If you’ve noticed a wave of “Jaws” nostalgia flooding your feed, you’re not imagining things—this summer marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic shark thriller. And naturally, the internet is celebrating the best way it knows how: with lists, polls, and a healthy amount of snark.
A recent ranking of the most popular sharks in pop culture threw a surprising twist into the chum-filled waters: Bruce from “Finding Nemo” took the top spot, edging out the original Bruce from “Jaws.” That’s right—the goofy, toothy vegetarian shark beat out the cinematic terror that started a generation’s fear of the ocean.
Here’s how the finned celebs stacked up:
- Bruce, Finding Nemo (2003)
- Bruce, Jaws (1975)
- Lenny, Shark Tale (2004)
- King Shark, The Suicide Squad (2021)
- Destiny, Finding Dory (2016)
Fun fact: the name Bruce in “Nemo” was actually a nod to Spielberg’s infamous mechanical shark. So technically, Bruce beat Bruce.
The Most Searched Shark Is . . .
Meanwhile, Google Trends revealed which sharks are swimming through our search histories. The Great White shark dominated across nearly every state. The only holdouts? Alaska, Utah, and Georgia, where whale sharks took the lead. And in Hawaii, residents are more intrigued by tiger sharks.
And the Most Dangerous Shark Is . . .
It’s worth noting that the Great White isn’t just the most famous—it’s also the most dangerous. Shark attack stats put it at #1, followed by the tiger shark, bull shark, requiem shark, and blue shark.
So whether you’re Team Bruce, Team Lenny, or still not over Jaws making you fear swimming pools, the shark love is real this summer. Just maybe avoid the water while you’re at it.
