Cinema is something that should constantly be evolving. With that said, it’s rare to see movies that break free from the typical structure of filmmaking that we know. In 1980, a horrifying film entitled Cannibal Holocaust came on the market and shocked critics and audiences alike. Many consider this movie to be the first found footage film in history. It introduced us to a new type of movie where even though the plot is fiction, the film is made in such a way that it feels as if you’re watching real footage. This underground film paved the way for classics like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. Since then, filmmakers have been utilizing the found footage technique to span across all genres of filmmaking.

Updated: November 2022: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated by Dylan Reber.

Even if you know what you’re seeing isn’t real, found footage filmmaking still creates an atmosphere that is special and original in comparison to regular narrative films. It also gives filmmakers new possibilities and has resulted in even more ways to make a film in the modern age. With that said, here are our top 15 found footage movies of all time.

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15 The Bay

     Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions

This 2012 mockumentary horror film was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Barry Levinson. It follows a parasitic infection that ravages a small seaside town in Maryland. The Bay uses video surveillance, news, and police footage to tell the story, giving us a solid pandemic thriller that doubles as an attempt at tricking audiences into believing that it’s real.

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14 Unfriended

     Universal Pictures

The 2014 horror film Unfriended utilizes Skype technology to tell its story, showing us a new way to make a movie that does not rely on expensive camera equipment. The entire film takes place via webcam as we watch a supernatural Skype user named “billie227” terrorize a group of high school students. Check it out to see why Collider states that it’s more than a “found footage gimmick” film.

13 Cannibal Holocaust

     United Artists Entertainment

12 Host

     Shudder

This 2020 British horror film follows a group of friends who remain connected via Zoom technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to Unfriended, the entire film takes place on a computer screen. After taking part in a séance, a supernatural force terrorizes the characters taking part in the Zoom call. Host was released by the well-known horror production company, Shudder, and it is a perfect example of incorporating topical global events into a movie.

11 Grave Encounters

     Tribeca Film

The box office success Grave Encounters has gained a cult following despite earning mixed reviews from critics upon its release. The story follows a group of reality-TV ghost hunters who lock themselves in a mental asylum overnight while documenting their experience. This terrifying ghost story is notable for its effective use of the mockumentary shooting style.

10 Lake Mungo

     Arclight Films

The 2008 Australian horror film Lake Mungo uses “docufiction” techniques to capture and describe the supernatural events that a family experienced after their daughter drowned in a lake. The film utilizes interviewees to tell the story, making it feel as if you are watching a real documentary. It also features some truly terrifying scenes, and one scare in particular will sit with you long after the credits roll.

9 The Visit

The Visit marked a refreshing return to form for the provocative filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. He delivers a scary story about a brother and sister who meet their estranged grandparents for the first time, soon realizing that there is something very wrong with them. The film’s effective camera movement, performances, and blending of horror with comedy all make for an effective and unsettling film.

8 Creep

     The OrchardNetflix

The talented Mark Duplass wrote and starred in this skin-crawling thriller about a man who terrorizes a filmmaker he hired from a Craigslist ad. Creep’s jump scares, tension-building scenes, and uncomfortable dialogue make for a chilling thriller, one that’s carried by Duplass’s brilliant performance. Following an equally successful sequel film, hopes are high that a third Creep film may be on the horizon.

7 Rec

     Filmax

The 2007 Spanish found footage film, Rec, follows a news reporter who follows firefighters into an apartment complex to find that there is an infection turning the tenants into violent zombies. This gritty, atmospheric take on zombie infection hits all the marks of a classic thriller, and it received an American remake under the name Quarantine just one year later.

6 V/H/S

     Magnet Releasing

V/H/S is an anthology film made up of found-footage shorts from different filmmakers. Each tale was filmed to resemble grainy VHS tape recordings, hence the title. The shorts are original, scary, and tackle a variety of different topics. The film was quite successful and has spawned a number of sequels, but the original remains the best entry in the series.

5 Searching

     Sony Pictures Releasing

The 2018 film Searching, which stars John Cho, showcased how the found footage technique can effectively tell a mystery thriller story. The film follows a father searching for his sixteen-year-old daughter, and his search is shown through computer and cell phone screens. Cho gives a fantastic performance as the desperate father, though he is often the only actor present in a given scene. The film was a box office success — a major accomplishment for a film that cost only around $800,000-$1,000,000 to make (per Digital Spy).

4 Chronicle

     20th Century Studios

Josh Trank’s 2012 science fiction film Chronicle presents the story of three friends who discover an object, possibly from another world, that gives them all telekinetic powers. The visuals in this film are fantastic and the cast (which includes Dan Dehaan and Michael B. Jordan) delivers fine performances. Most notable, however, is the way that it innovated on the genre of superhero movies, taking a found-footage approach and grounding the story in the lives of normal people.

3 Cloverfield

     Paramount Pictures

J.J. Abrams’ long-awaited and secretive Cloverfield was released in 2008 to acclaim from audiences and critics. Abrams was the first to use found footage filmmaking techniques to create a big-budget monster movie. The film follows a group of friends as they try to outrun a giant monster destroying New York City. The special effects in this film are astonishing, and the camera work makes you feel like you’re really there. This effect renders the movie more scary and suspenseful than it may have otherwise been. Today, Cloverfield is a veritable franchise with three entries and plans for future releases.

2 Paranormal Activity

     Blumhouse Productions

Having the hook of “what you are about to see is real” is an effective method to genuinely frighten audiences, even if the events of the movie are in fact fake. Director Oren Peli scared audiences around the globe with Paranormal Activity, his low-budget film about a couple terrorized in their home by a supernatural presence. The film uses practical effects and video surveillance footage to build tension and shock audiences. Paranormal Activity was made on a shoestring budget, but it nevertheless went on to create one of the most successful horror franchises in history. 

1 The Blair Witch Project

     Haxan Films

When The Blair Witch Project was released in 1999, many viewers came to theaters under the impression that what they were about to see was real. The film was marketed as “footage” discovered after three filmmakers disappeared in a Maryland forest after attempting to find the urban legend known as the Blair Witch. This movie is considered a seminal example of found footage cinema; its creepy forest setting, realistic camera work, and convincing performances helped make it a horror classic.