For those who love the thrill of surfing but also enjoy a good scare, this curated list of horror films set in the world of surfing offers a unique blend of adrenaline and fear. These films not only capture the beauty and danger of the ocean but also explore the dark side of what lurks beneath the waves, providing a spine-chilling experience for both surfers and horror fans alike.

Jaws (1975)
Description: The classic film that set the standard for shark horror, it's included for its cultural impact and the fear it instilled in beachgoers.
Fact: The mechanical shark, named Bruce, frequently malfunctioned, leading to the use of more suspenseful techniques in the film.


The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
Description: Although about lions, the film's theme of being hunted by a predator in a natural setting can be paralleled with the ocean's dangers.
Fact: The film is based on the true story of the Tsavo maneaters, two man-eating lions in Kenya.


Open Water (2003)
Description: While not exclusively about surfing, it captures the terror of being stranded in the open sea, a common fear among surfers.
Fact: The film was shot in the actual ocean with real sharks, adding to its authenticity.


The Reef (2010)
Description: This film follows a group of friends who, after their boat capsizes, must survive in shark-infested waters, making it a perfect fit for our theme.
Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life incident where a man was stranded in the ocean after his boat sank.


Bait (2012)
Description: Although primarily set in a flooded supermarket, it features a shark attack on surfers at the beginning, tying it to our theme.
Fact: The film was one of the first to use 3D technology to enhance the shark attack scenes.


Dark Tide (2012)
Description: While more about diving than surfing, it involves a woman facing her fears in the ocean, which resonates with the theme.
Fact: Halle Berry stars as a shark expert, bringing her real-life passion for marine life to the role.


47 Meters Down (2017)
Description: While not about surfing, it captures the fear of being trapped underwater with sharks, a scenario surfers might dread.
Fact: The film was shot in the Dominican Republic, using a large tank to simulate the ocean depths.


The Shallows (2016)
Description: A surfer is stranded on a rock 200 yards from shore with a great white shark circling her, making it a direct hit for our theme.
Fact: The film was shot in Lord Howe Island, Australia, known for its surfing conditions.


The Meg (2018)
Description: While more of a creature feature, it involves a giant prehistoric shark, which could be a nightmare for any surfer.
Fact: The film was based on the novel "Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror" by Steve Alten.


DeepStar Six (1989)
Description: This underwater horror film involves a creature attacking a deep-sea base, offering a similar sense of isolation and fear as being out at sea.
Fact: It was one of several underwater-themed horror movies released in the late '80s and early '90s.
