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The Meg

The Meg is a 2018 science fiction action film directed by Jon Turteltaub and loosely based on Steve Alten’s 1997 novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Meg is a 2018 science fiction action film directed by Jon Turteltaub and loosely based on Steve Alten’s 1997 novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror. It stars Jason Statham as a deep-sea rescue diver who confronts a giant prehistoric megalodon after a research mission goes wrong. The film was released in the United States on August 10, 2018.

Plot

The story follows a deep-sea rescue mission that uncovers a giant megalodon in the Pacific Ocean. The creature threatens the trapped crew and later escapes into open water, forcing Jonas Taylor and his team to stop it.

Production and release

The Meg was directed by Jon Turteltaub from a screenplay by Dean Georgaris and the Hoeber brothers. Warner Bros. released the film in the United States on August 10, 2018.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics but performed strongly at the box office. Reported worldwide gross figures are about $529 million against a production budget in the $130–178 million range.

Sequel

A follow-up film, Meg 2: The Trench, was released in 2023. It continued the franchise with some returning cast members and writers.

Key facts

  • The Meg is a 2018 science fiction action film directed by Jon Turteltaub.
  • It is loosely based on Steve Alten’s 1997 novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror.
  • The film stars Jason Statham as deep-sea rescue diver Jonas Taylor.
  • It grossed about $529 million worldwide and received mixed reviews.
  • A sequel, Meg 2: The Trench, was released in 2023.
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Canadian context

The Meg was distributed internationally by Warner Bros., and it was released in Canadian theatres in August 2018 as part of its North American rollout.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Meg about?
It is about a rescue diver who confronts a giant prehistoric megalodon after a deep-sea mission goes wrong.
Who directed The Meg?
The film was directed by Jon Turteltaub.
What is The Meg based on?
It is loosely based on Steve Alten’s 1997 novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror.
When was The Meg released?
It was released in the United States on August 10, 2018.
Did The Meg have a sequel?
Yes. Meg 2: The Trench was released in 2023.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meg
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, source novel, release date, box office, and sequel information.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_meg
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, rating, and release date.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot premise and main character details.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-meg-2018
    Supports: Plot context, characters, and narrative setup.
  5. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80237937
    Supports: Basic description, cast list, and genre tags.