Netflix Snags Star-Studded Shark Thriller From Violent Night Filmmaker

After two years of speculation, the highly anticipated shark thriller from director Tommy Wirkola has officially found a new home. Sony Pictures has sold the untitled project—previously rumored to be called Shiver or Beneath the Storm —to Netflix, shifting its release from theaters to streaming. The film, which was originally slated for a July 3, 2026, theatrical premiere, was recently pulled from Sony’s calendar, paving the way for producers Adam McKay and Kevin Messick of HyperObject Industries to strike a deal with the streaming giant.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be back in business with all our friends at Netflix on this film. We had a great experience together on Don’t Look Up and look forward to working with them to make this an event streaming release in 2026,” the producers shared.

While plot details remain tightly under wraps, the cast lineup is already turning heads. Phoebe Dynevor, who rose to fame with Bridgerton, joins forces with Djimon Hounsou of Gladiator and Whitney Peak, known for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The trio will face off against deadly predators lurking beneath the waves, promising a high-stakes battle for survival.

Shark Thrillers Make a Comeback

Tommy Wirkola, recognized for his work on the action- packed Violent Night and cult favorites like Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters and What Happened to Monday, brings his signature style to the genre. His previous holiday thriller, featuring David Harbour as a tough-as-nails Santa Claus, set the bar for unexpected twists and intense action—expectations are high for his latest venture into shark-infested waters.

2026 is shaping up to be a banner year for aquatic horror. Alongside Wirkola’s Netflix-bound project, director Renny Harlin is returning to familiar territory with Deep Water, set to premiere on May 1. Harlin, who helmed the 1999 classic Deep Blue Sea, assembles a new cast including Aaron Eckhart, Kelly Gale, Ben Kingsley, Madeleine West, and Angus Sampson. This time, a group of international travelers must band together after their flight crash-lands in shark-infested seas, fighting to survive as predators circle the wreckage.

Legacy of Shark Horror

Unlike the genetically engineered monsters of Deep Blue Sea, Deep Water’s sharks are all too real. The earlier film, starring Thomas Jane, Stellan Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson, and Saffron Burrows, followed scientists searching for a cure for Alzheimer’s in an underwater lab—only to become prey themselves when their experiments go awry. The film’s legacy endures, with Thomas Jane even supporting a fan campaign to alter its ending in 2023.

With multiple high-profile shark thrillers on the horizon, audiences can expect a wave of suspense, action, and survival drama to hit their screens in 2026. Whether it ’s the star power, the promise of edge-of-your-seat terror, or the creative teams behind the camera, the appetite for oceanic danger is stronger than ever.