titles are:
Sharknado – a "Jaws"-themed 5x3 masterpiece by PariPlay. The graphics are decent and associated with the main motif, and the melody unites everything together. The user may catch random wilds, win multipliers, free spins and a potential winning cap of 2,000x the active bet. High volatility can bite your bankroll in a flash, so do not start with big stakes. That’s a perfect choice for everyone who loves sci-fi disaster movies with sharks.
Razor Shark (Push Gaming). This vibrant video slot features a shark, a good omen, just as good as treasure chests or other mysterious symbols. There’s nothing horror here, except the bone-chilling top win of 85,475x your bet. Free games, Nudge Reveal feature and mystery stacks add control of the element of surprise while the reels are spinning. The slot is both fun and rewarding – a killer combo.
What’s great, you do not have to play for real money. Top free demo slots in the UK dedicated to sharks and other ocean predators let people try gameplay and explore different titles with no deposit required. Discover what you like, then pay to potentially win something or continue in the testing mode as long as you wish.
Final Thoughts
If you are a true "Jaws" fan and generally love shark movies, there are countless ways to stay immersed in this nerve-tingling, scary, and captivating universe. They are so diverse that everyone will find their own way to stay in the loop. In this ocean, there are many drops: full-length documentaries, numerous video and slot games and movies that share the same style and character. On top, nerds with the “Jaws” obsession can pass knowledge quizzes on Buzzfeed or Film Daily. So, everyone will find their own stream among these drops, regardless of age.