Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Ranked

Growing up, one of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that might be hiding a people-eating shark beneath their serene surfaces. Shark movies fueled this paranoia by constantly reminding me that nature could strike at any moment.

The concept of shark movies might seem straightforward—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by sharks—but many films fail to capture the essence. When executed well, however, shark movies deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of any body of water for weeks to come.

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

Top Shark Movies of All Time

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10. 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 landscape of shark movies often leans towards the negative, but films like Shark Night make the cut for their general competency. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to extreme lengths by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. The film is undeniably over-the-top, featuring a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Marketed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly—pure popcorn entertainment. Kudos to the late David R. Ellis for delivering this enjoyable, if not top-tier, shark flick.

9. Jaws 2 (1978)

Image credit: Universal Pictures
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 surpass the original, but it stands out in a genre with limited competition. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from yet another Great White that targets water skiers and beachgoers. The sequel is more action-oriented, which led to the departure of the original director, John D. Hancock, due to stylistic differences. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 offers thrilling boat explosions and underwater carnage, making it a solid continuation of the franchise.

8. 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

Surprisingly, there are two Deep Blue Sea sequels, and Deep Blue Sea 3 significantly improves upon the second installment, returning to the original's thrilling roots. On the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks face off against mercenaries and bull sharks. This B-movie delivers with explosive martyrdom, action-packed brawls, and unexpected twists. The cast and crew deserve recognition for elevating this direct-to-video sequel into a memorable and entertaining addition to shark cinema.

7. 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

The Meg pits Jason Statham against a colossal 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench. While the film could have benefited from a more mature rating and tighter storytelling, it delivers as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The threat of the Megalodon's massive teeth adds tension as Statham's diving expertise is put to the test. The film's cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, works to prevent beachgoers from becoming snacks. The Meg successfully combines elements of Kaiju Lite and soap opera drama to make a memorable splash.

2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but it didn't meet the original's standards, falling short with "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" according to our review, and thus, it doesn't make our list of top shark films.

6. 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

Unlike many shark films that rely on mechanical or CGI sharks, Open Water uses real sharks to achieve a level of authenticity. Directed by avid scuba divers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, who also serve as cinematographers, the film captures natural shark behavior. The story follows an American couple left stranded in shark-infested waters after their boat departs without them. While not as action-packed as other entries, Open Water offers a suspenseful and harrowing experience.

5. 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 featured alligators in a flooded crawl space during a hurricane, Bait trapped supermarket patrons and workers with Great White sharks during a tsunami. This Australian thriller showcases survivors using shopping carts for diving gear and parking lots as hunting grounds. The film blends effective effects with intense action, heightened by a robbery that forces criminals and clerks to collaborate against the aquatic predators. Bait stands out in the niche subgenre of "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."

4. 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

47 Meters Down adds a ticking clock to an already tense underwater escape scenario. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt portray sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition. The film masterfully uses the vast emptiness of the ocean to create suspense, with sharks emerging from the darkness to intensify the fear. The movie's effective use of limited visibility and sudden shark attacks makes it a standout in shark cinema.

3. 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

Deep Blue Sea is synonymous with 90s outrageousness, featuring genetically enhanced Mako sharks and a doomed pharmaceutical experiment. The film's cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, battles to survive their own creations. Despite some dated CGI, the practical effects of sharks navigating flooded corridors add to the film's charm. Deep Blue Sea embraces creature-feature absurdity in the best possible way, delivering thrills and chills.

2. The Shallows (2016)

Image credit: Sony Pictures
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

In The Shallows, Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark, showcasing Jaume Collet-Serra's skill in crafting suspense from minimal settings. Using only a rock formation, water, and a buoy, Collet-Serra builds relentless tension. Lively's performance against a convincingly terrifying CGI shark makes The Shallows a standout film that continues to thrill audiences.

1. Jaws (1975)

Image credit: Universal Pictures
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, which remains the pinnacle of shark movies. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's impact was undeniable, grossing over $476.5 million. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, revealing the shark at the perfect moment. The story, set in New England, highlights the dangers of prioritizing tourism over safety, leaving a lasting impact on viewers wary of the water. Decades later, Jaws is still the definitive shark movie.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For those eagerly anticipating more shark-themed cinema, several exciting projects are in the pipeline. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies:

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

When Is Shark Week in 2025?

Mark your calendars! Shark Week 2025 is scheduled to take place from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel set to broadcast a variety of shark-related content.