Nat Geo Sets Jaws 50th Anniversary Doc

National Geographic has commissioned Jaws @ 50 (w.t.) from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries, Nedland Media and ocean conservation and marine policy advocate Wendy Benchley.

On the heels of the 50th anniversary of Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel, the feature documentary will include footage and photography from the Benchley and Spielberg archives, as well as new interviews from the worlds of film, literature, pop culture and ocean conservation.

It will provide behind-the-scenes stories of the book’s writing and the infamous tumultuous production of the film, including being over budget, behind schedule, malfunctioning sharks, weather issues and sea sickness.

Jaws @ 50 will also explore the world and impacts of sharks today through testimonials from people who have dedicated their lives to studying and safeguarding sharks and the seas.

Nedland Media’s Laurent Bouzereau is directing the documentary. Bouzereau is also executive producing, alongside Nedland Media’s Markus Keith; Amblin’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey; Wendy Benchley; branding and communications specialist Laura A. Bowling; and National Geographic’s Ted Duvall.

The documentary is set to debut in summer 2025 on National Geographic, as well as on Disney+ and Hulu, as part of Sharkfest. It is timed to the film’s 50th anniversary.

“National Geographic has celebrated sharks for over two decades with our annual summer event Sharkfest, so we naturally jumped at the chance to partner with Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Media on Jaws @ 50,” said Janet Han Vissering, senior VP of production and development at National Geographic. “Jaws not only became a massive pop culture phenomenon, but the initial fear it elicited propelled the world’s fascination with sharks, opening the door to our understanding of these apex predators and stressing the urgency in protecting our oceans.”

“Jaws, the novel by Peter Benchley and the film by Steven Spielberg, defined both popular literature and cinema,” said Frank and Falvey, presidents of Amblin Documentaries and Amblin Television. “The idea of diving into the past, present and future legacy of Jaws, combined with an informed and inspiring discussion about sharks and the ocean in one documentary, is a unique opportunity to explore the perfect union between art and science.”