One of my earliest fears was the lurking possibility of a people-eating shark beneath the calm surface of any body of water. This fear was amplified by countless shark movies that reminded my younger self that nature's unpredictable order could strike at any moment.
While the premise of shark movies—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or multiple sharks—seems straightforward, many films fail to capture the thrill. However, when executed well, these movies offer 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 the top 10 best 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
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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
In a genre filled with more misses than hits, Shark Night earns its spot through sheer competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, the film follows vacationers who are attacked by backwoods maniacs with a Shark Week obsession, who have fitted sharks with cameras. The absurdity peaks when a Great White leaps from the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Billed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe, offering popcorn entertainment that's best enjoyed with a few drinks. Kudos to the late David R. Ellis for delivering this entertaining, if not top-tier, shark flick.
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 holds its own in a sparse field of sequels. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another menacing Great White, this time targeting water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, which led to a director change from John D. Hancock. While it has its flaws, Jaws 2 delivers with exploding boats and intense underwater scenes, solidifying the franchise's foundation.
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 has seen its ups and downs, but Deep Blue Sea 3 marks a significant rebound. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, the story follows scientists protecting Great White sharks who find themselves threatened by mercenaries and bull sharks. Embracing its B-movie roots, the film offers martyrdom explosions, action-packed sequences, and memorable character deaths, exceeding expectations for direct-to-video sequels and delivering on the absurd fun of 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 in The Meg. While the film could have benefited from a more mature rating and tighter storytelling, it excels as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The film showcases the danger posed by the ancient predator as it threatens dive cages and underwater research facilities. Despite some uneven performances, The Meg successfully delivers on its promise of thrilling, large-scale action.
2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but it failed to capture the magic of the original, described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" in our review. As a result, it doesn't make our list of the best shark movies.
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 rely on mechanical or CGI sharks, Open Water uses real sharks to achieve authenticity. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, ensure the film captures natural shark behavior. The result is a gripping, suspenseful narrative of an American couple left stranded in shark-infested waters, offering a unique and harrowing experience compared to more action-focused shark movies.
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 stands out with its unique setting—a supermarket flooded by a tsunami, trapping patrons and workers with Great White sharks. Australia delivers one of the more inventive recent shark movies, blending intense aquatic thrills with a robbery subplot. Survivors use shopping carts and parking lots to create diving gear, resulting in a tense and bloody action-packed experience. Bait is as gripping as Crawl, fitting into a niche subgenre 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
47 Meters Down heightens the tension with its ticking clock scenario. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a shark diving expedition goes wrong. The film masterfully uses the vast, dark underwater environment to create nerve-wracking suspense, with sharks lurking in the shadows. It's a white-knuckle ride that exemplifies 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
Deep Blue Sea is a quintessential 90s creature feature, centered around genetically enhanced Mako sharks and the consequences of corporate greed. Despite some dated CGI, the film excels with practical effects and memorable moments, including Samuel L. Jackson's iconic speech. It's a thrilling ride that embraces the absurdity of shark cinema, delivering entertainment with a sharp bite.
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 delivers a standout performance as she battles a formidable shark. Director Jaume Collet-Serra maximizes tension using minimal locations, crafting a film that remains intense and gripping throughout. Lively's confrontation with the CG shark is terrifyingly effective, making The Shallows a modern classic in the shark movie genre.
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's Jaws revolutionized the summer blockbuster and remains the pinnacle of shark cinema. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's suspense and storytelling brilliance led to a box office triumph. Jaws masterfully builds tension, culminating in unforgettable scenes that continue to haunt audiences, securing its place as the definitive shark movie.
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 movie thrills, here are some highly anticipated upcoming releases:
- 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 set to air a wide range of shark-related content.
