Dive in to Shark Week 2026 on Sunday, July 26 at 8 p.m. ET with Discovery! This year’s lineup is packed with jaw-dropping premieres, deep-sea mysteries and larger-than-life shark stories, with new specials airing nightly through Saturday, August 1. From great white investigations and prehistoric predators to unexpected pop culture twists and high-stakes shark science, Shark Week 2026 is shaping up to be another must-watch summer event for wildlife fans, thrill-seekers and ocean lovers alike.
Shark Week 2026 Kicks off with a Splash
The week kicks off with K-Pop Shark Heroes, a high-energy premiere that brings a fresh twist to Shark Week’s opening night. Airing Sunday, July 26 at 8 p.m. ET, the special sets the tone for a week full of unexpected shark stories, thrilling encounters and fascinating discoveries beneath the surface.
Opening night continues with Air Jaws: Red, White & Breach at 9 PM ET/PT, bringing back one of Shark Week’s most iconic franchises for another round of spectacular great white action. Then, at 10 PM ET/PT, Invasion of the Mega Sharks dives into the world of massive predators and the forces driving their behavior.
Shark Week Science and Adventure
Following the premiere, viewers can expect a weeklong mix of exploration, expert insight and edge-of-your-seat encounters. Monday night features Bull Shark Dinner Bell, House of Sharks and Biggest Mako on Earth, spotlighting some of the ocean’s most powerful and unpredictable predators.
The adventure continues Tuesday with Jurassic Sharks, which looks back at ancient shark species and their modern-day connections, followed by Jaws vs. Orca and Chum Island: Catching a Killer. Wednesday brings even more mystery with Expedition X: Atomic Sharks, Expedition Unknown: Shark Secrets and Alien Sharks: Untamed America, blending investigation, science and rare shark behavior from unexpected places.
Shark Week 2026 Goes Deep
Later in the week, Shark Week turns its focus toward great whites, unusual shark behavior and daring underwater exploration. Thursday’s lineup includes What Shark Attacked?, How to Train a Great White and Ultimate Shark Dive, offering a mix of real-world shark encounters, expert analysis and close-up ocean adventure.
Friday keeps the momentum going with Secrets of the Great White Kill, Sharkzilla Takes New York and My Strange Shark Addiction, bringing together mystery, spectacle and personal stories tied to our ongoing fascination with sharks.
The week closes on Saturday, August 1 with Great White Highway at 8 p.m., followed by Thresher Shark: Stun to Kill at 9 p.m. The night ends at 10 p.m. with FIN, wrapping up Shark Week 2026 with one final dive into the world of these unforgettable ocean predators.
Shark Week 2026 Schedule and Highlights
Check out some of the anticipated highlights, and view the full schedule below:
- Sunday, July 26, 8PM ET/PT – K-Pop Shark Heroes
Sunday, July 26, 9PM ET/PT – Air Jaws: Red, White & Breach
Sunday, July 26, 10PM ET/PT – Invasion of the Mega Sharks - Monday, July 27, 8PM ET/PT – Bull Shark Dinner Bell
Monday, July 27, 9PM ET/PT – House of Sharks
Monday, July 27, 10PM ET/PT – Biggest Mako on Earth - Tuesday, July 28, 8PM ET/PT – Jurassic Sharks
Tuesday, July 28, 9PM ET/PT – Jaws vs. Orca
Tuesday, July 28, 10PM ET/PT – Chum Island: Catching a Killer - Wednesday, July 29, 8PM ET/PT – Expedition X: Atomic Sharks
Wednesday, July 29, 9PM ET/PT – Expedition Unknown: Shark Secrets
Wednesday, July 29, 10PM ET/PT – Alien Sharks: Untamed America - Thursday, July 30, 8PM ET/PT – What Shark Attacked?
Thursday, July 30, 9PM ET/PT – How to Train a Great White
Thursday, July 30, 10PM ET/PT – Ultimate Shark Dive - Friday, July 31, 8PM ET/PT – Secrets of the Great White Kill
Friday, July 31, 9PM ET/PT – Sharkzilla Takes New York
Friday, July 31, 10PM ET/PT – My Strange Shark Addiction - Saturday, August 1, 8PM ET/PT – Great White Highway
Saturday, August 1, 9PM ET/PT – Thresher Shark: Stun to Kill
Saturday, August 1, 10PM ET/PT – FIN
Get Discovery with DIRECTV Today
Tune into Discovery with DIRECTV starting July 26 to make sure you don’t miss a minute of Shark Week 2026. Whether you’re looking for powerful breaches, rare shark footage, surprising ocean mysteries or thrilling predator encounters, this year’s lineup gives viewers plenty of reasons to dive in night after night.
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