Collider has highlighted Jason Statham's two-part shark thriller series, *The Meg* (2018) and *Meg 2: The Trench* (2023), as a standout action package currently available to stream on HBO Max. The films follow expert diver Jonas Taylor, played by Statham, as he battles prehistoric megalodon sharks and other deep-sea creatures, and the piece argues that the pairing of a dependable lead with escalating, fast-paced action makes the series ideal viewing for anyone seeking an entertaining movie night.

The first film sees Taylor recruited to rescue scientists, including love interest Suyin Zhang, trapped after a megalodon attack in the Mariana Trench, with the danger multiplying when a second shark emerges. The sequel raises the stakes further, as Taylor, now caring for Suyin's daughter, confronts an illegal mining operation, multiple megalodons, new "Snapper" creatures and a betrayal within his own team, resulting in the deaths of most of the crew. The article credits Statham's committed, larger-than-life performance, including elaborate stunts such as knife-and-harpoon fights with the sharks, as the key element holding the films together.