The fin is officially approaching the shore! Jaws, Steven Spielberg's undisputed masterpiece of oceanic terror, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special theatrical re-release across the UK and US starting August 29, 2025. While we eagerly await the chance to experience Amity Island's dread on the big screen once more, there's a whole ocean of other shark films out there, from genuinely terrifying thrillers to gloriously absurd B-movie gems. To tide you over (or just to get your shark fix), we've cast our net wide to bring you our Top 5 Shark Movies you can stream right now!
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR READERS: Streaming availability can change frequently! We've provided the most up-to-date information at the time of writing, but we always recommend checking your preferred streaming platforms (like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, NOW, Shudder, or ITVX) for current availability before diving in.
The Top 5 Shark Movies to Sink Your Teeth Into:
The Shallows (2016)
Why it's great: A lean, mean, and incredibly intense survival thriller, The Shallows proves that sometimes all you need is a woman, a shark, and a tiny rock. Blake Lively delivers a powerhouse performance as Nancy Adams, a medical student grieving her mother's death who seeks solace surfing a secluded, beautiful Mexican beach. Her peaceful escape turns into a nightmare when she becomes stranded just 200 yards from shore, hunted by a relentless great white shark. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film excels in claustrophobic tension and visual storytelling, making every desperate move and dwindling resource feel agonizingly real. It's a gripping, visceral battle of wits and will against a formidable predator.
UK Streaming: Netflix
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Why it's great: If Jaws taught us fear, Deep Blue Sea taught us that genetically enhanced super-sharks are a recipe for glorious, over-the-top fun. Directed by action maestro Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger), this sci-fi thriller sees a team of scientists in a remote underwater facility pushing the boundaries of genetic engineering, hoping to cure Alzheimer's by enlarging the brains of mako sharks. Naturally, this backfires spectacularly when the now highly intelligent sharks turn the research facility into their personal hunting ground. Featuring a memorable cast including Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, and a scene-stealing Samuel L. Jackson, Deep Blue Sea is an action-packed, often cheesy, but undeniably entertaining ride that embraces its B-movie premise with infectious enthusiasm.
UK Streaming: Netflix
The Reef (2010)
Why it's great: For those who prefer their shark encounters grounded in chilling realism, The Reef is a must-watch. Directed by Andrew Traucki, this Australian survival horror film is loosely based on a true story. It follows a group of friends sailing to Indonesia whose yacht capsizes on a remote coral reef. Faced with the choice of waiting for an unlikely rescue on their upturned vessel or swimming 12 miles to a distant island, they opt for the latter. What ensues is a harrowing open-water journey where they are relentlessly stalked by a great white shark. The film’s power lies in its minimalist approach and its focus on psychological dread, using actual shark footage to enhance the terrifying authenticity of being truly vulnerable in the vast, unforgiving ocean.
UK Streaming: Shudder Amazon Channel (subscription required) or rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video.
47 Meters Down (2017)
Why it's great: Prepare for a double dose of primal fear: claustrophobia and sharks! Directed by Johannes Roberts, this nail-biting survival thriller traps two sisters, Lisa (Mandy Moore) and Kate (Claire Holt), in a shark-viewing cage that plummets to the ocean floor, 47 meters below the surface, during a vacation in Mexico. With their air supply dwindling, communication cut off, and massive great white sharks circling the murky depths, they must find a way to escape before oxygen runs out. The film is incredibly effective at building suspense, using the dark, confined space to amp up the terror and the desperate race against time.
UK Streaming: NOW
The Meg (2018)
Why it's great: Sometimes you just want pure, unadulterated blockbuster spectacle, and The Meg delivers a colossal punch! Directed by Jon Turteltaub, this action-packed monster mash pits rescue diver Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham, in prime form) against a Megalodon – a 75-foot-long prehistoric shark thought to be extinct. When a deep-sea submersible is attacked by the massive creature, stranding its crew at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, Taylor is called in for a daring rescue mission that quickly turns into a battle for survival against an apex predator of unimaginable size. It’s big, loud, and gloriously over-the-top, providing all the giant shark thrills you could ask for without taking itself too seriously. Perfect for some popcorn fun!
UK Streaming: NOW
Bonus Film: Open Water (2003)
If you want a shark film that will truly get under your skin and make you deeply afraid of the ocean, Open Water is it. Directed by Chris Kentis, this chilling independent film is loosely based on the horrifying true story of an American couple accidentally left behind in shark-infested waters during a scuba diving trip in the Great Barrier Reef. Filmed on a tiny budget with real sharks, the movie strips away all Hollywood embellishments, focusing on the raw, visceral helplessness of Daniel and Susan as they drift further from safety. There are no heroes, no fancy monster effects, just agonizing psychological dread and the terrifying realization of their desperate situation. It scared me to my core when I first saw it, and it just might do the same for you!
UK Streaming: ITVX (free with ads) or ITVX Premium (subscription), or rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Conclusion:
While Jaws rightfully remains the undisputed king of shark cinema, these films offer diverse and thrilling ways to experience the terror of the deep. Whether you prefer intense survival, over-the-top action, or mind-bending absurdity, there's a shark movie out there for you to stream right now.
What are YOUR favorite shark movies to stream? Did we miss any essential picks that make your spine tingle? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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