Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Made

From childhood fears of lurking sharks beneath tranquil waters to the adrenaline-pumping thrill of cinema, shark movies have always captivated and terrified us in equal measure. These films often follow a simple premise—vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or multiple sharks—but when executed well, they can leave you wary of every body of water. So, prepare your Shark Spray and dive into our list of the top 10 shark movies of all time. For more creature-feature excitement, don't miss our guide to the greatest monster movies.

Top Shark Movies of All Time

11 Images10. 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

In the world of shark movies, finding a gem is like searching for a pearl in the ocean. Shark Night, despite its campy premise, manages to make the cut for its sheer entertainment value. Set in the Louisiana gulf, this film follows vacationers who become the targets of backwoods maniacs using sharks as weapons. The absurdity peaks when a Great White leaps out of the water to decapitate a WaveRunner rider. Originally billed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the essence of early 2010s horror—perfect for a fun, popcorn-fueled watch. Kudos to the late David R. Ellis for delivering this enjoyable, if not the most refined, shark flick.

9. 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

While Jaws 2 may not surpass the original, it holds its own in a genre where sequels often struggle. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another menacing Great White, this time preying on water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, a shift that cost original director John D. Hancock his position. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 delivers thrilling boat explosions and underwater chaos, proving that a familiar formula can still entertain.

8. 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

After the disappointment of Deep Blue Sea 2, Deep Blue Sea 3 impressively rebounds, capturing the spirit of the original. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists face off against mercenaries and bull sharks. This B-movie delivers with explosive martyrdom, aerial shark action, and unexpected twists that elevate it above typical direct-to-video fare. The cast and crew deserve recognition for turning a potentially forgettable sequel into a memorable shark spectacle.

7. 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

The Meg pits Jason Statham against a colossal 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench. While a PG-13 rating and some narrative bloat might dampen the thrill, the film excels as a blockbuster aquatic horror. The tension rises as the Megalodon threatens to destroy dive cages and underwater facilities. With a robust cast including Li Bingbing and Rainn Wilson, The Meg blends Kaiju-like spectacle with soap opera drama, delivering a satisfying cinematic splash.

2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but it failed to match the original's success. Our review called it "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways," excluding it from our top shark films list.

6. 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

Unlike many shark movies that rely on CGI or mechanical sharks, Open Water uses real sharks for a raw, authentic feel. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, passionate scuba divers themselves, capture the natural behavior of sharks to create a gripping narrative. The film follows an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters, offering suspense and realism rather than action-packed thrills.

5. 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's alligator-infested crawl space, Bait featured a supermarket flooded by a tsunami, trapping patrons and workers with Great White sharks. Australia delivers a thrilling fin flick where survivors ingeniously use shopping carts and parking lots as diving gear. The blend of effects and action creates a tense, bloody spectacle, especially when a robbery is interrupted by the natural disaster, forcing criminals and clerks to unite against their aquatic foes.

4. 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 adds urgency to an already tense underwater scenario. Sisters played by Mandy Moore and Claire Holt find themselves trapped on the ocean floor after a shark diving expedition goes wrong. The film's use of the vast, dark ocean and sudden shark attacks create a nerve-wracking experience, showcasing the terror of shark cinema at its best.

3. 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

The 90s classic Deep Blue Sea, famously celebrated in an LL Cool J song, showcases the chaos caused by genetically enhanced Mako sharks. Despite some dated CGI, the film excels with practical effects and a thrilling narrative. Samuel L. Jackson's memorable role and the film's embrace of creature-feature absurdity make it a standout in shark movie history.

2. 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's solo battle against a formidable shark in The Shallows is a testament to Jaume Collet-Serra's skill in building tension from minimal settings. Lively's performance and the film's effective use of CGI make it a gripping, timeless thriller. The Shallows dives deep into a hopeless scenario, delivering unrelenting intensity.

1. 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 suspense and iconic scenes earned it over $476.5 million at the box office. Jaws masterfully builds tension, culminating in unforgettable moments like the attack on Alex Kintner. Decades later, it remains the pinnacle of shark cinema, keeping audiences out of the water with its enduring terror.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For those eager for more shark-related cinematic adventures, here are some exciting upcoming films:

• Fear Below - Scheduled for release on May 15, 2025
• Beneath the Storm - Set to hit theaters on August 1, 2025
• High Tide - Release date to be confirmed
• Dangerous Animals - Release date to be confirmed

When Is Shark Week in 2025?

Mark your calendars! Shark Week 2025 is slated to run from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel offering a lineup of captivating shark-related programming.