Sharks have captured humanity’s fascination, becoming iconic figures in film. These apex predators hold a unique place in popular culture, celebrated and feared in equal measure through cinema.
While there’s no “Sperm Whale Week,” sharks have inspired an entire subgenre of films dedicated to their mystique and terror. The history of shark movies began with Samuel Fuller’s Shark! in 1969, a film that unfortunately derailed the director’s career for years.
Despite the cautionary tale of its failure, filmmakers continued to take on the challenge of bringing sharks to the big screen.
In 1975, Steven Spielberg redefined the genre with Jaws, a masterpiece that almost broke him as a young director but became the first-ever summer blockbuster.
It transformed how audiences viewed the ocean, sparking a genuine fear of open water and creating a legacy that continues to influence movies today.
The film also ushered in the concept of the summer blockbuster, making sharks an enduring symbol of thrilling entertainment.
1. Jaws (1975)
- Tomatometer: 97%
- Critics Consensus: Compelling storytelling and expertly crafted suspense make Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” a benchmark in blockbuster filmmaking. The film’s lingering terror ensures its legacy as one of the most iconic movies of all time.
- Synopsis: In the quaint tourist town of Amity Island, a massive great white shark terrorizes beachgoers. The local sheriff, a marine biologist, and a seasoned fisherman team up to hunt the creature before it claims more lives.
- Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
- Directed By: Steven Spielberg
2. Playing With Sharks (2021)
- Tomatometer: 96%
- Critics Consensus: This tribute to photographer Valerie Taylor is as fascinating as it is inspiring, blending environmental advocacy with a personal journey.
- Synopsis: Valerie Taylor’s groundbreaking underwater photography and fearless advocacy for shark conservation are explored in this engrossing documentary.
- Starring: Ron Taylor, Valerie Taylor
- Directed By: Sally Aitken
3. Kon-Tiki (2012)
- Tomatometer: 83%
- Critics Consensus: This retelling of Thor Heyerdahl’s epic journey offers thrilling adventure and stunning visuals, even if it leans on traditional storytelling techniques.
- Synopsis: Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl embarks on a daring expedition across the Pacific on a balsa wood raft to prove his theory about ancient migration patterns.
- Starring: Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Gustaf Skarsgård
- Directed By: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
4. The Shallows (2016)
- Tomatometer: 78%
- Critics Consensus: Lean and focused, “The Shallows” avoids shark-attack clichés, delivering thrills through a gripping narrative and Blake Lively’s commanding performance.
- Synopsis: Grieving her mother’s death, medical student Nancy Adams finds herself stranded on a rock off a secluded beach, battling a relentless great white shark.
- Starring: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada, Brett Cullen
- Directed By: Jaume Collet-Serra
5. Sharkwater (2006)
- Tomatometer: 81%
- Critics Consensus: Stunning underwater photography and an impassioned narrative make “Sharkwater” a compelling environmental documentary.
- Synopsis: Marine biologist Rob Stewart debunks myths about sharks as bloodthirsty predators while exposing the illegal shark finning trade.
- Starring: Rob Stewart
- Directed By: Rob Stewart
6. Sharkwater Extinction (2018)
- Tomatometer: 100%
- Critics Consensus: Both beautiful and heartbreaking, “Sharkwater Extinction” highlights the devastating consequences of shark finning while honoring the filmmaker’s legacy.
- Synopsis: Rob Stewart continues his mission to protect sharks, unveiling the dark realities of the shark fin trade across the globe.
- Starring: Rob Stewart
- Directed By: Rob Stewart
7. After the Bite (2023)
- Tomatometer: 100%
- Critics Consensus: While lacking a consensus yet, “After the Bite” explores the growing presence of great white sharks near Cape Cod and their impact on both residents and vacationers.
- Synopsis: This documentary examines how the rising number of great white sharks off Cape Cod has reshaped local perceptions and lifestyles.
- Directed By: Ivy Meeropol
8. The Reef (2010)
- Tomatometer: 76%
- Critics Consensus: Thrilling and tense, “The Reef” makes effective use of its minimalist approach to shark horror.
- Synopsis: A group of friends becomes the target of a great white shark after their boat capsizes during a sailing trip.
- Starring: Damian Walshe-Howling, Gyton Grantley, Adrienne Pickering
- Directed By: Andrew Traucki
9. Sharknado (2013)
- Tomatometer: 77%
- Critics Consensus: Shamelessly over-the-top, “Sharknado” redefines “so bad it’s good” with its absurd premise and entertainingly ridiculous execution.
- Synopsis: A freak storm floods Los Angeles with sharks, leading to a battle for survival against airborne predators.
- Starring: Tara Reid, Ian Ziering, John Heard
- Directed By: Anthony C. Ferrante
10. Sharks (2004)
- Tomatometer: 75%
- Critics Consensus: This immersive documentary takes viewers up close and personal with various shark species, showcasing their beauty and power.
- Synopsis: Jean-Michel Cousteau dives into the underwater world to explore the behaviors and habitats of sharks, from hammerheads to whale sharks.
- Starring: Geoffrey Bateman
- Directed By: Jean-Jaques Mantello
11. Open Water (2003)
- Tomatometer: 71%
- Critics Consensus: A low-budget thriller with intense, nail-biting moments.
- Synopsis: Two scuba divers find themselves stranded in shark-infested waters after their tour boat leaves them behind. As hours turn into days, their fight for survival becomes more desperate.
- Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis
- Directed By: Chris Kentis
12. The Reef: Stalked (2022)
- Tomatometer: 71%
- Critics Consensus: While lacking a critical consensus, this sequel delivers enough tension and thrills for shark movie enthusiasts.
- Synopsis: In an effort to heal after witnessing her sister’s tragic murder, Nic takes a trip to a tropical island with friends, only to encounter a bloodthirsty shark.
- Starring: Teressa Liane, Ann Truong, Saskia Archer
- Directed By: Andrew Traucki
13. Under Paris (2024)
- Tomatometer: 63%
- Critics Consensus: Combining environmental themes with bloody thrills, “Under Paris” delivers a uniquely Gallic entry into the shark-attack genre with enough fun to satisfy fans.
- Synopsis: A grieving scientist must confront her painful past when a giant shark terrorizes the underground flooded tunnels of Paris, threatening the city with chaos.
- Starring: Bérénice Bejo, Anaïs Parello, Inaki Lartigue
- Directed By: Xavier Gens
14. Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014)
- Tomatometer: 61%
- Critics Consensus: Not as engaging as its predecessor, but fans of outrageous shark storms will find plenty of campy thrills.
- Synopsis: A freak weather event unleashes a Sharknado upon New York City, forcing Fin and his team to save the day once again.
- Starring: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Vivica A. Fox
- Directed By: Anthony C. Ferrante
15. Deep Blue Sea (1999)
- Tomatometer: 60%
- Critics Consensus: While not at the level of “Jaws”, “Deep Blue Sea” provides enough thrills and shark attacks to entertain action fans.
- Synopsis: In a remote island research facility, genetically engineered sharks are used for experiments until the predators turn on their creators.
- Starring: Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson
- Directed By: Renny Harlin
16. 47 Meters Down (2017)
- Tomatometer: 53%
- Critics Consensus: It doesn’t fully capitalize on its suspenseful premise, but “47 Meters Down” offers a few thrills for shark attack enthusiasts.
- Synopsis: Two sisters on a diving trip are trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean, running out of air as they face deadly predators.
- Starring: Mandy Moore, Claire Holt
- Directed By: Johannes Roberts
17. The Meg (2018)
- Tomatometer: 47%
- Critics Consensus: While “The Meg” has a fun premise, it fails to fully embrace its potential as a larger-than-life B-movie creature feature.
- Synopsis: A prehistoric megalodon shark resurfaces to terrorize the crew of an underwater research facility in this high-stakes adventure.
- Starring: Jason Statham, Li Bingbing
- Directed By: Jon Turteltaub
18. Sharktopus (2010)
- Tomatometer: 60%
- Critics Consensus: No consensus yet, but this half-shark, half-octopus hybrid is pure, absurd fun for fans of creature features.
- Synopsis: A genetically engineered monster, half-shark and half-octopus, escapes captivity and wreaks havoc on a coastal community.
- Starring: Eric Roberts, Kerem Bürsin
- Directed By: Declan O’Brien
If the suspense and thrill of shark encounters keep you on the edge of your seat, you might also enjoy our list of the best time travel movies for mind-bending journeys through different timelines.