Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Ranked

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 that paranoia, constantly reminding my younger self that nature's predators could strike at any moment.

The concept of fin flicks seems simple—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or multiple sharks—but many films struggle to capture the thrill. When done right, however, shark movies deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of any water for weeks.

So, keep your Shark Spray handy. Here's our list of the 10 best shark movies of all time. For more creature-feature excitement, check out 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 ratio of "alpha" to "minnow" in shark movies often leans towards the negative, which means movies like Shark Night make the list for their general competency. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who attach cameras to ferocious sharks. It's over-the-top—like a Great White decapitating someone on a WaveRunner—but it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly, delivering enjoyable popcorn entertainment. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jaw-dropping fun, even if it's not the most polished film.

9. 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 it stands out in a field with limited competition. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White that targets water skiers and beachgoers. This sequel is more action-oriented, which led to the original director John D. Hancock's departure. Despite its issues, it offers exploding boats and underwater carnage executed well enough to continue the franchise's legacy.

8. 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 recovers after the disappointing Deep Blue Sea 2, returning to the original's thrilling essence. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy face off against mercenaries and bull sharks in a full-on B-movie experience. The film includes martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls with aerial bull shark attacks, and one of the most surprising victories in recent shark movies. The cast and crew deserve praise for exceeding expectations in this direct-to-video sequel and delivering entertaining shark cinema.

7. 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 Megalodon from the Mariana Trench in The Meg. While the film could have been more thrilling with a PG-13 rating and tighter storytelling, it still delivers as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The Megalodon's massive jaws threaten dive cages and research facilities, and Statham's diving skills are put to the test. A talented cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, tries to stop the Megalodon from feasting on beachgoers. The film blends Kaiju Lite elements with soap opera drama, making a significant impact on the genre.

The 2023 sequel, The Meg 2, didn't live up to the original and was described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways," missing the cut for our best shark films list.

6. 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 many other films that rely on CGI, Open Water uses real sharks for authenticity. Directors Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, aimed to capture natural shark behavior. The result is a film that feels different from typical shark movies, as it follows an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. Though less action-packed, it's suspenseful and harrowing.

5. 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 people in a supermarket with Great White sharks during a tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark films, with survivors using shopping carts for diving gear and parking lots becoming hunting grounds. The blend of effects keeps the aquatic thrills tense and bloody, especially as a robbery is interrupted, forcing criminals and clerks to team up against the sharks. Bait holds its own alongside Crawl in the niche of "Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."

4. 47 Meters Down (2017)

Image credit: Entertainment Studios Motion PicturesDirector: Johannes Roberts | Writer: Johannes Roberts, Ernest Riera | Stars: Mandy Moor, 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 frantic underwater escape, increasing the panic. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt portray sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a failed shark diving expedition. The film effectively uses the vast aquatic void to build tension, with sharks lurking in the dark waters. It's a nerve-wracking, white-knuckle experience that showcases the best of 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

A movie that inspires an LL Cool J song about it must be good. Deep Blue Sea captures the 90s' flair with genetically enhanced Mako sharks and pharmaceutical mishaps. The cast battles to escape their own creation, but not even Samuel L. Jackson can avoid becoming shark bait. While the late 90s CGI shows its age, the practical effects of sharks in flooded hallways and kitchens are memorable. Deep Blue Sea celebrates the fun of creature-feature absurdity, embracing the razor-sharp teeth of karma.

2. The Shallows (2016)

Image credit: Sony PicturesDirector: 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 faces off against a menacing shark in The Shallows. Director Jaume Collet-Serra expertly builds tension with minimal locations, showcasing his skill in modern blockbuster filmmaking. Lively's performance against a convincingly terrifying CG shark elevates the film, making The Shallows a standout. The movie dives straight into a dire scenario, delivering intense and gripping moments throughout.

1. 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 grossed over $476.5 million. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, revealing the shark at just the right moment. This New England tale of summer chaos and a mayor prioritizing tourism over safety remains chilling, with the memory of Alex Kintner's fate still fresh. Decades later, Jaws remains the best shark movie ever made.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For those eager for more shark movie thrills, several exciting projects 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 to run from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel airing a variety of shark-related programs.