Sharks have become a staple of horror films over the last 50 years, and there are dozens of movies that feature these deadly predators. But which films are the best? With the release of ‘Meg 2: The Trench’ just around the corner, we look at the top 5 shark films as ranked by IMDb.
5. Open Water (2003) – Score: 5.8
This low-budget indie film follows a couple who are accidentally left behind by their scuba diving group. They’re soon surrounded by sharks, and must use all their wits to survive. The movie is based on a true story and was shot on location in shark-infested waters.
4. Jaws 2 (1978) – Score: 5.8
While not as good as the original, ‘Jaws 2’ is still a solid shark movie in its own right. It once again follows Roy Scheider’s police chief as he battles another great white that’s menacing a group of teenagers that includes his two sons. The film has plenty of tense moments with iconic kills and, if you see it before you see the first, you will wonder why people look down on it.
3. Deep Blue Sea (1999) – Score: 5.9
Renny Harlin’s big budget chompfest put the shark film back on the map. The story follows a group of scientists who are conducting experiments on genetically modified mako sharks. As they try to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, the sharks become hyper-intelligent and turn on their human captors in their floating research lab. The suspenseful thriller is an intense ride, with unsubtle winks towards the ‘Jaws’ franchise.
2. The Shallows (2016) – Score: 6.3
Blake Lively stars in this suspenseful thriller about a surfer who becomes stranded on a rock just a few hundred yards from shore. As she tries to find a way back to safety, she’s stalked by a massive great white shark. The film is tense and manages to be claustrophobic even though it’s set in an open environment. Lively gives a standout performance as the determined protagonist in this survival thriller.
1. Jaws (1975) – Score: 8.1
There is only one contender for first position. The grandfather of all shark films, ‘Jaws’, is the movie that started it all. It follows a police chief (Roy Scheider), an oceanographer (Richard Dreyfuss), and a shark hunter (Robert Shaw) as they try to track down and kill a massive great white that’s terrorizing a beach community. Spielberg’s film is a masterpiece of suspense and has some of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.
So there you have it – the top 5 killer shark movies according to IMDb. Whether you’re a fan of suspense, horror, or just sharks in general, these movies will keep you on the edge of your seat. From the terrifying true story of ‘Open Water’ to the iconic ‘Jaws’ franchise, there’s something for every shark movie enthusiast. So grab some popcorn and get ready to be thrilled and scared by these top-rated films!
‘Meg 2: The Trench’ is released on 4th August. Do you think it can make the list and what are your favourite shark films? Comment below.
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