My earliest fears were sparked by the mysterious depths of water bodies, where the calm surface might conceal a lurking, people-eating shark. This paranoia was fueled by shark movies that constantly reminded me, as a child, that nature's order could strike unpredictably.

While the premise of shark movies—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or more sharks—seems straightforward, many films fail to capture the essence. When executed well, however, these films offer an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of any water for a long time.

So, grab your Shark Spray and prepare to dive into our list of the top 10 best shark movies of all time. If you're looking for more 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

The landscape of shark movies is often dominated by less impressive entries, making films like "Shark Night" stand out for their general competence. Set in the Louisiana gulf, vacationers are terrorized by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to extreme lengths by attaching cameras to aggressive sharks. It's over-the-top—a Great White even leaps from the water to decapitate someone on a WaveRunner. Originally released as "Shark Night 3D," the film captures the early 2010s horror vibe, aiming for popcorn entertainment and achieving just that. Kudos to the late David R. Ellis for delivering this fun, if not top-tier, shark flick.

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 field where competition is scarce. 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 a change in director from John D. Hancock to Jeannot Szwarc. While it has its flaws, "Jaws 2" delivers thrilling underwater sequences and exploding boats, continuing the franchise's legacy with solid execution.

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

Following the disappointment of "Deep Blue Sea 2," "Deep Blue Sea 3" revives the franchise's charm. Set on the artificial island of Little Happy, scientists attempting to protect Great White sharks are threatened by mercenaries and bull sharks. The film embraces its B-movie status with martyrdom explosions, action-packed sequences, and even turns memes into character deaths. "Deep Blue Sea 3" exceeds expectations for a direct-to-video sequel, delivering a thrilling and entertaining experience in the realm of 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 75-foot-long Megalodon from the Mariana Trench. While it could have benefited from a more mature rating and tighter storytelling, it succeeds as a thrilling aquatic horror spectacle. The film's action-packed sequences, where the Megalodon threatens dive cages and research facilities, are well-executed. With a talented cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, and others, "The Meg" delivers a grand, if not perfect, cinematic experience.

The sequel, "The Meg 2," released in 2023, unfortunately, didn't live up to its predecessor, described as "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways." As a result, it doesn't make our list of the best 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 for its use of real sharks, aiming for authenticity over CGI. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, avid scuba divers, captured natural shark behavior, serving also as cinematographers. This approach results in a film that feels different from its more entertainment-focused counterparts. It follows an American couple stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters, offering suspense and realism over action.

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," "Bait" trapped survivors in a supermarket with Great White sharks during a tsunami. Australia delivers one of the better recent shark movies as characters use improvised diving gear from shopping carts and parking lots become hunting grounds. The film blends effects well, maintaining tension and delivering thrilling action. With a robbery interrupted by the tsunami, "Bait" offers a unique take on the "animals attack" genre during natural disasters.

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.

The urgency of "47 Meters Down" adds to the already tense underwater escape scenario. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a shark diving expedition goes wrong. The film masterfully uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to create suspense and fear, with sharks lurking in the shadows. It's a gripping experience that showcases the true terror 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

"Deep Blue Sea" is memorable for its blend of 90s outrageousness and a gripping narrative about genetically enhanced Mako sharks. The film's cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, adds to its appeal, though even they can't escape the sharks. While some of the CGI may show its age, the practical effects and thrilling sequences make "Deep Blue Sea" a standout in the genre.

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 menacing shark in a tense, minimalist setting. Jaume Collet-Serra's direction elevates the film, using limited locations to maximize suspense. Lively's performance against a convincingly terrifying CGI shark makes "The Shallows" a standout, aging gracefully as a thrilling shark movie.

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 with its gripping tale of a Great White shark terrorizing a New England town. Despite challenges with the mechanical shark, the film's suspense and storytelling made it a box office juggernaut, earning over $476.5 million. "Jaws" remains the quintessential shark movie, its impact felt decades later.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For those eager for more shark-themed films, several exciting projects are on the horizon. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies:

• Fear Below - Scheduled for release on May 15, 2025
• Beneath the Storm - Set to premiere on August 1, 2025
• High Tide - Release date to be confirmed
• Dangerous Animals - Release date to be confirmed

When Is Shark Week in 2025?

Mark your calendars for Shark Week 2025, which will run from July 6 to July 13, 2025. The Discovery Channel will broadcast a range of shark-related content during this thrilling week.