One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that might conceal a people-eating shark beneath their calm surfaces. Shark movies amplified this fear by repeatedly showing me that the natural world could strike at any moment.
While the concept of shark movies—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or more sharks—seems straightforward, many films fail to capture this thrill. When done correctly, however, these movies deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of entering 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 quality to poor shark movies leans heavily toward the latter, making films like Shark Night stand out for their basic competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are attacked by backwoods maniacs obsessed with Shark Week, who attach cameras to aggressive sharks. The premise is absurd—a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate a man on a WaveRunner—and the original 3D release captures the early 2010s horror vibe. It's popcorn entertainment, and the late David R. Ellis deserves credit for this "better with booze" bite of jawesomeness, though 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 outshine its predecessor, but it's a notable sequel in a field with few contenders. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White terrorizing water skiers and beachgoers. The film is more action-oriented, which led to the original director, John D. Hancock, being replaced. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 offers familiar storytelling, exploding boats, and underwater carnage executed well enough to warrant its franchise status.
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
There are two Deep Blue Sea sequels, and Deep Blue Sea 3 significantly improves upon its predecessor. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks face threats from mercenaries and bull sharks. It's a full-on B Movie with martyrdom explosions, action brawls, and even comedic memes turned into character deaths. Deep Blue Sea 3 exceeds expectations for direct-to-video sequels and delivers entertaining shark cinema.
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 faces off against a 75-foot-long Megalodon from the Mariana Trench. While The Meg might have benefited from a more intense rating and tighter storytelling, it delivers as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The film showcases the dangers of a massive shark attacking dive cages and underwater facilities, with Statham using his diving skills to thwart the predator. Despite mixed performances, The Meg successfully blends Kaiju Lite elements with soap opera drama, making a significant impact.
2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but it fell short of the original's charm. Described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways," it doesn't make our list of top 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
Unlike many shark films that use mechanical or CGI sharks, Open Water strives for realism by using real sharks. Filmmaker Chris Kentis, along with his wife and producer Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, aimed for natural shark behavior in their film. This approach gives Open Water a distinct feel, as an American couple finds themselves stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. It's suspenseful and harrowing, focusing more on realism than action.
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, Bait showcased a similar premise with survivors trapped in a supermarket during a tsunami, surrounded by Great White sharks. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark films, as characters use shopping carts and parking lots to survive. The blend of effects keeps the aquatic thrills tense and bloody, with added tension from a robbery interrupted by the disaster. Bait stands out in the niche genre of "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 heightens the panic of an underwater escape. Sisters, played by Mandy Moore and Claire Holt, are trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition. The film uses the vastness of the ocean to create tension, with sharks lurking in the dark waters. It's a nervy, white-knuckled 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 testament to its quality, Deep Blue Sea inspired an LL Cool J song. The film features genetically enhanced Mako sharks and a pharmaceutical experiment gone wrong. Despite some dated CGI, the movie excels in practical effects, with sharks navigating flooded hallways and kitchens. It's a classic creature feature that embraces its "nonsense" with enthusiasm.
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 a formidable shark in The Shallows. Director Jaume Collet-Serra masterfully builds tension using limited locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy. Lively's performance and the terrifying CG shark contribute to a film that ages well. The Shallows dives straight into an intense, seemingly hopeless scenario, delivering a gripping experience.
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 definitive shark movie. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film grossed over $476.5 million. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, revealing the shark at the perfect moment. Set in New England, it highlights the tension between tourist dollars and public safety, with scenes that continue to keep audiences away from the water. Decades later, Jaws remains the best shark movie ever made.
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 thrills, several upcoming films are in development or 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 take place from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel airing a variety of shark-related programs.
