From a young age, the fear of lurking sharks beneath calm waters gripped me, fueled by countless shark movies that hammered home the unpredictable nature of our world. These films, when executed well, deliver a thrilling experience that can make anyone wary of swimming in any body of water for a long time.

So, prepare your Shark Spray because we're diving into a list of the top 10 shark movies of all time. For those seeking more creature thrills, 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

In the world of shark movies, the balance often leans toward the less impressive, but Shark Night earns its spot for its general competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers find themselves targeted by backwoods maniacs obsessed with Shark Week, who've equipped sharks with cameras. It's absurd — think a Great White decapitating someone on a WaveRunner — but it captures the early 2010s horror vibe, making it perfect popcorn entertainment. Kudos to the late David R. Ellis for delivering this "better with booze" thrill, even if it's not the brightest gem in the collection.

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 where competition is sparse. Roy Scheider returns to defend Amity Island from another Great White terrorizing water skiers and beachgoers. The film ramps up the action, which led to a director change from John D. Hancock, and continues the familiar narrative. Despite its flaws, it offers explosive boats and underwater chaos with enough flair to keep the franchise afloat.

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 having two sequels, Deep Blue Sea 3 impressively recovers from its predecessor's shortcomings, echoing the original's thrilling essence. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists protecting Great White sharks face off against mercenaries and bull sharks. This B Movie extravaganza features martyrdom explosions, action-packed sequences with aerial bull shark attacks, and unexpected victories. The team behind Deep Blue Sea 3 deserves praise for surpassing expectations, delivering a delightful mix of aquatic horror and entertainment value.

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

Imagine Jason Statham facing off against a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench. While The Meg could have been sharper without its PG-13 rating and tighter storytelling, it delivers as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle. The film showcases the danger of the massive Megalodon, with Statham using his diving expertise to combat this prehistoric predator. With a strong cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis, The Meg blends Kaiju Lite tropes with soap opera elements, making a memorable splash.

The sequel, The Meg 2, released in 2023, unfortunately, did not meet the original's standards, described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways," and thus, it's absent from 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 uses real sharks for a more authentic experience. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, both avid scuba divers, aimed to capture natural behavior. The film follows an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. While not action-packed, it's suspenseful and harrowing, standing out from the more entertainment-focused entries on this list.

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

Bait, set during a freak tsunami, traps supermarket patrons and workers with Great White sharks, delivering a thrilling experience. Australia's contribution to recent shark cinema is commendable, with survivors ingeniously using shopping carts and parking lots as makeshift diving gear. The blend of effects keeps the tension high and the action bloody. The added twist of a robbery interrupted by the tsunami forces criminals and clerks to unite against the aquatic threat, making Bait a standout in the "trapped locations during freak weather" 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 a ticking clock to the underwater horror genre, intensifying the panic as sisters Mandy Moore and Claire Holt are trapped on the ocean floor after a failed shark diving expedition. The film uses the vastness of the underwater environment to amplify suspense, with sharks lurking in the dark waters. It's a nerve-wracking, white-knuckled 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

A testament to a film's impact is an LL Cool J song dedicated to it. Deep Blue Sea encapsulates 90s extravagance with its tale of genetically enhanced Mako sharks and pharmaceutical missteps. Despite some dated CGI, the film's practical effects, like sharks swimming down hallways or in flooded kitchens, are memorable. It embraces the creature-feature genre's absurdity, delivering thrilling entertainment with sharp, karmic twists.

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, showcasing Jaume Collet-Serra's skill in building tension with minimal settings. Lively's performance and the film's terrifying CGI shark create a gripping narrative. The Shallows is a masterclass in suspense, delivering an intense and unflinching experience that stands the test of time.

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, which remains the pinnacle of shark cinema. Despite challenges with the animatronic shark, the film's impact was undeniable, grossing over $476.5 million. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, culminating in unforgettable scenes that have kept audiences away from beaches ever since. It's a timeless classic that cements its status as the best shark movie ever made.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For shark movie enthusiasts, several exciting titles are on the horizon. 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?

Mark your calendars: Shark Week 2025 is scheduled from July 6 to July 13, 2025. The Discovery Channel will feature a range of shark-related programming during this thrilling week.