Top 10 Shark Movies Ever
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.
Fin flicks might seem to have a simple premise—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or more sharks—but many films fail to capture this thrill effectively. When done right, however, these movies provide an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you hesitant to enter any body of water for a long time.
So, get your Shark Spray ready. Here are the picks for the 10 best shark movies of all time. For more creature thrills, be sure to check out our guide to the greatest monster movies.
Top Shark Movies of All Time
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10. Shark Night (2011)
The ratio of "alpha" to "minnow" in shark movies leans heavily toward the negative, but films like Shark Night earn a spot on the list for their general competence. Vacationers in the Louisiana gulf are attacked by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to the extreme by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's absurd—a Great White jumps out of the water and decapitates someone on a WaveRunner. The original theatrical billing as "Shark Night 3D" captures the early 2010s horror vibe it's aiming for (think popcorn entertainment), which the film successfully delivers. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jawesomeness, even if it's not the shiniest lure in the tackle box.
Jaws 2 (1978)
Jaws 2 may not surpass the original, but it stands out among its peers. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White shark that starts devouring water skiers and beachgoers. The film is more action-heavy, which led to the replacement of the original director, John D. Hancock, as he wasn't suited for such sequences. It continues the familiar storytelling, featuring problems like exploding boats and underwater carnage executed well. If it ain't broke, why not turn it into a franchise?
Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)
Yes, there are two Deep Blue Sea sequels. Deep Blue Sea 3 significantly rebounds from the franchise's second installment, returning to the original's sharky appeal. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy, trying to protect Great White sharks, encounter mercenaries and bull sharks that threaten their safety—a true B Movie experience. The film includes martyrdom explosions, action brawls with aerial Bull Shark tag-team action, comical memes turned into character deaths, and one of the most unexpected victories in recent fin flick history. Kudos to the cast and crew of Deep Blue Sea 3 for delivering an aquatic horror film that plays with the concept of playing God, exceeding expectations for direct-to-video sequels and absurd shark cinema alike.
The Meg (2018)
Jason Statham facing off against a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench? The Meg may have been toned down to PG-13 and could have benefited from tighter storytelling, but as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle, it delivers on its 23 million-year-old premise. There's danger as massive Megalodon chompers attempt to shatter dive cages or underwater research facilities, with Statham using his expert diving skills to thwart the not-so-extinct predator. A stacked cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis tries to stop a Megalodon from devouring beachgoers like hors d'oeuvres, with varying success, blending Kaiju Lite tropes with soap opera dramatics. The Meg makes a grand enough splash for what it promises.
2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but the sequel didn't quite meet the original's standards. Described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" in our review, it doesn't make our list of the best shark films.
Open Water (2003)
While Jaws used a mechanical shark and many films rely on CGI, Open Water goes for authenticity with real sharks. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and his wife, producer Laura Lau, who are avid scuba divers, aimed to capture natural shark behavior. They also served as cinematographers, using their scuba expertise to ensure the film's authenticity. Unlike the more entertainment-focused entries on this list, Open Water feels different as it follows an American couple left stranded in shark-infested waters after their boat departs without them. It's not the most action-packed, but it's suspenseful and harrowing.
Bait (2012)
Before Crawl trapped family members in a flooded crawl space with alligators during a category 5 hurricane, Bait trapped patrons and workers inside a supermarket with agitated Great White sharks during a freak tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent fin flicks, as survivors rig diving gear from shopping carts, and parking lots with trapped cars become hunting grounds. The film effectively blends effects to maintain tense and bloody aquatic thrills. A robbery interrupted by the tsunami forces criminals and clerks to work together against the swimming killers. Bait matches the intensity of Crawl, sitting in the unique subgenre of "When 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 frantic underwater escape. 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 uses the vastness of the underwater landscape to create tension as the sisters are engulfed by pitch-black waters, with sharks suddenly lunging into view. It's nerve-wracking and intense, relying on familiar scare tactics to highlight the heightened frights of shark cinema.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
A film that inspired an LL Cool J song, "Deepest, bluest, my hat is like a shark's fin," captures the 90s outrageousness of Deep Blue Sea. The movie features genetically enhanced Mako sharks and the consequences of pharmaceutical greed. A talented cast battles to escape their own creation, but even Samuel L. Jackson isn't safe from becoming a snack. While the late 90s animation may be dodgy, the film makes up for it with practical sharks floating down hallways or in flooded kitchens. Deep Blue Sea embraces creature-feature absurdity in the best way, showcasing karma's razor-sharp teeth.
The Shallows (2016)
Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark in The Shallows. Jaume Collet-Serra demonstrates his skill as a blockbuster filmmaker, using minimal locations (a rock formation, water, and a buoy) to ramp up tension. Lively's performance against a CG shark that remains terrifying elevates the film, aging like fine yacht wine. There's no wasted moment; Collet-Serra dives into an unfathomably hopeless scenario with intensity from start to finish.
Jaws (1975)
Steven Spielberg revolutionized the summer blockbuster with the definitive shark movie. Despite challenges with the animatronic Great White, the film grossed $476.5 million at the box office. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, with Spielberg saving his ace—named Bruce—until the perfect moment. This New England tale of summertime madness highlights the dangers of prioritizing tourist dollars over public safety, leaving viewers wary of the water. Decades later, Jaws remains 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 quite a few currently in the works or announced. Here are some of the biggest upcoming shark movies we know about:
Fear Below - May 15, 2025Beneath the Storm - August 1, 2025High Tide - TBCDangerous Animals - TBCWhen 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.
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