Sharks are the ultimate buzzkillers during a carefree time on boats. They attack without warning. Every time you see these sharp-toothed monsters on screen, along with the people struggling to survive, it sends chills down your spine. We’ve put together a list of 7 must-watch shark movies, including some new hits and a couple of classic favorites.
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The Black Demon
IMDb: 3.6/10
2023, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
USA, Mexico, R
Director: Adrian Grunberg
Top cast: Omar Chaparro, Bolivar Sanchez, Carlos Solórzano
Paul Sturges, along with his wife and two children, travels to a picturesque coastal town. He has a task to complete for the oil company he works for, and at the same time, his family can enjoy a vacation in this paradise. What could go wrong with this perfect plan? A giant monster that destroys people. The sea monster mainly targets those involved in oil extraction. According to legend, this is the Black Demon—the last megalodon shark—protecting nature from the harmful effects of humans. Paul’s task just got harder. The megalodon is believed to have been the largest marine predator that ever existed. It could reach a length of 15 meters (49 feet) and weigh almost 50 tons. This “little fish” could swallow a whale whole. Although these sharks are now extinct, legends about the Black Demon still survive to this day.
Soul Surfer
IMDb: 5.6/10
2011, Biography, Drama, Family, Sport
USA, PG
Director: Sean McNamara
Top cast: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt
Bethany has loved surfing since she was a child. However, at the age of 13, she was attacked by a shark off Kauai’s north coast, taking her arm and bringing her close to death. Bethany’s strong will helped her move past the tragedy. Now, she’s surfing again. Soul Surfer is inspired by Bethany Hamilton’s 2004 autobiography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Return to the Board. The filmmakers also interviewed her family to uncover unpublished details of her story. The shark attack scene was filmed on the same beach where Hamilton was actually attacked.
Mako
IMDb: 3.6/10
2021, Adventure, Thriller
Egypt, Unrated
Director: Mohamed Hesham El-Rashidy
Top cast: Murat Yildirim, Nicolas Mouawad, Basma
Documentary filmmaker Rana wants to create a real blockbuster and believes she has found the perfect story. Many years ago, due to poor visibility and stormy weather, the passenger ferry Salem Express sank in the Red Sea. The ship went down in just 20 minutes, taking the lives of 500 passengers with it. Since then, this area has gained a dark reputation among Egyptians. Many divers have tried to explore the part of the sea where the Salem Express sank, but none have made it back to the surface. Rana, her husband Sherif, and a few friends dive to the bottom with the best equipment, feeling prepared for anything. But the coral reef where the ferry sank is guarded by the fastest and most bloodthirsty sharks in the world—mako sharks. Egypt is also known for unfortunate encounters between tourists and underwater predators. Director Mohamed Hesham El-Rashidi didn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, he created a simple but thrilling survival story.
Shark Bait
IMDb: 4.4/10
2021, Horror, Thriller
UK, TV-MA
Director: James Nunn
Top cast: Holly Earl, Jack Trueman, Catherine Hannay
The party is in full swing. Friends are enjoying dancing before their final exams. The next day, after the party, they find two jet skis at the pier, take them, and head out into the open sea. But the fun doesn’t last long—far from shore, they get into an accident. However, their injuries soon prove to be the least of their worries. An enormous shark, drawn by the scent of blood, is heading straight for them.
Big Shark
IMDb: 6.4/10
2023, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller
USA, Unrated
Director: Tommy Wiseau
Top cast: Isaiah LaBorde, Tommy Wiseau, Erica Mary Gillheeney
Three firefighter friends share both living and working spaces. One day, they save a child, and now they are honored as New Orleans heroes. During a day out on the water, one of the friends claims to have seen a huge shark. Unfortunately, no one believes him since sharks aren’t found in the Mississippi River. However, soon the local news begins reporting on attacks by a massive sea predator. To save the city from the monster, the friends set out to find it.
The Requin
IMDb: 2.6/10
2022, Horror, Thriller
USA, R
Director: Le-Van Kiet
Top cast: Alicia Silverstone, James Tupper, Deirdre O’Connell
At the heart of the story in The Requin are Kyle and Jaelyn, who have recently gone through the tragic loss of their newborn child. To recover from the tragedy, the couple decides to spend time at a romantic seaside spot in Vietnam. But their time in the blue ocean waters is cut short. Suddenly, a terrifying storm hits, sweeping away their home and leaving them stranded in the middle of the sea. With no help in sight and Kyle injured, things go from bad to worse as bloodthirsty sharks begin to close in on them. To survive, Kyle and Jaelyn must summon all their courage and willpower. The title The Requin refers to the grey sharks, incredibly fast predators that are among the top five shark species most frequently attacking humans.
Kon-Tiki
IMDb: 5.6/10
2012, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, PG-13
Director: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
Top cast: Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo, Gustaf Skarsgård
The story of Kon-Tiki is a story many of us first encountered in school during geography class. It’s the tale of the renowned explorer Thor Heyerdahl, who embarked on an epic journey in 1947, crossing the Pacific Ocean on the Kon-Tiki raft. The expedition faced giant whales, hungry sharks, fierce storms, and relentless winds as they battled for survival in the open ocean. The adventurers had to draw on immense strength and determination to ensure each day wasn’t their last. This incredible journey would forever change the lives of those who dared to take part. The movie was shot in various locations, including the Maldives, Malta, Norway, the USA, Bulgaria, and Thailand. Kon-Tiki was filmed in both English and Norwegian simultaneously.
