The Best Shark Movies
One of the best unofficial subgenres of movies is shark movies. Shark movies usually are going to fall into a genre of horror, thriller, action, or even sci-fi. But they all have one cool thing in common. Sharks. So in honor of Shark Week, let’s highlight the Top 15 Shark Movies.
Jaws- duunnn dunnn… duuuunnnn duun… duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnn dunnnn. If you thought anything else would be in this first spot you’ve lost you’re ever loving mind. All clear on that? Great, enough said. Stream it on Peacock. I also should mentions all of this film’s underperforming sequels ‘Jaws 2,’ ‘Jaws 3-D,’ & ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ all of which can also be streamed on Peacock.
The Meg- My personal favorite, non-Jaws shark movie is this 2018 sci-fi action film starring Jason Statham as a man ready to go up against some huge sharks. I also quite like th 2023 sequel, because even though it is an absurd movie, it features Jason Statham fighting some GIANT sharks. I also use ‘The Meg’ as a sort of personal bar for films. It’s the go to movie I think of when I think of movies that aren’t good, but are a whole lot of fun. Stream both films on Max.
Dangerous Animals- This 2025 film is a gruesome survival horror in which the sharks aren’t actually the bad guys. The film’s villain is actually a shark-obsessed serial killer who and a human he holds captive on a boat in an attempt to feed her to sharks. I haven’t gotten a chance to see this one yet, but want to say that the poster alone is fantastic. This film is not yet streaming, but may still have some theater showtimes near you.
Under Paris- Coming out in 2024, this French film dropped directly to Netflix and features a shark appearing in the Seine and devastating Paris. I personally think the film should have been titled ‘Shark de Triomphe,’ but I digress. Stream it on Netflix.
Sharknado- Oh Sharknado. What a time to be alive. I vividly remember sitting down to watch this movie on the SyFy network with my family and being sure to tune into the subsequent sequels (though I think we only made it to the third and there are in fact 6 films, plus 3 spin offs). This movie is peak SyFy slop and I mean that in the most endearing way possible. The over the top, unintentionally comedic side of the film quickly turned into a cult classic. Stream it on Peacock, Prime, or Tubi.
Deep Blue Sea- A sci-fi horror film, this film breaks the mold of shark movies by focusing on Mako sharks instead of Great Whites. And the Mako sharks are genetically engineered due to being experimented on for Alzheimer’s research. Perfectly logical. Spoilers, but shoutout to Samuel L. Jackson who gets eaten in this movie in the most hilarious of ways: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2yT8AA8-tis Rent it on Prime, YouTube, or Apple TV.
Shark Tale- Changing tones a bit, we will get to the first of a few films on this list intended for a younger audience. Originally released in 2004, this film stars Will Smith as Oscar, a fish who befriends the shark son of a mob boss, voiced by Jack Black. Also featuring the vocal talents of Robert De Niro, Renée Zellweger, Angelina Jolie, Martin Scorsese, & Ziggy Marley, this film can rented on Prime, YouTube, or Apple TV.
Into the Deep- Another 2025 film, this one received negative reviews & performed very poorly financially, but it features sharks so it makes my list. Really the only notable thing about the film is that it features Richard Dreyfuss in his return to the world of sharks. Stream it on Hulu.
47 Meters Down- Underwater movies like this make me so anxious. Starring Claire Holt & Mandy Moore, the film follows two sisters who go cage diving and when the cave breaks and sinks to the bottom of the ocean, they must figure out how to survive with limited oxygen in shark-infested waters. Stream it on Peacock. (Peacock is apparently the place to go for shark movies)
The Shallows- Another survival thriller, this film primarily features a single character, played by Blake Lively. She is stranded alone 200 yards from shore and must use her ingenuity to get back to shore while being hunted by… you guessed it… sharks! Stream it on Starz.
Sharkboy and Lavagirl- This film officially titled, ‘The Adventure of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D’ is maybe not really a shark movie. But I’m putting it on here anyways because I loved this movie as a kid and wanted to include it. One of the primary characters is quite literally a superhero with shark powers, played by Taylor Lautner, so that’s enough for me. Rent it on Prime, YouTube, or Apple TV.
Open Water- Following an American couple stranded in the middle of the ocean during a scuba tour, this film is partially based on a true story & I’ll let you know that neither the film & real life story feature a happy conclusion. Stream it on Tubi, Plex, or Pluto TV.
Sand Sharks- A direct to DVD horror film, this film centers on exactly what you think. The official synopsis of the film reads: ‘Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the beach, it appears that our large fishy friends have found a way to chomp on you when you’re chilling out on the sand too!’ As you can imagine, this is quality cinema. Stream it on Peacock or Tubi.
Finding Nemo- I guess this is more of a fish movie then a shark movie. But since one of the most famous sequences in the movie features shark characters, I’m leaving it here. Obviously, stream it on Disney+.
Sharkwater- I wanted to end with something different. This is a 2006 documentary that is pro shark protection & wants to help break the negative stigma about sharks. Made by conservationist Rob Stewart, this film intends to remind us that sharks aren’t violent animals, just misunderstood. Rent it on Fandango.
