SummaryPolice chief Brody must protect the citizens of Amity after a second monstrous shark begins terrorizing the waters.
Directed By:Jeannot Szwarc
Written By:Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb, Howard Sackler
Jaws 2
Metascore
Mixed or Average
51
User score
Generally Favorable
6.5
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
51
33% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
67% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
80
Despite a notable but effective change in story emphasis, Jaws 2 is a worthy successor in horror, suspense and terror to its 1975 smash progenitor.
70
Directorially, last minute replacement director Jeannot Szwarc has done a nice job and there's some really nice photography here.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.5
47% Positive
55 Ratings
55 Ratings
44% Mixed
52 Ratings
52 Ratings
9% Negative
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
May 7, 2020
10
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water... ...''Jaws 2'' didn't ****, in fact, it's the only good ''Jaws'' sequel that it still has more suspense, and although there didn't much blood unlike the first movie, and the shark is still scarier, much like ''Jaws'', most of the newer characters are pretty decent at best, and they're scary as heck, while it may not be a scary as ''Jaws'' (1975), it's still a good sequel, but ''Jaws 3-D'' and ''Jaws: The Revenge'', the last two movies are pretty atrocious. I'm sticking with the first two ''Jaws'' movie, and as well as a decent ''Jaws'' clone ''Deep Blue Sea'' (1999), the reason is, ''Jaws 2'' is the pretty fair sequel to the greatest shark movie, and Roy Schiener still did a great job as Chief Martin Brody. Although ''Jaws 2'' did receive mixed reviews, However, it is generally considered to be the best of the three ''Jaws'' sequels. So, I'm giving Jaws 2 a 10/10. Better than the last two sequels of the ''Jaws'' franchise.
Sep 27, 2017
10
Please don't hate me for this just because Jaws 2 is my favorite Jaws film. I found it scarier, cooler, and overall more interesting for people like me.
60
More a remake than a sequel, this production seems like a pointless effort. With a plot virtually identical to that of the first film, the only real difference between the two--and it is significant--is that Spielberg didn't direct this one.
50
Jaws 2 isn't a disgraceful self-imitation, but one sampling should be enough. It may inspire nothing so much as a nostalgic hunger to see "Jaws" again.
50
Jaw 2 is not a shipwreck of a movie; it'll make you jump now and then, like a boring guy tickling your ribs. But it lacks the style and intelligence that director Steven Spielberg brough to the original "Jaws". Jennot Szwarc, a French-born teveision specialist, come nowhere near Spielberg's blend of kinetic drive and comic touch. [19 June 1978, p.74]
40
One wonders if such a story is worth recycling. [16 June 1978, p.18]
40
Some of the action sequences have been well staged, but they've been dropped into the film so indiscriminately that Jaws 2 never builds to a particular climax. It simply drones on and on and on, like a television movie.
Jun 19, 2020
9
I have the very unpopular opinion of this being the best Jaws movie. I honestly think this movie is more interesting.
Aug 19, 2025
6
Jaws 2 had a troubled production from the start: Steven Spielberg refused to return, John D. Hancock was hired and quickly fired for failing to handle action scenes, and French director Jeannot Szwarc stepped in. Roy Scheider reluctantly reprised his role as Chief Brody only to fulfill his Universal contract, clashing constantly with the director. Despite this, the film earned $208 million on a $30 million budget, making it the most profitable sequel of its time. On screen, Brody is still traumatized by past events, unable to set foot in the water, while his son recklessly pursues sailing despite the obvious shark threat—a contrived setup to put him in danger. Ultimately, Jaws 2 lacks the power of the original: it’s not a bad shark film, but its illogical story, particularly the idea of another giant great white attacking the same beach without raising questions, leaves it weak and unconvincing.
May 20, 2025
6
An above average film that's worth a watch. Unfortunately it's too similar to the organ classic. The acting is decent enough, but the tension it not at the same level as Jaws. I liked it!
Aug 14, 2025
3
Stupid teens go on a pleasure ride on the ocean only to be threatened by a big freaking shark. Will they survive?! Who cares?
Mar 20, 2020
1
Another sequel.... Jaws 2 is the follow on from the 1975 original masterpiece directed by Steven Spielberg which was more or less perfect which gave it it's status as one of the best films ever made and deservedly so and the acting was fairly decent and the story wasn't too bad.... JAWS 2 directed by Jeannot Szwarc in 1978 which is three years after the original Jaws film adds some of the characters from the original such as Lorraine Gary and Roy Scheider. Jaws 2 has some great moments and exciting scenes especially when the sharks electrocuted at the end and ends up like Kentucky fried chicken or in this case Kentucky fried shark!!!! Jaws 2 however has many boring moments unlike the original that always entertained the viewer and grabs their attention but Jaws 2 at times in patches is dull and uninteresting with some annoying characters. My best sequel to Jaws was Jaws: The Revenge to be honest so that's embarrassing for Jaws 2 and shows how bad it is. Mainly dull and boring.
