Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Ranked
Author: Layla
Apr 23,2025
My earliest fears were sparked by the mysterious depths of water bodies, where the possibility of a lurking, people-eating shark beneath a serene surface haunted my younger self. Shark movies only intensified this paranoia, constantly reminding me that nature's unpredictable forces could strike at any moment.
The concept of shark movies might seem straightforward—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or more sharks—but many films struggle 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 a long time.
So, prepare your Shark Spray. Here's our curated list of the 10 best shark movies of all time. For more creature-feature excitement, explore our guide to the greatest monster movies.
Top Shark Movies of All Time
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10. Shark Night (2011)
In the world of shark movies, the ratio of hits to misses leans heavily towards the latter, making films like Shark Night stand out for their basic competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, the movie follows vacationers who are terrorized by backwoods maniacs obsessed with Shark Week, who attach cameras to ferocious sharks. The plot is over-the-top—a Great White even leaps out of the water to decapitate a man on a WaveRunner. Marketed originally as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly, offering popcorn entertainment. Credit goes to the late David R. Ellis for delivering this "better with booze" thrill, even if it's not the most polished film in the genre.
Jaws 2 (1978)
Jaws 2 may not surpass its predecessor, but it holds its own in a genre with few strong sequels. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White, this time targeting 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 enough skill to keep viewers engaged. If it ain't broke, why not turn it into a franchise?
Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)
The Deep Blue Sea franchise has seen its ups and downs, but Deep Blue Sea 3 marks a significant improvement over its predecessor. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks face off against mercenaries and bull sharks. This B-movie delivers with martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls featuring aerial Bull Shark attacks, and character deaths that have become meme-worthy. The film's unexpected triumph in the realm of shark cinema showcases its understanding of its own entertainment value, surpassing expectations for direct-to-video sequels.
The Meg (2018)
Jason Statham facing off against a 75-foot-long Megalodon from the Mariana Trench? The Meg might have been better with a more mature rating and tighter storytelling, but as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle, it delivers on its ancient premise. The film showcases the danger of a massive Megalodon threatening dive cages and underwater research facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat the prehistoric predator. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, attempts to prevent the Megalodon from turning beachgoers into snacks. While not perfect, The Meg makes a significant splash.
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 top shark films.
Open Water (2003)
Unlike many shark films that rely on mechanical or CGI sharks, Open Water opts for real sharks to achieve authenticity. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, used their expertise to capture natural shark behavior. The result is a film that stands out from the more entertainment-focused entries on this list. It follows an American couple left stranded in shark-infested waters after their boat departs without them. While not the most action-packed, Open Water is suspenseful and harrowing, offering a unique take on the genre.
Bait (2012)
Before Crawl trapped family members in a flooded crawl space with alligators during a hurricane, Bait trapped supermarket patrons and workers with Great White sharks during a tsunami. This Australian film cleverly blends effects to maintain tension and deliver bloody thrills. The tsunami also interrupts a robbery, forcing criminals and clerks to team up against the aquatic predators. Bait stands out as a strong entry in the "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents" subgenre, matching the intensity of Crawl.
47 Meters Down (2017)
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 uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to heighten the suspense, with sharks lurking in the shadows. It's a nerve-wracking, white-knuckle experience that showcases the best of shark cinema.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
A film that's good enough to inspire an LL Cool J song, Deep Blue Sea captures the 90s' flair for the dramatic. It follows a team fighting to escape from genetically enhanced Mako sharks, the result of a failed pharmaceutical experiment. Despite some dated CGI, the film's use of practical effects and its embrace of creature-feature absurdity make it a standout. Deep Blue Sea delivers on the thrills and chills, showcasing the consequences of playing with nature.
The Shallows (2016)
Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark in The Shallows, a film that showcases Jaume Collet-Serra's skill in building tension with minimal locations. Lively's performance against a convincingly terrifying CG shark elevates the film, making it a gripping watch. The Shallows dives into an intense, seemingly hopeless scenario, delivering unrelenting suspense.
Jaws (1975)
Steven Spielberg revolutionized the summer blockbuster with Jaws, the undisputed king of shark movies. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's suspense and storytelling prowess led to a staggering $476.5 million in box office earnings. Jaws masterfully builds tension, culminating in the iconic reveal of the shark, Bruce. This New England tale of summer chaos and a mayor's negligence over tourist dollars remains a chilling reminder of nature's power. Decades later, Jaws remains the best shark movie ever made.
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.
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