When Jaws emerged in the summer of 1975, it created the shark horror genre as we know it today, spawning countless rip-offs in its wake. Some good. Some bad. Some just plain ugly.
The new Shudder documentary Sharksploitation is a must watch for lovers of this particular trend, and it dives deeper into the phenomenon to explain why we love these types of films.
Endless movies now exist within this “shark exploitation” category – many being talked about this week in honor of Discovery Channel’s 35th annual Shark Week.
Even if most don’t match the magic of Steven Spielberg’s classic, many great shark films exist within the “sharksploitation” subgenre. And some of them even happen to be sequels.
In honor of Shark Week, and Meg 2: The Trench, here are five under-appreciated shark sequels.
Jaws 2 (1978)
Jaws 2 is the most famous and arguably best of all the shark sequels – and a worthy movie sequel overall. It’s scored again by John Williams and in a few moments, the music actually feels superior to its predecessor. Variations on the trademark notes in several scenes sound higher, and happier. This juxtaposition with the setting effectively increases the suspense.
Jaws 2 functions like a better version of an early 2000s slasher with the shark as a villain – mowing down promiscuous teenagers as it makes its way through the water.
It’s no Jaws, but Jaws 2 is still very much worth your time.
The Reef: Stalked (2022)
The first half of The Reef: Stalked surprisingly accomplishes what many of its counterparts cannot, believably building up suspense and tension. The sequel feels closer to The Descent, similarly using grief – a common horror metaphor- as the backstory to a kayaking trip.
The second half doesn’t deliver like the first, but while other similar movies were content to use scantily clad people as a backdrop, this film at least attempts to have more substance.
Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Jaws 3D has found a cult following among horror cinephiles, but the fourth film still seems despised by most. Personally, I have a soft spot for this Michael Caine-starring sequel.
The banana boat scene is fun, I don’t care what anyone says. I’m still afraid to get on one. The opening moment with Chief Brody’s son Sean is also quite effective. Mainly because it’s set at night; with the exception of the classic opening scene in the original, a unique element for the franchise. Sharks at night are always scarier, if you’re asking me.
Plus, the shark roars. What’s not to love?
Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)
The original Deep Blue Sea movie from 1999, about genetically engineered homicidal sharks, has developed a deeper appreciation since its release. A twist ending and some unexpected moments have allowed it to stand on its own. Though part two exists, it’s the third installment – released during the pandemic, in 2020- that also has its own noteworthy spots.
It did something not seen in other shark movies – it made the sharks sympathetic. The villain is, instead, a maniacal mad scientist who tortured and tested on them. The humans do far more damage, and Deep Blue Sea 3 will have you rooting for the shark – which is kind of fun.
Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014)
Jaws catapulted sharks into the horror genre, but Sharknado took things to the next level in 2013. It created a cultural shift, with more fantastical shark movies coming in its wake. But before the franchise went completely off the rails, its early iterations had some effective moments.
Sharknado: The Second One is as outlandish as any of the movies, but it’s the most entertaining. Director Anthony Ferrante is in on the joke – a main component of all the Sharknado movies – and this one doubles down on absurdity and the other recognizable trait of the movies: cameos.
Of all the sequels, it has the highest critic rating after the original. More importantly, it’s the only one to have its own Rifftrax version – one of my favorite ways to enjoy a movie.
The Second One: Rifftrax Edition is currently available to stream for free on Tubi.
Meg 2: The Trench will be released in theaters August 4, 2023.
The post 5 Underrated Shark Sequels You Can Watch During “Shark Week” appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.