These 10 shark movies you must watch right after Jaws

Steven Spielberg's Jaws did more than revolutionize cinema. It inspired a whole genre of shark thrillers that still enthrall and frighten audiences even decades on. The dark, foreboding score, the unseen monster, and the very suspense recast horror and made seaside vacations seem a little bit more sinister. But what do you watch after the credits end on Jaws, and you're still hungry for aquatic thrills? Fortunately, the shark film wave didn't end with Amity Island. Ever since then, directors have tried their hand at survival horror, psychological suspense, ridiculous action, and even science fiction reimaginings to keep our terror of finned menaces alive.

This list goes deep into 10 shark films you have to see after Jaws, each one doing something different, ranging from adrenaline-pumping survival stories to giant monster chaos. Whether you're in the mood for claustrophobic fright, open-ocean horror, or B-movie genius, these movies have you covered. Some play it real, some play it ridiculous, but all are joined by a single primal fear: what lurks beneath the surface. So, if Jaws left you questioning the ocean, these sequel flicks will have you questioning every ripple. Let's dive into the deep end.

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These 10 shark movies you must watch right after Jaws

1. The Shallows (2016)

Blake Lively's intense solo turn in The Shallows plunged shark horror into serious waters again. Stranded only 200 yards from the shore, her character must deal with a relentless great white in a gripping survival thriller. Unlike most shark gore fests, this movie relies on suspense, strategic moves, and inner strength to get people on the edge of their seats. The breathtaking cinematography and close-up framing amplify the suffocating peril. It recently gained renewed popularity on streaming sites as part of collections focusing on sharks and is frequently lauded for its emotional undertone. While Jaws got you scared of the sea, The Shallows will get you scared of even the most tranquil waves.

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2. Deep Blue Sea (1999)

Deep Blue Sea ratchets up the shark film genre with genetically engineered makos and an agreeably preposterous premise. When scientists test sharks to discover a cure for Alzheimer's disease, the sharks mutate into super-smart killing machines. The movie became a cult favorite for its surprise fatalities (RIP Samuel L. Jackson) and hook-first thrills. In recent times, it's been reassessed as a visionary for blending science fiction and horror. The franchise even gave rise to two sequels, but the first stands alone in combining B-movie camp with blockbuster entertainment. It's gaudy, unpredictable, and ideal for post-Jaws marathoning.

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3. 47 Meters Down (2017)

This psychological shark thriller pushes claustrophobia to frightening new extremes. Two sisters are stuck in a shark cage 47 meters below the surface with low oxygen and swimming great whites. What gives 47 Meters Down an edge is its attention to anxiety, poor visibility, and near-realistic underwater tension. The shocking twist ending was much talked about, and the popularity of the film generated a 2019 sequel (Uncaged). Its bare-bones milieu eschews spectacle for sheer raw panic and survival reflexes. Recently streaming on Netflix, it has gained new devotees and sparked renewed arguments regarding realism vs. fright in shark horror films.

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4. Open Water (2003)

Based on a heart-stopping real-life incident, Open Water abandons special effects for hard-hitting reality. A couple is inadvertently left behind on a scuba excursion, alone in open water with sharks creeping up on them. Filmed with real sharks and spartan methods, its documentary feel is what makes it so unforgettable. Open Water made waves at Sundance and even drew comparisons to the Blair Witch Project on water. As shark thrillers grew increasingly CGI-heavy, Open Water gained renewed praise for its grounded terror. The haunting ending lingers long after the credits. If Jaws rattled your nerves, this one will stay in your head for days.

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5. The Meg (2018)

Jason Statham against a 75-foot ancient shark, what's not to adore? The Meg added a high-bucks, cheeky attitude to the shark franchise, raking in more than $500 million at the box office globally. It made the megalodon cool again, pairing fast-paced destruction with stylish underwater action. Even with mixed critical reactions, its popcorn-movie appeal made it a summer hit and caused deep-sea legends to fascinate. With its multicultural cast and international backdrop, it also garnered worldwide attention. It's not Jaws, but it doesn't pretend to be; it's a spectacle in its most entertaining form. Meg 2: The Trench came along in 2023, keeping the series alive and deeper than ever.

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6. Bait (2012)

What occurs when a tsunami inundates a supermarket and leaves shoppers pinned inside with a great white? Bait takes one of the most outlandish premises in the history of shark flicks and makes it work with surprising suspense. A horror-thriller disguised as a disaster movie, it combines inventive kills with suffocating tension. Its Australian origins provide it with an unmistakable twang. Though it didn't break box office waves, it earned a dedicated cult following after its streaming release. Amidst an era of meme-worthy shark films, Bait strikes a pleasant balance between absurd and disturbing, re-emerging on Prime Video to a curious new crowd.

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7. Shark Night (2011)

Shark Night is a campy, graphic, slasher-type shark movie that exchanges oceanic quality for lake-bound surprises. College students on a getaway to a desolate lake get attacked by different types of sharks, yes, in freshwater. The twist: it's all part of an evil human-operated snuff operation. Critics trashed it at first but gained new love from fans who love creature features with a campy kick. Its over-the-top reasoning, and a crazed assortment of sharks make it stand out. Newly re-assessed for its zany appeal, Shark Night is a guilty pleasure waiting to fill the need for some campy post-Jaws entertainment.

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8. The Reef (2010)

This Aussie classic doesn't require elaborate special effects to scare. It's built on atmosphere, quietness, and actual shark footage. Drawing from fact, The Reef is about a group whose vessel sinks, leaving them to tread through waters filled with sharks to find the shore. It's a master class in cultivating fear, featuring realistic performances and unsettling loneliness. Recently re-done in 2022 (The Reef: Stalked), the original remains one of the most realistic depictions of shark threat ever. It's a slow build with a chilling payoff, perfect for enthusiasts who enjoyed the existential horror woven into Jaws.

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9. Meg 2: The Trench (2023)

Louder, wackier, and more profound, Meg 2: The Trench amplifies the former's absurdity to new heights. Jason Statham is back, this time fighting not only megalodons but also other prehistoric sea creatures. Though it tips more into science fiction, the sequel holds up in terms of visual effects and continues to probe the Mariana Trench as a fearful unknown. It includes better underwater camerawork and some surprisingly dark scenes. While highly polarizing, it unabashedly accepted its role as a mega-monster franchise film and thrived at the box office once more. If Jaws titillated your terror, Meg 2 makes it monstrous, ecstatically unbridled.

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10. Great White (2021)

Great White updates the stranded survivor trope with contemporary looks and a tight, low-key style. A seaplane crash strands five individuals on a raft as a great white waits in an ambush nearby. It doesn't break any new ground, but its area of strength is its atmospheric tension and scenic Australian landscapes. It was acclaimed for practical effects and a lack of excessive CGI. While there were mixed reviews, horror shark enthusiasts appreciated it as a tight, suspenseful survival story. It's now even more widely available for streaming, attracting new viewers to its creepily understated menace. It's Jaws for a less rambunctious, more low-key thriller atmosphere.

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Jaws might have raised the bar, but these 10 shark films demonstrate that there is still more bite in the franchise. From psychological horror to outright monster mayhem, every one of these films represents a different color of fear that lurks beneath the surface. Be it a silent predator, a genetically engineered monster, or a prehistoric killer, the sea never fails to frighten. These tales keep building with tighter images, braver storytelling, and surprising suspense. So, if you're prepared to keep your shark frenzy going, these post-Jaws movies are your ideal next dive into deep, treacherous seas.