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 underneath calm surface views. Shark movies fueled that paranoia by constantly reminding my younger self that the world's natural order could strike at any time.

The concept of shark movies seems simple—vacationers, boaters, or divers hunted by one or multiple sharks—but many films manage to miss the mark. When shark movies are done right, they deliver an adrenaline-fueled experience that can make you wary of entering any body of water for a long time.

So, get your Shark Spray ready. Here are the top 10 best shark movies of all time. For more creature thrills, 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 leans heavily towards the negative, which means films like Shark Night make the list for their general competency. Vacationers in the Louisiana gulf are attacked by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to the extreme by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's over-the-top—a Great White jumps out of the water and decapitates a man on a WaveRunner. The original theatrical billing as "Shark Night 3D" captures the early 2010s horror vibe it's aiming for (think: popcorn entertainment), and the film delivers on that front. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jawesomeness, even if it's not the most polished entry in the genre.

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 be a better sequel than the original, but it stands out in a thin field of competitors. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White shark that starts devouring water skiers and beachgoers. It's more action-oriented, which led to the departure of original director John D. Hancock because he wasn't suited for such sequences. The film continues the familiar storytelling of its predecessor, with its fair share of problems, but also features exploding boats and more underwater carnage executed well. If it ain't broke, why not turn it into a franchise?

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 significantly improves upon the franchise's second installment, returning to the original's thrilling essence. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy, trying to protect Great White sharks, encounter mercenaries and bull sharks that threaten their safety—this is full-on B-movie territory. The film features martyrdom explosions, action brawls with aerial Bull Shark tag-team action, comical memes turned into character deaths, and one of the most unexpected victories in recent shark movie history. Kudos to the cast and crew of Deep Blue Sea 3; this aquatic horror film about playing God exceeds expectations for direct-to-video sequels and absurd shark cinema that knows its entertainment value.

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 versus a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench? The Meg might have been better if it wasn't rated PG-13 and had tighter storytelling, but as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle, it delivers on its 23 million-year-old premise. There's danger as massive Megalodon chompers attempt to shatter dive cages or underwater research facilities, while Statham uses his expert diving skills to thwart a not-so-extinct predator. A stacked cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis tries to stop the Megalodon from devouring beachgoers like hors d'oeuvres—some more successfully than others—as the film blends Kaiju Lite tropes with oddly endearing soap opera dramatics. It's all there as promised, making a grand enough splash.

2023 brought the arrival of The Meg 2, but the sequel didn't quite live up to the original. In fact, it's "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" according to our review. As such, it doesn't earn a place on our list of the best shark films.

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

While Jaws used a mechanical shark and many other films opted for computer-generated creatures, Open Water strives for authenticity by using real sharks. Filmmaker Chris Kentis and his wife, producer Laura Lau, who are avid scuba divers, wanted to capture as much natural behavior as possible. They also served as cinematographers, relying on their scuba expertise to ensure the footage met their standards. The film looks and feels different from the more entertainment-focused examples on this list, as an American couple finds themselves miles from shore in shark-infested waters after their boat accidentally leaves them behind. It's not the most action-packed, but it's suspenseful and harrowing.

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 trapped family members in a flooded crawl space with alligators during a category 5 hurricane, Bait trapped patrons and workers inside a supermarket with agitated Great White sharks during a freak tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark movies, as survivors rig diving gear from shopping carts and parking lots, with people stuck in cars becoming hunting grounds. The effects keep the aquatic thrills tense and bloody as the action ramps up. Did I mention the tsunami interrupts a robbery, forcing criminals and clerks to work together against swimming killers? It's as good as Crawl, sitting in a unique subgenre of "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."

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

The ticking clock element of 47 Meters Down adds panic to an already frantic underwater escape scene. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition, unable to move without attracting the attention of sharks. The film effectively uses the vast emptiness of the ocean to build tension, with sharks lurking in the darkness and lunging into frame. It's nerve-wracking and intense, using familiar scare tactics to highlight the heightened frights of proper shark cinema.

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

You know a movie is good when there's an LL Cool J song about it. "Deepest, bluest, my hat is like a shark's fin" captures the 90s outrageousness of Deep Blue Sea, which centers on genetically enhanced Mako sharks and the fallout of greedy pharmaceutical experiments. A loaded cast fights to escape their creation, but not even Samuel L. Jackson can avoid becoming a soggy snack. Despite some dated CGI, the film uses practical effects well, with sharks floating down hallways or in flooded kitchens. Deep Blue Sea embraces creature-feature "nonsense" in the best ways, making the most of karma's razor-sharp teeth.

The Shallows (2016)

Blake Lively goes toe-to-toe with an imposing finned foe in The Shallows. Jaume Collet-Serra proves he's one of the most adept contemporary blockbuster filmmakers, taking just a few locations (rock formation, water, buoy) and ratcheting up the tension. Lively's outstanding performance against a CG shark that still looks terrifying helps The Shallows age well. There's no wasted effort—Collet-Serra dives straight into an unfathomably hopeless scenario and delivers intense, gripping suspense.

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 forever changed the summer blockbuster landscape with the still reigning champ of shark cinema. Despite struggles with his animatronic Great White, the outcome was well worth it, with the film grossing over $476.5 million at the box office. Jaws is a masterclass in suspense, holding its cards until the perfect moment, with Spielberg's ace being a people-eater named Bruce. This New England tale about summertime madness shows the consequences when mayors prioritize 4th of July tourist revenue over beachgoer safety, a fear strong enough to keep audiences away from the water with the memory of Alex Kintner still terrifyingly fresh. There's no debate—Jaws remains the best shark movie of all time, decades later.

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 movies, several are currently in development or announced. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies: