“Whalefall” arrives in theaters this week, a new survival thriller flick that sees Austin Abrams play a diver swallowed by a sperm whale with just 60 minutes to find a way out. Yes, it’s a real movie, and the high-concept premise has immediately drawn my interest.

It’s also got me thinking about the best underwater thriller movies. Those intense flicks that have you holding your breath at home. So, to get you in the mood for “Whalefall,” I’ve rounded up five intense thriller movies that all take place (primarily) underwater. These range from modern shark films to a classic from James Cameron.

So long as you don’t suffer from thalassophobia (a fear of deep water), these five underwater-set thriller movies will have you hooked from the very first dive into the watery ocean depths.

Let’s start with the apex predator of underwater movies, James Cameron’s “The Abyss.” It’s slightly less intense than some of the picks below, often labeled as a sci-fi adventure, but it still centers on a cast of characters racing against the clock in the depths of the ocean. It was nominated for four Oscars, taking home Best Visual Effects. Sure, it doesn’t quite stick the landing, but “The Abyss” is remembered fondly for the journey, and it’s a trip worth taking.

S. government sends a team of Navy SEALs to a nearby underwater drilling platform to investigate. Once in the watery depths, the team uncovers something very unexpected. Plus, there’s human drama as an estranged husband (Ed Harris) and wife (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) are part of the team trying to solve the mystery.

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