48 Years Ago Today: The Polarizing Sequel to Classic Horror Film Was Released

On June 16, 1978, the first sequel of a legendary horror film was released. Forty-eight years later, the film still has fans and critics divided.

1978 was a big year in the movie industry. All-time classics like Grease, National Lampoon's Animal House, the original Halloween film and Superman hit the big screen, each earning significant critical acclaim.

And though the sequel of an iconic movie franchise was also released that same year, it wasn't exactly universally praised compared to its predecessor.

A young director named Steven Spielberg became a household name in Hollywood after directing Jaws, released in the summer of 1975. The film, based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel, told the chilling story of a killer shark terrorizing a small New England town.

Jaws survived a stunning number of behind-the-scenes difficulties and exceeded expectations at the box office, becoming one of the greatest horror movies ever. Depending on who you ask, the movie series should have ended right there.

Spielberg declined to return for a sequel to Jaws, prompting Universal Studios to turn to John D. Hancock. However, he was fired during production and replaced with Jeannot Szwarc for the project. Richard Dreyfuss, who starred alongside Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw in the original film, declined to appear in Jaws 2 without Spielberg.

Jaws 2 was released in the United States and Canada on June 16, 1978. The film delivered on a financial standpoint, but critics' and fans' reviews were far different from the original.

‘Jaws' 2 Has a Complicated Legacy

It's well-known among Jaws fans that Scheider wasn't keen on reprising his role as Police Chief Martin Brody. But the countless pestering from Universal paid off, and he agreed to do it to get out of an unwanted three-picture contract with the studio.

Scheider and Szwarc clashed repeatedly on the set, culminating in a brief physical confrontation. The film's crew survived a major scare when the Cable Junction island construction set broke loose, and the teenage actors involved in the scene watched in terror as they were circled by hammerhead sharks before being rescued.

Though Jaws 2 grossed $208 million worldwide, the film never captured the cult following or praise of iconic movie sequels like Terminator 2: Judgment Day,The Godfather Part II or The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

For better or worse, the reputation of Jaws 2 was largely boosted thanks to the critical failures of Jaws 3-D and Jaws: The Revenge.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 5:30 AM.