Movies to Watch If You Love Jaws
As someone who grew up watching and re-watching Jaws over and over again, I’ve learned to enjoy movies that give me a similar feeling. I mean, I’ve always loved the ocean and the uncertainty behind it. Did you know that humans have only explored a small part of it? That idea alone makes water-based films so much more interesting to me. Anything could be out there, hidden in the deep, so when I watch movies like that, it brings back the same excitement I felt the first time I watched Jaws.
As you might expect, I have scoured through so many movies and spent so many hours TV streaming to find films similar to Jaws. That’s what I’m here to share with you. I hope you enjoy these movies as much as I did.
The Shallows
The Shallows is probably one of the closer films to Jaws. The story is really simple. There’s this surfer who’s trying to survive after coming face-to-face with a shark. What I found interesting is that it really focused on the little details that people really experience when they’re scared or trying to stay calm. You see her thinking through every move while dealing with pain and trying to keep herself together even when the situation feels impossible.
I believe this movie is still available on most streaming services including Netflix, so if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely worth a watch. It’s the kind of film that keeps you on edge without feeling overblown. I highly recommend it.
The Meg
The first time I watched Meg, I wasn’t expecting much that I thought it would be over-the-top and a little silly. It kind of is, but it’s a part of the fun. The giant shark and all the action make it exciting in a different way than Jaws. This movie is about what happens when we push the limits of science and dive into places we don’t fully understand. In this case, the depths of the ocean where a prehistoric shark has survived for millions of years.
Bait
Bait is one of those shark movies that really surprised me. Instead of taking place in the open ocean, the story happens in a flooded supermarket. Now, typing that made me laugh because how absurd does that sound? But the movie is far from that. Being stuck in a small, enclosed space makes the tension feel immediate because every corner could hide danger and every choice matters.
I also liked how the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously. There are moments of humor that made the film on a different level. I’m not sure if this movie is widely available on most streaming services, but if you can find it, it’s worth it.
Deep Blue Sea
I’ve watched this movie more times than I can count and every time, I notice something new. At first, it’s the sharks and suspense that grabbed me. But the more I watch it, the more I appreciate how the story shows human decisions and their consequences. I mean, the characters are smart, but they make mistakes, and those mistakes drive the tension just as much as the sharks do.
I also like how the setting adds to the feeling of danger because… being stuck in an underwater research facility leaves almost no room to escape. I’m claustrophobic so I was on the edge the whole time watching it. But even then, I really enjoyed the movie because it kept me thinking while keeping me entertained. It’s really a good watch if you’re a Jaws fan.
For Fans Who Can’t Get Enough of Jaws
Jaws set the standard for shark movies, but there’s so much more to explore. These are just my favorite picks when it comes to movies that came close to my love for Jaws. I still think that Jaws is unmatched in the way it builds suspense and makes you feel the ocean as something alive and unpredictable, but these other movies are fun in their own ways. Have fun!