10 Shark Movies to Turn Any Week Into Shark Week

Let's be honest: With the exception of "Jaws," the top shark movies aren't exactly Oscar contenders. Hamara / Shutterstock

Whether you're a fan of thrilling adventures or just like your horror movies with extra teeth, shark movies have carved out a unique spot in pop culture.

From big-budget blockbusters to delightfully over-the-top made-for-TV flicks, these films dive into our deepest fears of the ocean — and what might be lurking beneath the surface. Here are the top picks for best shark movies, ranked by impact, suspense and sheer bite factor.

Contents

'Jaws' (1975)
'Deep Blue Sea' (1999)
'The Shallows' (2016)
'Open Water' (2003)
'47 Meters Down' (2017)
'Sharknado' (2013)
'The Reef' (2010)
'Bait' (2012)
'Shark Bait' (2022)
'The Meg' (2018)

1. 'Jaws' (1975)

You can't talk about shark movies without bowing to the king. Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" put great white sharks on the cinematic map, turning Amity Island into a sun-soaked nightmare.

With iconic performances from Roy Scheider and Lorraine Gary, this film didn’t just scare beachgoers; it basically invented the summer blockbuster.

2. 'Deep Blue Sea' (1999)

A team of scientists, an experimental shark and a flooded research facility? Count us in.

"Deep Blue Sea" stars Saffron Burrows and Samuel L. Jackson in a sci-fi thriller that blends brains and brawn. It's the ultimate what-could-go-wrong scenario in shark-infested waters.

3. 'The Shallows' (2016)

Blake Lively versus one very determined great white shark: "The Shallows" brings high-stakes tension to a small, isolated setting. It's a story of survival, resilience and the terrifying unpredictability of the Pacific Ocean.

4. 'Open Water' (2003)

Inspired by true events, "Open Water" features Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis as scuba divers accidentally left behind in shark territory.

The slow-building dread and use of real sharks make it feel unnervingly relatable. A minimal cast with maximum tension.

5. '47 Meters Down' (2017)

Featuring two sisters trapped in a shark cage on the ocean floor with hungry predators circling, this one combines fear of deep water with fear of becoming fish food. Claire Holt and Mandy Moore bring grit to a story that gets more terrifying the longer you’re immersed in the plot.

6. 'Sharknado' (2013)

A freak tsunami. A swirling vortex of bull sharks. One unforgettable TV movie.

"Sharknado" is pure camp and proud of it. It helped spark a new wave of fun shark horror, proving that not every shark attack movie has to be serious to be a hit.

7. 'The Reef' (2010)

After their boat capsizes, a group must swim through shark territory to find land. Filmed with real shark footage, "The Reef" adds authenticity to its story of terror on the open sea. It’s a chilling reminder of the ocean as both a beautiful and dangerous hunting ground.

8. 'Bait' (2012)

A supermarket becomes a shark's playground after a tsunami traps survivors inside. It’s a wild setup with surprisingly sharp tension and inventive kills. Think "Dawn of the Dead" but with fins.

9. 'Shark Bait' (2022)

A spring break thrill ride goes wrong when friends steal jet skis and end up stranded in — you guessed it — shark-infested waters. This recent addition to the shark horror lineup offers a modern, sleek take on a classic setup.

10. 'The Meg' (2018)

Jason Statham versus a prehistoric shark the size of a bus? Yes, please.

"The Meg" delivers giant-shark spectacle with a big ole dose of self-awareness. The megalodon may be extinct in real life, but on screen, it's alive and thriving.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.