Buzz
On June 20th, 1975, 'Jaws' made its mark on the world, forever changing the landscape of cinema. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film pulled viewers from their seats into the treacherous depths of the ocean, creating a gripping experience like no other. It sparked widespread fear of sharks and transformed Hollywood, introducing the world to the concept of the blockbuster film. This list honors that legacy by diving into the best and worst shark movies across different categories.
10. Best Special Effects: Deep Blue Sea
It’s no surprise that the most expensive movie on this list also boasts the most impressive special effects. Under the direction of Renny Harlin, the mako sharks looked strikingly real, thanks to a seamless blend of animatronics and CGI. Their proportions were realistic, their movements natural, and their rubbery skin looked just right. The action scenes, including the lab's flooding (which might make any claustrophobic squirm) and shark encounters, were intense and diverse, avoiding cliches and maintaining excitement. 'Deep Blue Sea' was an unexpected hit, standing strong as the second best shark film ever made.
Fun Fact: Mako sharks are one of the few species known to exhibit embryophagy, where the strongest embryo consumes its siblings inside the womb. This form of cannibalism ensures that the dominant embryo gets the necessary nutrition before birth. Pretty intense, right?
9. Worst Special Effects: Jaws 3-D
The idea of 3-D sounded promising, right? Well, 'Jaws 3-D' quickly proved that theory wrong. This film tried to resurrect the iconic shark story, but instead of breathing new life into it, it simply beat the dead shark even further. The once terrifying beast was reduced to cheap, uninspired shots, leaving the impression that little thought went into its design. The shark looked more like a floating submarine than a menacing predator, losing all sense of realism. With too many repeated shots of the shark’s mouth opening and closing, splashes of red water, and stiff, robotic movements, the film relied far too heavily on the gimmick of 3-D, which only tarnished the legacy of 'Jaws.' This movie ended up insulting both audiences and sharks alike.
Honorable Mention: Megalodon. Nearly the entire film is CGI, and it fails to deliver any noteworthy special effects worth mentioning.
8. Best Plot: 12 Days of Terror
Admittedly, this might be bending the rules a bit, but hear me out. '12 Days of Terror,' a docudrama aired by the Discovery Channel, dramatizes the true events that took place along the New Jersey shore in 1916. For twelve harrowing days, a man-eating shark terrorized the waters, killing four swimmers and injuring a fifth. The story made national headlines by the third week, captivating audiences with the chilling nature of the events. The mystery surrounding the species of the killer shark—which was never scientifically verified—adds a layer of suspense to this real-life horror. The plot is simple, grounded in reality, and packs a chilling sense of mystery.
Interesting Fact: Before this incident, such an event was unimaginable. The attack sparked widespread fear of sharks, turning them into symbols of menace and leading to full-scale hunting expeditions. This terrifying event also served as the inspiration for Peter Benchley’s novel, *Jaws*.
7. Worst Plot *Raging Sharks*
In this bizarre tale, two alien spaceships collide, causing a generator from one of the ships to fall into the Bermuda Triangle. The generator, powered by space crystals, has an unsettling effect on the sharks, awakening their savage instincts and driving them into a frenzy. The sharks then attack an underwater lab, cutting off power and oxygen. A team of Navy specialists is sent in to rescue the trapped survivors, only to find that a covert black-ops team has their own sinister mission inside the lab.
Did you get lost when aliens were brought into the story? *Raging Sharks* offers a convoluted, cheesy, and predictable plot that quickly descends into absurdity.
Honorable Mention: *Blood Surf* – A group of extreme sports enthusiasts, seeking the next big thrill, intentionally injure themselves before surfing in shark-infested waters, hoping to lure the deadly creatures closer. However, they soon realize the true predator lurking beneath the waves is a man-eating crocodile. Instead of sharks, the audience gets a reptilian menace. Major disappointment, dude.
6. Best Shark Sequel *Jaws 2*
*Jaws 2* may not have matched the tension and thrills of its predecessor, but when stacked against other shark-themed sequels, it stands out as the best. Directed by Jeannot Szwarc, the film brings back Martin Brody, the protagonist from the original, to once again face the deadly waters of Amity Island. With blood, brutal deaths, and plenty of shark action, it doesn’t quite meet the high expectations set by the first film, but it still delivers a moderately satisfying, albeit average, thrill.
Interesting Fact: If you ever find yourself face-to-face with a shark, here’s what you need to do. Avoid panicking and flailing—swim smoothly and steadily instead. Keep the shark in your sight and appear ready to defend yourself (sharks tend to avoid prey that looks capable of fighting back). Staying calm is key—fear will make you appear vulnerable, which could prove fatal. And should it come to an attack, fight back fiercely. Use any nearby object and target the shark’s eyes or gills.
5. Worst Shark Sequel *Jaws 4: The Revenge*
*Jaws 4: The Revenge* stands out as the worst shark sequel for three main reasons. The first revolves around the film’s central theme of “revenge.” Ellen Brody, now widowed, is convinced that a great white shark holds a personal vendetta against her family. She’s so sure of this that she leaves Amity Island for the Bahamas, only to find that the shark has followed her. But hold on—didn’t the shark meet its end in the first, second, and third movies? So, what exactly is this shark’s supposed grudge with the Brody family?
The second major flaw is the absurdly anticlimactic finale. Ellen, aboard a boat, is preparing for her showdown with the shark. As it swims toward her, she experiences a flashback to the iconic scene from the original film when her husband bravely shot the tank in the shark’s mouth to save the day. Oddly, she recalls this scene vividly, even though she wasn’t there at the time. The real kicker, however, comes when the *Jaws 4* shark leaps out of the water, only to be harpooned and then inexplicably explodes—no gas tank, no explosives, no wiring. The shark just blows up because it was stabbed.
The final reason this movie fails so spectacularly lies in one glaring detail: the shark roars. Not just any roar, but a T-Rex-like growl, even though sharks have no vocal cords. It’s a simple fact that was ignored, but it’s hard to overlook. This film was a disaster from start to finish, capping off the *Jaws* series with an embarrassing and utterly absurd conclusion.
Honorable Mention: *Shark Attack 2* – The sharks in this movie growl like lions. And that’s all there is to say about that.
4. Most Likely to Happen *Open Water*
In this chilling scenario, a couple on a scuba diving excursion is forgotten during a headcount, leaving them stranded far out in the ocean. With no land in sight, they realize they’re not alone. The waters are teeming with jellyfish and sharks. As they struggle to survive, their options dwindle, and they must fight to stay alive in the unforgiving, vast expanse of open water.
Scuba diving operators are extremely cautious, ensuring that all precautions are taken to avoid incidents like the one mentioned above. However, becoming stranded in open water is not entirely unheard of, and some believe this film is inspired by the true story of Tom and Eileen Longergan, who disappeared while diving in the Great Barrier Reef under similar circumstances. Among all shark-related films, this scenario has the highest likelihood of happening, unless aliens begin dropping crystals in the Bermuda Triangle or sharks randomly explode.
Did You Know: Tiger and bull sharks are considered two of the deadliest predators. These sharks are known for their indiscriminate feeding habits, hunting along the shores and near the surface. Additionally, both species have a natural curiosity about anything that moves.
3. The Worst Shark Attack 3 – Megalodon
Imagine taking everything that made Jaws great and flipping it on its head; that’s Shark Attack 3 in a nutshell. The acting is terrible, with unmemorable characters. The special effects are sloppy, offering more laughable moments than terrifying ones. The plot feels tired and overly familiar, offering nothing fresh or exciting. By the end of the film, you'll be left wondering why it was even made.
Honorable Mention: Sharks in Venice. Picture Snakes on a Plane, but with sharks and set in Venice instead.
2. Greatest Jaws
What other shark film made you sit on the edge of your seat, anxiously raising your feet off the floor? Which movie left you uneasy enough to fear stepping into the shower? What film completely transformed the way audiences experienced shark stories? Jaws is and will always be the greatest shark tale ever told. This masterpiece had it all: the cast was multi-dimensional, the special effects groundbreaking, the story unique, and it was a perfect blend of terror, emotion, excitement, and revelation. No other shark movie has achieved what Jaws did since its release.
Did You Know: The famous mechanical shark from Jaws was named Bruce, after Steven Spielberg’s lawyer. It was also humorously dubbed the Great White Turd and Flaws, due to the frequent breakdowns. Bruce now resides in museums, while a second version, Bruce II, is part of the Universal Studios backlot tram tour.
1. Least Likely to Happen Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus
In a time long ago, a colossal battle between a megalodon and a giant octopus rages on, freezing them both in time. They remain encased in ice until the modern day when global warming melts their prison, releasing them back into the waters. The two ancient monsters wreak havoc across the globe, attacking bridges, oil platforms, and even jets. In a desperate bid to stop the chaos, scientists decide to settle the conflict by forcing them to battle each other in an ultimate showdown.
Debunking this movie is easy: sharks tend to retreat from fights when their opponent shows signs of being able to defend itself, and octopuses avoid conflict altogether by blending into their surroundings. Sorry, but a battle of this scale is not something we'd see in reality.
Honorable Mention: Hammerhead – a desperate scientist inserts hammerhead shark DNA into his son to save his life after a cancer diagnosis. The DNA transforms him into a terrifying creature that attacks—honestly, the premise speaks for itself.
