The 8 Best Shark Attack Movies To Upend Your Summer Vacation

Ah, summer. The time of exotic vacations abroad, late afternoon barbeques, and – of course – the inevitable fear that comes with stepping foot into the open ocean.

Fueling these relatable fears for the past five decades, shark films have influenced our collective consciousness in a way few films effectively can. While no doubt a niche genre, shark movies have nevertheless tapped into an ancient fear we all have surrounding the deep blue sea – not to mention the hulking goliaths that could drag us beneath the surface at any given time.

With Jaws set to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and with Shark Week just around the corner, we decided to take a look at some of the best shark movies to ever arrive on the big screen, ranking them each in order from worst to best.

Sharknado (2013)

Don’t get us wrong – Sharknado doesn’t exactly win any Oscars for those viewers looking for a Jaws-style horror thriller. But on its own individual strengths and merits, this 2013 shlockfest almost personifies the ‘so bad, it’s actually kind of awesome’ comedy horror genre, hooking audiences with its hilariously over-the-top, high-concept premise from the very get go.

Open Water (2003)

Though hampered by a meager budget, Open Water proves the old adage that sometimes less is indeed more. A film that will no doubt leave you thinking twice the next time you book a scuba trip or snorkeling excursion, Open Water is also guaranteed to leave you gripping the arms of your chair in taut suspense in more than a few places.

Under Paris (2024)

Most shark attack movies tend to veer towards the unbelievable, with 2024’s Under Paris hardly an exception. Featuring a massive killer shark haunting Paris’ Seine River, Under Paris somehow grounds its otherwise off-the-walls premise with plenty of engaging scares. What follows can feel like a Parisian version of Jaws, characterized by pulpy thrills, a massive shark-hunt, and an image-obsessed politician ignoring all signs of the shark’s very existence.

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

Nowadays, Deep Blue Sea tends to be the second movie people think about when they hear the words “shark attack film.” Though its high-concept premise might prove a bit over-the-top for some viewers, Deep Blue Sea has enough chills and thrills to keep average audience members interested, thanks in large part to its stylish special effects, rigid suspense, and unexpected character deaths from start to finish.

The Reef (2010)

Based on a haunting true story, The Reef’s almost documentary approach to its main narrative has a way of slipping beneath viewers’ skin, triggering a deep-seated fear we all have of venturing through uncharted waters. Squeezing every dime out of its shoestring budget, this 2010 gem prioritizes atmosphere and tone over garish effects or empty-minded gore, consistently leaving viewers on the edge of their seat with its anything-could-happen-style narrative structure.

The Shallows (2016)

Like all the best movies in life, The Shallows proves that you don’t need some kind of cartoonish narrative involving genetically mutated sharks or man-eaters beneath the streets of Paris to deliver a satisfying horror film. In the case of this memorably lean 2016 survival thriller, all you need is a lone swimmer struggling to stay one step ahead of a remarkably determined great white hunting her through the shallows. It’s pure, simple, blessedly straightforward fun.

Dangerous Animals (2025)

On the surface, a horror film featuring a serial killer whose primary weapon is sharks might seem like a horrendous idea for a movie. But at the end of the day, Dangerous Animals never falls into the predictable or half-baked territory of other, lesser shark movies. Led by an energetic Jai Courtney as an unhinged, shark-obsessed murderer, it’s without a doubt among the most enjoyable horror movies of the summer thus far, as well as the perfect companion piece to rein in the looming arrival of Shark Week.

Jaws (1975)

It’s literally impossible to summarize Jaws’ critical importance in the annals of American film. Sparking the creation of the summer blockbuster, it also helped cement Steven Spielberg as an up-and-coming filmmaker to watch out for in the very near future. Though in possession of an undeniably iconic legacy, it’s also worth emphasizing just how uniquely timeless Jaws’ narrative is even now, five decades after its initial release. Between its Hitchcockian suspense, strong performances, and now classic soundtrack, it’s the epitome of cinematic horror, unnerving countless generations of viewers too afraid to dip so much as a toe in the ocean.