Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Ranked

My earliest fears were rooted in the mysterious depths of bodies of water, where the calm surface might conceal a lurking people-eating shark. This paranoia was only amplified by shark movies that constantly reminded me, as a child, that nature's predators could strike at any moment.

While the premise of shark movies often seems straightforward—featuring vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or more sharks—many films struggle to capture the essence of true fear. However, when done right, these movies offer an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of any water body for a long time.

So, prepare your Shark Spray. Here's a curated list of the 10 best shark movies of all time. For more thrilling creature features, don't miss our guide to the greatest monster movies.

Top Shark Movies of All Time

11 Images10. Shark Night (2011)

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

In a genre where quality can be inconsistent, Shark Night manages to make the cut due to its competent execution. Set in the Louisiana gulf, it follows vacationers attacked by backwoods maniacs who have taken their Shark Week obsession to extreme lengths by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. The film's absurdity peaks with a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate a WaveRunner rider. Originally released as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly, delivering popcorn entertainment. Credit goes to the late David R. Ellis for this enjoyable, if not top-tier, shark flick.

9. Jaws 2 (1978)

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 its predecessor, but it stands out in a field with few competitors. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White terrorizing water skiers and beachgoers. While more action-oriented, which led to a change in directors from John D. Hancock, it continues the familiar narrative. Despite its flaws, the film offers thrilling scenes of exploding boats and underwater carnage, solidifying its place in the franchise.

8. Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)

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

The Deep Blue Sea series includes two sequels, but Deep Blue Sea 3 significantly improves upon its predecessor. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks find themselves threatened by mercenaries and bull sharks. This B Movie delivers with dramatic explosions, action-packed sequences featuring aerial Bull Shark attacks, and some surprisingly effective character deaths. It exceeds expectations for direct-to-video sequels and showcases the fun of absurd shark cinema.

7. The Meg (2018)

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 faces off against a 75-foot-long Megalodon from the Mariana Trench in The Meg. While a PG-13 rating and some narrative bloat may lessen the impact, it remains a thrilling aquatic horror spectacle. The film showcases the danger of massive shark attacks on dive cages and research facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat the prehistoric predator. A strong cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis adds depth to the film's blend of Kaiju Lite elements and soap opera dramatics. The Meg delivers on its premise, making a significant splash.

2023 saw the release of The Meg 2, but it failed to match the original's impact, described in our review as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways." Consequently, it does not feature on our list of the best shark films.

6. Open Water (2003)

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 authenticity. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, leveraged their passion to capture natural shark behavior. This approach sets the film apart, presenting a suspenseful and harrowing tale of an American couple stranded in shark-infested waters. Though less action-focused, its tension and realism make it a standout.

5. Bait (2012)

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, Bait showcased the terror of Great White sharks invading a supermarket during a tsunami. This Australian thriller blends effects to maintain tension and deliver bloody thrills. The narrative includes a robbery interrupted by the disaster, forcing criminals and clerks to unite against the aquatic threat. Bait stands as a unique entry in the "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents" subgenre.

4. 47 Meters Down (2017)

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 heightens the tension with a ticking clock as two sisters, played by Mandy Moore and Claire Holt, are trapped on the ocean floor after a shark diving expedition goes wrong. The film uses the vast, dark underwater environment to amplify the suspense, with sharks lurking in the shadows. It's a nerve-wracking experience that showcases the essence of shark cinema.

3. Deep Blue Sea (1999)

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 embodies the 90s with its blend of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and corporate greed. Despite some dated CGI, the film excels with its practical effects, showcasing sharks in flooded hallways and kitchens. The cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, brings humor and intensity to this thrilling creature feature.

2. The Shallows (2016)

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

Blake Lively delivers a powerful performance in The Shallows, facing off against a menacing shark. Director Jaume Collet-Serra masterfully builds tension within limited settings, making the film a gripping survival story. The CGI shark remains impressively terrifying, contributing to the film's lasting impact.

1. Jaws (1975)

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, a film that remains the pinnacle of shark cinema. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's suspense and storytelling have earned it a lasting legacy, grossing over $476.5 million. Jaws captures the terror of a seaside community threatened by a relentless predator, making it an enduring classic.

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 looking for even more shark movies to watch, there are quite a few currently in the works or announced. Here are some of the biggest upcoming shark movies we know about:

Fear Below - May 15, 2025Beneath the Storm - August 1, 2025High Tide - TBCDangerous Animals - TBCWhen Is Shark Week in 2025?

Shark Week 2025 will take place from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel set to air a whole host of shark-related content.