From a young age, the fear of lurking sharks beneath tranquil water surfaces captivated my imagination, fueled by countless shark movies that hammered home the unpredictability of nature's apex predators. These films, when executed well, deliver a heart-pounding experience that can make you wary of any water body for weeks to come.
So, gear up with your Shark Spray, and dive into our curated list of the top 10 shark movies that have left an indelible mark on the genre. For those craving more thrills, don't miss our guide to the greatest monster movies.
Top Shark Movies of All Time
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10. Shark Night (2011)
Image credit: RogueDirector: David R. Ellis | Writer: Will Hayes, Jesse Studenberg | Stars: Sara Paxton, Dustin Milligan, Chris Carmack | Release Date: September 2, 2011 | Review: IGN's Shark Night review | Where to watch: Peacock, free with ads on Pluto TV and The Roku Channel, rent from Apple TV and more
The landscape of shark movies often skews towards the forgettable, making films like Shark Night stand out for their sheer competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, the plot revolves around vacationers falling victim to backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to extremes by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's ludicrous—imagine a Great White shark leaping out of the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner! Originally released as "Shark Night 3D," it encapsulates the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly, delivering popcorn entertainment. Kudos to the late David R. Ellis for this enjoyable, if not groundbreaking, addition to shark cinema.
Jaws 2 (1978)
Image credit: Universal PicturesDirector: Jeannot Szwarc | Writer: Carl Gottlieb, Howard Sackler | Stars: Roy Scheider, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton | Release Date: June 16, 1978 | Review: IGN's Jaws 2 review | Where to watch: Rentable on Amazon and other platforms
Jaws 2 may not surpass its iconic predecessor, but in the realm of shark sequels, it holds its ground. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from yet another menacing Great White, this time targeting water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, a shift that led to the original director John D. Hancock's departure. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 offers thrilling boat explosions and underwater carnage, proving that a successful franchise can keep audiences hooked.
Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)
Image credit: Warner Bros. Home EntertainmentDirector: John Pogue | Writer: Dirk Blackman | Stars: Tania Raymonde, Nathaniel Buzolic, Emerson Brooks | Release Date: July 28, 2020 | Where to watch: Rentable on Amazon and other platforms
The Deep Blue Sea franchise sees a significant revival with its third installment, bouncing back from the disappointment of the second. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks face off against mercenaries and bull sharks in a classic B-movie setup. The film packs in explosive martyrdom, action-packed fights with aerial Bull Shark maneuvers, and even turns comical memes into character deaths. Deep Blue Sea 3 exceeds expectations for a direct-to-video sequel, embracing its absurdity to deliver a memorable shark movie experience.
The Meg (2018)
Image credit: Warner Bros. PicturesDirector: Jon Turteltaub | Writer: Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber | Stars: Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson | Release Date: August 10, 2018 | Review: IGN's The Meg review | Where to watch: Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rentable on Apple TV and more
Jason Statham facing off against a colossal 75-foot Megalodon from the Mariana Trench is the stuff of blockbuster dreams. While The Meg might have benefited from a more daring PG-13 rating and tighter storytelling, it excels as an aquatic horror spectacle. The film showcases thrilling scenes of the giant predator threatening dive cages and research facilities, with Statham using his diving prowess to battle the ancient beast. A talented ensemble cast, including Li Bingbing and Rainn Wilson, adds depth to the narrative, blending Kaiju-like thrills with engaging drama. Despite the sequel The Meg 2 failing to match the original's charm, the first film remains a satisfying splash in shark cinema.
Open Water (2003)
Image credit: Lions Gate FilmsDirector: Chris Kentis | Writer: Chris Kentis | Stars: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein | Release Date: October 26, 2003 | Review: IGN's Open Water review | Where to watch: Hoopla, VIX and VUDU Free (with ads), or rentable on other platforms
Open Water distinguishes itself by eschewing CGI for real sharks, aiming for a raw, authentic portrayal of nature's dangers. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, captured genuine shark behavior on camera, resulting in a film that feels distinctly different from more sensationalist shark movies. The story of an American couple left stranded in shark-infested waters after their boat departs without them offers a suspenseful, harrowing experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
Bait (2012)
Image credit: Paramount PicturesDirector: Kimble Rendall | Writer: Russell Mulachy, John Kim | Stars: Xavier Samuel, Sharni Vinson, Adrian Pang | Release Date: September 5, 2012 | Where to watch: fuboTV, Starz, or rentable on other platforms
Bait offers a unique twist on the shark movie genre, trapping supermarket patrons and workers with Great White sharks during a freak tsunami. Set in Australia, the film blends action and suspense as survivors fashion diving gear from shopping carts and navigate flooded parking lots turned hunting grounds. The mix of practical and digital effects keeps the tension high, while the added element of a robbery in progress adds an extra layer of chaos. Bait stands tall alongside films like Crawl, cementing its place in the niche of "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."
47 Meters Down (2017)
Image credit: Entertainment Studios Motion PicturesDirector: Johannes Roberts | Writer: Johannes Roberts, Ernest Riera | Stars: Mandy Moor, Claire Holt | Release Date: June 12, 2017 | Review: IGN's 47 Meters Down review | Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, or rentable on other platforms.
47 Meters Down heightens the stakes with its claustrophobic underwater setting, where sisters played by Mandy Moore and Claire Holt find themselves trapped on the ocean floor after a shark diving mishap. The film masterfully builds suspense using the vast emptiness of the ocean, with lurking sharks adding to the terror. The relentless tension and effective scares make it a standout in shark cinema.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Image credit: Warner Bros.Director: Renny Harlin | Writer: Duncan Kennedy, Donna Powers, Wayne Powers | Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, LL Cool J, Saffron Burrows | Release Date: July 28, 1999 | Review: IGN's Deep Blue Sea review | Where to watch: Rent from Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and more
Deep Blue Sea epitomizes the 90s creature-feature with its tale of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and corporate greed gone wrong. The film's cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, adds charisma to the mix, despite some dated CGI. Practical effects, like sharks navigating flooded corridors, enhance the film's thrilling absurdity. It's a testament to the genre's ability to blend horror and humor effectively.
The Shallows (2016)
Image credit: Sony PicturesDirector: Jaume Collet-Serra | Writer: Anthony Jaswinski | Stars: Blake Lively | Release Date: June 21, 2016 | Review: IGN's The Shallows review | Where to watch: Starz, or rent on Amazon and other platforms
In The Shallows, Blake Lively faces off against a relentless shark in a tense, gripping survival thriller. Director Jaume Collet-Serra maximizes the film's limited setting—a rock formation and a buoy—to create an atmosphere of relentless tension. Lively's compelling performance, combined with a convincingly menacing CG shark, makes The Shallows a modern classic that continues to thrill audiences.
Jaws (1975)
Image credit: Universal PicturesDirector: Steven Spielberg | Writer: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb | Stars: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss | Release Date: June 20, 1975 | Review: IGN's Jaws review | Where to watch: Rentable on Amazon and other platforms
Jaws remains the gold standard of shark movies, revolutionizing the summer blockbuster genre. Steven Spielberg's struggle with the mechanical shark "Bruce" paid off handsomely, leading to a box office haul of $476.5 million. The film masterfully builds suspense, culminating in the iconic showdown between man and beast. Its impact on popular culture endures, making Jaws the definitive shark movie that continues to captivate audiences decades later.
AnswerSee ResultsFor more spine-chilling experiences, explore our guide to the best vampire movies or dive into our favorite dinosaur movies.Upcoming Shark Movies
For those eagerly awaiting more shark-themed thrills, several exciting projects are on the horizon. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies:
- Fear Below - May 15, 2025
- Beneath the Storm - August 1, 2025
- High Tide - To be confirmed
- Dangerous Animals - To be confirmed
When Is Shark Week in 2025?
Mark your calendars! Shark Week 2025 is scheduled to run from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel set to broadcast a wide array of shark-related content.
