Jaws is my favorite movie of all time. Without question, I believe it’s the greatest film ever made—period. I’ve been a Finaddict since I was six or seven years old. At one point, I even owned a piece of the actual Orca boat. That was one of my most prized possessions, and while I do regret selling it, the money served its purpose at the time. Still, owning a piece of that history meant the world to me.

To me, Jaws isn’t a horror movie. A lot of people think it is, but I see it as something else entirely—an epic. It’s about man’s confrontation with nature, but more than that, it’s about man’s confrontation with himself. The three main characters—Quint, Brody, and Hooper—each represent different aspects of human nature and masculinity. They embody fear, pride, intellect, experience, doubt, and courage. And on a larger scale, they speak to the way we all face things that are bigger than us—things we don’t understand, things that could swallow us whole.

But the greatness of Jaws isn’t just in the story. It’s in the making of the movie itself. As many fans know, the production was a mess. The mechanical shark didn’t work. The filming schedule got out of control. The weather, the ocean, and the budget all turned against them. And yet somehow, against every odd, Steven Spielberg and his crew pulled it off. What should have been a disaster became a masterpiece. The people making the film went through their own version of the struggle the characters faced. In both cases, the result was survival and triumph.

Now in 2025, Jaws turns 50, and the celebration is nothing short of massive—especially on Martha’s Vineyard, where the movie was filmed. The island has transformed into a kind of pilgrimage site for fans from around the world. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum launched its biggest exhibition ever, “Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive,” featuring rare behind-the-scenes photos, props from the set, interviews with islanders who were part of the production, and even a full-size replica of Bruce the shark’s head. For fans who want to immerse themselves, it’s like walking through history.

The celebration doesn’t stop there. The island is hosting a full lineup of events throughout June. There’s a screening of a new documentary, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, as well as a special screening of the original film accompanied by a live orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score. Spielberg’s production designer Joe Alves made an appearance, along with locals who worked on the film. Even the original Amity signs and Orca-inspired props have been re-created across the island. There have been lectures, film seminars, photo ops, and walking tours of filming locations. At night, people gather for parties, beer tastings sponsored by Dogfish Head, and live performances honoring the music and spirit of the film. There was even a dog parade called “Barks & Sharks,” where dogs dressed in shark costumes strolled through Edgartown in tribute.

I really wish I could’ve gone to the celebration this year, but the timing just didn’t work out. My partner and I have already talked about visiting in the future, and I know when we do it’ll be more than just a trip.

All in all, Jaws will always be the greatest movie ever made to me. Not just because it scared people out of the water, or because it gave birth to the modern blockbuster, but because it represents triumph over adversity. On screen, three men face a monster. Off screen, a young filmmaker fought against nature, failure, and doubt—and created a legend. Fifty years later, that legacy still has teeth.