Jason Statham is no stranger to high-octane action, but his biggest solo blockbuster isn't a car chase or a revenge thriller—it's a giant shark movie. The Meg, the 2018 sci-fi monster film that grossed nearly $530 million worldwide, is finally making its way to HBO Max in July 2026. For fans of Statham's brand of tough-guy heroics mixed with creature-feature chaos, this is a must-watch event.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure), The Meg is based on Steve Alten's 1997 novel about a massive prehistoric shark that terrorizes a deep-sea research team. Statham plays Jonas Taylor, a rescue diver who must confront the 75-foot-long megalodon. The film earned a 47% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it a decent B-movie creature feature that lacks the bite of the best genre entries. But audiences ate it up, especially in China, where it pulled in over $150 million.
The movie's success spawned a sequel, Meg 2: The Trench, which hit theaters in 2023 and grossed around $400 million globally. Directed by Ben Wheatley, known for low-budget indie fare, the sequel holds a 27% score on Rotten Tomatoes—a disappointing result even by the original's modest critical standards. Still, the franchise proved Statham could anchor a blockbuster outside the Fast & Furious universe.
Statham's recent box office track record has been mixed. The Beekeeper was a hit and quickly got a sequel greenlit, but his latest film, Shelter, underperformed with just $53 million worldwide against a $50 million budget. However, Shelter has found a second life on PVOD and streaming, suggesting that direct-to-streaming or day-and-date releases may be the future for some of his projects. The Meg, however, remains his biggest solo theatrical success.
For those who missed the giant shark mayhem in theaters, HBO Max is the perfect place to dive in. The film's arrival on the platform in July 2026 gives subscribers a chance to see why Statham's battle with a prehistoric predator became a global phenomenon. If you're in the mood for a fun, over-the-top creature feature with a charismatic lead, The Meg delivers.
Stay tuned for more updates on Statham's upcoming projects, including the Beekeeper sequel and potential Meg 3 rumors. In the meantime, check out our full guide to both The Meg and Meg 2 streaming on HBO Max.
