Top 10 Shark Movies: All-Time Best

From a young age, the fear of lurking sharks beneath seemingly calm waters gripped me, a fear fueled by countless shark movies. These films hammered home the unpredictability of nature, always ready to strike. Shark movies may seem straightforward—featuring vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or more sharks—but many fail to capture the essence of true suspense and thrill. When executed well, however, they deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of any body of water for a long time.

So, prepare your Shark Spray. Here are the top 10 shark movies that have stood the test of time. For those craving more creature thrills, don't miss our guide to the best 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 sea of shark movies, "Shark Night" manages to swim into our list thanks to its decent execution. Set in the Louisiana gulf, the film follows vacationers attacked by backwoods maniacs who, driven by an extreme Shark Week obsession, attach cameras to ferocious sharks. The absurdity peaks when a Great White jumps out of the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Marketed originally as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe, aiming for popcorn entertainment, which it successfully achieves. David R. Ellis deserves credit for delivering this "better with booze" bite of jaw-dropping action, though it's not the most polished film in the genre.

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

"Jaws 2" may not surpass the original, but in a genre with limited strong sequels, it holds its own. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from yet another Great White, this time targeting water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, leading to the departure of the original director, John D. Hancock, who wasn't suited for these sequences. Despite its flaws, it offers more underwater chaos and exploding boats, successfully continuing the story with enough skill to justify its place in the franchise.

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

Despite having two sequels, "Deep Blue Sea 3" manages to rebound after the disappointment of its predecessor. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks face mercenaries and bull sharks. This full-on B Movie delivers with martyrdom explosions, action-packed sequences featuring aerial Bull Shark attacks, and even turns memes into character deaths, culminating in one of the most surprising victories in recent shark cinema. The cast and crew deserve praise for exceeding expectations, offering absurd yet entertaining shark action that plays with the concept of playing God.

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 75-foot-long prehistoric shark from the Mariana Trench. While it might have benefited from a more intense rating and tighter storytelling, it delivers on its promise of blockbuster aquatic horror. The film showcases the danger as the massive Megalodon threatens dive cages and underwater research facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to fend off the ancient predator. Despite mixed performances from the ensemble cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, "The Meg" successfully blends Kaiju Lite elements with soap opera dramatics, making it a thrilling spectacle.

2023 saw the release of "The Meg 2," but it didn't meet the original's standards, described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" in our review, and thus doesn't make our list of top shark movies.

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 an authentic feel. Directed by avid scuba divers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, the film captures natural shark behavior. It follows an American couple left stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters after their boat departs without them. Though less action-packed than other entries, "Open Water" excels in suspense and harrowing realism, making it a standout in the genre.

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" introduced alligators in a flooded crawl space, "Bait" trapped supermarket patrons and workers with Great White sharks during a tsunami. This Australian thriller showcases survivors improvising with diving gear made from shopping carts and parking lots turned into hunting grounds. The blend of effects maintains tension and delivers bloody thrills, especially with the added twist of a robbery interrupted by the tsunami, forcing criminals and clerks to unite against the aquatic predators. "Bait" stands tall alongside "Crawl" in the niche subgenre of animals attacking in trapped locations during extreme weather.

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 a ticking clock to the underwater horror genre, intensifying the panic as sisters, played by Mandy Moore and Claire Holt, are trapped on the ocean floor during a disastrous shark diving expedition. The film uses the vast emptiness of the ocean to heighten tension, with sharks emerging from the dark waters. Despite some repeated scare tactics, "47 Meters Down" effectively captures the nerve-wracking essence of shark cinema.

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

"Deep Blue Sea" embodies the outrageous spirit of '90s cinema with its story of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and pharmaceutical greed. Even with Samuel L. Jackson in the cast, no one is safe from becoming shark bait. While the CGI might show its age, the practical effects of sharks navigating flooded hallways and kitchens add to the film's charm. "Deep Blue Sea" embraces creature-feature absurdity in the best way, delivering thrilling action and karmic justice.

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 faces off against a formidable shark in "The Shallows," directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Using minimal locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy—Collet-Serra crafts a tense and gripping narrative. Lively's performance against a still-impressive CG shark elevates the film, making "The Shallows" a standout in the genre. It's a masterclass in building suspense and delivering relentless 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's "Jaws" revolutionized the summer blockbuster and remains the pinnacle of shark cinema. Despite challenges with the mechanical shark, "Bruce," the film's suspense and impact were undeniable, grossing over $476.5 million. "Jaws" masterfully builds tension, revealing its terror at the perfect moment, set against a New England backdrop where a mayor prioritizes tourism over safety. The film's legacy endures, keeping audiences away from the water with the haunting memory of Alex Kintner's fate. Decades later, "Jaws" is unequivocally the best shark movie of all time.

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 - Scheduled for release on May 15, 2025
• Beneath the Storm - Coming out 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 for Shark Week 2025, which will run from July 6 to July 13, 2025. The Discovery Channel will be showcasing a variety of shark-related content throughout the week.