Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Made

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 me that the world's natural order could strike at any moment.

The concept of shark movies seems simple—vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or more sharks—but many films fail to capture the thrill. When done right, however, these movies deliver an adrenaline-fueled ride that makes you wary of entering any body of water for a long time.

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

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

The ratio of "alpha" to "minnow" in shark movies leans heavily negative, making movies like Shark Night notable for their general competency. 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 over-the-top—like a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Originally billed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly (think popcorn entertainment). Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jawesomeness, even if it's not the most polished entry.

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 doesn't surpass the original, but it stands out in a field with little competition. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White that starts devouring water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, which led to the replacement of the original director, John D. Hancock, who wasn't suited for such sequences. It continues the familiar story with exploding boats and underwater carnage, executed well enough. If it ain't broke, why not turn it into a 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

Yes, there are two Deep Blue Sea sequels. Deep Blue Sea 3 significantly rebounds after the franchise blemish that was Deep Blue Sea 2, returning to the original's sharky goodness. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy, trying to protect Great White sharks, encounter mercenaries and bull sharks that threaten their safety—a full-on B Movie. It 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 shark flick history. Kudos to the cast and crew of Deep Blue Sea 3 for delivering a direct-to-video sequel that exceeds expectations and embraces its absurd shark cinema 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 versus a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench? While The Meg might have been better with a more mature rating and tighter storytelling, it still delivers as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The Megalodon's massive chompers threaten dive cages and underwater facilities, while Statham uses his expert diving skills to combat the supposedly extinct predator. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, attempts to stop the Megalodon from devouring beachgoers, blending Kaiju Lite tropes with soap opera dramatics. The film lives up to its premise and makes a significant splash.

2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but the sequel didn't meet the original's standards. According to our review, it's "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways," missing the mark for inclusion on our list of the best shark films.

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

While Jaws used a mechanical shark and many other films relied on CGI, Open Water strives for authenticity with real sharks. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and his wife, producer Laura Lau, avid scuba divers, wanted to capture natural shark behavior. They also served as cinematographers, using their scuba diving passion to ensure the film's authenticity. The result is distinct from more entertainment-focused entries on this list, as an American couple finds themselves stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. Not the most action-packed, but suspenseful and harrowing nonetheless.

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 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 deserves credit for one of the better recent shark movies, as survivors rig diving gear from shopping carts and parking lots, turning them into hunting grounds. The film effectively blends practical and digital effects to keep the aquatic thrills tense and bloody. Notably, a robbery is interrupted by the tsunami, forcing criminals and clerks to work together against the swimming killers. Bait holds its own against Crawl, fitting into a unique subgenre 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.

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 shark attention. The film uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to heighten tension, with sharks lunging into the frame. It's nerve-wracking and gripping, employing familiar scare tactics but executing them masterfully to highlight the true terror 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 inspires an LL Cool J song ("Deepest, bluest, my hat is like a shark's fin") must be doing something right. Deep Blue Sea embodies the 90s' outrageous spirit, focusing on genetically enhanced Mako sharks and the pharmaceutical industry's greed. A talented cast battles to escape their own creation, with even Samuel L. Jackson falling victim to the sharks. The film uses a mix of practical effects and CGI, with sharks floating down hallways and in flooded kitchens. Deep Blue Sea embraces the creature-feature genre's "nonsense" in the best way, making the most of karma's razor-sharp teeth.

The Shallows (2016)

Blake Lively faces off against an imposing shark in The Shallows. Jaume Collet-Serra demonstrates his skill as a contemporary blockbuster filmmaker, using just a few locations (a rock formation, water, and a buoy) to build intense tension. Lively delivers a powerful performance against a CGI shark that remains terrifying. The Shallows ages well, leaving no room for excess. Collet-Serra plunges into an unfathomably hopeless scenario, delivering unrelenting 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 undisputed king of shark cinema. Despite struggles with the animatronic Great White, the film's success, with a box office of $476.5 million, was well worth it. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, holding its cards until the perfect moment, with the iconic shark named Bruce as its ace. This New England tale of summertime madness shows what happens when mayors prioritize tourist revenue over beachgoer safety, leaving viewers wary of the water with the haunting memory of Alex Kintner's fate. 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? Check out our guide to the best vampire movies of all time next or dive into our favorite dinosaur movies.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For those eager for more shark movies, several are in development or have been announced. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies: