Shark Week 2025 kicks off July 20 with 20 hours of thrilling specials. Here’s the full schedule, how to watch, and must-see highlights.
The Discovery Channel is diving deep once again with Shark Week 2025, which officially kicks off Sunday, July 20 and runs through Saturday, July 26. Celebrating its 37th annual installment, the oceanic extravaganza is back with 20 brand new hours of shark-centric programming, blending awe-inspiring cinematography, cutting-edge science, and the kind of thrilling drama that’s kept fans hooked for decades.
But whether you’re a long-time Shark Week enthusiast or a curious newcomer looking to join the frenzy, here’s everything you need to know about Shark Week 2025 before you tune in, from the full schedule to must-watch episodes, and why this year’s lineup is already making waves online.
What Is Shark Week 2025?
Shark Week is a full-on pop culture phenomenon. Since launching in 1988, it’s become a staple of summer programming, drawing tens of millions of viewers annually.
In 2024, over 25 million tuned in. This year, the network is hoping to build on that success with fresh concepts, thrilling discoveries, and a few celebrity cameos (yes, there’s dancing sharks involved).
Howard Lee, Chief Creative Officer at Discovery, summed it up best:
“The sharks aren’t just circling, they’re dancing.”
Shark Week 2025 Schedule: Dates & Times
Set your DVRs and calendars! Here’s the full Shark Week 2025 schedule, with all times listed in Eastern Time:
Sunday, July 20
- 8 p.m. – Dancing With Sharks (Hosted by Tom Bergeron)
- 9 p.m. – Air Jaws: The Hunt for Colossus
- 10 p.m. – Great White Assassins
Monday, July 21
- 8 p.m. – Great White Sex Battle
- 9 p.m. – Jaws vs. Mega Croc
- 10 p.m. – In the Eye of the Storm: Shark Storm
Tuesday, July 22
- 8 p.m. – Great White North Invasion
- 9 p.m. – How to Survive a Shark Attack
- 10 p.m. – Black Mako of the Abyss
Wednesday, July 23
- 8 p.m. – Expedition Unknown: Shark Files
- 9 p.m. – Expedition X: Malpelo Monster Shark
- 10 p.m. – Alien Sharks: Death Down Under
Thursday, July 24
- 8 p.m. – Surviving Jaws
- 9 p.m. – Caught! Sharks Strike Back
- 10 p.m. – Frankenshark
Friday, July 25
- 8 p.m. – Great White Reign of Terror
- 9 p.m. – Florida’s Death Beach
- 10 p.m. – Bull Shark Showdown
Saturday, July 26
- 8 p.m. – Attack of the Devil Shark
- 9 p.m. – Battle for Shark Mountain
How to Watch Shark Week 2025
You can watch live on the Discovery Channel each night. Prefer streaming? You’re covered. Catch all episodes on-demand through:
- Discovery+
- HBO Max (now just Max)
Many specials will be available for replay shortly after airing, so you won’t miss a single fin-flip.
Shark Week 2025: Must-Watch Highlights & Specials
While every Shark Week fan has their personal favorites, here are a few highly anticipated standouts:
- “Dancing With Sharks” – Hosted by Tom Bergeron, this cheeky kickoff special is making waves already. It’s a deep-sea dance-off between humans and sharks you didn’t know you needed.
- “Air Jaws: The Hunt for Colossus” – A returning fan-favorite, this high-octane special tracks the most jaw-dropping breaching great whites ever filmed.
- “How to Survive a Shark Attack” – A gripping, real-world survival guide that’s as informative as it is intense.
- “In the Eye of the Storm: Shark Storm” – Follows Florida first responders through a terrifying string of shark attacks in the wake of a storm.
- “Expedition Unknown: Shark Files” – Host Josh Gates explores deep-sea mysteries and shark legends through a scientific lens.
Shark Week: Entertainment or Education?
Despite its popularity, Shark Week has also faced criticism from marine biologists who argue that the programming sometimes leans into sensationalism over science.
Still, Discovery says it’s striving for a balance between drama and data, aiming to educate the public about shark conservation while delivering a thrill. With specials like “Black Mako of the Abyss” and “Alien Sharks”, expect to see some rare footage and surprising new discoveries about the ocean’s top predators.
Shark Week 2025 isn’t just another themed TV week, it’s a full-blown cultural ritual that keeps evolving with new technology, storytelling, and oceanic discoveries. Whether you’re here for the science, the spectacle, or just to see a shark dance, there’s something for everyone.
So grab your popcorn, or scuba gear, and dive in. Shark Week 2025 is officially underway.
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