One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that might be concealing a people-eating shark beneath their tranquil surfaces. Shark movies fueled this paranoia, constantly reminding my younger self that nature's deadly order could strike at any moment.
While the premise of shark movies—vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or multiple sharks—seems straightforward, many films fail to capture the essence effectively. However, when done right, these movies deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of entering any body of water for weeks.
So, prepare your Shark Spray. Here are our top 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 landscape of shark movies often leans heavily towards the disappointing side, but movies like Shark Night manage to stand out for their basic competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who, fueled by their Shark Week obsession, attach cameras to aggressive sharks. The plot is absurd—a Great White shark leaps out of the water to decapitate a man on a WaveRunner. Marketed originally as "Shark Night 3D," the film captures the early 2010s horror vibe, offering popcorn entertainment. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this enjoyable, 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 surpass its predecessor, but it holds its own in a genre where sequels are often lackluster. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White shark, this time targeting water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, which led to the departure of original director John D. Hancock. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 offers thrilling underwater sequences and exploding boats, maintaining the franchise's momentum.
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 experienced a resurgence with its third installment, following the lackluster Deep Blue Sea 2. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks find themselves battling mercenaries and bull sharks. This B-movie delivers with explosive action, unexpected character deaths inspired by internet memes, and a surprising victory. Deep Blue Sea 3 exceeds expectations for direct-to-video sequels and showcases the fun side 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 battles a 75-foot-long Megalodon 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 spectacle. The Megalodon's massive jaws threaten dive cages and underwater facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat this ancient predator. The film's cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, adds to the excitement, blending Kaiju-lite tropes with melodramatic elements. Despite The Meg 2's 2023 release not meeting expectations, the original remains a thrilling watch.
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 mechanical or computer-generated sharks, Open Water uses real sharks for a more authentic feel. Directors and avid scuba divers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau aimed for natural behavior in their film, serving as cinematographers to capture realistic footage. The film follows an American couple left stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters, offering suspense and realism over 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
Bait offers a unique twist on the shark movie genre, trapping survivors in a supermarket flooded by a freak tsunami, with Great White sharks lurking nearby. This Australian film showcases survivors using shopping carts to create diving gear and turning parking lots into hunting grounds. The blend of effects keeps the tension high, and the narrative includes a robbery interrupted by the tsunami, forcing criminals and clerks to unite against the aquatic predators. Bait stands out as a compelling entry in the "trapped with animals during natural disasters" subgenre.
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 a ticking clock to the mix, intensifying the panic as sisters Mandy Moore and Claire Holt find themselves trapped on the ocean floor during a shark diving mishap. The film's use of the dark, vast underwater landscape heightens the suspense, with sharks emerging suddenly from the darkness. This approach creates a nerve-wracking, white-knuckled experience, cementing its place among the best shark movies.
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 captures the essence of 90s creature features with its story of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and a pharmaceutical experiment gone wrong. The film's cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, delivers memorable performances, even as they face the consequences of their creations. Despite some dated CGI, the practical effects of sharks navigating flooded corridors add to the film's charm, making it a beloved entry in shark cinema.
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
The Shallows showcases Blake Lively in a gripping battle against a formidable shark. Director Jaume Collet-Serra masterfully builds tension using minimal locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy—creating an intense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Lively's performance against a convincing CG shark elevates the film, making it a standout in the genre and a testament to effective, focused storytelling.
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 genre and remains the pinnacle of shark movies. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's suspenseful buildup and iconic scenes, like the 4th of July beach attack, keep audiences on edge. Jaws is a masterclass in suspense, proving that less can indeed be more, and it continues to reign as the best shark movie of all time.
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, several exciting projects 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?
Shark Week 2025 is scheduled to take place from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel set to broadcast a variety of shark-themed content throughout the week.
