The "found footage" format ingrained itself as a staple of horror movies during the early 21st century, but a glut of such films has flooded the marketplace with inferior examples of the immersive style. To help you sort through the mounds of mediocrity, here is a rundown of the best found footage fright flicks. Note: I'm sticking with strict "found footage" for this list and not faux documentaries, thus excluding excellent films like Lake Mungo, Behind the Mask and Ghostwatch.
If The Strangers were shot in a found footage style (with a lot less money and talent), it might come off like this low budget but effective tale of a group of friends who must deal with invaders in an isolated home.Buy from Amazon »
One of the earliest of the 21st century wave of found footage films, Alone with Her presents all of its action through the lens of a stalker's spy cameras as maps out a fascinating plot to weave his way into his target's life.
The V/H/S films are a nonsensical and uneven but enjoyable and inventive new way to package found footage -- as a horror anthology -- for the low-attention-span, YouTube generation.Buy from Amazon »
Like Alone with Her, 388 Arletta Avenue is told through a stalker's hidden cameras -- both handheld and stationary cams hidden in the house, car and workplace. It results in some surprisingly seamless storytelling that's realistically captured (given the culprit's ability to hide multiple cameras without being noticed) in a final product that balances the unpolished style of found footage with refined cinematic thrills.Buy from Amazon »
23. Evil Things (2011)
If The Strangers were shot in a found footage style (with a lot less money and talent), it might come off like this low budget but effective tale of a group of friends who must deal with invaders in an isolated home.Buy from Amazon »
22. Megan Is Missing (2011)
Slow and amateurish for a good portion of its running time, this dramatic thriller about teens who fall prey to an online predator gives way to a finale that is shocking, grimly realistic and hard to shake. It's sure to give every parent nightmares...which is its stated purpose.Buy from Amazon »21. Noroi: The Curse (2005)
Japan was on this 21st century found footage wave before most of us in the US knew it existed, as evidenced by The Curse, an intriguing but drawn-out and overly convoluted story about ghosts, demons and curses that plays a bit like The Grudge told from the perspective of a paranormal investigator.20. Look (2009)
In this uniquely conceived thriller, a series of stories are told from the viewpoint of security cameras, following plots involving sexual exploits, revenge and murder. The format wears a bit thin, but it's still a fresh and original concept.19. The Bay (2012)
The Bay brings skin-crawling eco-themed horror from the '70s into the 21st century with video captured from a much wider variety of sources -- more than 20 cameras -- than your average found footage film.18. Atrocious (2011)
This Spanish film comprised of video discovered at a crime scene is unoriginal for found footage fare but is well made and genuinely creepy with a nice twist ending.Buy from Amazon »17. Alone with Her (2006)
One of the earliest of the 21st century wave of found footage films, Alone with Her presents all of its action through the lens of a stalker's spy cameras as maps out a fascinating plot to weave his way into his target's life.
16. V/H/S (2012) / V/H/S/2 (2013)
The V/H/S films are a nonsensical and uneven but enjoyable and inventive new way to package found footage -- as a horror anthology -- for the low-attention-span, YouTube generation.Buy from Amazon »
15. 388 Arletta Avenue (2012)
Like Alone with Her, 388 Arletta Avenue is told through a stalker's hidden cameras -- both handheld and stationary cams hidden in the house, car and workplace. It results in some surprisingly seamless storytelling that's realistically captured (given the culprit's ability to hide multiple cameras without being noticed) in a final product that balances the unpolished style of found footage with refined cinematic thrills.Buy from Amazon »
14. Evidence (2013)
Evidence is a refreshing blend of slasher and found footage film, featuring a unique mix of first- and third-person storytelling in the tale of police using recording devices found at the scene of a mass murder to piece together what happened.
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