10 Best Shark Movies Ever Made

This is the film that changed everything. Steven Spielberg's masterpiece made shark movies popular, introduced the summer blockbuster as a concept and still has rock-solid suspense and cinematography. John Williams' iconic score, the building dread and the legendary line 'You're gonna need a bigger boat' make it the undisputed number one.

Blake Lively carries this film almost single-handedly, and the shark attack is portrayed in a realistic, claustrofobic way. With a minimalist setup of just a few characters and a limited setting, the tension is all the more intense. One of the best modern shark movies and a worthy spiritual successor to Jaws.

One of the most realistic shark movies ever, inspired by the true story of a couple accidentally left behind in the middle of the ocean on a dive trip. No CGI, no exaggerated action, just pure survival fear with real sharks in the water. It shows how terrifying the ocean can be without becoming a typical monster movie.

Unlike Open Water, this film takes a Hollywood approach but remains effective at building tension. Two sisters are trapped in a shark cage on the ocean floor with limited oxygen and aggressive sharks around them. The suspense is constant, and the twist at the end makes it extra memorable.

The most over-the-top shark movie on the list, but also one of the most fun. Genetically engineered super-smart sharks, ridiculous deaths and an iconic scene in which Samuel L. Jackson is unexpectedly eaten. If you prefer action and spectacle over realism, this is the perfect shark movie.

This film combines the best of Jaws and Open Water. After their boat capsizes, a group of friends has to swim for it with a great white shark stalking them, and the tension comes from fear of the unknown. Because it uses real shark footage instead of CGI, it feels especially realistic.

No sequel could match Jaws, but Jaws 2 is still a solid thriller. It tries to rebuild the original's tension but leans more toward a slasher film with a shark as the killer. It lacks Spielberg's magic but remains entertaining for fans of the original.

An absurd premise, but surprisingly well executed. After a tsunami, sharks become trapped in a flooded supermarket along with a group of survivors. The film puts a unique spin on the shark genre with a good mix of suspense and campy fun.

Pure Hollywood excess, with Jason Statham taking on a gigantic prehistoric megalodon. Not remotely realistic, but hugely entertaining if you like dumb, large-scale action. For fans of big blockbusters with giant beasts, it's perfect popcorn entertainment.

This film is a disaster in terms of effects and story, yet it has built up a cult following. A shark hunts people at a marine theme park, and the 3D effects are hilariously bad. If you're looking for a bad shark movie that still entertains, this is the perfect guilty pleasure.