Sharp fangs, jagged dorsal fins, and a robust, sinewy physique –
sharks
Predators should not be underestimated.
Their distinctive look and control over the seas have caused them to become
the topic of many movies
, often
blood-soaked horrors
and
heart-racing thrillers
.
The newest addition making waves is “Dangerous Animals,” directed by Sean Byrne, who also created “The Loved Ones” and “The Devil’s Candy.”
He gives a twist to the subgenre by presenting villain Tucker (Jai Courtney) to genre enthusiasts; he’s a charming yet ruthless serial killer known for using sharks as his primary tool.
His most recent possible target is Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), who gets kidnapped and held captive on Tucker’s boat—but she isn’t going to surrender easily.
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It currently sits at
an 89% rating
on
Rotten Tomatoes
, with critics labeling the film ‘
outlandish
’, ‘
distinctly unique
’, and a ‘
high-stakes thrill ride
‘ ahead of its launch on June 6.
From Bruce the Shark to The Meg, popular culture has latched onto these cartilaginous fish, with movies chronicling their tumultuous interaction with humans across the years.
potentially causing it
.
Ideal for the summertime when we head to the seaside, these shark movies will make you steer clear of the water.
Deep Blue Sea

Where to watch: Netflix
Following a terrifying shark encounter, Duncan Kennedy initiated
Deep Blue Sea
, released in 1999.
Featuring Saffron Burrows, Thomas Jane,
Samuel L. Jackson
, Michael Rapaport, and
LL Cool J
It narrates the journey of Dr. Susan McAlester (Burrows), who collects brain tissues from genetically modified sharks with the aim of finding a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
When the supporters of the facility dispatch executive Russell Franklin for a standard inspection of the experiments, something goes wrong, leading to a shark turning aggressive and starting to attack those holding it captive.
While not exactly Oscars material, this film is ideal for fans of B movies looking to enjoy a shark wreaking havoc in the sea – and on people – in classic brutal style, much like its two direct-to-video follow-ups.
47 Meters Down
Where to stream: NOW TV and Sky
Many people fantasize about swimming alongside sharks in their natural environment to see these majestic marine animals up close.
However, for these two siblings, it turns into an utter nightmare in Johannes Roberts’ horror movie.
47 Meters Down
.
Kate (Claire Holt) and Lisa (Mandy Moore) head to Mexico for some time off, planning an adventurous dive into waters teeming with sharks. However, their excitement quickly turns sour as their metal cage detaches from the boat and sinks deep into the sea.
When it debuted in 2017, the movie proved to be a financial success, earning approximately $62.6 million globally with an estimated production cost of around $5 million, which resulted in a follow-up being launched in 2019.
Shark Tale

Where to view: Accessible for rental through Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store
What if “Jaws” encountered “Goodfellas”? This peculiar query appears to be at the heart of the 2004 animated movie “Shark Tale.”
Set beneath the ocean waves, the movie follows the journey of Oscar, a fish who isn’t living up to his full potential.
Will Smith
), dreams big. His status rises dramatically amongst his peers from the sea after he boasts about slaying Frankie, a notorious great white shark linked to criminal circles.
Michael Imperioli
).
He creates the story together with Frankie’s pacifist sibling Lenny (
Jack Black
), however, the ‘shark slayer’ along with his companion quickly get entangled in serious trouble once Frankie’s dad, the crime lord Don Lino,
Robert De Niro
) dispatches his minions to hunt down Frankie’s murderer.
The movie truly encompasses all elements – horror, action, crime, and romance, featuring Angelina Jolie as an enticing siren. It also received a nomination at the 77th Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature.
Mako

Where to watch: Netflix
The shortfin mako shark stands out among marine predators due to its frightening dentition and its reputation as the quickest species in the sea.
The Egyptian action horror film Mako centers around an underwater menace, helmed by director Mohamed Hisham Al Rashidi.
Inspired by actual occurrences, the movie portrays eight underwater explorers who find themselves stranded below the Red Sea’s surface, encircled by ferocious sharks after they dive down to an abandoned cruise liner for the sake of their documentary.
Mako focuses more on the personal conflicts among the divers, which jeopardizes their safety, rather than just showcasing sharks. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t find extensive scenes featuring these creatures; those sequences are present and warrant the film’s graphic content advisory.
Sharknado

Where to watch: Plex
Yes, you are seeing that image accurately. That is
Hundreds of sharks are being tossed into the sky due to a tornado.
.
And these stunning images wouldn’t be etched into our minds if not for the launch of
Sharknado
in 2013.
What led to the creation of a sharknado? After shark fin poacher Captain Carlos Santiago (Israel Sáez de Miguel) gets ensnarled in a hurricane while making a transaction, his sharks get sucked into the storm’s turmoil. A band of buddies then takes it upon themselves to halt the mayhem in Santa Monica. Naturally.
The film is so bad, it’s actually great. So much so, there are six Sharknado films now, with
Kate Garraway even made a guest appearance.
in number five.
The Meg
Where to stream: NOW TV
Long ago, there existed a prehistoric animal known as a
megalodon
— basically an enormous shark believed to be approximately 15 to 18 meters long.
If they were around now, they would undoubtedly rule the seas. Particularly if the incidents described took place.
The Meg
Is there anything to go by?
Starring
Jason Statham
,
Ruby Rose
, with Li Bingbing as one of the scientists in the movie who have to prevent a deranged megalodon from assaulting individuals on the shoreline, ideally without becoming its prey.
Earning more than $530 million globally, a follow-up film,
Meg 2: The Trench
It was released in 2023.
The Reef

Where to stream: Shudder available on Prime Video
What could be scarier than finding yourself trapped in an overturned boat in the open sea? Being pursued by a Great White shark while enduring this situation, undoubtedly.
Launched in 2010, “The Reef” revolves around a circle of friends who embark on an enjoyable vacation in Indonesia and choose to go boating together.
It turned out to be a big error when their vessel capsized, followed by relentless predators chasing after them while they tried to reach an adjacent island by swimming.
It’s an adrenaline-fueled adventure from beginning to end, growing more intense with each escalating challenge and obstacle the team encounters.
After finishing The Reef, you might also enjoy watching its spiritual successor, The Reef: Stalked, as it shares a comparable storyline with the original film.
Under Paris
Where to watch: Netflix
Under Paris
triggered a frenzy among viewers upon its release on Netflix in 2024, earning the title of ‘exceptionally impressive.’
Directed by Frontier(s) and Mayhem! creator Xavier Gens, Under Paris follows grieving scientist Sophia (Bérénice Bejo), who is forced to face her tragic past so she can save Paris from an international bloodbath after
A massive shark emerges in the Seine.
.
Soon after its release, it gained popularity.
one of the highest-viewed movies in history
on the streaming giant.
Furthermore, it was verified last year that
a sequel is underway
, potentially occurring after the events of the first movie or perhaps featuring an entirely fresh storyline where the sharks break free into another body of water.
The Shallows

Where to watch: Netflix
Although she might be most recognized for her performances in romantic comedies,
Blake Lively
gives a stunning performance as the lead actress Nancy in the 2016 shark movie
The Shallows
.
After losing her mother, medical student Nancy heads to a remote beach for a well-deserved respite and to do some surfing.
As she was surfing solo, a shark assaults her, compelling her to make her way to a rock for refuge.
Lively’s captivating performance
truly makes the movie as suspenseful as it is, with Nancy having to struggle for survival just 200 yards away from safety.
Bait 3D

Where to stream: Available through StudioCanal Presents on Prime Video
Do you recall the surge of 3D movies during the 2000s and 2010s? Yes, there was even one about a 3D shark.
Directed by Kimble Rendall, “Bait 3D” features an unexpected tidal wave striking Australia, plunging large parts of Coolangatta under water.
The movie centers around supermarket employee Josh (Xavier Samuel) and several others at his job who get stranded as water inundates the store, however, that isn’t everything that unfolds.
The seas surrounding Australia are famously inhabited by various shark species, and following the tsunami, these creatures have been displaced onto land along with an entirely new set of predators to discover.
The visuals may show their age, yet Bait 3D remains an entertaining cat-and-mouse suspense film filled with copious amounts of gore.
Open Water

Where to watch: ITVX
“Open Water” is a heart-pounding shark horror film, and what makes it even scarier, it’s inspired by actual events.
The film was penned and helmed by the married duo of Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, who share a passion for diving. The production had a budget of only $130,000 (£95,983).
In 2003, the movie centers around the duo of Daniel Kintner (played by Daniel Travis) and Susan Watkins (portrayed by Blanchard Ryan). They decide to go on a scuba diving adventure aiming to strengthen their bond.
They participate in a group scuba diving trip, but drift apart from the team while submerged, a decision that turns out to be tragically misguided.
The others return to the boat, but due to an incorrect headcount, they depart thinking all members are aboard, inadvertently abandoning Daniel and Susan in the water.
“Open Water” draws inspiration from the real-life incident involving Tom and Eileen Lonergan, which occurred in 1998 when they ventured into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef as part of a diving expedition. Unfortunately, during this trip, they were inadvertently abandoned by their boat’s crew because of a miscounted roll call.
Great White

Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video and Plex
Most shark movies tend to focus on the Great White, and this film from 2021 was no different as it also took the same predator as its subject matter.
Katrina Bowden, Aaron Jakubenko, and Tim Kano star in Great White as they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish situation when their seaplane gets marooned at sea.
As indicated by the title, they’re not alone, since the remaining passengers find out that two Great White sharks are prowling around their life raft.
While it might not revolutionize the genre of shark survival horror, this film boasts impressive acting and heart-pounding scenarios that the characters have to endure. Additionally, several shocking twists add excitement throughout the story.
Jaws

Where to watch: Available to rent via Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store
Whenever you consider shark movies,
Steven Spielberg’s
1975 blockbuster
Jaws
is definitely what comes to mind first.
The Academy Award-winning suspense film that marked his entry into popular culture narrates the tale of a man-eating Great White Shark terrorizing a coastal community in the United States, leading to an increase in sportfishing throughout the country.
Jaws starred Roy Scheider
, featuring actors Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss, was highlighted by the legendary score composed by John Williams. It also became famous for delivering timeless movie quotes such as ‘We’re going to need a larger boat.’
This movie transformed the concept of the summer blockbuster, earning multiple accolades and swiftly claiming the top spot as the highest-grossing film ever released, which led to the production of three follow-up films.
In 2001, the Library of Congress chose it for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
“Dangerous Animals” will be released in UK theaters on June 6th.
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