The BIG JAWS review of 2024

What a year 2024 has been for JAWS fans and The Daily Jaws. As we prepare to enter what will be the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s screen adaptation of Peter benchley’s book and we enter our tenth year of keeping the JAWS legacy alive (yes, we’ve been doing this 10 years!) we’re going to need a bigger recap as it’s been a truly fin-tastic 12 months for fans of the iconic film.

We’d love to prove it, wouldn’t we? Maybe even get our name into National Geographic! So, we’ve gone back through the past year and sliced it wide open to reveal all the Jaws-filled highlights. Take a deep breath as we dive into a treasure trove of events that show the shark and cast of Jaws are still making waves worldwide—nearly 50 years after the film’s release.

Once again, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us by reading, sharing, writing, or simply liking our content. The Daily Jaws is where it is today because of you. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Here’s to your legs—and to an even bigger and better boat in 2025!

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Ross, creator of The Daily Jaws

Ross Wiliams, creator of The Daily Jaws

Film of the year ‘Under Paris’

Xavier Gens returns with his second stateside release of the year, the wildly entertaining Under Paris, which has already claimed the top spot on Netflix's charts. This unapologetically goofy film feels like a playful homage to Steven Spielberg’s Jaws before veering into full-blown Sharknado territory in a final act so over-the-top it’s destined to be the movie’s most memorable feature.

While Gens struggles to strike a balance between these two wildly different tones, much of Under Paris ends up looking as absurd as its story, thanks to over-the-top CGI and glossy cinematography. Still, it’s a solid summer diversion—a blood-soaked Netflix romp that knows when to start, when to finish, and how to leave audiences anticipating an inevitable, even crazier sequel. And honestly? That’s part of the fun.

Product of year

Yellow Barrel Keychains

This year we launched a whole range of JAWS inspired products including replica anti-shark cages for your NECA Hooper figures, prank shark fins and much more. But by far your favourite product of 2024 has been the yellow barrel keychains!

Hook your keys up to your very own JAWS inspired yellow barrel keychain. Inspired by the yellow barrels Quint used to track the shark in JAWS, our keychains have been designed to pay tribute to the movie and make your keys stand out from the crowd! Order your yellow barrel keychain from the summer collection.

Video messages

You ever have one do this before? This is the first time such a dedicated service has ever been offered to fans of JAWS and JAWS 2, with cast and crew from the shark blockbusters teaming up to deliver this unique service and raise money for great causes with The Daily Jaws, the world’s number one JAWS fan site. Learn more about JAWS video messages

Story of the year

For years, eagle-eyed fans have noted an apparent error: the date Quint provides for the Indianapolis disaster is off by a month. Thanks to Jaws enthusiast Dan Carver, aka Jawsmad1975 on IG, we now have an explanation that solves this long-standing mystery.

JAWS mystery FINALLY solved after 50 years?

In memorium

Susan Backlinie (1946-2024)

Susan Backlinie, born on September 1, 1946, in Washington, D.C., USA, was an actress renowned for her roles in Jaws (1975), 1941 (1979), and The Great Muppet Caper (1981). Over her lifetime, she was married to Harvey Swindall, William Henry Backlinie, William Seale, and Monty Cox. Susan passed away on May 11, 2024, in Ventura, California, USA. Read Remembering Susan Backlinie (1946-2024)

Susan Murphy (1950-2024)

Susan Murphy, who has died aged 74 at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, played a crucial role in bringing Bruce, the mechanical shark, to life for Steven Spielberg's iconic film, JAWS. Read Woman who towed Bruce the Shark for JAWS has died

Susan Murphy and her husband Lynn towed the shark during filming. (image credit Maria Thibodeau)

Louis Gossett Jr

Louis Gossett Jr., the Oscar-winning actor renowned for his memorable performances in "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Jaws III," passed away at 87 years old in March. His daughter confirmed the news. No specific cause of death has been disclosed. Read Oscar winning star of JAWS 3-D Louis Gossett Jr. passes away aged 87

Johnny Wactor (1986-2024)
John William Wactor III (August 31, 1986 – May 25, 2024) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of Brando Corbin on the series General Hospital and Johnny on NBC's Siberia. He also appeared in the series Army Wives and the films USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage. Tragically, on May 25, 2024, at the age of 37, Wactor was killed during an attempted theft of his catalytic converter by three men in downtown Los Angeles. Read USS Indianapolis actor shot dead during attempted car theft

Think you know the year in JAWS…?

We’ve cooked up 10 tough questions about the JAWS events and stories of 2024. Cick the button below and test yourself!

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