Ever wonder what happens when someone stumbles upon creepy, abandoned footage? Found footage horror films hold the answer. They blur reality and fiction, making you question if you should ever record anything again. Each film on this list turns ordinary moments into pure terror. Ready for a wild ride through shaky cams and sleepless nights? Let’s hit play on 11 found footage horror films to watch right now!
Creep (2014)
Director: Patrick Brice
Plot in a Nutshell: You’re a broke videographer. A weird guy hires you to film his life in a remote cabin. Easy money, right? Wrong. He’s not just quirky—he’s psychotically quirky. Awkward chats turn into “please-don’t-kill-me” moments.
Mark Duplass, usually charmingly odd, goes full-on creepy. His chemistry with director Patrick Brice (who plays the videographer) is electric, like watching a slow-mo car crash. You know it’s bad, but you can’t look away. Duplass makes you laugh, then makes you wonder if you’ll ever laugh again. It’s not the plot—it’s the raw, unscripted feel of their interactions.
Final Take: “Creep” is on of those found footage horror films that turns simple interactions into nightmare fuel. Watch it if you dare, but maybe leave the lights on. And if a stranger offers you easy money to film his life? Just say no.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Directors: Eduardo Sánchez, Daniel Myrick
Plot in a Nutshell: Three film students hike into the woods to document a local legend. They get lost. They never return. Their footage is found, and the rest is horror history.
Remember when “Scream” dissected horror movies? “The Blair Witch Project” did the opposite. It created a new style in the found footage horror film genre with its grainy, home movie look. Back in 1999, the Internet was like the Wild West, and Artisan Entertainment used it brilliantly to make people think this film was real. People walked into theaters wondering if they were about to watch real lost footage. Spoiler: they weren’t, but the scare was real.
It’s raw, it’s shaky, and it feels disturbingly real. The film turned a micro-budget indie into a massive hit, proving you don’t need big bucks to scare the pants off audiences.
Final Take: “The Blair Witch Project” isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience. It reinvented how horror could be presented and marketed. Watch it, and you’ll see why it left such a lasting impact. Just don’t plan any camping trips right after.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Director: Oren Peli
Plot in a Nutshell: A young couple sets up cameras around their house to capture evidence of a haunting. What they find is far scarier than they imagined.
Made on a shoestring budget of $15,000, “Paranormal Activity” turned minimalist effects into maximum scares. Forget CGI ghosts. This film uses creaky floors and flickering lights to achieve their goal.
Micah Sloat’s “tough guy” routine and Katie Featherston’s descent into fear create a realistic dynamic. Yes, Micah’s macho attitude is grating, but it’s meant to be. Katie’s performance, on the other hand, is a masterclass in portraying slow, creeping terror.
Final Take: This film is all about building tension. The calm before the storm scenes had audiences nervously chattering, which only made the scares hit harder. So next time you hear a bump in the night, you might just wish you hadn’t seen it.
Hell House LLC. (2015)
Director: Stephen Cognetti
Plot in a Nutshell: A haunted house crew chooses the worst possible location for their attraction. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t end well.
“Hell House LLC” is all about execution. The setup is basic: a haunted house gone wrong. But the scares? They’re top-notch. The film uses simple tricks like shifting props and creepy clowns to ramp up the tension. The actors’ frustration and unease feel real, making the escalating weirdness all the more believable. The “real-time” shooting style, with no cuts, adds to the authenticity.
Final Take: Despite a few moments of unintentional humor towards the end, “Hell House LLC” delivers genuine, heart-pounding fear. It stands out in the post-“Paranormal Activity” found footage landscape as a well-executed, minimalist horror flick.
REC (2007)
Directors: Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza
Plot in a Nutshell: A news crew sneaks into a quarantined building during a mysterious outbreak. What they find? Think “zombies meet demonic possession.”
“REC” is the crème de la crème of found footage zombie films. It blends the chaos of “28 Days Later” with a demonic twist, redefining what a zombie flick can be. The Spanish film keeps you on the edge of your seat with fast-moving infected and claustrophobic, first-person filming. The film feels like a professional news broadcast gone horribly wrong. Its low budget doesn’t stop it from delivering top-notch scares and excellently choreographed zombie mayhem. The tight, confined setting amps up the tension.
Final Take: “REC” is a must-watch for zombie and horror fans alike. It’s a fresh take on the genre that makes you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the chaos. Just hope you never have to live it.
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Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)
Director: Jung Bum-shik
Plot in a Nutshell: A horror YouTuber and his crew livestream their exploration of an abandoned psychiatric hospital. Fake scares turn real as the asylum’s horrors consume them one by one.
“Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” brings found footage into the digital age with a fresh twist. The film uses drones, night vision cameras, and professional camerawork to enhance the realism. The hospital’s eerie atmosphere becomes a character itself, with each room more familiar and haunting as the story progresses. Fake scares set up by the YouTuber quickly give way to real terror. The crew’s growing discomfort and fear are palpable, blurring the lines between staged and actual horror.
Final Take: “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” mixes self-awareness with genuine fear, offering a critique of greed and the voyeuristic nature of modern horror media. It’s a chilling, ambitious entry that keeps you hooked—and maybe makes you rethink your next haunted livestream.
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
Director: Shin’ichirô Ueda
Plot in a Nutshell: A film crew tries to shoot a live, single-take zombie movie. Chaos ensues both in front of and behind the camera.
This isn’t one of your typical zombie flicks (nor your typical found footage horror films). “One Cut of the Dead” starts with what seems like a straightforward zombie movie, but then flips the script. The first act is a 30-minute uninterrupted take of a zombie film. The twist? The zombies aren’t real—they’re actors, and the true story is about the hilarious and heartwarming behind-the-scenes chaos.
The “do it yourself” spirit and creativity of the crew are infectious. As we see the mishaps and quick thinking that went into the live broadcast, everything that seemed odd in the initial take becomes a source of comedy and admiration.
Final Take: “One Cut of the Dead” isn’t just a zombie movie—it’s a love letter to low-budget filmmaking. It’s funny, smart, and surprisingly touching. You’ll finish it with a smile, appreciating the magic of making movies
Host (2020)
Director: Rob Savage
Plot in a Nutshell: A group of friends holds a seance over a Zoom call during the pandemic. Spoiler: it goes horribly wrong.
“Host” is a perfect time capsule of 2020’s isolation. Made during the pandemic, it’s a supernatural thriller shot entirely over Zoom. At just 56 minutes, it’s an extended short film that hits hard and fast. The film’s technical achievement is impressive—Rob Savage directed without ever being in the same room as his actors. The effects, often set up by the performers themselves, add authenticity. Plus, it turns everyday tech glitches into sources of real terror.
Final Take: “Host” is a no-frills, high-tension thriller that perfectly captures the essence of 2020. It’s short, sharp, and scary—a must-watch for fans of inventive horror.
Noroi: The Curse (2005)
Director: Koji Shiraishi
Plot in a Nutshell: A paranormal investigator turns himself exposed into a web of curses and demons.
“Noroi: The Curse” may be over fifteen years old, but it remains a landmark in Japanese horror and found footage. The film’s strength lies in its dark, slow-building dread. It’s less about jump scares and more about the unsettling atmosphere that creeps under your skin.
With a two-hour runtime and a complex storyline, it demands your full attention. Paranormal investigator Masafumi Kobayashi, played by Jin Muraki, leads us through a dark, twisting narrative that requires a rewatch—and maybe a notebook.
Final Take: “Noroi: The Curse” is ambitious and captivating, despite its convoluted plot. It’s a testament to Koji Shiraishi’s talent and love for J-horror. Watch it with the lights off—if you dare.
The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)
Director: Adam Robitel
Plot in a Nutshell: A college film crew documents an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s, only to discover a darker force at play.
The film blends Alzheimer’s and possession for a unique twist on the genre. Jill Larson delivers a chilling performance as Deborah, making the most mundane moments terrifying. Stylish on a budget, the film excels in creating disturbing imagery. The scenes where Deborah’s behavior shifts from sad to sinister are unforgettable.
Final Take: Despite some irrational character decisions and a questionable ending, “The Taking of Deborah Logan” stands out for its creativity and strong performances. It’s a stylish, unsettling entry in both the found footage and possession subgenres.
V/H/S (2012)
Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, David Bruckner, Tyler Gillett
Plot in a Nutshell: A group of guys find a stash of mysterious VHS tapes. Watching them reveals a series of terrifying stories.
Horror anthologies are hit-or-miss, but “V/H/S” keeps it tight and cohesive. Each segment, directed by a horror heavyweight, brings something unique to the found footage horror films. The standout? David Bruckner’s “Amateur Night,” where a night out goes horribly wrong when the guys bring home a girl who’s more than she seems. The film’s framing narrative ties the segments together smoothly. It’s not just random stories thrown together; there’s a method to the madness. Plus, the raw, grainy VHS aesthetic adds a nostalgic creepiness.
Final Take: “V/H/S” stands out in the crowded field of horror anthologies with its inventive stories and strong direction. It’s fun, scary, and creatively unsettling—a must-watch for horror fans.
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