Do we have a release date for Jaws' 50th anniversary documentary? Streaming details and more

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story is a National Geographic documentary that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s classic horror film. It shows the filmmaker reflecting on all the challenges he faced during production and how it affected him emotionally. He and his crew were behind schedule, so he worried that he might get fired from the job. However, the eventual success changed the trajectory of his filmmaking career and turned him into a Hollywood icon.

The documentary is meant to honor this film that became a pop culture phenomenon and influenced several filmmakers in the ensuing decades. It was the highest-grossing film at the time, even though it was made with a relatively meager budget. Its huge box office success led to a business model that Hollywood has followed ever since. Beyond its commercial success, it also holds creative weight, which continues to inspire discussion five decades later.

The Jaws 50th-anniversary documentary is expected to arrive on National Geographic on July 10, 2025, shortly before it becomes available on Disney+ and Hulu.

How to watch Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story online? Streaming details explored

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Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story will premiere at 9 PM EST / 8 PM CST on July 10, 2025. Then, it will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ starting July 11.

This 90-minute documentary shares a personal account from director Steven Spielberg, whose original film was released in theaters on June 20, 1975. It includes behind-the-scenes archival footage along with the director’s reflections on this Hollywood classic.

The documentary comes from director Laurent Bouzereau, whose work also honors Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel. Laura A. Bowling and Wendy Benchley serve as producers, along with Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films(Laurent Bouzereau and Markus Keith). Justin Falvey, Ted Duvall, and Darryl Frank executive produce this anticipated project.

What else do we know about the Jaws 50th anniversary documentary?

The new National Geographic documentary will a nostalgic look at Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film, which remains a cultural touchstone nearly 50 years later.

Here’s the official logline for the documentary:

"The creative journey behind "Jaws," the iconic 1975 Spielberg film based on Benchley's novel. With archival resources, it chronicles the film's production, Benchley's writing, and the subsequent rise of shark obsession among audiences."

The documentary offers a detailed account from the filmmaker about all the trials and tribulations he faced while shooting the film — whether it had to do with scheduling conflicts, unfavorable weather conditions, or issues with the use of practical effects and mechanical sharks.

Besides Spielberg, the documentary also presents personal accounts from his fellow Hollywood filmmakers:

Guillermo del Toro
Jordan Peele
George Lucas
James Cameron
Steven Soderbergh
Robert Zemeckis
Cameron Crowe
J.J. Abrams

In addition to them, John Williams (composer), Emily Blunt (actor), Greg Nicotero (prosthetic makeup artist), Joe Alves (production designer), and more share their emotional connection to this cinematic gem.