Why they stopped making JAWS movies

It’s been over 35 years since the release of the last JAWS movie, Jaws The Revenge (1987). In a twelve year span, four JAWS movies were made so surely three and a bit decades is more than enough time for a fifth installment? We look at the reasons why the Jaws movie franchise stopped after four films.

Box office performance

While the first Jaws film was a massive success, grossing over $470 million at the worldwide box office, the subsequent sequels did not perform as well. Jaws 2, Jaws 3-D and Jaws The Revenge earned progressively less money at the box office, leading to declining interest in the franchise.

Critical reception

The sequels also received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with many criticizing the films for relying too heavily on the same formula as the original Jaws film, and not bringing anything new to the table.

Creative fatigue

Making a successful film franchise requires fresh ideas and creative energy, and it's possible that the filmmakers simply ran out of new ideas for the Jaws franchise. It's also possible that they felt that the story had been told and it was time to move on to other projects.

Changes in the film industry

The film industry went through significant changes in the 1980s and 1990s, with the rise of blockbuster franchises like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park. It's possible that the Jaws franchise simply could not compete with these newer, more modern film franchises.

Overall, a combination of declining box office returns, negative critical reception, creative fatigue, and changes in the film industry likely contributed to the decision to stop making Jaws movies after the fourth installment.

Words by Ross Williams

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