Home > News > Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Made

Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Made

by Sadie May 13,2025

One of my earliest fears was the thought of bodies of water hiding a people-eating shark beneath their calm surfaces. This paranoia was fueled by countless shark movies that constantly reminded me that nature could strike at any moment.

While the concept of shark movies might seem simple—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or multiple sharks—many films often miss the mark. However, when executed correctly, these films deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you hesitant to enter any body of water for a long time.

So, prepare your Shark Spray. Here's our curated list of the top 10 best shark movies of all time. If you're looking for more thrills, don't miss our guide to the greatest 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 world of shark movies, the ratio of quality to mediocrity leans heavily towards the latter. Shark Night earns its spot for its general competency. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who, driven by their Shark Week obsession, attach cameras to aggressive sharks. The film is over-the-top, with scenes like a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate a man on a WaveRunner. Originally released as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly—ideal for popcorn entertainment. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jawesomeness, even if it isn't the most polished.

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 stands out in a genre with limited competition. 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, who better suited the action sequences. It continues the familiar storyline with exploding boats and underwater carnage, showcasing enough execution to justify its place in the franchise.

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 redeem the franchise after the disappointment of Deep Blue Sea 2. On the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks encounter mercenaries and bull sharks. This B Movie delivers with martyrdom explosions, action brawls featuring aerial Bull Shark tag-team action, and character deaths inspired by internet memes. It's one of the most surprising triumphs in recent shark cinema, understanding and delivering on 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 faces off against 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 succeeds as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The Megalodon's massive chompers threaten dive cages and underwater research facilities, while Statham employs his expert diving skills to combat the ancient predator. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, attempts to save beachgoers from becoming snacks. The film blends Kaiju Lite elements with soap opera drama, delivering what it promises.

The sequel, The Meg 2, released in 2023, didn't meet the original's standards and thus 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 use mechanical or CGI sharks, Open Water opts for real sharks to achieve authenticity. Filmmaker Chris Kentis, along with his wife and producer Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, aimed to capture natural shark behavior. They also served as cinematographers, ensuring the film's authenticity. The story follows an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters after their boat leaves them behind. While less action-packed, it's suspenseful and harrowing, offering a different kind of thrill.

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 sets itself apart by trapping supermarket patrons and workers with Great White sharks during a freak tsunami. This Australian film skillfully blends effects to maintain tension and deliver bloody thrills. The tsunami also interrupts a robbery, forcing criminals and clerks to team up against the aquatic predators. Bait stands alongside Crawl as a standout in the niche genre of "When 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 adds a ticking clock to the underwater escape, intensifying the panic. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt portray sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition. The film masterfully uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to heighten tension, with sharks lunging into the frame. It's a nerve-wracking, white-knuckle experience that showcases 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 captures the outrageous spirit of 90s cinema with its story of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and pharmaceutical failures. The film features a memorable cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, who fight to survive their own creation. Despite some dated CGI, the practical effects of sharks floating through hallways and flooded kitchens add to the film's charm. Deep Blue Sea embraces creature-feature "nonsense" in the best way, delivering thrilling, karmic justice.

The Shallows (2016)

Blake Lively stars in The Shallows, facing off against a formidable shark. Jaume Collet-Serra's direction elevates the tension using minimal locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy. Lively's compelling performance against a convincingly terrifying CG shark makes The Shallows a standout. The film dives into an intensely hopeless scenario, delivering relentless intensity.

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, the definitive shark movie. Despite challenges with the animatronic Great White, the film's success was undeniable, earning $476.5 million at the box office. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, culminating in the unforgettable appearance of the shark, Bruce. Set against the backdrop of a New England summer, it exposes the dangers of prioritizing tourism over safety. Decades later, Jaws remains the best shark movie of all time.