Disney has released a trailer for the upcoming documentary, “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story”, which is the authorised documentary celebrating the film that redefined Hollywood, 50 years after its premiere.  Alongside Steven Spielberg, JAWS @ 50 charts the extraordinary journey from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to one of the most iconic films ever made.

The behind-the-scenes stories of the book’s writing and the legendary tumultuous production of the film, including being over budget, over schedule, malfunctioning mechanical sharks, weather issues, and sea sickness, will serve as the spine of the documentary. “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story” will explore the world and impact of sharks today through testimonials from people who have dedicated their lives to studying and safeguarding sharks and our seas. “Jaws” gave rise to a new generation of shark aficionados, many ocean scientists, researchers, explorers, activists and die-hard fans. These experts have deepened our curiosity and understanding of sharks beyond what Benchley and Spielberg could have imagined. 

Check out the trailer below:

In addition to Steven Spielberg, the documentary includes exclusive interviews from original cast and crew—including Joe Alves (production designer), Jonathan Filley (Cassidy), Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Carl Gottlieb (Meadows, screenwriter), Jeffrey Kramer (Hendricks), Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw, who played Quint), Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner), and composer John Williams—and a who’s who of modern filmmakers and superfans—including J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis, and more—reflect on how “Jaws” shaped their work and the cinematic landscape.

Alongside cast and crew, the film also features heartfelt insights from Peter Benchley’s wife, renowned voice for sharks and ocean policy advocate Wendy Benchley; their children, Tracy Benchley Turner and Clayton Benchley; and his brother, Nat Benchley, offering a rare glimpse into the real-life inspiration behind the bestselling novel that started it all.

But JAWS @ 50 is more than a behind-the-scenes doc; it’s a celebration of a legacy that fueled a global shark obsession and inspired generations of scientists, storytellers and ocean defenders. Through thoughtful conversations with leading marine advocates and scientists—including Philippe Cousteau, Candace Fields, Austin Gallagher, Gibbs Kuguru, Dr. John Mandelman (New England Aquarium), National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, Dr. Greg Skomal and others—the documentary explores how “Jaws” reshaped our relationship with the ocean and helped transform public perception of sharks, turning fear into fascination and sparking real-world conservation efforts that continue today.

“Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story” will premiere on Wednesday, 10th July 2025 at 9/8 c on the National Geographic channel, and it will be available to stream the next day on Thursday, 11th July 2025 on Hulu and Disney+.  The documentary will also be coming to Disney+ internationally.  In the UK, the show will premiere on Friday, 11th July 2025 at 8pm on National Geographic UK, and it will also be available on Disney+ on the same day.

The documentary has been produced by Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Media in collaboration with executive producers Benchley and Bowling and directed by Bouzereau. Frank and Falvey executive produce for Amblin Documentaries, along with Bouzereau and Markus Keith for Nedland Media. Ted Duvall is the executive producer for National Geographic.

Are you looking forward to watching “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story”?  Let me know on social media!

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Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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