The Shallows is getting mostly good reviews, so we’ve decided to take a look at shark movies made throughout the years with our own Top 5 Shark Horror Movies.

Even though a new shark horror movie tends to come along every few years, Jaws remains the one shark movie that everyone tends to know. And whether they’ve seen it or not, they all know the theme music from the movie. One of the most iconic scores ever also won John Williams and Academy Award. In fact, Jaws won a total of three Oscars and was nominated for a fourth in the “Best Picture” category. Not bad for a horror movie.

Anyway, without any further ado, here’s our Top 5…

TOP 5 SHARK HORROR MOVIES

This is our pick of the top 5 Shark Horror Movies made – although, it’s fair to mention, that we haven’t seen The Shallows yet, since we’re based in Europe, where the release date is set for August. Good thing we’re going to L.A. soon – where we’ll also be trying The Walking Dead attraction at Universal Studios.

5. Sharknado (2013)
It’s not exactly what you’d call “a great movie”, but it does have a lot of sharks in it. And really, as a campy horror-comedy, it definitely works. That’s probably why people love them so much, that they’ve already made an additional three Sharknado movies after the first one.

4. Open Water (2003)
Now this one is a lot more realistic. Open Water is the “it could happen to you” kind of movie. Sure, it’s less action-packed than other shark horror movies, but it’s a grimm shark thriller.

3. Deep Blue Sea (1999)
The shark is not actually the focus of the movie, but it plays a big part! Unlike the other shark horror movies, the shark also isn’t the villain. People are! In some ways, you could argue that humans are always the villains, since we tend to “start the fight” and the shark merely finished it (and us).

In this case, we basically get the same premise as Jurassic Park; Man tries to control nature, and nature bites back. Very literally in this case.

2. Bait (2012)
This shark movie isn’t that well-known and it’s a real shame. It honestly deserves a much larger audience. Hopefully the success of The Shallows can help bring attention to other shark horror movies like this one. Also, it’s from Australia, so don’t worry, you won’t be “reading this movie”, because it’s in English. Yay!

1. Jaws (1975)
The classic Steven Spielberg movie is still the one to beat! Really, what more is there to say? There can be only one! If you only watch one shark horror movie in your life, then this is the one you watch.

Actually, I know quite a few people, who were so traumatized by watching Jaws, that they never did dare watch another shark horror movie, so it tends to turn out that way.

As an added bonus, here’s a chronological list of shark movies to sink your teeth into – yes, pun very intended:

JAWS (1975)
MAKO: THE JAWS OF DEATH (1976)
¡TINTORERA! (1977)
JAWS 2 (1978)
GREAT WHITE / THE LAST JAWS (1981)
JAWS 3-D (1983)
NIGHT OF THE SHARKS (1988)
DEEP BLUE SEA (1999)
JAWS: THE REVENGE (1987)
CRUEL JAWS (1995)
MEGA SHARK IN 3D (1998)
SHARK / GREAT WHITE (1998)
SHARK ATTACK (1999)
SHARK ATTACK (2000)
SHARK ATTACK 3: MEGALODON (2002)
MEGALODON (2002)
OPEN WATER (2003)
RED WATER (2003)
SHARK ATTACK IN THE MEDITERRANEAN (2004)
12 DAYS OF TERROR (2004)
RAGING SHARKS (2005)
SPRING BREAK SHARK ATTACK (2005)
SHARK SWARM (2008)
SHARK IN VENICE (2008)
MEGA SHARK VS. GIANT OCTOPUS (2009)
MALIBU SHARK ATTACK (2009)
JAWS IN JAPAN (2009)
MEGA SHARK VS. CROCOSAURUS (2010)
THE REEF (2010)
SHARKTOPUS (2010)
DINOSHARK (2010)
SHARK NIGHT 3D (2011)
SUPER SHARK (2011)
SWAMP SHARK (2011)
SAND SHARKS (2012)
JURASSIC SHARK (2012)
BAIT (2012)
DARK TIDE (2012)
GHOST SHARK (2013)
SHARKNADO (2013)
SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE (2014)
MEGA SHARK VS. MECHA SHARK (2014)
SNOW SHARKS / AVALANCHE SHARKS (2014)
SHARKNADO 3: OH HELL NO! (2015)
MEGA SHARK VS. KOLOSSUS (2015)
LAIR OF THE MEGA SHARK (2015)
SHARK LAKE (2013)
SHARKNADO 4: THE 4TH AWAKENS (2016)
THE SHALLOWS (2016)

I usually keep up-to-date with all the horror news, and make sure Heaven of Horror share the best and latest trailers for upcoming horror movies. I love all kinds of horror. My love affair started when I watched 'Poltergeist' alone around the age of 10. I slept like a baby that night and I haven't stopped watching horror movies since. The crazy slasher stuff isn't really for me, but hey, to each their own. I guess I just like to be scared and get jump scares, more than being disgusted and laughing at the grotesque. Also, Korean and Spanish horror movies made within the past 10-15 years are among my absolute favorites.
Nadja "HorrorDiva" Houmoller
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