One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that might conceal a lurking, people-eating shark beneath their calm surfaces. Shark movies fueled this paranoia by constantly reminding me that nature's predators could strike at any moment.
The concept of shark movies seems simple—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or multiple sharks—but many films struggle to execute it effectively. When done right, however, these movies deliver an adrenaline-fueled experience that can keep you out of the water for a long time.
So, grab your Shark Spray. Here are the top 10 best shark movies of all time. For more thrilling creature features, check out our guide to the greatest monster movies.
Top Shark Movies of All Time
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Shark Night (2011)
Image credit: Rogue
Director: 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
In the realm of shark movies, the ratio of "alpha" to "minnow" leans heavily towards the negative, which means films like Shark Night make the list for their general competence. The movie follows vacationers in the Louisiana gulf who are attacked by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to the extreme by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's absurd—a Great White jumps out of the water and decapitates a man on a WaveRunner. The original theatrical billing as "Shark Night 3D" captures the early 2010s horror vibe (think popcorn entertainment), which the film successfully delivers. Kudos to the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jaw-dropping fun, even if it's not the brightest lure in the tackle box.
Jaws 2 (1978)
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Director: 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 thin field of sequels. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White shark that starts preying on water skiers and beachgoers. The film is more action-packed, which led to the replacement of the original director, John D. Hancock, as he wasn't suited for such sequences. It continues the familiar narrative, despite its flaws, and features exploding boats and underwater carnage executed well enough. If it ain't broke, why not turn it into a franchise?
Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)
Image credit: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Director: 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 significantly improves upon the franchise's second installment, returning to the original's shark-centric thrills. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy, tasked with protecting Great White sharks, encounter mercenaries and bull sharks threatening their safety—a true B Movie scenario. The film features martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls with aerial Bull Shark tag-team action, comical memes leading to character deaths, and one of the most unexpected victories in recent shark movie history. Kudos to the cast and crew of Deep Blue Sea 3 for delivering a direct-to-video sequel that exceeds expectations and embraces its entertainment value.
The Meg (2018)
Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: 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 faces off against a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench in The Meg. While the film could have benefited from a more intense rating and tighter storytelling, it delivers as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The Megalodon's massive chompers threaten dive cages and underwater facilities, with Statham using his expert diving skills to combat this supposedly extinct predator. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, attempts to stop the Megalodon from devouring beachgoers. The film blends Kaiju Lite elements with soap opera dramatics, fulfilling its promise and making a significant splash.
The 2023 sequel, The Meg 2, did not meet the original's standards, described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" in our review, and thus doesn't make the cut for the best shark films.
Open Water (2003)
Image credit: Lions Gate Films
Director: 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
Unlike Jaws and many other shark films that use mechanical or CGI sharks, 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 apart from more entertainment-focused shark movies with its suspenseful and harrowing portrayal of an American couple left stranded in shark-infested waters after their boat departs without them.
Bait (2012)
Image credit: Paramount Pictures
Director: Kimble Rendall | Writer: Russell Mulcahy, 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 featured alligators in a flooded crawl space during a hurricane, Bait trapped supermarket patrons and workers with agitated Great White sharks after a freak tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark movies as survivors ingeniously rig diving gear from shopping carts and parking lots. The film's effects maintain tense and bloody aquatic thrills, and the tsunami interrupts a robbery, forcing criminals and clerks to unite against the swimming killers. Bait rivals Crawl in the niche subgenre of "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."
47 Meters Down (2017)
Image credit: Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures
Director: 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 heightens the panic of an already frantic underwater escape. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt portray sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition, unable to move without drawing the attention of lurking sharks. The film uses the vast, dark underwater environment to create nerve-wracking tension, with sharks lunging into view. Despite some repeated scare tactics, 47 Meters Down captures the essence of thrilling 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
When a movie inspires an LL Cool J song, you know it's good. "Deepest, bluest, my hat is like a shark's fin" perfectly captures the 90s flair of Deep Blue Sea, a film about genetically enhanced Mako sharks and corporate greed. A talented cast battles to escape their own creation, with even Samuel L. Jackson falling victim to the sharks. Despite some outdated CGI, the film features practical shark effects in flooded hallways and kitchens. Deep Blue Sea embraces creature-feature absurdity in the best way, showcasing karma's sharp teeth.
The Shallows (2016)
Image credit: Sony Pictures
Director: 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 menacing shark in The Shallows. Jaume Collet-Serra proves his skill as a contemporary blockbuster filmmaker by using just a few locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy—to build intense tension. Lively's performance against a still-terrifying CG shark adds to the film's impact. The Shallows delivers a gripping, hopeless scenario with no wasted moments, aging like fine wine.
Jaws (1975)
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Director: 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 transformed the summer blockbuster genre with Jaws, which remains the pinnacle of shark cinema. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's success was undeniable, grossing over $476.5 million at the box office. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, revealing the shark at the perfect moment. This New England tale of summertime chaos illustrates the consequences when mayors prioritize tourism over safety, leaving audiences wary of the water. Decades later, Jaws remains the undisputed best shark movie of all time.
For those seeking more horror with bite, explore our guide to the best vampire movies or dive into our favorite dinosaur movies.
Upcoming Shark Movies
For those eager for more shark-themed thrills, several upcoming movies are on the horizon:
- 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 will run from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel airing a variety of shark-related content.
