Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” released in 1975, remains a watershed moment not only in the realm of cinema but also in popular culture.

Adapted from Peter Benchley’s novel, this film catapulted Spielberg into the spotlight as a master of suspense and storytelling, redefining the genre of the summer blockbuster and leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.

Set in the fictional Amity Island, “Jaws” opens with a young woman’s mysterious death during a late-night swim. The local police chief, Martin Brody (played by Roy Scheider), suspects a shark attack, but faces resistance from the town’s mayor who fears the economic repercussions of acknowledging such a threat during the peak tourist season.

Brody, along with a marine biologist, Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and a seasoned shark hunter, Quint (Robert Shaw), sets out to hunt down the great white shark that terrorizes the island.