Figure Friday: You're Gonna Need a Bigger Shelf to Celebrate 50 Years of 'Jaws'

This Figure Friday…we’re gonna need a bigger column. That’s all the Jaws jokes I got, so let’s get to the toys!

JAWS from NECA

Jaws is turning 50 this year, which means the 50th of Jaws 3D is right around the corner. While the original film is an undeniable classic it also holds the distinction of being one of the few movies to have spawned several unnecessary and inferior sequels (see also: Halloween). What better way to celebrate the occasion than with a whole school of toy goodness? I think that counts as a fish pun.

First up is The Game of Jaws, and having seen the movie, I would have thought it apparent that Jaws does not play, but this blurb won me over:

The Game of Jaws returns! Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws with a modern update to the classic 1975 game.

Featuring state-of-the-art, detailed sculpting and paint applications, the infamous shark spans 15 inches in length and looks just like its movie counterpart.

Get all the items out of the shark’s belly before the jaws snap down on the spear! Be sure to have a steady hand and not get too close to those deadly teeth! Includes over 15 different accessories to fish out of the beast’s belly, including an anchor, a boot, fish bones, a skull, a tire, a lantern, glove, and more. Fun for the whole family to enjoy! Some assembly required.

Product Features

15 inches long (38.10cm)
Made of plastic
Based on the Jaws movie
Get all the items out of the shark’s belly before the jaws snap down on the spear!
A fun game and great collectible all in one!
Celebrating 50 years of Jaws

Neat. I’m not at all familiar with the original 1975 game since it predates me by a few years but it looks like NECA knocked it out of the park with this update. I mean, sure it’s a game and everything but this stands on its own as an amazing Jaws action figure. Plus, all those accessories! The box also has a nice retro feel that I’m digging too.

I’m not about to do anything as crazy as research to support my next claim but I think this may be the first ever Richard Dreyfuss action figure in recorded history. I do however know for a fact that that there’s already been at least one Roy Scheider figure. Anyone remember Seaquest: DSV? Just me? Okay…thought you guys were cool.

While I’m at it, this is probably the first Robert Shaw figure too, which is nothing to sneeze at. NECA has really carved out a nice niche for themselves with their Ultimate series of action figures. The figures really thread the needle of being amazing depictions of beloved pop culture icons while still maintaining a collector-friendly price tag. These figures won’t threaten to bankrupt you in the way that something like a $400 Hot Toys figure would.

Both figures pack staggering amount of accessories for a toy that comes in under $40 USD. Interchangeable heads, hands, harpoons…the only thing missing is a chalkboard. I’m sure the more enterprising collectors out there would be quick to mock up their own mini chalkboard to recreate that scene from the film.