One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that may or may not be hiding a people-eating shark beneath their calm surface. Shark movies fueled this paranoia, constantly reminding my younger self that nature's predators could strike at any moment.
The concept of shark movies might seem straightforward—vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or multiple sharks—but many films fail to capture the thrill. When done right, however, these movies deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of any body of water for a long time.
So, prepare your Shark Spray. Here are our picks for the 10 best shark movies of all time. For more creature thrills, explore 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 ratio of "alpha" to "minnow" in shark movies leans heavily towards the negative, making films like Shark Night notable for their general competency. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are attacked by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to the extreme by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's over-the-top—a Great White jumps out of the water and decapitates a man on a WaveRunner. Marketed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe, offering popcorn entertainment. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jawesomeness, even if it's not the most polished film in the genre.
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 the original, but it stands out in a field with little competition. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White that targets water skiers and beachgoers. The film is more action-oriented, which led to the original director John D. Hancock's departure. It continues the familiar story with exploding boats and underwater carnage, executed well enough to justify its place in the franchise.
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
Yes, there are two Deep Blue Sea sequels. Deep Blue Sea 3 rebounds impressively after the disappointment of Deep Blue Sea 2, echoing the original's shark-centric thrills. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy, tasked with protecting Great White sharks, face mercenaries and bull sharks. It's a full-on B Movie with martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls featuring aerial Bull Shark tag-teams, and comical memes turned into character deaths. It's one of the most unexpected victories in recent shark cinema, delivering well above the expectations for direct-to-video sequels and absurd shark films that embrace their entertainment value.
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 versus a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench? The Meg might have been better with a more mature rating and tighter storytelling, but as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle, it delivers on its ancient premise. The film showcases the danger of massive Megalodon teeth threatening dive cages and underwater research facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat the not-so-extinct predator. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, tries to prevent the Megalodon from treating beachgoers like appetizers. The film blends Kaiju Lite elements with soap opera dramatics, making a significant splash despite its flaws.
2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but the sequel didn't meet the original's standards. Described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" in our review, it doesn't make the cut for our list of the best shark films.
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
While Jaws used a mechanical shark and many films rely on CGI, Open Water opts for real sharks to achieve authenticity. Filmmaker Chris Kentis and his wife, producer Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, aimed to capture natural shark behavior. They also served as cinematographers, ensuring the film met their high standards. Open Water stands out from more entertainment-focused shark movies, depicting an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. It's less action-packed but intensely suspenseful and harrowing.
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
Before Crawl trapped family members in a flooded crawl space with alligators during a category 5 hurricane, Bait trapped supermarket patrons and workers with agitated Great White sharks during a freak tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark films, with survivors using shopping carts to rig diving gear and parking lots becoming hunting grounds. The film blends effects to maintain tension and bloodshed as the action escalates. A robbery interrupted by the tsunami forces criminals and clerks to unite against the swimming killers. Bait matches the intensity of Crawl, fitting into the niche genre 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 Moore, 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
The ticking clock in 47 Meters Down adds urgency to an already tense underwater escape. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt portray sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition, unable to move without attracting sharks. The film uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to heighten the suspense, with sharks lunging into view. It's a nerve-wracking, white-knuckle experience that showcases the best of 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
A movie that inspires an LL Cool J song is undoubtedly memorable. "Deepest, bluest, my hat is like a shark's fin" captures the 90s flair of Deep Blue Sea, which features genetically enhanced Mako sharks and the consequences of pharmaceutical greed. The cast battles to escape their own creation, with even Samuel L. Jackson falling prey to the sharks. Despite some dated CGI, the film uses practical effects effectively, showcasing sharks in flooded hallways and kitchens. Deep Blue Sea embraces the absurdity of creature features, delivering thrilling entertainment.
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
Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark in The Shallows. Director Jaume Collet-Serra masterfully builds tension using minimal locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy. Lively's performance against a convincingly terrifying CG shark elevates the film. The Shallows is a gripping, intense experience that leaves no room for excess, diving straight into a desperate survival scenario.
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
Steven Spielberg revolutionized the summer blockbuster with Jaws, the undisputed king of shark movies. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's success, grossing $476.5 million, speaks volumes. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, revealing the shark at the perfect moment. This New England tale of summer chaos highlights the tension between tourist revenue and public safety, with the memory of Alex Kintner's fate still haunting viewers. Decades later, Jaws remains the pinnacle of shark cinema.
AnswerSee ResultsLooking for more horror movies with teeth? Take a look at our guide to the best vampire movies of all time next or dive into our favorite dinosaur movies.Upcoming Shark Movies
For those eager for more shark-themed films, several are in development or have been announced. 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?
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.
