Summer is in full swing, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. The only way to escape the relentless heat is going for a nice cold swim. That may be a swimming pool or it could be the ocean. However you should always be leery of what’s lurking beneath the surface.
This list is dedicated to summer horror movies that will make you think twice about entering into any body of water.
1. Jaws (1975)
Every summer list includes the classic horror, Jaws. So therefore I have to include it, especially because the 50th anniversary is next week. This may be a bit of a cliche but it’s a classic for a reason. The movie made millions of people scared of the ocean and scared of sharks. I couldn’t even enter a pool without thinking of a giant shark stalking me right below my feet. I can still hear the classic dun-dun theme song anytime I get near water.
Jaws is about chief Martin Brody trying to protect the town of Amity Island from a killer shark. The mayor doesn’t want to close the beach off in fear of losing money for the peak season. Instead Brody gets together with an ichthyologist and ship captain to hunt down the shark before the kill count rises.
2. Under Paris (2024)
Shark movies are a dime a dozen and they usually end up being a huge flop. However, Under Paris surprised shark fans by being halfway decent. It’s not Jaws but it delivers an interesting story while satisfying the need for blood.
Under Paris is a french film centered around the World Triathlon Championship that is going to be held in Paris. But talks of a giant shark lurking in the Seine puts the city at a huge risk. Sophia is determined to save the shark by releasing it back into the ocean but the plan is deadlier then she ever expected.
3. Underwater (2020)
A diversion from shark movies is Underwater. This movie went below horror fans radar and is underrated in my opinion. The movie centers around the absolute horror that is the bottom of the ocean and the creatures that could lurk there.
Underwater is a sci-fi horror that follows a drilling crew working on the ocean floor. When water breaches the walls the only option is to walk to the nearest station. The crew has to brave the dark waters and fight for survival against deep sea creatures.
4. Shark Night (2011)
Another shark movie but this one is more of a guilty pleasure. Shark Night is no masterpiece but is a bloody good time that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The plot isn’t spectacular but I can’t help enjoying the kills.
Shark Night follows a group of teenagers on summer vacation heading to a cabin in the lake. The fun stops there after a friend is badly injured from an apparent boat accident. In the scramble to help them they realize the real danger is a bunch of sharks in the lake.
5. Piranha (1978)
Not exactly a shark movie but close enough. Piranhas can be just as scary especially with thousands of them. The gore is great and the suspense is there so what more could you want?
Piranha takes place during spring break at Lake Victoria. An underground tremor releases a bunch of blood thirsty piranhas that are set to kill everything in sight. A local cop recruits the help of some teenagers in order to save as many lives as possible.
6. Crawl (2019)
An alligator is just as terrifying as a shark in my opinion. Alligators should have more movies than they do, and Lake Placid is another popular one. Crawl is another good time movie that will make you nervous of storms and to evacuate no matter what.
Crawl is about Haley looking for her missing father but when a hurricane hits Florida she refuses to leave. She eventually finds him in her family home but the water rises too quickly bringing in a swarm of alligators.
7. Dangerous Animals (2025)
This shark thriller just hit theaters last week and is gaining quite the popularity. The movie subverts expectations about a traditional shark movie and zeros in on the main characters instead. Despite the turn in the plot I will still be avoiding the ocean in fear of being shark bait.
Dangerous Animals is more focused on a serial killer who uses unsuspecting women as his victims. He uses them as shark bait and films the horrible deaths for his own viewing pleasure. After kidnapping Zephyr, he realizes she is no ordinary victim and she will do anything to survive.