What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedJaws
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1975
If you loved Jaws, start with Jaws (Peter Benchley, 1974) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Jaws across media.
The reason you loved Jaws is the way an isolated setting transforms an overwhelming, unstoppable predator into a primal test of survival.
Start with the source
Inspired by
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
Books on the same thread
Goosebumps
R. L. Stine · Book · 1992
Explores: Monsters, Supernatural, Fear.
Just as Jaws uses the ocean to isolate its victims, this story traps characters in a dangerous underwater environment where the threat is hidden just beneath the surface.
The Island
Peter Benchley · Book · 1980
Shares a thread with Jaws: Man vs. Nature.
Like the tension in Jaws, this narrative masterfully utilizes an isolated island setting to turn a fight for survival against a relentless threat into a high-stakes psychological struggle.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Courage, The Hero's Journey.
If Jaws hit, The Hobbit shares the thread.
Jurassic Park
Michael Crichton · Book · 1991
Shares a thread with Jaws: Man vs. Nature.
This story mirrors the man-versus-nature conflict found in Jaws, replacing the shark with prehistoric monsters on a remote island where safety is merely an illusion for the protagonists.
Series on the same thread
Lost
Jeffrey Lieber · Series · 2004
Explores: Survival, Secrets, Moral Ambiguity.
Much like the survivors in Jaws who must navigate an unforgiving landscape, this show forces people to confront the unknown secrets of an island while battling for their lives.
Game of Thrones
David Benioff · Series · 2011
Explores: Power Struggles, Moral Ambiguity, War and Politics.
If Jaws hit, Game of Thrones shares the thread.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Series · 2012
Explores: Intergenerational Conflict, Destiny, Friendship.
If Jaws hit, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure shares the thread.
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Jaws: Small Town Secrets.
This series captures the small-town dread present in Jaws, focusing on a community forced to confront a terrifying, inexplicable force that threatens the safety of their local residents.
Podcasts on the same thread
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | Daylight Media · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human-wildlife conflict, Apex predators, Biological survival.
If you were fascinated by the biological power of the shark in Jaws, this podcast provides a chilling, factual look at the apex predators that turn nature against humanity.
Jocko Podcast
Jocko DEFCOR Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: discipline, stoicism, accountability.
If Jaws hit, Jocko Podcast shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Should I read the 1974 Jaws book before watching the 1975 movie?
You can watch the 1975 Jaws film without reading the book first. Both versions follow the story of a giant great white shark terrorizing a beach town, though experiencing the original source material provides additional context for the hunt led by the three men.
Is Jaws the only shark-themed project I should watch?
While Jaws is the definitive shark thriller, fans often look for similar tension in other media. If you enjoy the small-town mystery and suspense found in Jaws, the 2016 television series Stranger Things offers a comparable atmosphere of impending danger and community-focused storytelling.
What order should I consume the Jaws franchise?
You should begin with the 1974 Jaws book or the 1975 Jaws movie. These establish the core narrative of a small beach town under siege by a great white shark. Once you finish these, you can explore other suspenseful media like Stranger Things.
How long is the 1975 Jaws movie?
The 1975 Jaws movie has a runtime of approximately 124 minutes. This film depicts the hunt for a giant great white shark after it terrorizes a small beach town. It remains a classic of the genre and is the primary adaptation of the 1974 novel.