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

While the premise of shark movies—vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or multiple sharks—might seem simple, many films fail to capture the thrill. When executed well, however, these films deliver an adrenaline-fueled experience that can make you wary of entering any body of water for a long time.

So, prepare your Shark Spray. 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)

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

Shark movies often lean towards the negative, but Shark Night earns a spot on this list for its competent execution. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who've taken their Shark Week obsession to the extreme by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. The film's absurdity peaks with a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Originally billed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly, offering popcorn entertainment at its finest. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jawesomeness, even if it's not the most polished.

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 doesn't surpass the original, but in a genre with few strong sequels, it holds its own. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White, this time targeting water skiers and beachgoers. More action-oriented than its predecessor, the film saw original director John D. Hancock replaced by Jeannot Szwarc for better handling of these sequences. It has its flaws, but delivers with exploding boats and underwater carnage, making it a solid continuation of the Jaws legacy.

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

Despite the existence of two sequels, Deep Blue Sea 3 marks a significant improvement over its predecessor. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists trying to protect Great White sharks face off against mercenaries and bull sharks. This B-movie delivers with martyrdom explosions, action-packed scenes featuring aerial Bull Shark attacks, and some unexpected victories. The cast and crew deserve praise for elevating this direct-to-video sequel into an entertaining piece of shark cinema that knows its audience.

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 battling a 75-foot-long Megalodon from the Mariana Trench? The Meg may have been toned down to PG-13 and could have benefited from tighter storytelling, but it delivers on its prehistoric premise. As the giant shark threatens dive cages and underwater research facilities, Statham's diving skills are put to the test. With a cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, the film blends Kaiju Lite tropes with soap opera dramatics, making a splash with its blockbuster appeal.

In 2023, The Meg 2 was released, but it failed to match the original's charm, described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways." Consequently, it doesn't make 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 for authenticity. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, aimed to capture natural shark behavior. Their dedication to realism sets this film apart from more entertainment-focused entries on this list. The story of an American couple stranded in shark-infested waters after their boat leaves them behind is suspenseful and harrowing, offering a different kind of shark movie experience.

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 trapped family members in a flooded crawl space with alligators, Bait trapped supermarket patrons and workers 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 with a robbery interrupted by the tsunami, forcing criminals and clerks to team up against the sharks. It's as thrilling as Crawl, fitting into a unique subgenre of "Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."

4. 47 Meters Down (2017)

Director: 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 the already tense scenario of an underwater escape from sharks. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a diving mishap, their every move drawing the attention of lurking sharks. The film's use of the vast, dark underwater environment to create suspense and fear showcases the power of effective 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's impact is evident when it inspires an LL Cool J song. The film's 90s flair showcases genetically enhanced Mako sharks and the consequences of corporate greed. Despite some dated CGI, the practical effects of sharks navigating flooded hallways and kitchens add to the film's charm. Deep Blue Sea embraces the fun and absurdity of creature features, delivering a thrilling experience with its razor-sharp plot twists.

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

In The Shallows, Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark, showcasing Jaume Collet-Serra's skill in building tension with minimal locations. Lively's compelling performance against a terrifying CG shark adds to the film's intensity. The Shallows delivers a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat experience, proving that less can indeed be more in shark cinema.

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, the undisputed king of shark movies. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's success is undeniable, grossing over $476.5 million. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, culminating in the unforgettable reveal of Bruce, the Great White. This tale of a New England town prioritizing tourism over safety remains a chilling reminder of nature's power, solidifying Jaws as the best shark movie ever made.

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 eager for more shark-themed thrills, several exciting projects are on the horizon. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies:

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

Mark your calendars: Shark Week 2025 is scheduled from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel set to showcase a week-long celebration of all things shark-related.