If you're looking for a dive into shark-themed movies on Netflix, you're in for a thrill. The popular streaming platform boasts a wide range of them. You'll find some of the best shark movies on Netflix, from funny to gory or constantly jaw-gripping.
You can then watch all the best shark movies on Netflix and anything else their US region library offers. That said, let's check out the list of the best shark movies here;
- Jaws (1975)
- Jaws 2 (1978)
- The Meg (2018)
- The Shallows (2016)
- 47 Meters Down (2017)
- Open Water (2003)
- Deep Blue Sea (1999)
- Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014)
- Open Water 3: Cage Dive (2017)
- 47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019)
- Shark Tale (2004)
- Great White (2021)
- Seal Team (2021)
- Sharkdog (2021)
- Shark Bait (2022)
From the depths of the Marianas Trench to the shallows of a secluded beach, Netflix's collection of shark movies offers a wide range of narratives that explore the mystery and menace of these magnificent creatures. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be enthralled by the best shark movies available on Netflix.
We've rounded up a list of must-watch films that will take you through fear, survival, and the awe-inspiring power of nature's most formidable predators.
1. Jaws (1975)
- IMDB Score: 8.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
- Genre: Thriller and Adventure
- Actors: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
- Director: Steven Spielberg
The classic shark movie that pioneered it all, Jaws, is based on the 1974 novel by Peter Benchley. This thriller movie is about a great white shark that terrorizes beachgoers in the New England beach town of Amity Island.
It comes down to the responsible local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an experienced shark hunter to ward off the shark and keep the people safe.
The film follows the same basic plot as the book. But it adds some new elements, such as police chief Martin Brody's wife and son being at risk of being eaten by the shark, which isn't in Benchley's novel (though it is in the sequel).
What makes Jaws so memorable is not just its scary story or great acting but also its special effects. We take special effects for granted today because we see them in every movie. But back then, they were still relatively new and exciting to viewers.
Watch Jaws on Netflix
2. Jaws 2 (1978)
- IMDB Score: 5.8
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 61%
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, and Adventure
- Actors: Roy Scheider, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton
- Director: Jeanot Szwarc
In this sequel to Jaws, Roy Scheider reprises his role as Police Chief Martin Brody. A new hotel brings in more people to Amity waters. Another great white shark terrorizes the waters by killing scuba divers. A series of disappearances confirmed Chief Brody’s fear as he now has to battle another terrifying monster at sea.
When Jaws 2 hit theaters in June of 1978, it quickly became one of the highest-grossing films of all time. But despite its success as a box office hit and critical darling, many fans consider it to be inferior to its predecessor.
Watch Jaws 2 on Netflix
3. The Meg (2018)
- IMDB Score: 5.6
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%
- Genre: Action, Horror, and Science Fiction
- Actors: Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson
- Director: John Turteltaub
Fancy the handsome British actor Jason Statham flexing his muscles while battling a megalodon shark in this loosely adapted version of the 1997 book named Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror by Steve Alten?
In this popular shark movie, he was sent to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to rescue some researchers. Together with the marine researchers, they must remain highly alert to outwit the giant terror.
Warner Bros. Pictures released the Meg in the United States on August 10th, 2018. It received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $373 million worldwide against its $150 million production budget. Not quite as successful as most of the other top-billed shark movies on Netflix, but still a decent show.
Watch The Meg on Netflix
4. The Shallows (2016)
- IMDB Score: 6.3
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
- Genre: Action, Drama, and Horror
- Actors: Blake Lively
- Director: Anthony Jawinski
A medical student, Nancy Adams, reminisces about her mother, who recently passed away at a secluded beach in Mexico. As she surfs back to the beach, she is knocked off her board by a great white shark that bit her leg. Nancy struggles with the waves to reach the shore, her biggest obstacle being the shark, preventing her from getting to safety.
The movie is as intense as it comes when it showcases the relentless pursuit of the great white shark that pushes Nancy beyond her limits. She must find her way to ride the waves and face the shark.
Watch The Shallows on Netflix
5. 47 Meters Down (2017)
- IMDB Score: 5.6
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53%
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, and Horror
- Actors: Mandy Moore, Claire Holt
- Director: Johannes Roberts
Two sisters enjoying a vacation in Mexico decided to venture into the sea to enjoy shark viewing from a diving cage. Accidents happen. When their cable snaps, the sisters find themselves trapped at the bottom of the ocean with hungry sharks.
To call 47 Meters Down a shark movie is like calling Jaws an ocean movie. Sure, the shark plays a part in the story, but it's not the film's main focus. There are only two scenes with the titular marine predator; even those are more of an afterthought than anything else.
47 Meters Down premiered at Regal South Beach Stadium 18 in Miami on June 28, 2017, and was theatrically released on July 6, 2017. The film received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $44 million worldwide against its $5 million budget.
Watch 47 Meters Down on Netflix
6. Open Water (2003)
- IMDB Score: 5.8
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, and Horror
- Actors: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein
- Director: Chris Kentis
Based on a true story, Daniel Kintner and Susan Watkins decided to salvage their relationship by going on a scuba-diving expedition. Due to a miscount, the tour boat leaves, believing everyone returned and was onboard.
Soon, both Daniel and Susan found themselves stranded miles away from shore in shark-infested waters, leading to a massive turn of events in their lives. They must figure out how to survive in the open ocean for several days before being rescued.
Open Water is a low-budget film that cost $150,000 to make. It was filmed entirely in Belize, Central America.
Watch Open Water on Netflix
7. Deep Blue Sea (1999)
- IMDB Score: 5.9
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 59%
- Genre: Action, Adventure, and Science Fiction
- Actors: Thomas Jane, Samuel L. Jackson, Saffron Burrows
- Director: Renny Harlin
Ready for some sky-high and intense action? Deep Blue Sea is about a group of scientists that gather to pursue research on finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. They need the brain tissue of a DNA-altered shark.
Unfortunately, little did they realize that they have become the prey for the genetically altered shark that showcases high intelligence. The team must now survive this mega creature.
This shark film was released in the United States on July 31, 1999, and received mixed reviews from critics but was a box office success. It grossed $78 million domestically and $90 million internationally for a total gross of $168 million, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 1999 worldwide.
Watch Deep Blue Sea on Netflix
8. Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014)
- IMDB Score: 4.0
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 59%
- Genre: Action, Comedy
- Actors: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Vivica A. Fox, Mark McGrath, Kari Wuhrer
- Director: Anthony C. Ferrante
This one is a real whirlwind of action, comedy, and over-the-top shark-infested mayhem. Sharknado 2: The Second One, opens with Fin Shepard (Ian Ziering) and his ex-wife April Wexler (Tara Reid) heading to New York City to promote April's book about their survival of the Los Angeles sharknado.
However, their flight quickly turns into a nightmare as they encounter a sharknado in the skies, foreshadowing the chaos that is about to engulf the city. Upon landing, Fin realizes that a massive storm system is converging on New York, bringing multiple sharknados along.
Determined to save the city, Fin sets out to do the impossible again.
Watch Sharknado 2: The Second One on Netflix
9. Open Water 3: Cage Dive (2017)
- IMDB Score: 4.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 25%
- Genre: Horror, Drama
- Actors: Joel Hogan, Josh Potthoff, Megan Peta Hill
- Director: Gerald Rascionato
This gripping, found-footage-style horror film revolves around three friends' adventurous and ill-fated journey. Open Water 3: Cage Dive begins with Jeff, Megan, and Josh embarking on a journey to Australia. They aim to audition for an extreme reality show.
Their adventure quickly becomes a nightmare as they decide to go cage diving in a shark-infested area. A freak wave hits during their dive, capsizing their boat and leaving them floating in the open ocean. A harrowing tale of survival follows as they try to fend off the deadly predators.
The film is shot in a documentary style, adding to the realism and intensity of the experience. The friends, equipped with GoPro cameras, capture their initial excitement and the horror unfolding in the ocean. This perspective immerses the audience directly into the action, making the sense of danger and desperation more palpable.
Watch Open Water 3: Cage Dive on Netflix
10. 47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019)
- IMDB Score: 5.0
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, and Horror
- Actors: Sophie Nélisse, Corinne Foxx, Brianne Tju
- Director: Johannes Roberts
A standalone sequel to 47 Meters Down, this installment tells the story of Mia and her stepsister Sasha who moved to a new place. Feeling out of place, they found themselves doing the unthinkable, exploring an underwater Mayan city, only to broach the territory of a group of hungry and deadly sharks in the claustrophobic submerged caves.
Watch 47 Meters Down: Uncaged on Netflix
11. Shark Tale (2004)
- IMDB Score: 6.0
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 35%
- Genre: Animation, Comedy, and Adventure
- Actors: Will Smith, Robert DeNiro, Angelina Jolie, Renée Zellweger, Jack Black,
- Director: Bibo Bergeron, Vicky Jenson, Rob Letterman
If you’re tired of being hunted and battling off a great white, check out this highly acclaimed comedy. Featuring a star-studded cast, this animated movie was nominated for an Academy Award. The comedy revolves around an underachieving little fish named Oscar.
Life for him goes awry when he claims that he killed Frankie, who happens to be the son of a shark mob boss. All in the name of glory, Oscar's dishonesty, unfortunately, carried him to even darker waters while trying to keep up the facade.
Watch Shark Tale on Netflix
12. Great White (2021)
- IMDB Score: 4.2
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 43%
- Genre: Horror and Thriller
- Actors: Katrina Bowden, Aaron Jakubenko, Kimie Tsukakoshi
- Director: Martin Wilson
Set against a picturesque backdrop, the film follows the harrowing journey of a seaplane tour group. The group comprises Charlie, a seaplane pilot, his girlfriend Kaz, and their passengers Joji, Michelle, and Benny. Their adventure turns into a fight for survival when they decide to investigate a distress flare off a remote Australian island.
Upon reaching the site, they make a grisly discovery and soon realize they're in shark-infested waters. The situation rapidly escalates when their seaplane is destroyed, stranding the group miles from shore. However, they are not alone. A great white shark is lurking beneath the surface.
The film expertly builds tension as the group battles the shark, their fears, and the unforgiving elements. The dynamics among the characters add depth to the narrative, highlighting themes of survival, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of the sea.
Watch Great White on Netflix
13. Seal Team (2021)
- IMDB Score: 5.5
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: Not Available
- Genre: Animation and Comedy
- Actors: JK Simmons, Dolph Lundgren, Sharlto Copley
- Director: Greig Cameron, Kane Croudace
If you require a good family movie with the young, watch this South African animated action-comedy movie, Seal Team. Quinn, the fearless seal, puts together a squad of misfit recruits to fight off a group of ruthless sharks to reclaim their freedom in the open sea. It is good for laughter too!
Watch Seal Team on Netflix
14. Sharkdog
- IMDB Score: 6.3
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
- Genre: Animation and Comedy
- Actors: Liam Mitchell, Dee Bradley Baker, Kari Wahlgren
- Creator: Jacinth Tan
Sharkdog is a little unusual in this list of best shark movies on Netflix. Not only is it a cartoon (your kids will love it!), but it also runs as a series. Watch as Sharkdog and his little human Max get into all sorts of trouble in their adventures. Is it a shark, or is it a dog? You can decide after watching this series!
Watch Sharkdog on Netflix
15. Shark Bait (2022)
- IMDB Score: 4.4
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 30%
- Genre: Mystery & Thriller
- Actors: Holly Earl, Jack Trueman, Catherine Hannay, Malachi Pullar-Latchman, Thomas Flynn
- Director: James Nunn
The story unfolds with a group of spring breakers who, after a night of revelry on the beaches of Mexico, impulsively steal a couple of jet skis and race out to sea. This reckless decision leads to a terrifying accident, stranding them miles from shore in shark-infested waters.
Shark Bait heightens in tension as the group, including a badly bleeding friend, scrambles to figure out how to survive the predatory sharks circling below. The narrative is engaging and full of suspense, capturing the essence of a shark horror film.
Watch Shark Bait on Netflix
How to Watch Any Shark Movie on Netflix with a VPN
Netflix is an excellent service but tends to lock movies for specific reasons due to licensing rights. If any shark movies on this list don't appear on your Netflix, try using a VPN and connecting to a US server before loading the streaming site.
Using a VPN to change regions and access more Netflix locations is easy. You can do it in a few simple steps;
- Sign up for NordVPN (Head to the NordVPN website)
- Download the app for your device and install it
- Launch the app and sign in with your username and password
- Select a server location (preferably in the US)
- Launch your browser and open Netflix
VPN Recommendation for Shark Movies on Netflix
I prefer NordVPN since it's given me the best all-around experience. However, if you intend to use the VPN only for streaming movies, then Surfshark offers excellent value for money. See my list of Best Netflix VPNs to check out other options.
How We Recommend The Best Shark Movies On Netflix
Our recommendations for the best shark movies on Netflix are based on critical reviews, audience ratings, and genre-specific criteria. These elements help us identify the most gripping and well-produced shark-themed films.
Viewer feedback is invaluable as it reflects the movies' general appeal and entertainment value. We look for films that have captivated audiences, evoking a sense of fear, excitement, and awe, which are quintessential elements of a great shark movie.
Most importantly, our selection focuses on the genre-specific elements that make shark movies uniquely thrilling. This includes evaluating the intensity of the shark encounters, the quality of the special effects, the creativity of the plot, and the effectiveness of the suspense and tension-building throughout the film.
Conclusion
So, here you go with a list of movies that will surely bring you to bouts of screaming and suspense, well, most of them. Prime your couch, don your comfortable pajamas, and cradle your cuddly cushion while digging into a bucket of chips as you binge on shark movies on Netflix this weekend.
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