Opened: June 20, 1975

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary & Murray Hamilton

Scary enough to keep you out of the ocean for a while, Jaws is a perfect thriller that knows the importance of added suspense.

When shark attacks start terrorizing the beach town of Amity Island, New England, Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) ignores warnings and keeps tourists coming. Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), Quint (Robert Shaw) and Matt Hopper (Richard Dreyfuss) go out to hunt down the shark.

With just two notes, composer John Williams creates an intense score that will shorten your breath. Director Steven Spielberg doesn’t reveal the shark until much later in the movie, so it’s Williams’ score that sets the tone.

While the shark hasn’t aged well over time, the film itself continues to be the standard “stay-out-of-the-water” flick.

Final say: You’ll be on the edge of your seat. ★★★★★