Shark Horror Movie Deep Blue Sea Becomes Streaming Hit on Starz

Everyone knows Jaws is a classic, incredibly popular horror film. However, Deep Blue Sea, which came out in 1999, is now the most-watched shark movie online. Though opinions were divided when it first came out, many now consider it one of the best shark horror films ever made.

According to FlixPatrol, Deep Blue Sea is currently the ninth most popular movie on Starz in the U.S. While it received mixed reviews when it came out, the science fiction horror film was a financial success, earning $165 million globally on a budget of $60–82 million. Now, nearly 30 years later, Deep Blue Sea is widely considered a classic of its genre.

What Is Deep Blue Sea About?

The story follows a team working at an underwater research center, studying shortfin mako sharks. When one of the sharks breaks free, it creates a dangerous situation. This prompts executive Russell Franklin to arrive and examine the work of researchers Susan and Jim. Helping with the investigation is Carter Blake, an expert in handling sharks.

Susan and Jim’s team is researching a cure for Alzheimer’s, inspired by the fact that sharks’ brains don’t decline as they age. To aid their work, they’ve genetically modified sharks to grow larger brains. The movie Deep Blue Sea, which sparked a series of films, also showcased a famous cast.

The movie Deep Blue Sea features Thomas Jane as Carter Blake, a shark expert. Saffron Burrows plays Dr. Susan McCallister, and Stellan Skarsgård is Dr. Jim Whitlock. Samuel L. Jackson appears as Russell Franklin, the executive sent to check on the research facility, while LL Cool J plays Sherman ‘Preacher’ Dudley, the cook. Jacqueline McKenzie portrays marine biologist Janice ‘Jan’ Higgins.

Deep Blue Sea Received Mixed Reviews Upon Its Release

According to Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave Deep Blue Sea a 60% rating, while general audiences gave it a 40% rating. Jay Boyar of the Orlando Sentinel described the film as “one of those silly movies where characters deliver predictable lines and bad jokes while waiting for something to happen.”

Although it wasn’t initially a critical success, Deep Blue Sea has gained a reputation as a classic in recent years. In 2016, Wired’s Brian Raftery called it “the greatest shark movie that isn’t Jaws.” It frequently appears on lists of the best shark horror films ever made.

The original Deep Blue Sea movie quickly gained a dedicated following and launched a successful franchise. Sequels Deep Blue Sea 2 (2018) and Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020) demonstrate the film’s enduring appeal, so it’s not surprising that, nearly three decades later, it’s still popular with viewers on streaming platforms.

Deep Blue Sea is available to stream on Starz in the United States.

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2026-05-11 03:12