It’s shark week and I always love watching these fierce creatures. And I also have a thing for shark movies, I don’t care if they are bad or not. It’s always a fun and entertaining time for me. With “Jaws” still being the best shark movie that we have, I decided to create a list of good shark movies that came out after “Jaws”.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
In this disaster movie, scientists mess with the brains of sharks and soon the animals are smarter than most people. Director Renny Harlin can provide old-fashioned solid action like no other. “Deep Blue Sea” has a great guest role for Samuel L. Jackson, who provided us with one of the biggest jump scares (which also was a bit hilarious). It’s one of the better shark movies since “Jaws”
Shark Tale (2004)
Yes, even kids can watch a shark movie, since this is a animated family film. Oscar is a fish who works at a ‘whale wash’. He’s thinking of getting higher up and along the way he meets some sharks, led by godfather Don Lino. His son Lenny turns out to the an introvert shark, an a vegetarian to top it off. This was Dreamwork’s answer to Disney’s “Finding Nemo”, but they didn’t succeed. “Shark Tale” is filled with references and jokes and it’s a fun family film. But don’t expect depth (no pun intended)
The Reef (2010)
For three British backpackers their dream seems to come true; they spend a week at the most beautiful coral reef in the world with their own yacht. However, when their boat turns over and they are left to their fate on the tilted yacht, this dream turns into a real nightmare. When they decide to swim for the shore, they realize a shark is waiting for them. It’s not the most eventful film on this list, since it only becomes exciting towards the end. But still a pretty fun watch.
Open Water (2014)
Seventy divers jump into the water, sixty-eight return and hour later. No complicated calculations for the diving instructor, but in a moment of confusion a small miscalculation follows and two divers are left behind. Susan and Daniel. While among them the normally harmless fish become more curious, despair takes hold of them. Especially when among those fish are also sharks. A movie without fuss or special effects and very low-budget. But this film plays with the feeling of what if it would happen to you.
The Shallows (2016)
Nancy goes surfing on a secret, remote spot in Mexico after her mothers death. When she is attacked by a shark, she manages to swim to a rock and climb onto it. She finds safety there for a while, when it’s low tide. But the water is rising and her time is running out. I find this the best shark movie since “Jaws”, even though some things are a bit improbable. It’s a really good film.
47 Meters Down (2017)
Two sisters decide to go cage diving, to watch sharks during a tropical holiday. When the cable breaks and the cage descends to 47 meters, the horror begins for the girls. It is pretty fun to watch.
The Meg (2018)
When a submarine is attacked by a huge creature previously considered extinct, the submarine lies helplessly at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. When time begins to run out, expert deep-sea diver Jonas Taylor is recruited by a visionary Chinese oceanographer. The meg from the title refers to a megalodon, a prehistorical shark, being many times bigger then a great white shark. Don’t take this film too seriously and you will have an awesome time. This film is highly entertaining and so much fun. Especially during those hot summer months.
Bad shark movies, but a lot of fun
Jaws 4: The Revenge (1987)
“Jaws” spawned three sequels, with the last one being the absolute worst. And “Jaws 4: The Revenge” is all sorts of bad. Because it was actually made with the intention of being a serious shark movie. And because this film takes itself way too serious, makes it such a bad movie. Just look at the synopsis alone: Ellen Brody (wife of chief Brody from film 1) is now widowed. When her son is killed by a shark, she suspects that the shark hates her whole family. She flees to the Bahamas, where her other son works as a marine biologist and the shark follows her (!). The end of this film is one of the most ridiculous sequences in the history of cinema. The only credit I can give them is for managing to get Michael Caine. I would really want to know his opinion now, haha. This is one of those movies, that is unintentionally hilarious.
Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus (2009)
Lorenzo Lamas, who we know as the tough, long-haired biker from the TV-series “Renegade’, is a scientist who has to compete against the prehistoric creatures from the title. The best scenes contains a shark jumping from the water to snatch a plane from the sky. Yes, that happens. This is so bad, but I love these hilarious monster movies. And there is also “Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus”, “Mega vs. Mecha Shark” and “Mega Shark vs. Kolossus”. Too bad, but great if you’re in for some laughs.
Shark Night 3D (2011)
If you watch shark week, you might know that sharks sometimes trade the ocean for a river. But no one expects them in a lake. Behold the set-up for “Shark Night 3D”. It’s actually a slasher film, focusing on a group of American youngsters partying, who are seriously harassed by all kinds of sharks in a freshwater lake. This film some poor effects, but it’s the best of the worst.
Sharknado (2013)
They decided to combine shark attacks, major floods and raging tornadoes for this insane shark movie. Sharks are striking inland thanks to propelling water and/ or wind. “Sharknado” sheds light on this rare phenomenon. It’s really terrible and it even brought us 5 (!) sequels, but you should really see it.
