If you’re a fan of action-packed monster movies like The Meg, then you’re in for a treat. This genre is filled with thrilling adventures and jaw-dropping creatures that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Here are 14 movies that capture the same excitement and intensity.
1. Jaws
Jaws is a classic that started it all. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this 1975 film features a massive great white shark terrorizing a small beach town. Starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss, it’s a must-watch for any monster movie enthusiast.
2. Deep Blue Sea
Deep Blue Sea brings intelligent sharks into the mix. This 1999 film, starring Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, and Samuel L. Jackson, follows a group of researchers who must survive against genetically engineered sharks in an underwater facility.
3. The Shallows
The Shallows is a more intimate and suspenseful shark thriller. Released in 2016, it stars Blake Lively as a surfer who gets stranded 200 yards from shore and must use her wits to survive against a great white shark.
4. 47 Meters Down
47 Meters Down takes the terror underwater. This 2017 film stars Mandy Moore and Claire Holt as two sisters trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean, fighting for their lives against circling sharks.
5. The Reef
The Reef is based on a true story and amps up the realism. This 2010 Australian film follows a group of friends whose boat capsizes, leaving them to swim to safety while being stalked by a great white shark.
6. Open Water
Open Water is another film inspired by true events. Released in 2003, it tells the harrowing tale of a couple left behind during a scuba diving trip, facing the open sea and the lurking dangers beneath. Starring Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis, it’s a gripping survival story.
7. The Abyss
The Abyss combines science fiction with underwater thrills. Directed by James Cameron and released in 1989, it stars Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as part of a deep-sea drilling team encountering mysterious and potentially hostile underwater entities.
8. Piranha 3D
Piranha 3D offers a campy, fun take on aquatic horror. This 2010 remake features a spring break gone wrong when prehistoric piranhas are released into a lake. Starring Elisabeth Shue, Jerry O’Connell, and Ving Rhames, it’s a gory and entertaining ride.
9. Lake Placid
Lake Placid brings the terror to freshwater. Released in 1999, this film stars Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, and Oliver Platt as they confront a giant, man-eating crocodile in a seemingly peaceful lake.
10. Crawl
Crawl combines natural disaster with creature feature. This 2019 film stars Kaya Scodelario as a woman trapped in a flooding house during a hurricane, facing off against deadly alligators. The tension is relentless and keeps you hooked till the end.
11. Anaconda
Anaconda takes you deep into the Amazon. This 1997 adventure horror film stars Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight as they encounter a giant, deadly snake while on a documentary expedition. It’s a thrilling jungle escapade.
12. Rogue
Rogue is another film featuring a monstrous crocodile. Released in 2007, it stars Radha Mitchell and Michael Vartan as tourists who must survive against a giant crocodile in the Australian outback. The suspense and setting make it a standout.
13. Sharknado
Sharknado is a cult favorite for its absurdity and fun. This 2013 film stars Ian Ziering and Tara Reid as they battle a tornado filled with sharks. It’s over-the-top and ridiculous, but that’s what makes it so entertaining.
14. Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim offers a different kind of monster action. Directed by Guillermo del Toro and released in 2013, it stars Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, and Rinko Kikuchi as pilots of giant robots fighting colossal sea creatures known as Kaiju. It’s a visually stunning and action-packed film.
These movies are perfect for anyone who loves the thrill of The Meg and wants more high-stakes, creature-filled adventures. Grab some popcorn and get ready for a wild ride!