‘Jaws' turns 50: How other classic movies bit off the shark's signature riff — from ‘Caddyshack' to ‘Clerks'

New York Post

20-06-2025

Like the killer great white shark, the 'Jaws' theme song took a big bite out of movie history.
The terrifying two-note theme of the 1975 summer blockbuster — which turns 50 on June 20 — has been riffed on in other classic films for its cultural impact that is still striking fang-crunching fear in the masses five decades later.
Composer John Williams' menacing motif has been referenced — and ripped on — in other big films that have taken it from horror to humor.
9 'Jaws' defined the summer blockbuster after its release on June 20, 1975.
Courtesy Everett Collection
'I think it's a compliment when anything becomes parodied that much, like, if you work your way into a popular comedy movie or something,' film music historian Tim Greiving — who wrote the upcoming biography 'John Williams: A Composer's Life' — exclusively told The Post.
''It's, like, acknowledging that this is something that is so culturally important, or that everybody recognizes it, that you can kind of play on it. If it was a little more obscure, the reference wouldn't work. I'll take it as a compliment.'
But while the theme has been spoofed, Williams — who won his first of four Oscars for Best Original Score for 'Jaws' — took it very seriously.
'I think that serious intention comes through in the music and keeps it from being campy,' said Greiving.
9 Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider co-starred in 1975's 'Jaws.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
Still, the theme has been played for laughs in classic comedies such as 'Airplane!' and 'Caddyshack.'
'The funny thing is, John Williams has talked about [how] sometimes he plays it in concert, and people start laughing, and it's not supposed to make you laugh, although it made ['Jaws' director] Steven Spielberg laugh when he first heard it,' said Greiving. 'So it has this interesting psychological effect now.'
'But I think at its core, it still does what it was supposed to do — which is freak you out.'
Here, we dive into seven films that have sunk their teeth into the 'Jaws' theme.
'1941'
9 Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi co-starred in the 1979 war comedy '1941.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
The opening scene of Spielberg's 1979 war comedy pays homage to the 'Jaws' theme. with Susan Backlinie — who played Chrissie Watkins, the shark's first victim in 'Jaws.'
'Airplane!'
9 Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen and Peter Graves took 1980's 'Airplane!' to comic heights.
©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Col
As what appears to be a fin — but turns out to be a 747 — cuts through the clouds, the sinister riff of 'Jaws' takes this 1980 disaster comedy off in its opening credits.
'Caddyshack'
9 Ted Knight and Chevy Chase were golfing goofballs in 1980's 'Caddyshack.'
©Orion Pictures Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection
When a candy bar is mistaken for a turd in a swimming pool, the 'Jaws' theme heightens the horror in the 1980 comedy starring Billy Murray and Chevy Chase.
'9 1/2 Weeks'
9 Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger steamed up the screen in 1986's '9 1/2 Weeks.'
©Orion Pictures Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection
When a kid claims that his friend can fart the 'Jaws' theme in this 1986 erotic drama, Mickey Rourke mimics it. How sexy.
'Spaceballs'
9 Bill Pullman and John Candy parodied 'Stars Wars' in 1987's 'Spaceballs.'
Mel Brooks' 1987 'Star Wars' parody plays off the menacing motif from 'Jaws' while chasing a rebel ship.
'Back to the Future II'
9 Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd reunited for 'Back to the Future II' in 1989.
The shark tale's theme plays as Michael J. Fox's Marty McFly encounters an advertisement for 'Jaws 19' — the 18th sequel to the original — when he travels to 2015.
'Clerks'
9 Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson co-starred in Kevin Smith's directorial debut 'Clerks' in 1994.
Jeff Anderson's character in Kevin Smith's 1994 cult classic dips into the 'Jaws' theme as his triangular tortilla chip cuts through some 'thick & chunky' salsa.