Generation Z’s Familiarity with “Jaws” Dips Compared to Older Generations

Less than half of Generation Z has watched the iconic film “Jaws”, compared to nearly 90% of those who came of age when it was released. A recent Gallup poll reveals that only 53% of 18- to 29-year-olds have seen Steven Spielberg’s suspenseful shark thriller, which debuted 50 years ago this Friday.

In stark contrast, 88% of individuals over 65 have watched the movie, which dominated box offices for 14 weeks and broke records by earning over $100 million on its opening. Overall, 91% of those aged 50 to 64 and 78% of adults aged 30 to 49 reported having seen the film.

The movie, which features a giant man-eating shark terrorizing a Long Island beach town, first hit theaters on June 20, 1975. It became a cultural phenomenon, prompting many to rethink swimming in the ocean. A Gallup poll from that time found that about 40% of 18-to-29-year-olds had watched it by summer’s end, with 18% considering it the scariest film they had seen and 35% admitting it increased their ocean fears.

Jaws movie poster — Only about 78% of Americans reported having seen “Jaws” as of May 2025.

Scene from Jaws — The film sparked widespread fears of sharks and ocean swimming.

The recent poll conducted in May indicates that approximately 78% of all U.S. adults have watched “Jaws.” However, experts note that without additional data, it’s unclear whether a 53% viewership among Gen Z is unusually low for a film that’s half a century old.