If you loved
Jaws
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1975
What hooked you in Jaws is the way an encroaching, unstoppable threat forces ordinary people to confront the terrifying fragility of their small-town life.
Start with the source
Inspired by
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
Books on the same thread
吸血鬼ハンターD (Vampire Hunter D)
Hideyuki Kikuchi · Book · 1983
Just as Jaws pitted men against an apex predator, this story forces villagers to face ancient, deadly threats that demand a specialized, high-stakes hunt for survival and justice.
Ghost Story
Peter Straub · Book · 1979
Like the trio hunting the shark in Jaws, these men are bound by a shared, dark history that forces them to confront a malevolent force threatening their community.
The Last Kids on Earth
Max Brallier · Book · 2015
If the monster-slaying camaraderie of Jaws resonated with you, you will enjoy this tale of friends uniting to survive and fight back against an overwhelming, intelligent monster apocalypse.
The Dark Tower
Stephen King · Book · 1982
The relentless quest against an impossible, terrifying force in Jaws is mirrored here, as characters navigate a surreal landscape where survival depends on grit and unwavering, desperate resolve.
Series on the same thread
FROM
John Griffin · Series · 2022
Much like the residents of Amity in Jaws, the people here are trapped in a town where they must constantly monitor their surroundings to survive a lethal, hidden threat.
IT: Welcome to Derry
Andy Muschietti · Series · 2025
The sense of dread that permeated Jaws as the town ignored a mounting threat is captured here, as a group of friends uncovers an ancient evil in their town.
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
The way a small town in Jaws struggles to reconcile with an unnatural danger is echoed here, as ordinary people fight to protect their community from terrifying, otherworldly forces.
Broadchurch
Chris Chibnall · Series · 2013
If you enjoyed the tension of a coastal town unraveling under the weight of a tragedy in Jaws, you will appreciate how this mystery exposes deep, community-shattering secrets.
Podcasts on the same thread
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | Daylight Media · Podcast · 2026
If the sheer biological terror of the shark in Jaws drew you in, these expert-led accounts of real-life apex predator attacks offer a grounded, chilling look at human-wildlife conflict.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Just as the small-town dynamics of Amity shaped the narrative of Jaws, this podcast explores how dark, violent events expose the hidden realities of isolated, seemingly quiet communities.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the Jaws movie based on a book?
Yes, the 1975 film Jaws is based on the 1974 book of the same name. Both versions follow the story of a giant great white shark terrorizing a small beach town and the three men who set out to hunt it.
Does Stranger Things contain references to Jaws?
Yes, Stranger Things includes various nods to 1970s and 1980s pop culture, including Steven Spielberg's Jaws. Fans of the film often enjoy the show for its similar atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling set within a small town.
Who directed the 1975 film Jaws?
The 1975 film Jaws was directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie depicts a small beach town terrorized by a giant great white shark and follows three men as they attempt to hunt the creature.
What is the plot of Jaws?
The plot of Jaws centers on a giant great white shark that terrorizes a small beach town. To stop the attacks, three men set out to hunt the shark, leading to a high-stakes confrontation that serves as the basis for the 1975 film.