Deep Blue Sea | |
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Based on | Deep Blue Sea by Duncan Kennedy, Donna Powers & Wayne Powers |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date | 1999–2020 |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Deep Blue Sea film series consists of American science fiction natural-horror films,[1][2][3] centered around genetically enhanced-sharks. The overall plot of the series centers around scientific studies conducted by marine biologists. These experiments provide the predatory animals with heightened intelligence, inadvertently causing the sharks to attack the underwater facilities and hunt the researchers that created them. Director Renny Harlin had become well known for bringing stylish action sequences into his films, but he also was noted for pushing the boundaries of effects work. This was evident in his earliest forays into horror with A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. For Deep Blue Sea, Harlin employed animatronics wizard Walt Conti and his company Edge Innovations (which previously worked on Anaconda), to create the most lifelike on-screen shark puppets at that point in time.
The first film was released in theaters in 1999 and was a box office success, though it received mixed reviews from film critics. Over time Deep Blue Sea has been labeled a cult classic by audience and critics alike.[4][5][6][7] After years of being in development hell, a sequel was released straight-to-home video and VOD services in 2018. While initially debuting at No. 8 on the Top 20 Sellers for the week ended April 21, 2018 and being on-par with theatrical releases,[8][9] Deep Blue Sea 2 was panned by critics.[10] Deep Blue Sea 3 was released on July 28, 2020 through video on demand.