Home News Top 10 Shark Movies: A Must-Watch List

Top 10 Shark Movies: A Must-Watch List

Author : Simon Update : May 28,2025

If you've ever felt uneasy glancing at placid waters, fearing what might lurk beneath, you're not alone. Movies featuring man-eating sharks have long fueled this paranoia, constantly reminding younger audiences that nature's predators could strike at any moment. While shark films often follow a simple formula—vacationers, boaters, or divers pursued by one or more sharks—many fail to deliver. However, when executed correctly, these films become heart-pounding adventures that leave you wary of entering any body of water for years.

So, grab your Shark Spray, and let’s dive into the ultimate list of the 10 best shark movies ever made. For more creature feature thrills, check out 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

Shark Night may not be the cream of the crop, but its general competence lands it a spot on this list. Set in the Louisiana gulf, the film follows vacationers attacked by locals obsessed with Shark Week, who attach cameras to aggressive sharks. It's wild—a Great White leaps out of the water and decapitates someone riding a Jet Ski. The original theatrical billing as "Shark Night 3D" captures the early 2010s horror vibe, delivering popcorn entertainment. Credit the late David R. Ellis for crafting a fun, albeit flawed, B-movie experience.

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

While Jaws 2 doesn’t surpass its predecessor, it holds its own among sequels. Roy Scheider reprises his role as Chief Brody, protecting Amity Island from another Great White terrorizing water skiers and beachgoers. More action-oriented than the first, this sequel shifts focus toward the original story’s continuation. Despite its flaws, it boasts impressive underwater sequences and exploding boats. If it ain’t broke, why not expand 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

Direct-to-video sequels rarely impress, but Deep Blue Sea 3 bucks the trend. Returning to the original’s sharky charm, scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy face mercenaries and bull sharks. The film delivers unexpected twists, action-packed battles, and memorable character deaths. Credit the cast and crew for turning absurdity into entertainment, surpassing expectations for both sequels and shark cinema.

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 vs. a 75-foot-long Megalodon? The Meg delivers on its prehistoric premise, despite being toned down to a PG-13 rating. As massive Megalodon jaws threaten underwater facilities, Statham uses his diving expertise to thwart the predator. A star-studded cast attempts to stop the ancient beast, blending action with soap opera drama. While not perfect, The Meg succeeds as a thrilling spectacle.

2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but it failed to match the original’s success. Described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways," it didn’t earn a spot on 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 most shark films relying on CGI or mechanical sharks, Open Water opts for authenticity by using real sharks. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, avid scuba divers, capture natural shark behavior. The result is a harrowing tale of stranded divers, blending suspense with realism. While lacking traditional action, it excels in psychological terror.

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

Set during a freak tsunami, Bait traps survivors in a flooded supermarket with Great White sharks. Combining practical effects and tense situations, the film showcases survival instincts amidst chaos. With criminals and clerks forced to cooperate, it stands out as a unique entry in the "Animals Attack" genre.

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.

With its ticking-clock premise, 47 Meters Down amps up the tension as two sisters struggle to escape sharks after a disastrous diving expedition. Shot almost entirely underwater, the film immerses viewers in claustrophobic terror. Multiple scares and practical effects elevate this thriller.

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

Samuel L. Jackson’s memorable line encapsulates the outrageousness of Deep Blue Sea. A team battles genetically enhanced Mako sharks in a flooded research facility. Practical effects and over-the-top action make this a cult classic.