Deep Blue Sea

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Deep Blue Sea

R

Released Jul 28, 1999

1h 45m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

117 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

On an island research facility, Dr. Susan McAlester (Saffron Burrows) is harvesting the brain tissue of DNA-altered sharks as a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease. When the facility's backers send an executive (Samuel L. Jackson) to investigate the experiments, a routine procedure goes awry and a shark starts attacking the researchers. Now, with sharks outnumbering their human captors, McAlester and her team must figure out a way to stop them from escaping to the ocean and breeding.

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Critics Consensus

Deep Blue Sea is no Jaws, but action fans seeking some toothy action can certainly do -- and almost certainly have done -- far worse for B-movie thrills.

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Paul Clinton (CNN.com)

CNN.com

If you like big summer action flicks with plenty of bite, check this one out. Then go out for a big sushi dinner. It'll make you feel better.

Jan 11, 2019

Full Review

David Denby

The New Yorker

Scary, absurd, inessential.

Jan 11, 2019

Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

The characters are sufficiently naive to get picked off one by one, but their ignorance doesn't extend to the genre conventions governing their behavior, making for some shockingly funny moments.

Jan 11, 2019

Full Review

Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

It's a spin that had a fair amount of potential, but ultimately leaves you a little disappointed that they didn't fully tap into how suspenseful, wild, and over-the-top it could've been.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 17, 2025

Full Review

Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

Renny Harlin effectively combines Die Hard-style action with sharks.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 28, 2024

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Now considered a favorite cult film.

Rated: B-

Aug 4, 2023

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moviefan2023

great action movie, classic for shark lovers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

Full Review

Professor X

If you are a fan of both Sharks and movies, then Deep Blue Sea is a must watch. When it comes to Shark Movies it is only topped by Jaws (OBVIOUSLY). The Shark action is great, and the Mako Sharks look great. However there is one problem, the Tiger Shark in this movie looks like a mako with tiger stripes. I could barely even tell it was a Tiger Shark. Regardless this movie is great and underrated. A solid 9/10. “First, we're going to seal off this…” -Russell Franklin

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

Conor D

Brilliant film. Incredible story. Great cast. Ahead of its time. Some of the CGI doesn't hold up today but it's 1999 and it's incredible for them. One of my favourite all time films.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1.75 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language and Graphic Shark Attacks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $73,600,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

Full Review

Cpry R

This film is second only to JAWS. This is a great Shark attack film, very fun, and surprising plot twists supported by an all star cast!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

Full Review

Mary S.

My second favorite shark movie after JAWS of course.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

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Renny Harlin

Director

Thomas Jane

Carter Blake

Saffron Burrows

Dr. Susan McCallister

Samuel L. Jackson

Russell Franklin

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Synopsis

On an island research facility, Dr. Susan McAlester (Saffron Burrows) is harvesting the brain tissue of DNA-altered sharks as a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease. When the facility's backers send an executive (Samuel L. Jackson) to investigate the experiments, a routine procedure goes awry and a shark starts attacking the researchers. Now, with sharks outnumbering their human captors, McAlester and her team must figure out a way to stop them from escaping to the ocean and breeding.

Director: Renny Harlin
Producer: Akiva Goldsman, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche
Screenwriter: Donna Powers, Wayne Powers, Duncan Kennedy
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Village Roadshow Prod.
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Shark Attacks)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 28, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $73.6M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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