Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Made

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

Fin flicks seem to have a straightforward concept—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or multiple sharks—but many films struggle to execute it well. When shark movies are done right, however, they deliver an adrenaline-fueled experience that can make you hesitant to enter any body of water for a long time.

So, get that Shark Spray ready. 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: Rogue

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 ratio of "alpha" to "minnow" in shark movies tends to favor the negative, which is why movies like Shark Night make 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 over-the-top—a Great White jumps out of the water and decapitates a dude on a WaveRunner. The original theatrical billing as "Shark Night 3D" captures the early 2010s horror vibe it's aiming for (translation: 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 most polished entry in the genre.

Jaws 2 (1978)

Image credit: Universal Pictures

Jaws 2 may not surpass the original, but it stands out in a field with little competition. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White shark that starts devouring water skiers and beachgoers. It's more action-oriented—a shift that cost original director John D. Hancock his position because he wasn't suited for such sequences—and continues the story effectively. While it has its flaws, it also features exploding boats and more underwater carnage, executed competently. If it ain't broke, why not turn it into a franchise?

Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)

Image credit: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

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. Deep Blue Sea 3 significantly improves upon the franchise's second installment, returning to the original's shark-centric appeal. Scientists protecting Great White sharks on the artificial island of Little Happy encounter mercenaries and bull sharks that threaten their safety—classic B Movie territory. The film includes martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls with aerial Bull Shark tag-team action, comical memes turned into character deaths, and one of the most unexpected victories in recent shark movie history. Kudos to the cast and crew of Deep Blue Sea 3 for delivering an aquatic horror film that exceeds expectations, not just for direct-to-video sequels but for absurd shark cinema that knows its entertainment value.

The Meg (2018)

Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

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? While I wish The Meg wasn't toned down to PG-13 and had a tighter story, it still delivers as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The film showcases danger as massive Megalodon chompers threaten to shatter dive cages and underwater research facilities, with Statham using his expert diving skills to confront a not-so-extinct predator. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, tries to prevent a Megalodon from devouring beachgoers like appetizers—some more successfully than others—as the film blends Kaiju Lite tropes with oddly endearing soap opera drama. The Meg makes a significant splash, delivering on its ancient premise.

2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but the sequel failed to match the original's impact. According to our review, it's "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways," and thus, it doesn't make our list of the best shark films.

Open Water (2003)

Image credit: Lions Gate Films

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 many other films relied on CGI, Open Water aims for authenticity with real sharks. Filmmaker Chris Kentis and his wife, producer Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, sought to capture as much natural behavior as possible. They also served as cinematographers, leveraging their scuba expertise to ensure the footage met their standards. The film stands out from more entertainment-focused entries on this list, depicting an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters after their boat accidentally leaves them behind. Though not the most action-packed, Open Water is suspenseful and harrowing.

Bait (2012)

Image credit: Paramount Pictures

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 category 5 hurricane, Bait trapped patrons and workers inside a supermarket with agitated Great White sharks during a freak tsunami. Credit Australia with one of the better recent shark films, as survivors rig diving gear from shopping carts and parking lots with people stuck in cars become hunting grounds. The film blends effective effects to maintain tense and bloody aquatic thrills as the action intensifies. Did I mention the tsunami interrupts a robbery, forcing criminals and clerks to work together against swimming killers? Bait matches the intensity of Crawl, carving out a niche in the subgenre of "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."

47 Meters Down (2017)

Image credit: Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures

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 element in 47 Meters Down adds panic to an already frantic underwater escape scene. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition, unable to move without attracting the attention of sharks. The film effectively uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to create tension, with sharks lurking in the shadows and suddenly attacking. It's nerve-wracking and intense, relying on classic shark movie scares to highlight the heightened fears of proper 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

When your 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 failed pharmaceutical experiments. A star-studded cast fights to escape their own creation, but not even Samuel L. Jackson can avoid becoming a soggy snack. Despite some dated animation, the film features practical sharks swimming down hallways and through flooded kitchens. Deep Blue Sea embraces the absurdity of creature features in the best ways, showcasing karma's razor-sharp teeth.

The Shallows (2016)

Image credit: Sony Pictures

Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark in The Shallows. Jaume Collet-Serra proves he's one of the most skilled blockbuster filmmakers today, using just a few locations (rock formation, water, buoy) to heighten tension. Lively's stellar performance against a still-terrifying CG shark helps The Shallows stand the test of time. There's no fluff here. Collet-Serra dives straight into an intensely hopeless scenario, delivering unrelenting intensity.

Jaws (1975)

Image credit: Universal Pictures

Steven Spielberg revolutionized the summer blockbuster with the enduring champion of shark cinema. Despite struggles with a temperamental animatronic Great White, the result was a resounding success, earning $476.5 million at the box office. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, saving its best for the perfect moment—Spielberg's ace in the hole, a people-eating shark named Bruce. This New England tale of summertime madness illustrates the consequences when mayors prioritize tourist revenue over beachgoer safety, leaving audiences wary of waterfronts long after Alex Kintner's terrifying fate. Decades later, there's no debate—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.