You're going to need a bigger boat display case, as LEGO has launched its new Jaws set, following its reveal on July 4 (when else?) with a 90-second mini-remake of Steven Spielberg's classic.
The new set was originally conceived by LEGO fan Johnny Campbell. It joins other movie-inspired sets in the LEGO Ideas range, including the Sanderson Sisters' cottage from Hocus Pocus and the Home Alone house.
But is the new Jaws set a must-have for fans? As one such fan, I got my hands on the new set and built it, soundtracked by John Williams' iconic score as I rewatched Jaws to give myself an immersive experience.
(Don't fancy Jaws? We've got you covered with the best Star Wars LEGO sets, the best Marvel LEGO sets, the best Disney LEGO sets and just the best LEGO deals around.)
Pros
- Versatile display options
- Detailed recreation
- Printed LEGO bricks
Cons
- Tricky build at times
- Fragile elements
Jaws key specs
| Pieces | 1,497 |
|---|---|
| Minifigures | 3 |
| Dimensions | 35cm x 20cm x 59cm |
LEGO Jaws features
The LEGO Jaws set contains 1,497 pieces, which are spread across 13 bags – now in LEGO's sustainable paper bags – with four base pieces packaged separately, which you won't need until the final stages of the build.
When displayed together, the set measures 35cm high at its tallest point, which is the mast of the Orca. The base is 59cm wide and 20cm deep, but you could save space by displaying the boat and the shark separately.
What to Read Next
The LEGO Jaws set also comes with three minifigures of police chief Martin Brody, marine biologist Matt Hooper and shark hunter Sam Quint, along with various accessories such as a harpoon, a fishing rod and a camera.
There's more than enough variety to recreate any Jaws scene you want, even if the final look of the set is modelled on the third-act showdown between Bruce and the Orca crew.
LEGO Jaws release date: How to buy LEGO Jaws set
The LEGO Jaws set is available to buy right now after being released on August 3 on the official LEGO store.
Currently, you have to be a LEGO Insiders member to buy the set, but it's free to sign up, and you can earn points with every purchase. You can then use those points towards rewards and also get access to exclusive offers.
If you don't want to sign up, the LEGO Jaws set goes on general release on Tuesday, August 6.
Be warned, though, it's common for LEGO sets to sell out during the Insiders phase, such as with the Barad-dûr set, meaning you might be in for a longer wait.
LEGO Jaws build: How many times can you rewatch Jaws?
When you're building one of cinema's most famous sharks, as well as one of its most iconic boats, then it's only right that you rewatch Jaws while you do it – if only to get John Williams' iconic theme giving you a sense of peril and urgency.
The set is built in three sections: the boat, the base (and tail) for Bruce and then the body of Bruce. You can slot the body of Bruce onto the tail to display him separately or – once you've built the base with bags 12 and 13 – you can attach the body of Bruce to the base.
There are 374 steps in total. One rewatch of Jaws put me near the end of the Orca build, minus all its extra details on the deck such as Quint's fishing chair, before a second rewatch of Jaws took me until nearly the end of the entire build.
I was just starting to put in all the details on the base – which is quite a long and somewhat challenging process, as there are a lot of similar parts – when Bruce was blown up for a second time during my LEGO build.
You could then go for a third watch, but I chose to watch the making-of documentary on the 45th anniversary 4K re-release of the movie.
Overall, it took four hours and 45 minutes to build, with roughly 20 minutes per bag. Certain sections took longer, though, such as when you have to fill in elements on the bottom of the boat where you have to take more care, as you can easily break parts off.
It's generally a straightforward build, especially for Bruce, but the boat has various fiddly aspects. There are elements, such as the mast, that feel quite fragile so expect to have to rebuild some parts, even if you're ultra-cautious during the build.
It's worth it, though, as the set has been immaculately designed to be a near-perfect replica of the boat from Jaws. There are still the fun LEGO details you expect, too, including a newspaper that's already reporting on the Orca shark attack.
What will be pleasing for LEGO fans is that while there are still some stickers to apply for some details, the set also features several printed bricks – such as the Orca nameplate – that just look more impressive than a stuck-on sticker (plus, no more worries about getting it just in the centre of the brick).
You can also remove the roof to the cabin to see the details inside, but once the mast and rigging are on, this proves a little tricky. Luckily, there are windows to the cabin, which you can fully open to see inside clearly enough.
Here's an earlier photo during the build before the roof goes on so you can see the detail:
Once the boat and Bruce are built, you can display them together, but it's worth noting that the boat merely rests on the base over a well-placed circular brick in the corner, rather than fixing to it.
So if you are displaying it all together, you'll probably want to position the base first – which you can attach the shark to – and then place the boat in its slightly diagonal position.
Once it's all built, you can also create your own fun by recreating Quint's gruesome demise or try out different LEGO minifigures on the set.
In a moment that made me smile more than it probably should have, I thought Gollum (from the Barad-dûr set) should have a go catching some delicious fishes.
LEGO Jaws verdict
While it's not cheap at £129.99 (although cheaper than previous movies-themed Ideas sets), the LEGO Jaws set is a must-have for fans of the movie, as it recreates the classic final act in terrific detail.
The versatility of the set is a bonus, as it makes for an impressive display when placed together – you can also display Bruce separately if you want to see him in his full glory. (Equally, you could get rid of the base completely, but the boat doesn't have a level base so could be tricky to display.)
There will be moments during the build where you qill wish it was a bit simpler, but there's nothing here that should particularly challenge an experienced LEGO builder. The result is worth any such hassle, though.
Pros
- Versatile display options
- Detailed recreation
- Printed LEGO bricks
Cons
- Tricky build at times
- Fragile elements
Jaws key specs
| Pieces | 1,497 |
|---|---|
| Minifigures | 3 |
| Dimensions | 35cm x 20cm x 59cm |
LEGO's Jaws set is available to buy now for LEGO Insiders members, with general sale from August 6.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
