If you're a fan of heart-pounding aquatic thrillers like Megalodon (2018), you're in for a treat. This article dives into 10 gripping movies and shows that deliver the same adrenaline rush, monstrous sea creatures, and underwater suspense. Whether you love the terror of the deep or survival against impossible odds, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Jaws (1975)
Description: Pioneered the killer shark genre, focusing on a small town terrorized by a great white shark, with suspenseful storytelling and iconic music.
Fact: The mechanical shark used in the film, named Bruce, frequently malfunctioned, which led Spielberg to imply the shark's presence rather than show it, increasing suspense.


Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Description: Centers around genetically enhanced sharks that turn against their human creators, combining science fiction with intense survival horror.
Fact: The film was notable for its use of animatronics and CGI to create the sharks. It features a famous scene where a character is unexpectedly eaten mid-speech.


Open Water (2003)
Description: A realistic and harrowing tale of a couple stranded in the ocean, surrounded by sharks, based on true events with a documentary-style approach.
Fact: The film was made on a shoestring budget of $500,000 and used real sharks, filmed in open water with minimal safety precautions. It was inspired by the true story of Tom and Eileen Lonergan.


The Reef (2010)
Description: A survival horror film based on true events, following a group stranded in the ocean and hunted by a great white shark, with a focus on realism.
Fact: The film used real shark footage to heighten the sense of danger. It was inspired by the true story of Ray Boundy, who survived a shark attack in


Bait (2012)
Description: A group of people trapped in a flooded supermarket must evade a great white shark, combining survival horror with a unique setting.
Fact: The film was shot in Australia and used a combination of practical effects and CGI for the shark. It was released in 3D to enhance the suspenseful underwater scenes.


Dark Tide (2012)
Description: A thriller about a shark expert leading a dangerous dive to prove her worth, featuring intense underwater sequences and shark encounters.
Fact: Halle Berry trained extensively for her role, including free diving and shark handling. The film was shot in South Africa, using real sharks in some scenes.


Sharknado (2013)
Description: A campy, over-the-top take on shark attacks, featuring sharks being swept onto land by tornadoes, blending disaster and horror genres.
Fact: The film became a cultural phenomenon and spawned several sequels. It was originally intended to be a straight-to-TV movie but gained a cult following.


47 Meters Down (2017)
Description: Focuses on survival horror as two sisters are trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean, with relentless tension and claustrophobic settings.
Fact: The film was shot in the UK and the Dominican Republic, using large water tanks to simulate the ocean depths. It was originally intended for a direct-to-video release but was given a theatrical run due to its strong test screenings.


The Shallows (2016)
Description: A survival thriller about a lone surfer stranded on a rock, hunted by a great white shark, emphasizing isolation and relentless pursuit.
Fact: Blake Lively performed most of her own stunts, including swimming with real sharks (protected by safety divers). The film's shark was created using a mix of CGI and animatronics.


The Meg (2018)
Description: Features a prehistoric giant shark as the main antagonist, blending horror and action with deep-sea exploration themes.
Fact: The movie is based on the 1997 novel 'Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror' by Steve Alten. It was one of the highest-grossing shark movies of all time.
