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, constantly reminding my younger self that the natural order could strike at any time. Fin flicks seem to have a straightforward premise—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or multiple sharks—but many films miss the mark. When done right, however, shark movies deliver an adrenaline-fueled experience that can keep you out of the water for weeks.
So, get your Shark Spray ready. Here are the top 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, or rent from Apple TV and more
In the world of shark movies, quality is often overshadowed by quantity, but Shark Night manages to swim into our list with its general competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who've taken their Shark Week obsession to extreme levels by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. The film's absurdity peaks with a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate a WaveRunner rider. Originally billed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly, offering popcorn entertainment. Thanks to the late David R. Ellis, this film delivers a "better with booze" bite of jawesomeness, even if it's not the shiniest lure in the tackle box.
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 competition is sparse. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White, this time targeting water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, which led to the original director John D. Hancock being replaced by Jeannot Szwarc, better suited for such sequences. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 offers more underwater carnage 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
Yes, there are two Deep Blue Sea sequels, but Deep Blue Sea 3 marks a significant improvement over its predecessor. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists trying to protect Great White sharks face threats from mercenaries and bull sharks. This B-movie extravaganza includes martyrdom explosions, action brawls with aerial Bull Shark tag-team action, and humorous character deaths inspired by internet memes. Deep Blue Sea 3 exceeds expectations for direct-to-video sequels, delivering absurd shark cinema that knows its entertainment value.
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 shark from the Mariana Trench in The Meg. While the film could have been more thrilling without its PG-13 rating and trimmed narrative, it successfully delivers on its ancient premise. The Megalodon's massive jaws threaten dive cages and underwater research facilities, with Statham's expert diving skills pitted against this prehistoric predator. Despite some uneven performances, the film's blend of Kaiju Lite tropes and soap opera dramatics make it a grand aquatic horror spectacle. The sequel, The Meg 2, released in 2023, was "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" and doesn't make our list.
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 CGI sharks, Open Water uses real sharks for authenticity. Directed by avid scuba divers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, who also serve as cinematographers, the film captures natural shark behavior. It follows an American couple stranded in shark-infested waters after their boat leaves them behind. Though not action-packed, Open Water is suspenseful and harrowing, distinguishing itself with its realistic approach.
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 survivors inside a supermarket with Great White sharks during a tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark films, with survivors improvising diving gear from shopping carts and cars becoming hunting grounds. The blend of effects keeps the aquatic thrills tense and bloody, especially with a robbery in progress that forces criminals and clerks to unite against the swimming predators. Bait matches the intensity of Crawl, carving a niche in the "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents" subgenre.
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 adds a ticking clock to an already intense underwater escape scenario. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition, unable to move without attracting sharks. The film masterfully uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to heighten the tension, delivering multiple nerve-wracking scares that, though familiar, amplify the thrills 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 movie that inspired an LL Cool J song, Deep Blue Sea encapsulates the 90s with its outrageous premise of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and corporate greed. The cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, fights to survive their own creation, with plenty of practical shark effects despite some dated CGI. Deep Blue Sea revels in its creature-feature absurdity, delivering memorable moments that showcase the sharp teeth of karma.
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. Director Jaume Collet-Serra masterfully builds tension with limited locations, showcasing his skill in contemporary blockbuster filmmaking. Lively's performance against a convincingly terrifying CG shark makes The Shallows a timeless thriller, diving straight into an intensely hopeless scenario.
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, which remains the pinnacle of shark cinema. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film grossed over $476.5 million. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, culminating in the iconic reveal of the shark named Bruce. This New England tale of summer chaos highlights the dangers of prioritizing tourism over safety, with scenes like Alex Kintner's terrifying demise keeping audiences out of the water. Decades later, Jaws still stands 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 looking for even more shark movies to watch, there are several currently in the works or announced. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies:
- Fear Below - Scheduled for release on May 15, 2025
- Beneath the Storm - Set to premiere on August 1, 2025
- High Tide - Release date to be confirmed
- Dangerous Animals - Release date to be confirmed
When Is Shark Week in 2025?
Shark Week 2025 will take place from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel set to air a whole host of shark-related content.
