Although Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece Jaws is without a doubt the best shark film ever created, there has long been a controversy about whether it is a horror film or not.
Beyond its box office triumph, Jaws is perhaps best known for how well it has held up over time. Due to changes in pacing and plot conventions, many older films can be difficult to watch for younger audiences, yet Jaws remains as remarkable as ever. Even if his work tends toward popcorn material, Spielberg shows why he went on to become one of the greatest directors of all time by portraying the three main characters superbly.
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When viewed logically, and as objectively as possible in a somewhat subjective matter like movie classification, it appears evident that Steven Spielberg’s breakout blockbuster Jaws is undoubtedly a horror film. Why can’t Jaws be both horror and adventure? If Alien can be both horror and sci-fi. Just because something is classified as horror doesn’t rule out the possibility of other genres being included. After all, the terms “science fiction” and “horror” exist for a purpose. There is no logical reason why it shouldn’t be given that distinction. Apart from the pure fright factor noted earlier, what truly distinguishes Jaws as a horror film is that it is a monster film when stripped down to its most basic parts.
Jaws, if that’s a genre measuring standard, fits that need in spades and is, in fact, one of the most horrifying films ever made. Thus, Jaws is unmistakably a horror film, and it is past time for the rest of the world to recognise it as such. It won’t detract from the legacy of a 46-year-old all-time masterpiece, and it’s a long-overdue accolade. Horror films can win Oscars, and perhaps more would if there wasn’t such an arbitrary cut-off separating them from the rest of the field.
