My earliest fears were sparked by the mysterious depths of water bodies, where the lurking threat of a people-eating shark could shatter the calm surface at any moment. Shark movies intensified this fear, constantly reminding my younger self that nature's unpredictable order could strike anytime.

While the premise of shark movies might seem straightforward—featuring vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by sharks—many films fail to capture the essence. However, when executed well, these films deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of any body of water for weeks to come.

So, prepare your Shark Spray, and let's dive into our picks for the top 10 shark movies of all time. For more thrills involving creatures, don't miss 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 filled with more misses than hits, making films like Shark Night stand out for their general competency. Set in the Louisiana gulf, this film follows vacationers attacked by backwoods maniacs who feed their Shark Week obsession by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's over-the-top, with scenes like a Great White leaping from the water to decapitate a WaveRunner rider. Marketed as "Shark Night 3D," it perfectly captures the early 2010s horror vibe, offering pure popcorn entertainment. Thanks to the late David R. Ellis, this film delivers a fun, if not top-tier, shark movie experience.

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 holds its own in a thin field of competition. 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 due to his discomfort with such sequences. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 offers familiar storytelling with exploding boats and underwater carnage, proving that a successful formula can be reused effectively.

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

Deep Blue Sea 3 marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, bringing back the charm of the original. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks face off against mercenaries and bull sharks. This B-movie offers martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls, and unexpected twists, making it a standout in the realm of direct-to-video sequels and absurd 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

The Meg pits Jason Statham against a colossal 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench. While the film's PG-13 rating and some narrative bloat might disappoint, it excels as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The Megalodon's threat to dive cages and underwater research facilities, coupled with Statham's expert diving skills, creates a thrilling adventure. The ensemble cast, including Li Bingbing and Rainn Wilson, adds depth to the film's mix of Kaiju Lite elements and soap opera dramatics. Although The Meg 2 arrived in 2023, it fell short of expectations, missing our list of top 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

Open Water stands out by using real sharks instead of mechanical or CGI ones, aiming for authenticity. Filmmaker Chris Kentis and his wife, Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, ensured the film captured natural shark behavior. The result is a suspenseful and harrowing story of an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters, offering a unique take on shark cinema.

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 introduced alligators in a flooded crawl space, Bait trapped people inside a supermarket with Great White sharks during a tsunami. This Australian film cleverly mixes effects to maintain tension and action, with survivors using shopping carts for diving gear and parking lots turning into hunting grounds. The added twist of a robbery in progress adds to the chaos, making Bait a standout in the "trapped with animals during freak weather incidents" subgenre.

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 urgency to its underwater escape scenario with a ticking clock. Sisters, played by Mandy Moore and Claire Holt, are trapped on the ocean floor after a shark diving expedition goes wrong. The film's use of darkness and minimalistic settings amplifies the suspense, making it a gripping addition to 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 captures the 90s spirit with its story of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and the scientists who must escape their creation. Despite some outdated CGI, the film excels with its practical effects and the unforgettable demise of Samuel L. Jackson's character. It's a testament to the fun and thrilling nature of creature features.

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

In The Shallows, Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark in a tense survival scenario. Director Jaume Collet-Serra masterfully builds tension with minimal locations, and Lively's performance against the convincing CG shark is both powerful and terrifying. The film's relentless intensity makes it a standout in modern shark cinema.

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's Jaws revolutionized the summer blockbuster and remains the pinnacle of shark movies. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's suspenseful pacing and iconic scenes have kept audiences away from beaches for decades. Jaws is a masterclass in storytelling, proving that even after all these years, it's still the ultimate shark movie.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For those eagerly awaiting more shark-themed thrills, several exciting films are on the horizon:

• 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 set to broadcast a variety of shark-related content.