Top 10 Shark Movies: All-Time Greats

One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that may or may not be hiding a people-eating shark beneath calm surface views. Shark movies fueled that paranoia, constantly reminding my younger self that the world's natural order could strike at any moment.

While the concept of shark movies—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or multiple sharks—might seem straightforward, many films struggle to get it right. However, when executed well, these movies deliver an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that can make you wary of entering any body of water for weeks.

So, get your Shark Spray ready. Here are our picks for the 10 best shark movies of all time. For more creature thrills, check out our guide to the greatest monster movies.

Top Shark Movies of All Time

11 Images10. Shark Night (2011)

Director: 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 towards the negative, making films like Shark Night stand out for their competence. Vacationers in the Louisiana gulf are terrorized 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 to decapitate a man on a WaveRunner. The original theatrical billing as "Shark Night 3D" captures the early 2010s horror vibe (think popcorn entertainment), which the film delivers. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jaw-dropping fun, even if it's not the most polished entry in the genre.

9. Jaws 2 (1978)

Director: 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 outshine its predecessor, but it holds its own in a genre with few standout sequels. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White that starts attacking 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 these sequences. It has its flaws, but with exploding boats and intense underwater action, it's a solid continuation of the franchise.

8. Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)

Director: 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, and Deep Blue Sea 3 significantly improves upon its predecessor, Deep Blue Sea 2, echoing the original's thrilling essence. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy encounter mercenaries and bull sharks, setting the stage for a full-on B Movie experience. The film delivers martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls with aerial Bull Shark tag-team action, and even turns comical memes into character deaths, resulting in one of the most unexpected victories in recent shark cinema. Kudos to the cast and crew for exceeding expectations in this direct-to-video sequel and delivering a memorable piece of absurd shark entertainment.

7. The Meg (2018)

Director: 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 versus a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench? The Meg might have been better if it weren't toned down to PG-13 and had tighter storytelling, but as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle, it delivers on its ancient premise. The film showcases the danger of massive Megalodon teeth threatening to shatter dive cages and underwater facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat the supposedly extinct predator. A talented cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis tries to stop the Megalodon from treating beachgoers like snacks—some more successfully than others. The Meg blends Kaiju Lite tropes with oddly endearing soap opera drama, making a splash that meets its promise.

2023 brought the arrival of The Meg 2, but the sequel didn't quite live up to the original. In fact, it's "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" according to our review. As such, it doesn't earn a place on our list of the best shark films.

6. Open Water (2003)

Director: 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

While Jaws used a mechanical shark and other films relied on CGI, Open Water opts for real sharks to achieve authenticity. Filmmaker Chris Kentis and his wife, producer Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, aimed to capture as much natural behavior as possible. They even served as cinematographers, using their diving expertise to ensure the film's authenticity. Open Water stands out with its gritty realism, depicting an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. It may not be the most action-packed entry, but it's suspenseful and harrowing.

5. Bait (2012)

Director: 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 trapped family members in a flooded crawl space with alligators during a hurricane, Bait trapped supermarket patrons and workers with agitated Great White sharks during a tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark films, where survivors use shopping carts for diving gear and parking lots become hunting grounds. The film blends practical and digital effects to maintain tension and blood-pumping action. Add in a robbery interrupted by the tsunami, forcing criminals and clerks to unite against the aquatic threats, and you have a film as compelling as Crawl, fitting into the niche genre of "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."

4. 47 Meters Down (2017)

Director: 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

The ticking clock in 47 Meters Down adds urgency to an already tense underwater escape scenario. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt portray sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a shark diving expedition goes awry, forced to navigate without attracting the sharks. The film uses the vastness of the ocean to create a sense of isolation and fear, with sharks lurking in the darkness. It's a nerve-wracking, white-knuckle experience that exemplifies the best of shark cinema.

3. Deep Blue Sea (1999)

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

When a movie inspires an LL Cool J song, you know it's good. "Deepest, bluest, my hat is like a shark's fin" captures the 90s vibe of Deep Blue Sea, a film about genetically enhanced Mako sharks and the consequences of pharmaceutical greed. A talented cast battles to escape their own creation, but even Samuel L. Jackson can't avoid becoming shark bait. Despite some dated CGI, the film's practical effects—like sharks floating down hallways and in flooded kitchens—shine. Deep Blue Sea embraces creature-feature absurdity in the best way, showcasing karma's razor-sharp teeth.

2. The Shallows (2016)

Director: 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. Jaume Collet-Serra, known for his skillful direction, uses minimal settings—a rock formation, water, and a buoy—to build intense tension. Lively's compelling performance against a convincingly terrifying CG shark makes The Shallows stand the test of time. Collet-Serra dives into an almost hopeless scenario and delivers relentless intensity.

1. Jaws (1975)

Director: 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 undisputed king of shark cinema. Despite challenges with the animatronic Great White, the film's success—earning $476.5 million at the box office—speaks volumes. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, saving its most impactful moments for the perfect time, with the iconic shark, Bruce, as the centerpiece. This New England tale of summer madness illustrates the consequences of prioritizing tourism over safety, with scenes like Alex Kintner's attack still haunting viewers. Decades later, Jaws remains the best shark movie of all time.

What is the best shark movie of all time? -----------------------------------------

Jaws 2Deep Blue Sea 3BaitShark NightThe MegOpen Water47 Meters DownDeep Blue SeaThe ShallowsJawsSomething else (let us know in the comments!)

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 exciting projects on the horizon. Here are some of the biggest upcoming shark movies we know about:

• Fear Below - May 15, 2025
• Beneath the Storm - August 1, 2025
• High Tide - TBC
• Dangerous Animals - TBC

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.