From a young age, I was gripped by a fear of bodies of water, haunted by the thought that beneath their serene surfaces lurked people-eating sharks. Shark movies only intensified this paranoia, constantly reminding me that the natural order could strike at any moment. The concept behind these films—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by sharks—seems straightforward, yet many fail to deliver. When executed well, however, shark movies offer an adrenaline-pumping experience that can leave you wary of any water for weeks to come.

So, prepare your Shark Spray. Here's a curated list of the top 10 shark movies of all time. For more thrilling creature features, 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

In the vast sea of shark movies, the ratio of hits to misses leans heavily towards the latter. Shark Night earns its spot on the list through sheer competence. The plot follows vacationers in the Louisiana gulf who are attacked by backwoods maniacs obsessed with Shark Week, going as far as attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's over-the-top—a Great White even jumps out of the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Originally released as "Shark Night 3D," it embodies the early 2010s horror vibe, offering straightforward 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 out there.

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 its iconic predecessor, but it holds its own in a genre with few standout sequels. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White, this time preying on water skiers and beachgoers. The film leans more into action, which led to the original director John D. Hancock's departure, as he wasn't suited for these sequences. Despite its flaws, Jaws 2 delivers with exploding boats and underwater carnage executed competently. If a successful formula isn't broken, why not build a 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

Despite the existence of two sequels, Deep Blue Sea 3 manages to rebound from the disappointment of its predecessor. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists trying to protect Great White sharks find themselves facing off against mercenaries and bull sharks. It's unabashedly a B-movie, complete with martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls featuring aerial Bull Shark tag-teams, and character deaths inspired by internet memes. Deep Blue Sea 3 exceeds expectations for direct-to-video sequels and delivers the absurd shark cinema thrills fans crave.

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 facing off against a 75-foot-long Megalodon from the Mariana Trench? The Meg might have benefited from a grittier PG-13 rating and tighter storytelling, but as a blockbuster spectacle, it certainly delivers. The film showcases the dangers posed by the massive Megalodon as it threatens dive cages and underwater research facilities, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat the ancient predator. With a cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, The Meg blends Kaiju Lite tropes with soap opera drama, providing exactly what it promises—a grand aquatic horror adventure.

The sequel, The Meg 2, released in 2023, unfortunately fell short, described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" in our review, and thus does not make 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 many shark films that rely on mechanical or CGI sharks, Open Water opts for realism by using real sharks. Directors Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, avid scuba divers themselves, aimed to capture natural behavior, serving also as cinematographers. The film stands out for its authenticity, depicting an American couple stranded in shark-infested waters after their boat leaves them behind. While less 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 introduced us to alligators in a flooded crawl space during a hurricane, Bait featured Great White sharks terrorizing supermarket patrons and workers during a tsunami. This Australian thriller showcases survivors using shopping carts and parking lots as makeshift diving gear and hunting grounds. The blend of practical and digital effects keeps the tension high and the action bloody. Notably, a robbery is interrupted by the tsunami, forcing criminals and clerks to unite against the aquatic predators. Bait holds its own alongside Crawl 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 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 mix, intensifying the underwater escape scenario. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt portray sisters trapped at the ocean's floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition, constantly at risk of attracting the sharks lurking in the darkness. The film masterfully uses the vast emptiness of the underwater landscape to heighten tension, delivering nerve-wracking scares that underscore the essence of gripping 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's good enough to inspire an LL Cool J song, Deep Blue Sea dives into the 90s with genetically enhanced Mako sharks and corporate greed. The star-studded cast fights to survive their own creation, but even Samuel L. Jackson can't escape becoming shark bait. Despite some dated CGI, the film's practical effects and creature-feature absurdity make it a standout, showcasing karma's sharp bite in the best way possible.

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 expertly crafts tension from minimal locations—a rock formation, water, and a buoy—elevating the film's intensity. Lively's performance, combined with the terrifying CG shark, ensures The Shallows remains a gripping watch. The film dives straight into a desperate scenario, leaving no room for excess, and delivers pure suspense from start to finish.

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 cinema. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's success was monumental, grossing over $476.5 million. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, culminating in the unforgettable introduction of the shark, named Bruce. This New England tale of a town's struggle between tourism and safety remains a chilling reminder of nature's power, ensuring that viewers think twice before entering the water.

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, 2025Beneath the Storm - August 1, 2025High Tide - TBCDangerous Animals - TBCWhen 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 wide array of shark-focused programming.