Summary
Under Paris, Netflix’s new shark movie directed by Xavier Gens, combines the classic elements of the creature feature genre with contemporary environmental themes. The thriller follows Sophia, who, after losing her partner and crew to a shark attack, learns that the same shark, Lilith, is terrorizing the Seine River. Since its release,Under Parishas drawn comparisons toJaws,Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic, becoming one of Netflix’s most popular new releases. With its mixed reviews, however,it seems more fitting to compare the movie to more campy shark filmsthat combine an outlandish premise with cheap thrills.
Overall, thekiller shark moviesub-genre is largely hit-and-miss. No one anticipates a summer shark movie to be a groundbreaking cinematic achievement, butmany embrace the inherent absurdity of the genre and offer a fun spectacle. The best shark movies likeUnder Parissuccessfully bring a sense of novelty to the genre, introducing sharks to unusual places or using other inventive narrative techniques to elevate their premise. As the original, genre-defining movie,Jawsis decidedly not on this list, but many others stand out among this film genre.
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The Shallows
Cast
The Shallows follows Nancy Adams, a young surfer who’s attacked by a great white shark after getting stranded 200 yards from the shore while surfing alone at a secluded beach in Mexico. Blake Lively stars in the 2016 survival thriller, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra,The Shallowsfeatures Blake Lively as Nancy, a medical student who finds herself stranded on a small rock just 200 yards from shore, with a great white shark patrolling the waters between her and safety. The movie received positive reviews from critics, who praised Lively’s compelling performance and the film’s intense, tightly-wound narrative. With its focus on survival and the primal fear of the unknown lurking just beneath the surface,The Shallowsoffers a more personal and claustrophobic twist on the typical shark attack story.
What sets it apart is its combination of stunning cinematography, strong character development, and relentless suspense. Unlike many shark movies that rely heavily on over-the-top action or CGI,The Shallowsmaintains a grounded, realistic approach, heightening the tension and making Nancy’s struggle feel visceral and immediate. The film’s innovative use of its limited setting and the protagonist’s resourcefulness create a gripping survival story that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
2The Reef (2010)
A Group Of Friends' Are Stalked By A Great White Shark After Their Yacht Capsizes In The Open Ocean
The Reeffollows Luke, who leads a group of friends on a sailing trip that turns into a nightmare when their yacht capsizes. The group decides to swim to a distant island for safety, only to find themselves stalked by a great white shark. Directed by Andrew Traucki,The Reefreceived positive critical reception for its realistic portrayal of shark behaviorand its ability to build tension through its naturalistic style and intense performances.
Its strength lies in its commitment to realism and the psychological terror it instills. Unlike many shark movies that rely on exaggerated special effects,The Reefuses real shark footage, which heightens the authenticity and fear factor. The film’s minimalist approach, focusing on the vulnerability of its characters and the vast, unforgiving ocean, creates a sense of claustrophobic dread despite the open setting. This palpable sense of danger makesThe Reefa standout entry that delivers a fresh and harrowing experience.
3Open Water (2003)
A Couple Fights To Survive Against Circling Sharks After A Diving Mishap
Setting the benchmark for low-budget killer shark movies,Open Waterdemonstrated that cinematic excellence doesn’t always need CGI or elaborate effects. It follows a couple, Susan and Daniel, who are accidentally left behind in the ocean during a scuba diving trip. As they float helplessly in open water, they face the growing terror of dehydration, exposure, and circling sharks.Open Waterwas based on a true storyof Tom and Eileen Lonergan.It captivates audiences with its raw authenticity, particularly in its portrayal of the stranded couple’s encounters with sharks, meticulously crafted to be lifelike and accurate.
Despite its meager $120,000 budget, the film soared to critical and commercial success, raking in $55 million at the box office. Directed by Chris Kentis,Open Waterreceived positive critical reception for its raw and realistic portrayal of a terrifying situation, with particular praise for the performances of Ryan and Travis.Kentis opted for a vérité approach, eschewing grandiose effects for naturalistic settings and real shark encounters, imbuing the narrative with a palpable sense of dread. The simplicity of the plot, combined with the harrowing realism of the couple’s predicament, keeps viewers on edge throughout the film.
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Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is widely seen as the best shark film ever-made, but similar movies like 47 Meters Down and The Meg are also worth a watch.
The Meg
The sci-fi action movie The Meg follows a group of scientists who encounter a living Megalodon while exploring the Mariana Trench. The cast includes Jason Statham as Jonas Taylor, Li Bingbing as Suyin, and Rainn Wilson as Jack Morris.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub and starring Jason Statham,The Megblends thrilling action and larger-than-life spectacle. The film follows deep-sea rescue diver Jonas Taylor (Statham) as he is called upon to save a team of scientists trapped in a submersible at the bottom of the ocean. However, as they navigate the depths, they encounter a massive prehistoric shark known as the Megalodon.What setsThe Megapart is its sheer scale and ambition.
Turteltaub’s direction gives the film a brisk pace, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as they witness jaw-dropping action sequences and heart-pounding encounters with the colossal creature.With its blend of humor, suspense, and awe-inspiring spectacle,The Megoffers a fresh and exciting take on the shark movie genre.It successfully brings to life the awe-inspiring enormity of the Megalodon and pits it against modern technology, a team of daring adventurers, and of course, Statham’s charismatic heroism.
Jaws 3-D
Directed by Joe Alves, Jaws 3-D is a special 3D variant film of Jaws III that allowed people to witness the carnage with special 3D glasses. The 1983 Action and Thriller release sees a mother Great White Shark rampaging through the SeaWorld of Orlando, Florida..
Jaws 3-Dis a notable entry in the shark movie genre for its pioneering use of 3D technology and its ability to provide thrilling entertainment. The film stars Dennis Quaid and follows a group of people trapped in a sea park when a colossal great white shark terrorizes the facility.It was the firstJawsmovie to come out of the ocean and place a shark in another environment, in a sense playing off theJurassic Parkpremise. While critical reception was mixed,Jaws 3-Dremains a memorable installment in the iconic Jaws franchise.
What sets it apart is its ambitious attempt to bring the terror of the shark to life in three-dimensional space, immersing audiences in the action like never before.The director Joe Alves skillfully utilizes 3D technology to enhance the tension and create immersive shark attack sequencesthat keep viewers on the edge of their seats.Jaws 3-Doffers a unique and entertaining experience for fans of the genre, showcasing the potential of 3D filmmaking in delivering heart-pounding excitement.
Sharknado
Sharknado is a disaster movie produced by The Asylum. Starring Tara Reid, Ian Ziering, and John Heard, the 2013 film revolves around a tornado that picks up thousands of sharks and threatens Los Angeles with massive destruction. Its unexpected success spawned a various sequels and spinoffs.
Sharknadois hailed as one of the most bizarre shark movies of all time.The film garnered a cult following and sparked a franchise known for its over-the-top shark-related disasters. Despite its intentionally ludicrous premise of sharks being swept up into tornadoes and wreaking havoc on land,Sharknadomanages to maintain a level of sincerity that prevents it from descending into complete self-parody. This delicate balance between embracing the absurdity of its concept while still taking the plot somewhat seriously contributes to the film’s enduring appeal.
Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante and starring Ian Ziering,Sharknado’s success lies in its ability to deliver effective thrills alongside its comedic elements. While it features some of the most outrageously absurd moments in killer shark movie history, such as the infamous scene where the protagonist leaps into a shark’s mouth with a chainsaw,the film never loses sight of its primary goal: to entertain. Ferrante’s direction ensures that the action sequences are suitably intense and that the shark-related mayhem is both outrageous and entertaining.
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7Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014)
Airborne Sharks Wreak Havoc Across New York City
Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante and featuring Ian Ziering reprising his role as the heroic bar owner,Sharknado 2delivers a gloriously over-the-top sequel that solidifies the franchise’s reputation as theGodfatherof outlandish shark movies. The film follows the protagonist and his friends as they face another onslaught of airborne sharks wreaking havoc across New York City. Despite the inherent challenge of following up the original’s unexpected success,Sharknado 2manages to inject fresh energy into the franchise, keeping the meat-eorological madness feeling delightfully outrageous.
With a strong supporting cast including Tara Reid and Richard Kind, the movie strikes a balance between embracing its ludicrous premise and maintaining a level of sincerity that sets it apart fromlaterSharknadomovies. From the jaw-dropping opening sequence featuring a passenger plane colliding with a sharknado to the adrenaline-fueled climax atop the Empire State Building,Sharknado 2fires on all cylinders, delivering non-stop thrills and outrageous spectacle. Packed with nods toJawsand featuring trademark celebrity cameos,the film revels in its own absurdity while still delivering the high-octane entertainmentfans have come to expect.
8Shark in Venice (2008)
Deadly Sharks Infiltrate The Treacherous Canals Of Venice
Shark In Venice is perhaps the most similar toUnder Parisplacing sharks in the Seine. The film stars Stephen Baldwin as the lead protagonist, David Franks, who embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind his father’s mysterious disappearance in Venice. Along the way, Franks finds himself entangled in a web of danger, facing not only the threat of deadly sharks lurking in the city’s labyrinthine canals but also the sinister forces conspiring to keep secrets hidden. Despite mixed critical reception,Shark In Venicedelivers effective thrills and suspense.
In the realm of shark movies,Shark In Veniceoffers a novel twist by setting its narrative amid the iconic backdrop of Venice’s historic canals. It distinguishes itself with its atmospheric setting and unconventional plot. LikeNetflix’sUnder Paris,this film also explores the tension between humanity and nature in the midst of a shark-infested crisis within a city. WhileShark In Venicemay not be a masterpiece of the genre, its blend of mystery, action, and aquatic terror provides an entertaining diversion for fans of shark movies seeking something a little out of the ordinary.
The Reef: Stalkedserves as a worthy successor to its predecessor, delivering a compelling blend of tension and terror. Released as a standalone sequel to the 2010 featureThe Reef, the film centers on a group of kayaking friends who find themselves stalked by a great white shark. Utilizing real shark footage and an unseen threat,The Reef: Stalkedeffectively builds a terrifyingly tense atmospherethat leaves viewers gripped with fear. While the film’s low budget may limit its ability to deliver spectacular set pieces, it compensates with oppressive suspense and a steady stream of jump scares.
The movie’s solid critical reception further solidifies its status among shark movies.Critics have praisedThe Reef: Stalkedfor its ability to deliver genuine scares despite its modest budget. By focusing on the primal fear of being hunted by a relentless predator,The Reef: Stalkedadds a new dimension to the shark movie genre and demonstrates Traucki’s skill as a director at a crafting suspenseful and thrilling cinematic experience.
Deep Blue Sea
A sci-fi action horror film released in 1999, Deep Blue Sea follows a group of scientists trapped in the ocean deep within a research facility as several massive genetically altered sharks begin to wreak havoc. Despite the researcher’s best intentions, the scientific experiments conducted in this facility have grown hyper-intelligent and incredibly strong, making them apex predators the likes that have never been seen.
Deep Blue Seahas a strange premise: genetically engineered smart sharks aiming to cure Alzheimer’s disease. Yet the film, directed by Renny Harlin, manages to captivate audiences through its gripping action, likable characters, and memorable set pieces. Set aboard a deep sea research facility,Deep Blue Seafollows a diverse group of scientists, survivalists, and chefs as they face off against deadly predators.The film’s ability to blend elements of science fiction with intense shark attackscreates a uniquely exciting experience.
While it received mixed critical reception upon its release, its success lies in its ability to provide great action sequences and popcorn thrills.The film is perhaps best remembered for one of the most iconic movie deaths of all time, featuring Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Russell Franklin, in a shocking and unexpected demise. This scene, along with the film’s relentless tension and heart-pounding suspense, solidifiesDeep Blue Seaas a standout entry in the shark movie genre.
