Sometimes, a movie doesn't need to be a cinematic masterpiece to be an absolute blast. Case in point: the gloriously over-the-top adventures of Jason Statham battling prehistoric sharks. This July, HBO Max is giving subscribers the perfect excuse to turn off their brains and enjoy the ride, as both The Meg and Meg 2: The Trench make their streaming debut on the platform.
Starting July 1, 2026, you can watch Statham's deep-sea rescue diver, Jonas Taylor, take on a 75-foot megalodon in the 2018 original, and then immediately follow it up with the even more unhinged sequel. The two films have collectively hauled in a staggering $927 million worldwide, proving that audiences love nothing more than watching Statham punch a giant shark in the face.
What Makes 'Meg 2: The Trench' So Wild?
The sequel dives even deeper into absurdity. The official synopsis teases: “Dive into uncharted waters with Jason Statham and global action icon Wu Jing as they lead a daring research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival. Pitted against colossal Megs and relentless environmental plunderers, our heroes must outrun, outsmart, and outswim their merciless predators in a pulse-pounding race against time.”
Critics weren't exactly kind to Meg 2, giving it a rough 27% score on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences? They ate it up, awarding it a solid 72% audience score. The audience consensus says it all: “Once it gets going, Meg 2: The Trench delivers most of what viewers are looking for in a creature feature.” And honestly, who can argue with that?
Box Office Bite
Produced on a reported $129 million budget, Meg 2: The Trench swam to $398 million worldwide, including $82 million domestically and $316 million internationally. That made it the 19th highest-grossing movie globally in 2023. Not bad for a film that features a little girl staring down the world's biggest shark in one of its most iconic shots.
If you're a fan of Jason Statham's brand of high-octane, no-nonsense action, this double feature is a no-brainer. For more Statham streaming news, check out how 'Operation Fortune' finally scores a streaming win on Prime Video. And if you're in the mood for more perfect entertainment, don't miss our list of the most perfect opening movie shots of the 20th century.
So mark your calendars. On July 1, HBO Max becomes the home of the year's most gloriously stupid—and utterly entertaining—shark saga. Grab some popcorn, suspend your disbelief, and get ready to cheer as Jason Statham does what he does best.
