Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Ranked

One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that might be hiding a people-eating shark beneath their calm surface. Shark movies amplified this paranoia by constantly reminding my younger self that nature's predators could strike at any moment.

The concept of shark movies might seem straightforward—vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or more sharks—but many films fail to capture this thrill effectively. When executed well, however, these movies deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of any body of water for quite some time.

So, prepare your Shark Spray. Here are our picks for the 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 landscape of shark movies often tilts towards the negative, but films like Shark Night make the list for their basic competence. Vacationers in the Louisiana gulf are attacked by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to extremes by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's absurd—a Great White jumps out of the water and decapitates a man on a WaveRunner. Marketed originally as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly, offering popcorn entertainment. Credit the late David R. Ellis for delivering this "better with booze" bite of jaw-dropping fun, even if it's not the most polished film in the genre.

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 in the world of shark sequels, it stands out. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White terrorizing water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, which led to the original director John D. Hancock's departure due to his unsuitability for such scenes. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 offers familiar storytelling, exploding boats, and underwater carnage executed with skill. 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 improves upon the franchise's second installment, returning to the original's thrilling essence. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy, tasked with protecting Great White sharks, face threats from mercenaries and bull sharks. It's a full-on B Movie with martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls featuring aerial Bull Shark tag-teams, and character deaths inspired by comical memes. Deep Blue Sea 3 delivers an unexpected victory in recent shark cinema, exceeding expectations for direct-to-video sequels and embracing 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 battles a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench in The Meg. While the film could have benefited from a more mature rating and tighter storytelling, it succeeds as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The Megalodon's massive chompers threaten dive cages and underwater research facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat the ancient predator. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, attempts to prevent the Megalodon from treating beachgoers like appetizers. The film blends Kaiju Lite elements with soap opera dramatics, delivering on its promise of a thrilling experience.

2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but it failed to match the original's success. Our review described it as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways," so it doesn't make 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

Unlike Jaws, which used a mechanical shark, and other films that 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 natural shark behavior. They also served as cinematographers, ensuring the film met their high standards. Open Water stands out from more entertainment-focused shark movies, depicting an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. It's less action-packed but intensely suspenseful and harrowing.

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 featured alligators in a flooded crawl space during a hurricane, Bait trapped supermarket patrons and workers with Great White sharks during a tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark films, with survivors using shopping carts and parking lots as makeshift diving gear and hunting grounds. The film blends effects to maintain tension and deliver bloody thrills. A robbery interrupted by the tsunami forces criminals and clerks to collaborate against the swimming killers. Bait matches the intensity of Crawl, fitting into 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

The ticking clock in 47 Meters Down adds urgency to an already tense underwater escape. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt portray sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition, unable to move without attracting sharks. The film uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to create nerve-wracking suspense, with sharks lunging into frame. It's a white-knuckle experience that showcases the best of shark cinema's thrills.

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 is undoubtedly memorable. "Deepest, bluest, my hat is like a shark's fin" captures the 90s flair of Deep Blue Sea, which features genetically enhanced Mako sharks and corporate greed. A talented cast battles to escape their own creation, but even Samuel L. Jackson isn't safe from becoming shark bait. Despite some dated CGI, the film's practical effects, like sharks floating down hallways or in flooded kitchens, add to its charm. Deep Blue Sea embraces the creature-feature genre's absurdity in the best possible way, showcasing karma's sharp teeth.

The Shallows (2016)

Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark in The Shallows. Director Jaume Collet-Serra masterfully builds tension using minimal locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy. Lively's performance against a convincingly terrifying CG shark elevates the film. The Shallows delivers unrelenting intensity, leaving no room for excess, and showcases Collet-Serra's skill in crafting suspenseful scenarios.

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 movies. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's success, grossing $476.5 million, speaks volumes. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, saving its most impactful moments for the perfect time. This New England tale of summer chaos highlights the consequences of prioritizing tourism over safety, with the memory of Alex Kintner's fate still haunting viewers. Decades later, Jaws remains the pinnacle of shark cinema.

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 eager for more shark-themed thrills, several exciting films are on the horizon. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies:

Fear Below - May 15, 2025
Beneath the Storm - August 1, 2025
High Tide - To Be Confirmed
Dangerous Animals - To Be Confirmed

When Is Shark Week in 2025?

Mark your calendars: Shark Week 2025 is scheduled from July 6 to July 13, 2025. The Discovery Channel will broadcast a variety of shark-related content during this thrilling week.