10 Must-Watch Shark Movies Similar to Dangerous Animals

Following the gripping documentary “Dangerous Animals“, there are several shark-themed movies that are worth a watch in 2025. One such film is the thriller titled “Untitled Sean Byrne Project”, directed by Sean Byrne, famous for “The Loved Ones”. This movie, set in Queensland, Australia, revolves around an American surfer named Zephyr (Hassie Harrison) who finds herself kidnapped by a serial killer named Tucker (Jai Courtney, known for “Suicide Squad”). Tucker has a chilling habit of feeding his victims to sharks. The movie’s cast is small, with only a few key characters besides Zephyr. These include her love interest Moses (Josh Heuston), Tucker’s former victim Heather (Ella Newton), and Tucker’s dockmate Dave (Rob Carlton). As Zephyr struggles to escape, these characters play significant roles in the plot.

2025’s “Dangerous Animals” falls into a well-established category of thrillers featuring killer sharks, a trend within aquatic horror films that also includes attacks from monstrous creatures like those in “Leviathan” and “Underwater”, or whales as seen in “Orca: The Killer Whale”. Fish such as the ones in the “Piranha” series are also part of this genre. However, sharks are by far the most common sea creatures to star in these types of movies. Therefore, if you enjoy “Dangerous Animals”, there’s no shortage of similar films to watch afterward, many of which share more than just their antagonists’ species with Jai Courtney’s thriller.

10. 47 Meters Down (2017)

Directed By Johannes Roberts

The thrilling movie “47 Meters Down” could be paired for a suspenseful double bill with “Dangerous Animals”, as both movies revolve around encounters with dangerous sharks, albeit in different ways. While “47 Meters Down” primarily includes one nail-biting sequence within a shark cage due to the protagonist’s hidden malevolent intentions, the 2017 film directed by Johannes Roberts, hailing from the “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” team, is largely set in a cage. The story follows sisters Kate (Claire Holt) and Lisa (Mandy Moore) as they find themselves trapped in an underwater cage with limited air supply and surrounded by sharks.

9. Shark Night (2011)

Directed By David R. Ellis

In “Shark Night,” a change from the breezy beach vibe of “Aquamarine,” actress Sara Paxton stars. The story unfolds as a group of friends enjoy their lakeside getaway, only for it to turn into a nightmarish scene of carnage when they realize the water is teeming with ravenous sharks. This movie shares a thematic link with “Dangerous Animals,” as the sharks serve as secondary villains. Although they present the greatest physical threat, their presence in the lake originates from a group of enthusiasts who wanted to capture the gruesome deaths of multiple victims, reminiscent of the character Tucker in the recent film, who are fans of “Shark Week.

8. Under Paris (2024)

Directed By Xavier Gens

In the 2024 French film, Under Paris, there are numerous shocking attacks by sharks, a twist on the traditional killer shark narrative. Similar to the movie Dangerous Animals, this film introduces an intriguing element as sharks have infiltrated the Seine river during preparations for a triathlon and may potentially target other significant water bodies worldwide. Reminiscent of the 2025 movie, the main character, portrayed by Bérénice Bejo from The Artist, grapples with her own painful past while battling against the sharks to survive.

7. Tintorera: Killer Shark (1977)

Directed By René Cardona Jr.

Similar to the film “Dangerous Animals”, which boasts characters from Australia, America, England, and Canada, the movie “Tintorera” is a significant global production. Although it takes place in Mexico and is based on a novel by renowned Mexican oceanographer Ramón Bravo, this thrilling shark adventure is a joint Mexican-British production. The film stars British actresses Susan George (“The House Where Evil Dwells”, “Straw Dogs”) and Fiona Lewis (“Dr. Phibes Rises Again”, “The Fury”, “Strange Behavior”, 1974’s “Dracula”) in prominent roles, alongside Mexican actors Hugo Stiglitz (“Night of a Thousand Cats”) and Andrés García (“The Bermuda Triangle”).

6. The Reef (2010)

Directed By Andrew Traucki

Despite being filmed in Indonesia, “The Reef” is an Australian movie akin to “Dangerous Animals.” This is because it’s also a co-production between Australia and the United States. The film stars Australian actors such as Damian Walshe-Howling from “Underbelly” and Gyton Grantley, and shares the intense horror sensibility common in Australian movies that focus on the perils of nature, similar to films like 1984’s “Razorback,” 2007’s “Black Water,” 2017’s “Boar,” and “Dangerous Animals” itself.

5. Deep Blue Sea (1999)

Directed By Renny Harlin

In simpler terms, the impressive lineup of actors in the movie “Deep Blue Sea,” such as Samuel L. Jackson, Thomas Jane, LL Cool J, and Stellan Skarsgård, makes it an enjoyable watch on its own merit. The film, which centers around an underwater research facility besieged by exceptionally intelligent sharks, shares some characteristics with the movie “Dangerous Animals.” For instance, it combines the killer shark genre with another genre (the action genre in this case), and incorporates a carefully selected soundtrack that includes LL Cool J’s original song “Deepest Bluest” along with tracks by various artists like Smokeman, Hi-C, Divine, Bass Odyssey, Simone Starks, and Amyth.

4. Open Water (2003)

Directed By Chris Kentis

2003’s “Open Water” might be even more gripping than “Dangerous Animals,” as it is inspired by a true event involving a couple who became stranded on the Great Barrier Reef during a scuba diving trip, unlike Zephyr and Moses from another story. The main narrative of “Open Water,” which heavily revolves around the relationship between its protagonists, shares some similarities with “Dangerous Animals.” However, while “Dangerous Animals” seems to include more traditional romantic elements, “Open Water” offers a unique blend of survival and character dynamics that might remind you of it.

3. The Shallows (2016)

Directed By Jaume Collet-Serra

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but express my excitement for the gripping cinematic journey that is “The Shallows,” directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, who has previously impressed us with his work on “Carry-On” and “Orphan.” This film masterfully combines the director’s knack for action thrillers and horror, creating a uniquely taut cinematic experience. Similar to “Dangerous Animals,” this movie boasts a compact cast and an isolated setting, both of which intensify the suspense significantly. In this instance, the primary character is Nancy Adams, skillfully portrayed by Blake Lively, who finds herself stranded on a rock near the shore, embroiled in a life-or-death struggle with a vicious shark. My only companion during this harrowing ordeal? A lone seagull.

2. Bait (2012)

Directed By Kimble Rendall

The film titled “Bait,” or “Bait 3D” as another name, shares numerous links with “Dangerous Animals.” It’s an Australian-Singaporean co-production, featuring popular Australian actors like Sharni Vinson (from “You’re Next”) and Xavier Samuel (who previously worked with “Dangerous Animals” director Sean Byrne in the horror movie “The Loved Ones”). The movie combines the genre of shark movies with another strong subgenre, the disaster movie. A catastrophic tsunami traps its main characters inside a flooded supermarket that happens to house a great white shark as well.

1. Jaws (1975)

Directed By Steven Spielberg

The 1975 film titled “Jaws,” directed by Steven Spielberg and adapted from Peter Benchley’s novel, is one of the most legendary movies ever made. Not only did it give birth to a series that now has four parts, but it’s also often acknowledged as the pioneer of the summer blockbuster. The film, which garnered four Oscar nominations and won three, was also a significant influence on the creation of “Dangerous Animals,” as confirmed by director Shaun Byrne in this exclusive quote exclusively provided to ScreenRant:

The film “Dangerous Animals” drew inspiration from the most iconic shark movie ever made, Jaws. Similar to Jaws, it focuses heavily on character development. It was filmed on the open sea to create an authentic feeling of peril that a tank can’t mimic. While there are multiple sharks in the movie, it capitalizes on the nail-biting tension created by the subtle sight of a fin gliding then swiftly diving beneath the water, leaving both the victim and viewers on edge, anticipating the imminent attack.

It’s clear that the “Jaws” films, especially the original, played a significant role in creating the killer shark genre. So, it makes perfect sense to follow up “Dangerous Animals” with something similar, as it would be for any movie within this genre or aquatic horror movies, which saw a surge of popularity thanks to the collective box office success of the four “Jaws” films, amounting to approximately $800 million without accounting for inflation.

2025-06-07 18:38