This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labour of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie/series/feature being covered here wouldn't exist.
Meg 2: The Trench releases this week, and that only brings one thing to the mind, Shark movies. This sub-genre is a popular one, and for the past 50+ years there have been a whole host of good, and bad, shark focussed movies. Join us as we discuss some of the must watch Shark movies over the years!
MUST WATCH SHARK MOVIES
DEEP BLUE SEA (1999)
Searching for a cure to Alzheimer's disease, a group of scientists on an isolated research facility become the prey, as a trio of intelligent sharks fight back.
Dir. Renny Harlin
Cst. Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L Jackson
You may think sharks were scary enough, but make them smarter and throw yourself on a sinking research construction then these creatures become a lot more scary. Deep Blue Sea packs a bite throughout it's action packed runtime, expect to see some spectacular shark attacks.
OPEN WATER (2003)
When two scuba divers get stranded out at sea there's is nothing but them and water for miles, but they are unable to see what lurks beneath.
Dir. Chris Kentis
Cst. Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein
Open Water may not be the best film around, but the thought of being stranded in a wasteland, with nothing for miles should strike fear into most, add some sharks into the mix and you've got yourself a terrifying experience.
JAWS (1975)
When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.
Dir. Steven Spielberg
Cst. Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
The most known of all the shark movies, and definitely the highest rated. Spielberg's Jaws uses the air of suspense to build up to the big reveal of the shark that's terrorising this community. A movie that also spawned 3 sequels, but less said about them the better.
THE SHALLOWS (2016)
A mere 200 yards from shore, surfer Nancy is attacked by a great white shark, with her short journey to safety becoming the ultimate contest of wills.
Dir. Jaume Collet-Serra
Cst. Blake Lively
Showcasing that you don't need a big spectacle, The Shallows uses just one actress, isolated a short distance away from safety. This makes for a thrilling encounter between human and shark, a terrifying encounter no one ever wishes to find themselves in.
THE MEG (2018)
A group of scientists exploring the Marianas Trench encounter the largest marine predator that has ever existed - the Megalodon.
Dir. Jon Turteltaub
Cst. Jason Statham, Bingbing Li, Rainn Wilson
Action packed and ridiculous. What more would you expect from a Statham led movie about a prehistoric shark. That said The Meg is great fun, and has all the elements shark movie lovers would come to expect in the genre they love.
SHARKNADO (2013)
When a freak hurricane swamps Los Angeles, nature's deadliest killer rules sea, land, and air as thousands of sharks terrorize the waterlogged populace.
Dir. Anthony C. Ferrante
Cst. Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, John Heard
What would you expect with a title like Sharknado, if you're here for quality, you won't find it but this series (yes series) of movies has gathered a cult following which makes this a must watch in the shark movie sub-genre.
THE REEF (2010)
A great white shark hunts the crew of a capsized sailboat along the Great Barrier Reef.
Dir. Andrew Traucki
Cst. Damian Walshe-Howling, Gyton Grantley, Adrienne Pickering
Your run of the mill shark movie. People in open water, being terrorised with what's beneath them. The Reef is an entertaining for any fan of these movies, but nothing ground breaking for outsiders looking in.
47 METERS DOWN (2017)
Two sisters vacationing in Mexico are trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean. With less than an hour of oxygen left and great white sharks circling nearby, they must fight to survive.
Dir. Johannes Roberts
Cst. Mandy Moore, Claire Holt, Matthew Modine
47 Meters Down is a little different to the rest, with the emphasis not being on the sharks, but add them on top of the deep water and claustrophobic feeling this movie brings, then you've got a pretty entertaining viewing experience.