One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that may or may not be hiding a people-eating shark beneath their calm surfaces. Shark movies fueled this paranoia by constantly reminding my younger self that nature's predators could strike at any moment.
The concept of shark movies seems straightforward—vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or multiple sharks—but many films fail to capture the thrill. When done correctly, however, shark movies offer an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of entering any body of water for a long time.
So, get your Shark Spray ready. Here's our selection of the top 10 shark movies of all time. For more thrills from the animal kingdom, explore our guide to the best monster movies.
Top Shark Movies of All Time
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10. Shark Night (2011)
The ratio of successful to subpar shark movies heavily favors the latter, yet films like Shark Night manage to make the cut due to their overall competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who have taken their Shark Week obsession to an extreme by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's over-the-top, with scenes like a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Originally billed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the essence of early 2010s horror—pure popcorn entertainment. Credit the late David R. Ellis for delivering this "better with booze" bite of jaw-dropping fun, even if it's not the most polished film in the genre.
Jaws 2 (1978)
Jaws 2 may not surpass the original, but it stands out in a field with few contenders. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White that starts attacking water skiers and beachgoers. This sequel leans more into action, which led to the replacement of the original director, John D. Hancock, due to his unsuitability for such scenes. It continues the familiar story with more boat explosions and underwater carnage, executed well enough to justify its place in the franchise.
Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)
Despite the existence of two sequels, Deep Blue Sea 3 marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, Deep Blue Sea 2, by returning to the original's thrilling essence. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks face off against mercenaries and bull sharks. This B-movie delivers with explosive martyrdom, action-packed brawls featuring aerial Bull Shark attacks, and some of the most unexpected victories in recent shark cinema. The cast and crew deserve praise for exceeding expectations, delivering a direct-to-video sequel that embraces its absurd entertainment value.
The Meg (2018)
Jason Statham battles a 75-foot-long Megalodon 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 jaws threaten dive cages and underwater facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat this ancient predator. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, attempts to prevent the Megalodon from treating beachgoers like snacks. The film blends Kaiju Lite elements with soap opera drama, making a significant impact despite its flaws.
The sequel, The Meg 2, released in 2023, did not meet the original's standards, described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" in our review, and thus does not feature on our list of top shark films.
Open Water (2003)
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, aimed to capture natural shark behavior. They also served as cinematographers, ensuring the film's visuals met their high standards. The result is a film that stands apart from more entertainment-focused entries on this list. It follows an American couple left stranded in shark-infested waters, offering suspense and harrowing realism rather than action-packed thrills.
Bait (2012)
Before Crawl featured alligators in a flooded crawl space during a hurricane, Bait trapped supermarket patrons and workers with Great White sharks during a tsunami. This Australian film showcases survivors using shopping carts for diving gear and parking lots as hunting grounds. The blend of effects keeps the aquatic tension high and bloody, with the added twist of a robbery interrupted by the tsunami, forcing criminals and clerks to unite against the sharks. Bait stands as a strong entry in the niche genre of "Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."
47 Meters Down (2017)
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 shark diving mishap, unable to move without attracting sharks. The film effectively uses the vast, dark underwater environment to heighten the suspense, with sudden shark attacks adding to the nerve-wracking experience. Despite some repeated scare tactics, 47 Meters Down captures the essence of shark cinema's thrills.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
A film that inspired an LL Cool J song, Deep Blue Sea embodies the 90s' flair for the dramatic with its tale of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and pharmaceutical mishaps. The cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, fights to survive their own creation, with some memorable shark attacks. While the CGI may show its age, the practical effects of sharks navigating flooded corridors and kitchens remain impactful. Deep Blue Sea embraces the fun of creature-feature absurdity, delivering a thrilling experience.
The Shallows (2016)
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 CGI shark elevates the film, making it a standout in the genre. The Shallows dives straight into a desperate survival scenario, delivering unrelenting intensity.
Jaws (1975)
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, culminating in the iconic reveal of the shark, Bruce. This New England tale of summer chaos highlights the tension between tourist revenue and public safety, leaving a lasting impact that keeps audiences away from the water. 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 thrills, several new films are on the horizon. 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?
Mark your calendars: 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 programming.
