One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that may or may not be hiding a people-eating shark beneath their calm surface. Shark movies fueled this paranoia, constantly reminding my younger self that nature's predators could strike at any moment.

While the concept of shark movies—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or multiple sharks—might seem straightforward, many films fail to capture the thrill. However, when done right, 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 are the top 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)

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 landscape of shark movies is often dominated by subpar entries, making films like Shark Night stand out for their basic competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to the extreme by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. The plot is absurd—a Great White even jumps out of the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Marketed as "Shark Night 3D," it captures the early 2010s horror vibe perfectly, offering popcorn entertainment. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this enjoyable, if not top-tier, shark flick.

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 may not surpass the original, but it holds its own in a genre with few strong sequels. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White that targets water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, which led to the original director John D. Hancock's departure. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 offers familiar storytelling, exploding boats, and underwater carnage executed well enough to justify its place in the franchise.

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

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 unexpected victories. The cast and crew deserve praise for exceeding expectations, offering a fun and thrilling take on 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 benefited from a more mature rating and tighter storytelling, it delivers as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The Megalodon's massive chompers threaten dive cages and research facilities, with Statham using his diving skills to combat the ancient predator. The cast, including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, tries to prevent the Megalodon from feasting on beachgoers. Despite its flaws, The Meg makes a significant impact.

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

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 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, captured natural shark behavior. The film follows an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. While not action-packed, Open Water is suspenseful and harrowing, offering a unique take on the genre.

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, Bait trapped people inside a supermarket with Great White sharks during a tsunami. This Australian film blends effects to maintain tension and deliver bloody thrills. The tsunami interrupts a robbery, forcing criminals and clerks to team up against the sharks. Bait stands out in the niche genre 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 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 the underwater escape scenario, heightening the panic. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a shark diving expedition goes wrong. The film uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to create tension, with sharks lurking in the shadows. 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

Deep Blue Sea is memorable for its 90s flair, featuring genetically enhanced Mako sharks and a pharmaceutical experiment gone wrong. The cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, battles to survive their creation. Despite some dated CGI, the film excels with practical effects and embraces the creature-feature genre's absurdity, delivering thrilling entertainment.

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 formidable shark in The Shallows. Director Jaume Collet-Serra masterfully builds tension using minimal locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy. Lively's performance and the terrifying CG shark make The Shallows a standout film that ages well. It's a gripping, intense experience that leaves no room for excess.

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, culminating in the iconic reveal of the shark named Bruce. This New England tale of summer chaos and a mayor prioritizing tourism over safety remains terrifying and influential decades later.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For those eager for more shark-themed films, several are in development or have been announced. 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?

Shark Week 2025 is scheduled to run from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel set to broadcast a variety of shark-related content.