The Jaws Effect
Emory Hutchins
How much do you think fictional stories affect your opinions and views on the world? Many would probably answer not much, but they may sway your subconscious more than you expect.
In 1975, the groundbreaking Spielberg film, Jaws, changed viewers’ outlook on the ocean indefinitely. People all over the world fled the waters at the sight of any shark-adjacent creature. In the half-decade since its release, shark and ray populations have decreased by 71%. The rate of this decrease is not consistent with before the movie came out.
How Jaws influenced the general public was titled the “Jaws effect” by Christopher Neff from the University of Sydney, Australia. While this name was inspired by its namesake, this effect can be seen across many films that have animals as main characters.
The 1996 live-action version of 101 Dalmatians actually had the opposite effect on viewers. The movie depicts Dalmatians as cuddly, warm, family dogs, leading people to buy them for their kids. For the months following the release of the movie, animal shelters saw an influx of abandoned Dalmatians. The number of abandoned Dalmatians increased by 100% in the four years after the release.
Not only did the purchase of the actual animal increase, but the desire for Dalmatian merchandise also skyrocketed. Disney created over 17,000 merchandise items related to 101 Dalmatians. This included bed linen, boxer shorts, soap, and porcelain eggs. Before this movie, who would have wanted Dalmatian porcelain eggs?
Another movie that shook the ’90s was Free Willy. The animal-freedom film inspired the nation to have discussions about animal rights and ethics. As soon as the movie was released, Warner Bros. was swamped with calls from viewers asking if the whale actor was actually free in real life.
The effects of this film negatively impacted companies like SeaWorld, whose main attraction was Orcas. The skepticism also seeped into other businesses that profited from captive animals. People became less likely to support a zoo or aquarium that housed animals.
Everything that we know is built on experiences that we have. Next time you’re watching a movie, try to focus more consciously on what you feel after watching. Are you compelled to buy a dog? Or never go into the ocean ever again?
Nov. 3, 2025
Sources:
https://savedolphins.eii.org/news/free-willy-paved-the-way-to-ending-whale-captivity
Emory Hutchins 