50 of The Best Found Footage Horror Movies Of All Time - My Essential Top 50 List
Welcome to Knockout Horror. If there is one thing I love to point out on this website, it’s that I am a huge found footage horror fan. I know! It’s one of the most maligned, divisive, and controversial topics in the entire horror industry. But I can’t help who I am – an unashamed found footage horror Stan. With that in mind, today we are going to be looking at 50 of The Best Found Footage Horror Movies Of All Time.
Buckle Up Found Footage Horror Fans!
There’s something about found footage horror that I just find so appealing. Whether it is the DIY nature, the creativity, the realism, or simply the fact that it is purely based on innovative filmmakers having an opportunity to share their ideas. If I am in the mood for a low budget indie horror movie, I will always gravitate towards found footage. That begs the question, what are the best found footage horror movies ever made?
Well, naturally, that is somewhat down to personal preference. These are 50 of my personal favourite found footage horror movies of all time. To make this more fun, I am putting myself in the firing line. Every film has the IMDb user score listed so you can compare my ranking to what the masses think. That should add a little fuel to the “Wow, what an idiotic choice!” fire.
No lie, this one is going to be a huge article so buckle up. It’s 7,500 words of Found Footage Frenzy. There are a few notable omissions, Megan is Missing because it is exploitative horse shit and The Poughkeepsie Tapes because I don’t like it very much. There’s no Marebito, either, because it is only part found footage. If you don’t see your favourite, I probably have a reason for that.
This list has a mix of straight up found footage, screenlife, and mockumentaries. There are a couple of simple rules, here. Only one movie from a series, no sequels. I’ll pick my personal favourite from the series but that doesn’t mean that film is the best entry in said series; it’s just my choice. The films need to have a horror tag on IMDB so no pure thrillers. Alright, let’s go.
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Bonus Entry. The Last Broadcast (1998)
IMDb User Score: 5.2
What is It: A documentary filmmaker investigates the mysterious case of two public-access TV hosts who were murdered in the New Jersey Pine Barrens while searching for the legendary Jersey Devil, leaving behind only their tapes.
Why it’s great: Released before The Blair Witch Project, this is a crucial piece of found footage history that really doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It’s not a perfect movie by any stretch but it feels like a pivotal moment in horror. I’m including it more for impact than anything else. It’s a great example of movie making innovation, though.
50. Home Movie (2008)
IMDb User Score: 5.5
What is It: In a remote woodland home, a pastor and his wife document their seemingly idyllic life. But the home video footage reveals the increasingly sociopathic and, frankly, mental behaviour of their young twins.
Why it’s great: Home Movie always feels like a great option for some autumnal horror viewing, perhaps because it features some great Halloween scenes? Anyways, if you are a fan of “bad seed” horror movies with evil little kids, you will probably love this one. The kids are little bastards, there are some genuinely creepy scenes, and it is quite a lot of fun. Check out our review right here.
49. Phoenix Forgotten (2017)
IMDb User Score: 5.4
What is It: Twenty years after three teenagers disappeared into the Arizona desert shortly after the infamous ‘Phoenix Lights’ UFO sighting, a documentary filmmaker uncovers their final, terrifying footage, revealing what they encountered.
Why it’s great: There aren’t a ton of alien themed found footage horror films. Phoenix Forgotten definitely stands out as one of the better ones. The director made the smart choice to ground its alien abduction story in a real, well-known UFO event. Plausibility is always a bonus with this sub-genre. It combines mockumentary stuff with a genuinely creepy final act of recovered footage. Definitely worth a watch.
48. Horror in the High Desert (2021)
IMDb User Score: 5.4
What is It: This mockumentary investigates the 2017 disappearance of an experienced outdoor enthusiast in the Nevada desert. Through interviews with his friends and family, and an analysis of his final video blog, a disturbing picture emerges of what he found in the wilderness.
Why it’s great: I almost feel a bit weird putting Horror In The High Desert in this list. I am still not sure how I feel about it. To be perfectly honest, however, a lot of that is due to the underwhelming sequels that are clearly designed to stretch the story out to make money. They really made me revise my opinion of the first movie which is a shame. I’m obviously not the only one, though, as it has plunged in IMDb’s user rating over the past year or two. With that being said, the first entry into the series does a lot right. It feels authentic, the story, though derivative, is very interesting and it is really quite spooky in parts. Check out our review right here.
47. Banshee Chapter (2013)
IMDb User Score: 5.4
What is It: A journalist investigates the disappearance of her friend, who was experimenting with mind-altering drugs linked to the CIA’s real-life MKUltra program. Her search leads her to a disturbed writer and a terrifying presence communicating through radio signals.
Why it’s great: No lie, I fell asleep twice trying to watch this movie. Not a ringing endorsement but I really enjoyed Banshee Chapter on a rewatch. It blends H.P. Lovecraft’s “From Beyond” with Cold War paranoia, meaning it sits somewhere between conspiracy horror and cosmic craziness. It’s a lot of fun and, dare I say it, a bit underrated?
46. Willow Creek (2013)
IMDb User Score: 5.1
What is It: A Bigfoot believer and his sceptical girlfriend venture into the woods near the site of the famous Patterson-Gimlin film. Only to experience a night of tent bound terror.
Why it’s great: I can’t believe that Willow Creek is so disliked. It barely scrapes a 5.1 IMDb user score. I juggled between this and Exists in this spot but opted for Willow Creek as it is a bit more consistent. Directed by comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, I thought this was a really effective creature feature but it seems a lot of people disagree. Maybe it is down to the extended single-take tent sequence that actually forms the entirety of the movie’s horror element? I am not sure. I found it super tense and really enjoyed it. Hence why I am still putting it on this list.
45. The Last Exorcism (2010)
IMDb User Score: 5.7
What is It: A disillusioned evangelical minister, who has made a career of faking exorcisms, agrees to let a documentary crew film his final “performance” to expose the fraud, but he may just get a lot more than he bargained for.
Why it’s great: The Last Exorcism was advertised everywhere when it was released. It looked a bit farcical at first but actually turned out to be really decent. The smart, mockumentary approach feels extra realistic by posing difficult questions relating to faith and fraud. Ashley Bell’s physical performance as the possessed girl deserves special mention, too.
44. Devil’s Pass (2013)
IMDb User Score: 5.8
What is It: A group of American students find themselves in a warped world of peril after travelling to the Ural Mountains in Russia to investigate the real-life Dyatlov Pass incident.
Why it’s great: I did enjoy this one quite a lot. I was on a bit of a Dyatlov Pass kick at the time, though so maybe my impression was skewed. It takes an ultra famous real-world mystery and injects it with a dose of sci-fi horror. What’s not to love? The ending is pretty crazy but I think it works. Devil’s Pass seems to be getting some renewed love, as of late, as well.
43. Digging Up the Marrow (2014)
IMDb User Score: 5.8
What is It: A filmmaker receives a letter from a man claiming he can prove that monsters are real. Leading him down a rabbit hole into a supposed underground world of grotesque creatures he calls “The Marrow.”
Why it’s great: How about a fun mockumentary b-movie from the guy that brought you Frozen and Hatchett – Adam Green? Digging Up The Marrow is a clever meta-horror that blurs the line between fact and fiction. There’s a couple of things I really like about this film. One is the obvious love the creators have for creature features and the other is the inclusion of the always fantastic Ray Wise. Awesome stuff.
42. Spree (2020)
IMDb User Score: 5.9
What is It: A fame hungry rideshare driver named Kurt Kunkle outfits his car with cameras and begins a murderous rampage to go viral and become a social media celebrity.
Why it’s great: Now this is a fitting story when you consider the lunatic lengths that influencers will go to become famous. Spree is a darkly funny satire of influencer culture and it hits it right on the head. Joe Keery’s unhinged performance as the pathetic, yet worryingly dangerous, Kurt is brilliant, and the film uses the livestream format, complete with a live chat, to incredible effect. Spree even made it to cinemas which is always impressive for a found footage horror.
41. The Collingswood Story (2002)
IMDb User Score: 5.2
What is It: A young woman tries to maintain a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend via online video calls. Things take a terrifying turn after an online psychic warns her about the past history of her new home.
Why it’s great: Wow, this one is much higher on my list than the IMDb user score would suggest. Believe it or not, this had over 6 on IMDb at one point. Things have changed but I kind of get it because I think newcomers to this ancient screenlife horror might expect too much. They really don’t come much more bare bones than The Collingswood Story. The cameras look old, the scares are super low key, and the whole thing is very DIY. I can’t help but be impressed by just how innovative it was back in 2002, though. It pretty much defined Screenlife years before anyone else tried it again. I really love this movie. Check out our review right here.
40. The Bay (2012)
IMDb User Score: 5.7
What is It: A mockumentary that pieces together the ecological disaster that befell a small Maryland. Told through the medium of news reports, home videos, and even FaceTime calls, it reveals a horrifying cover-up involving a deadly, mutated parasite.
Why it’s great: I was shocked to see how much the IMDb user score for The Bay had dropped in recent years. It’s such a great movie, though, and it gets the mockumentary thing completely right. Directed by Barry Levinson, the thing that makes this eco-horror work so well is that it is all worryingly plausible. The mosaic style, gathering footage from dozens of sources, creates a large-scale sense of panic and hints at societal breakdown in a way that is quite rare in this genre.
39. The Sacrament (2013)
IMDb User Score: 6.1
What is It: Journalists travel to “Eden Parish,” a remote, utopian commune, to document the life of their friend’s sister who has joined the group. They are welcomed by the charismatic “Father,” but they soon discover the terrifying, dark reality of the community.
Why it’s great: Did you know that MaXXXine director Ti West made a found footage horror movie? Well, you do now. The Sacrament is a realistic depiction of a cult that is, obviously, heavily inspired by the Jonestown massacre. This inspires a hell of a lot of rage in some viewers because he doesn’t exactly acknowledge it. If you can get past that particular issue, The Sacrament is a fantastic film that sort of goes under the radar a bit. The ending is predictable but still shocking.
38. The Den (2013)
IMDb User Score: 6.0
What is It: A graduate student receives a grant to study the habits of users on a Chatroulette-style website called “The Den.” Her project takes a horrifying turn when she witnesses what appears to be a murder on a user’s webcam and finds herself in a world of trouble.
Why it’s great: The Den is one of the earliest and screenlife horror films. It might also be, low key, one of the best loved and the best rated. The Den perfectly captures the dark, anonymous, and dangerous side of early video-chat culture way before it became the hot button topic it is today. It stretches the realms of believability a bit and the ending is going to divide people but it is still a lot of fun. Check out our review right here.
37. Unfriended: Dark Web (2018)
IMDb User Score: 6.0
What is It: A young man purchase a second hand laptop and logs on to a video chat with his friends. He soon finds himself and his friends trapped in a deadly online game with a hidden network of criminals from the dark web.
Why it’s great: I definitely prefer this one to the original Unfriended so it gets the nod in this list. It’s the same basic “friends chatting online then bad stuff happens” formula. But I think the shift from the supernatural horror of its predecessor to an actually plausible techno horror, thriller does wonders for it. It’s a much stronger dynamic and the movie is more interesting for it. Unfriended: Dark Web is a hell of a lot of fun. Anyone who enjoys screenlife horror needs to add it to their watchlist. Check out our review right here.
36. Be My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015)
IMDb User Score: 5.5
What is It: An aspiring Romanian filmmaker documents his obsessive and increasingly unhinged, murderous, attempts to convince Anne Hathaway to star in his movie.
Why it’s great: My fiancée said that Be My Cat’s Adrian is like a psychopathic Mr Bean and that pretty much hits the nail on the head. It’s kind of part Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and part ultra meta, self-aware dark comedy. Adrian Tofei’s performance is alarmingly believable, blurring the line between character and actor to create a raw study of obsession that feels just a tad bit unnerving. Check out our review right here.
35. V/H/S (2012)
IMDb User Score: 5.7
What is It: A group of criminals are hired to break into a house and steal a VHS tape. Inside, they find a dead body and a massive collection of disturbing tapes, each one featuring a self-contained found footage horror short.
Why it’s great: Time for some controversy. V/H/S over its sequels? Sorry but the first entry is still my favourite by a long way. This anthology film felt utterly fresh back in 2012. The stories come thick and fast and, while some might feel a bit juvenile in their approach (i.e. lots of boobs, blood, and silliness), it still feels like this was V/H/S at its most experimental and daring. Check out our review right here.
34. The Tunnel (2011)
IMDb User Score: 5.8
What is It: A television news crew in Sydney investigates a government cover-up taking place in a network of abandoned underground train tunnels. They decide to enter the tunnels themselves to document what is taking place. A decision they will come to regret.
Why it’s great: I am really happy to see this movie getting some renewed interest in recent years. It’s a crowdfunded Australian gem! The Tunnel does a fantastic job at creating a claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere that always leaves you wondering just what is around the next turn. That’s without mentioning some of the movie’s fantastic later reveals. Check out our review right here.
33. Leaving D.C. (2012)
IMDb User Score: 6.1
What is It: A man documents his move from the city to a remote house in West Virginia to de-stress. What starts as a positive vlog soon turns supernatural as the man is haunted by strange occurrences at his new home.
Why it’s great: Awesome! I get to talk about a low key favourite of mine in a respectable point in the list and don’t have to worry about a low IMDb user score. I love Leaving D.C! This is minimalism done right. A true micro-budget, one-man show, courtesy of Josh Criss. The film relies almost entirely on its excellent sound design and the power of suggestion to create a genuinely palpable sense of escalating dread and isolation. It’s frequently funny, as well. Check out our review right here.
32. The Blackwell Ghost (2017)
IMDb User Score: 6.0
What is It: A filmmaker, aiming to prove that ghosts are real, sets up cameras in a supposedly haunted house where a notorious serial killer once lived. His simple investigation quickly turns terrifying as he captures increasingly unnerving and seemingly paranormal events on camera.
Why it’s great: The Blackwell Ghost is a perfect example of minimalist horror and a true word-of-mouth indie sensation. The film’s works so well because it remains incredibly grounded and believable. It is in no rush to scare the viewer our of their pants and the patient, slow-burn approach pays off massively. It builds an atmosphere of palpable dread, proving that you don’t need a big budget or jump scares to be genuinely terrifying. It’s only 59 minutes long, too.
31. A Record of Sweet Murder (2014)
IMDb User Score: 6.3
What is It: A South Korean journalist is granted an interview with a recently escaped psychiatric patient and accused murderer. The entire film unfolds in real-time within a single apartment, as the killer’s disturbing worldview and intentions become terrifyingly clear.
Why it’s great: I kicked myself that this movie was out for a decade before I even found it. It’s a collaboration between legendary Japanese director Kôji Shiraishi (we’ll be seeing more of him later) and a South Korean cast that is, quite frankly, a thoroughly unsettling piece of work. Shot to look like a single, unbroken take, its real-time nature creates a ton of claustrophobia and tension. A Record of Sweet Murder is absolutely stellar proof that Shiraishi still has the ability to enthral and terrify.
30. The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)
IMDb User Score: 6.0
What is It: A film crew documents the life of an elderly woman, Deborah Logan, as she battles Alzheimer’s disease. However, as Deborah’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and terrifying, the crew begins to suspect something far more malevolent is at play.
Why it’s great: I thought this movie was going to suck when I first watched the trailer. It turns out, I was wrong and it is actually really well executed. The film uses the tragic reality of Alzheimer’s as a foundation for some seriously shocking supernatural horror. This grounding in real-world illness makes the story both rather heart breaking and even more frightening. With the whole thing eventually leading to one of the more talked about and shocking final scenes in modern found footage. Check out our review of The Taking of Deborah Logan right here.
29. The Visit (2015)
IMDb User Score: 6.3
What is It: Two siblings are sent for a week-long visit to the remote farmhouse of the grandparents they have never met. They decide to film a documentary about the experience, but soon realise that “Nana” and “Pop Pop” might be more than just a little odd.
Why it’s great: It felt like M. Night Shyamalan vanished for quite awhile after the prolapse that was The Happening. The Visit was his return to form. It’s a masterful blend of genuine scares and legitimately funny dark, uncomfortable comedy. The film is tightly scripted, well paced, and features a brilliant central twist that is both shocking and perfectly set up. I really enjoyed this film.
28. As Above, So Below (2014)
IMDb User Score: 6.5
What is It: An explorer and her crew illegally venture into the vast catacombs beneath Paris, following a map that they believe will lead them to the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. The deeper they go, the more the tunnels confront them with their own personal demons.
Why it’s great: I hated this movie when I first watched it. We had been so excited for it and were so disappointed that I never gave it a second thought. It was critically panned, too. That was until revisionist history started to give it a ton of attention. We watched As Above, So Below again and had a completely different experience. We really enjoyed it. It’s a high paced thrill ride that is somewhere between the Tomb Raider videos games and The Mummy. Check out our review right here.
27. Hell House LLC (2015)
IMDb User Score: 6.4
What is It: A documentary crew, using recovered footage, investigates the tragedy that occurred on the opening night of a haunted house attraction in upstate New York, an event that left fifteen tour-goers and staff dead.
Why it’s great: Side note, I don’t love this movie anywhere near as much as a lot of people. With that being said, Hell House LLC absolutely deserves a place on this list. This indie darling is proof that you don’t need a big budget to be legitimately terrifying. It takes the familiar “haunted house” setup and executes it perfectly, using subtle scares to keep you watching closely. Seriously, there aren’t too many found footage films with quite so many creepy little background details (especially involving mannequins).
26. Grave Encounters (2011)
IMDb User Score: 6.1
What is It: The crew of a ghost-hunting reality TV show lock themselves inside an abandoned psychiatric hospital for what they assume will be just another episode. They soon discover the hospital might be hiding more than they ever expected to find.
Why it’s great: The thing that works so damn well about Grave Encounters is that it is a perfect deconstruction and execution of the ghost-hunting show trope. This stuff was quite popular a few years back and is even more popular now, meaning the film is likely to find a whole new horror audience. It feels ahead of its time in that regard. There are even rumblings of a series reboot which is pretty crazy. The film starts as a satire before descending into pure, unrelenting terror as the building itself warps reality around the crew. It features some of the genre’s most iconic jump scares, too. Check out our review right here.
25. The Conspiracy (2012)
IMDb User Score: 6.2
What is It: Two documentary filmmakers decide to make a film about a well known conspiracy theorist. When their subject vanishes, they are drawn into the very world he was investigating, uncovering a secretive and powerful organization that may just be horrifyingly real.
Why it’s great: I really like this film and I think it tends to go under the radar just a little. It perfectly captures the paranoid, rabbit-hole nature of conspiracy theories. Hell, the writer himself said he was inspired to make the film after falling into said rabbit holes while researching. The film slowly shifts from a character study into a genuinely tense and unnerving horror, with a chillingly effective final act. Check out our review of The Conspiracy right here.
24. Loner (2025)
IMDb User Score: Unrated
What is It: An aspiring vlogger looking to become a survival influencer heads into the woods but encounters something truly evil.
Why it’s great: It’s unrated because it isn’t actually released, yet. Loner is currently doing the festival circuit. I was invited to check it out by the producer and thought it was absolutely fantastic. Funny, occasionally touching, and with some genuinely decent scares. I think this film is going to do very well in the found footage horror community when it’s released. It might even find its way higher up this list in the future. You heard about it here first. Check out our review right here.
23. The Borderlands (Final Prayer) (2013)
IMDb User Score: 5.8
What is It: A camera-man, a priest, and a jaded exorcist are sent to a remote church in the English countryside to authenticate a supposed miracle. Instead, they find themselves in the grip of a terrifying folk horror that challenges their faith and sanity.
Why it’s great: This British gem is getting a lot more attention in recent years and deservedly so. With that being said, its user score on IMDb has dropped a lot with it getting so much extra attention. I am still a big fan, though. It’s a slow-burn film full of dread and some absolutely fantastic character work. The chemistry between the leads is fantastic, and it lulls you in with into a bit of a false sense of security using its cynical humour before delivering one of the most claustrophobic and utterly horrifying final acts in the entire genre.
22. Butterfly Kisses (2018)
IMDb User Score: 5.8
What is It: A documentary maker develops an obsession with the disappearance of a pair of students after finding a box of videotapes discussing a local urban legend known as Peeping Tom.
Why it’s great: I love this movie. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, though which might leave some feeling it is a bit too high on the list. I can’t think of too many movies like this that are executed so well, though. Butterfly Kisses is a brilliantly meta-commentary on the found footage genre itself. The urban legend is legitimately creepy and the story is compelling throughout. Rest in peace to the director Erik Kristopher Myers as well. Check out our review right here.
21. Strange Harvest (2025)
IMDb User Score: 6.5
What is it: A true crime style mockumentary relating the hunt for the notorious serial killer known as Mr Shiny. After a long absense, the killer returned and this is the story of how he was found.
Why it’s great: This is the second most recent movie on our list and it is pretty damn fantastic. Coming by way of Stuart Ortiz, who was also responsible for another movie on this list – Grave Encounters. The true crime style faux documentary aspect of this film is absolutely picture perfect. The story is utterly compelling and it even goes to some crazy cosmic horror places that you just don’t expect. Strange Harvest doesn’t quite stick the landing but it is a ton of fun, nonetheless. Check out our review right here.
20. Incantation (2022)
IMDb User Score: 6.2
What is It: A woman who broke a religious taboo years ago must now protect her daughter from the horrific consequences of a curse she unleashed.
Why it’s great: This Taiwanese horror film is genuinely unnerving and feels every bit like the fantastic supernatural spook-fests we used to see coming out of South East Asia back in the 2000s. The story is compelling, the scares are super effective, and the found footage format works perfectly for it. It is a bit on the long side, though. You can easily forgive that, however. It’s a chilling and clever take on curses and folk horror but, I have to be honest, if you joined in with the silly chanting at the end, I definitely think less of you. Check out our review of Incantation right here.
19. Paranormal Activity (2007)
IMDb User Score: 6.3
What is It: A young couple sets up cameras around their suburban home to capture evidence of a supernatural presence that has been haunting them at night.
Why it’s great: It has to be here, right? Some might argue that it should be much higher. I still remember walking out of the cinema after watching this. A girl walking beside us was talking to her friend relating that she can’t believe it all actually really happened. Paranormal Activity genuinely convinced a large number of people that it was real. It’s one of a few films on this list that actively revitalised the genre. Its genius lies in its simplicity and patience. Long shots with little happening suddenly giving way to an ominous shadow or, even, just the creak of a floorboard. It works so damn well. Check out our review right here.
18. Afflicted (2013)
IMDb User Score: 6.5
What is It: Two best friends embark on a year-long trip around the world, documenting their journey on a video blog. In Paris, one of them has a mysterious and violent encounter that leaves him with what first appears to be a sickness, but soon reveals itself to be something far more sinister.
Why it’s great: Can I spoil the themes here? Should I even mention them? You know what, I am not going to. Just go into Afflicted with as little knowledge as possible. Don’t even look at the movie cover. Let’s just say, it is a found footage take on a classic horror sub-genre and it is an absolute ton of fun. The film uses incredible stunt work and clever camera tricks to take you head first into the world of our protagonist’s new reality.
17. The Medium (2021)
IMDb User Score: 6.6
What is It: A documentary team follows a shaman in rural Northern Thailand as they document her daily life. The project takes a dark turn when it appears her niece has been possessed by a malevolent spirit, leading to a terrifying exploration of faith, folklore, and generational curses.
Why it’s great: This Thai horror masterpiece by legendary director Banjong Pisanthanakun, of 2004 horror hit Shutter fame, is a slow-burn found footage folk horror descent into absolute madness. Presented as a worryingly authentic documentary. The film builds an oppressive sense of dread, grounding its supernatural events in actual Thai folklore before unleashing a viscerally horrifying final act that is, honestly, pretty unforgettable.
16. Occult (2009)
IMDb User Score: 6.5
What is It: Following a bizarre mass murder-suicide, a filmmaker conducts a documentary investigation into the sole survivor. The investigation uncovers strange phenomena, mysterious rituals, and a cosmic horror that connects to the events.
Why it’s great: I told you we would be seeing more from legendary director Kôji Shiraishi later in this list. We aren’t done, either. This is another movie that has climbed in IMDb user score, as of late. Shiraishi is a master of slow-burn, complex piece of Japanese investigative horror so you should know what to expect, here. It weaves together different threads, including interviews, archival footage, and new experiments, to build a sprawling and deeply unsettling mythological horror story. Another piece of proof of Shiraishi’s dominance of found footage horror.
15. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
IMDb User Score: 6.5
What is It: Three student filmmakers go missing after a hike into the Black Hills of Maryland to shoot a documentary about a local legend, the Blair Witch. Their recovered footage depicts what happened to them deep in the woods.
Why it’s great: The film that made found footage a global phenomenon. If we were ranking this list on influence, this would be in the top five, easy. It might not be the first of its kind but it is probably the most important. It’s hard to understate just how much excitement The Blair Witch Project created back in the late 90s. It still holds up to this day but don’t expect it to match the hype. Its power lies in what it doesn’t show. Relying entirely on improvised performances and excellent sound design, it taps into that very primal fear of being lost in the woods and hunted by something unseen. Check out our review right here.
14. Savageland (2015)
IMDb User Score: 6.3
What is It: This mockumentary presents the case of the sole survivor of a town that was wiped out, an amateur photographer whose recovered roll of film seems to document an impossible, apocalyptic attack.
Why it’s great: I still see people talking about Savageland all the time. There was a ton of found footage horror that released during the 2010s but it has to be among the best. It tells its story almost entirely through a series of still photographs. This unique and brilliantly effective approach forces the viewer’s imagination to fill in the gaps between each frame, creating a powerful sense of dread. Like I always say with found footage, sometimes less is more.
13. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)
IMDb User Score: 6.5
What is It: The crew of a popular paranormal web series travels to one of South Korea’s most infamous haunted locations, the Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, to conduct a live broadcast. Their quest for views and subscribers leads them to a night of absolute chaos.
Why it’s great: Those South Koreans sure do love to show the west how it is done when it comes to almost every sub-genre of horror. This is a relentless, high-energy, scare-a-minute, thrill fest that takes awhile to get going but then never lets up. While Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum follows a familiar setup to a ton of movies you have definitely watched before, the execution is flawless. Eventually building to a final act that is a non-stop barrage of some of the best jump scares in modern found footage horror.
12. Host (2020)
IMDb User Score: 6.5
What is It: During lockdown, a group of friends holds a weekly Zoom call and decides to hire a medium for a virtual séance. Little realising that their fun is about to become all too real.
Why it’s great: I almost wish I could find somewhere to slot Host in the top 10, I really do love it that much. Filmed and set entirely during the 2020 pandemic, Host might be the greatest screenlife horror movie of all time. It’s a brutally efficient and relentlessly scary film packed into an ultra tight, sub-1-hour package. All the events take place via webcam and it was up to the actors to not only improvise dialogue but to setup and perform their own stunts, too. It’s hard not to marvel at what an impressive achievement this film was during a time period where most of us were developing a habit of eating too much. Check out our review right here.
11. WNUF Halloween Special (2013)
IMDb User Score: 6.3
What is It: WNUF Halloween Special takes the form of a local television broadcast from Halloween night, 1987. The recording, complete with cheesy commercials, follows a news team as they conduct a live paranormal investigation of the infamous Webber House, where a supposed demonic haunting took place.
Why it’s great: I was so happy to see that WNUF Halloween Special had actually had a score increase since last time I checked it. It was always going to be high up on my list but it is still nice to see. This is picture perfect Halloween viewing. The loving recreation of 1980s television hits on so many levels, particularly for those of you living in America. The attention to detail is astonishing, from the cheesy local commercials to the awkward news anchors. This commitment to the aesthetic makes the eventual turn into genuine horror even more effective and unique. I love this film, check out our review right here.
10. Cloverfield (2008)
IMDb User Score: 7.0
What is It: During a farewell party in a New York City apartment, a massive creature attacks the city. The film is the recovered footage from a single camcorder, documenting one small group’s desperate attempt to navigate the chaos and rescue a friend.
Why it’s great: Who would have thought that the found footage genre would be such a good vehicle for some legitimately terrifying Kaiju scares? Cloverfield applied the shaky cam, DIY, aesthetic to a blockbuster monster movie with spectacular results. The ground-level perspective creates a sense of terrifying scale, panic, and confusion that no traditional disaster movie could ever replicate. I still think this movie will surprise people who have never watched it before. It’s awesome!
9. Creep 2 (2017)
IMDb User Score: 6.4
What is It: The lonely and disillusioned serial killer Josef, now calling himself Aaron, hires a new videographer to document his life, hoping to create a shocking work of art. The new subject, however, is a struggling artist who is far less easily intimidated than his predecessor and might just be as strange as her subject.
Why it’s great: I juggled on whether to include the first Creep movie or the second, here. I know my fiancée would disapprove as she isn’t a big fan of either but I am going with the second as it is a bit more interesting. In fact, it’s a rare sequel that is arguably objectively better than the original. It smartly deepens the mythology of its main character while also creating a fascinating and unpredictable dynamic between him and his new “victim”. Josef is still just as charismatic and interesting and the film feels far less predictable. Check out our review of Creep 2 right here.
8. Trollhunter (2010)
IMDb User Score: 6.9
What is It: A group of Norwegian university students set out to make a documentary about a suspected bear poacher. They soon discover that their subject is actually hiding a dark secret and the reality is something far more troubling.
Why it’s great: Despite being a huge fan of Norwegian horror, I actually held off on watching this movie for ages thanks to the rather bizarre looking CGI. That was pretty dumb of me because I absolutely loved it. Trollhunter is a wildly entertaining and imaginative fantasy-adventure-horror. The film brilliantly blends that classic deadpan Scandinavian humour with enjoyable action scenes and some ridiculously huge monster, treating its mythological subject matter with a wonderful sense of realism and grandeur. Awesome stuff!
7. [REC] (2007)
IMDb User Score: 7.4
What is It: A television reporter and her cameraman are doing a ride-along with a fire brigade for a late-night show. A routine call to an apartment building turns into a nightmare when the authorities seal the building from the outside, trapping everyone inside with a rapidly spreading, rage-fueled infection.
Why it’s great: I am always shocked that Paranormal Activity is the movie that gets the praise for reviving found footage horror. Did people completely forget about the far superior [REC]? This movie is pure, concentrated terror. The film’s real-time progression and visceral, shaky-cam aesthetic almost make you feel like you are really there. It’s an intense, breathless, and legitimately scary experience that actually gets your heart pounding. The crazy thing is, nobody has ever managed to copy this movie’s formula and get it right. An easy top 10 found footage horror film.
6. Deadstream (2022)
IMDb User Score: 6.4
What is It: A cancelled internet personality attempts to win back his followers, and beloved sponsors, by livestreaming himself spending a night alone in a notoriously haunted house. His desperate comeback attempt quickly becomes a genuine fight for survival.
Why it’s great: Deadstream is an absolutely perfect blend of Sam Raimi-esque horror-comedy and modern streamer culture satire. I’m almost sad to leave it outside of the top 5 but it just misses the mark ever so slightly. This movie is just so much fun, everything about it is old-school chaos. The protagonist is an obnoxious buffoon which makes the terrible things that happen to him all the more enjoyable. This is The Evil Dead for a modern age and I absolutely love it. The film’s creative scares, goopy practical effects, and genuine sense of fun make it an instant classic of the genre. Check out our review right here.
5. Lake Mungo (2008)
IMDb User Score: 6.5
What is It: After a teenage girl drowns, her grieving family begins to experience strange occurrences in their home. This Australian mockumentary uses interviews, home videos, and photographs to piece together the secret double life the girl led, and the haunting truth she left behind.
Why it’s great: Yes, Lake Mungo is on the list and yes it is in the top 5. I can already hear some of the denizens of the found footage subreddit who, for some reason, seem to hate this movie wailing. Then again, someone on there made a post about how great Chest is and another person posted about how The Nothing isn’t a complete pile of sweaty arse hair so I am not sure their opinions are to be trusted. This is less of a horror film and more of an exploration of grief and existential crisis. It uses the paranormal stuff as a vehicle for its story rather than as a crutch. It’s sad, moving, and actually a bit scary in parts. An easy entry into the top of the list for me. Check out our review right here.
4. Exhibit A (2007)
IMDb User Score: 6.0
What is It: A British family’s home video camera captures their father’s descent into chaos as, under extreme financial pressure, he begins to lose his grip on reality.
Why it’s great: It actively saddens me to see Exhibit A‘s IMDb user score. I have always known that this movie is underrated but holy shit! In fact, it is making me regret adding the IMDb user ratings. With that being said, this is my list so into the top 5 it goes. It’s a brutally raw and frighteningly realistic domestic drama disguised as a found footage horror film. The terror isn’t from the supernatural, but from the all-too-real depiction of a family collapsing under stress and that’s what makes it so damn unsettling. The ending is among the most depressing and shocking in found footage horror history. Exhibit A isn’t a movie to enjoy, it’s a movie to be horrified by and I love it for that. Check out our review right here.
3. Noroi: The Curse (2005)
IMDb User Score: 6.8
What is It: Noroi is a mockumentary, compiled from the footage of a missing paranormal journalist, that investigates a series of seemingly unrelated, strange events across Japan. The investigation slowly uncovers a terrifying connection to an ancient demon know as Kagutaba.
Why it’s great: This is the final appearance of Kôji Shiraishi on this list and it is his magnum opus. In my opinion, this is the epitome of the “investigative” style of found footage and one of my all time favourite films. It’s also the movie that really got me into the found footage horror genre, as a whole. It’s an extremely patient slow-burn epic that rewards viewers by meticulously weaving its disparate threads into a tapestry of genuinely unsettling cosmic horror. It goes in so many directions that it can feel, at times, like it doesn’t make sense. It all comes together in the end, though, and when that realisation sets in, it feels all the more creepy. Check out our review of Noroi: The Curse right here.
2. Late Night with the Devil (2023)
IMDb User Score: 7.0
What is It: A 1970s late-night talk show host, desperate to boost his failing ratings, orchestrates a live Halloween special featuring a parapsychologist and a supposedly possessed young girl. Little realising that he is about to broadcast a night of absolute terror.
Why it’s great: Is Late Night With the Devil the greatest found footage horror movie of the 2020s? I think it probably is and for good reason. It’s a picture perfect blend of 70s nostalgia, sharp satire, and actually effective supernatural dread. David Dastmalchian gives a career-best performance as the ambitious host, and the film’s use of a ‘master tape’ format creates an incredibly immersive experience. We see the recording, we go back stage, and we even have a front row seat to an ending that is both ridiculous and absolutely unexpected. It’s a found footage horror movie masterpiece and an easy entry near the top of this list. Check out our review of Late Night With The Devil right here.
1. Ghostwatch (1992)
IMDb User Score: 7.3
What is It: Originally broadcast on Halloween night in 1992 as a live BBC special, this television film presents itself as a genuine paranormal investigation into a haunted London home, featuring real TV presenters. The broadcast starts mundanely but slowly descends into horrifying, seemingly real supernatural events.
Why it’s great: A 7.3 IMDb user score, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and I still think it is underappreciated. An easy number 1 for me, this is arguably the most influential piece of found footage horror ever made and it is absolutely perfect Halloween viewing. Its pseudo-documentary format was so convincing that it famously terrified an entire nation, even leading to the tragic death of a young, mentally unwell man. Looking back, the balls on the people who made this are astonishing. It feature BBC mainstays like Michael Parkinson and Sarah Greene and presented itself with not a single hint of irony. I watched it as a kid, it was my first encounter with found footage, and I have loved it ever since. It might not hit for American viewers the way it will for Brits but it’s still absolutely essential viewing. Check out our review of Ghostwatch right here.
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