20 Must Watch Found Footage Horror Movies

Found footage horror movies have become a staple in the horror genre. If done correctly, filmmakers can utilize found footage as a way to produce a quality horror movie that seems raw and real. If done incorrectly, the film can be nearly unwatchable.

Found footage horror movies have been stereotyped as a low-budget means of making a feature film. This is true, in a sense. Paranormal Activity had a production budget of $15,000, and The Blair Witch Project had a production budget of $60,000. But there are found footage horror films with huge Hollywood budgets like Paranormal Activity 2, which had a production budget of $3 million. Or Grave Encounters, which had a reported budget of $2 million. Even The Den had a reported budget of $300K.

Not everyone is a fan of found footage films. The shaky camera style of filmmaking that is frequently overused in found footage movies can be annoying to many moviegoers.

When coming up with this list of “Must Watch” found footage horror movies, we looked at several criteria. How realistic is the film? Is it believable that this could be found footage? And is it entertaining?

We solicited input for the list from numerous Facebook groups, Reddit users, and of course, our research here at Mad Monster. When formulating the “Must Watch” list, we decided to only include the first movie in the film franchise. Debating the best film in a movie franchise is something that can be discussed later.

The following list of 20 Must Watch Found Footage Horror films is in no particular order. Let us know what your favorite is on the list?

The Blair Witch Project

Synopsis: Three film students vanish after traveling into a Maryland forest to film a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend, leaving only their footage behind.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes

Synopsis: A collection of tapes is found in Poughkeepsie, New York, chronicling the torture, rape, and murders of The Waterstreet Butcher. The film is actually inspired by various serial killers, including one from the titular town Poughkeepsie, but it’s not based on anyone single murderer.

REC

Synopsis: REC revolves around a television reporter, Ángela Vidal, and her cameraman, Pablo, who cover the night shift in one of Barcelona’s local fire stations for the fictional documentary television series Mientras Ustedes Duermen (While You Sleep). You may also want to check out the remake Quarantine.

The Possession of Michael King

Synopsis: After poor advice from a psychic leads to the death of his wife, a man vows to disprove the existence of the paranormal by allowing himself to be possessed by demons.

Grave Encounters

Synopsis: For their ghost hunting reality show, a production crew locks themselves inside an abandoned mental hospital that’s supposedly haunted – and it might prove to be all too true.

Paranormal Activity

Synopsis: After moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.

The Last Horror Movie

Synopsis: A serial killer uses a horror video rental to lure his next victim. What begins as a teen slasher transforms into a disturbing journey through the mind of Max Parry, a mild-mannered wedding photographer with a taste for human flesh.

Creep

Synopsis: Aaron answers an online ad and drives to a stranger’s house to film him for the day. The man wants to make a movie for his unborn child, but his requests become more bizarre as the day goes along.

The Taking of Deborah Logan

Synopsis: Mia records the daily lives of Deborah and her daughter Sarah as part of her thesis. As the days progress, strange things happen around Deborah, and it becomes apparent something has taken control of her.

Trollhunter

Synopsis: A group of students investigates a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is a troll hunter.

WNUF Halloween Special

Synopsis: Originally broadcast live on October 31, 1987, the ‘WNUF Halloween Special’ is a stunning expose of terrifying supernatural activity that unfolded at the infamous Webber House, the site of ghastly murders. Local television personality Frank Stewart leads a group of paranormal investigators, including Catholic exorcist, Father Joseph Matheson, and the prolific husband-and-wife team Louis and Claire Berger. Together, the experts explore the darkest corners of the supposedly haunted Webber House, trying to prove the existence of the demonic entities within.

Home Movie

Synopsis: In the remote woods of Upstate New York, David and Clare Poe are attempting to live an idyllic life. However, their twin children’s bizarre behavior might just tear the family apart.

V/H/S

Synopsis: When a group of misfits are hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for.

Afflicted

Synopsis: Two best friends see their trip of a lifetime take a dark turn when a mysterious affliction strikes one of them. Now, in a foreign land, they race to uncover the source before it consumes him completely.

Man Bites Dog

Synopsis: The activities of rampaging, indiscriminate serial killer Ben are recorded by a willingly complicit documentary team, who eventually become his accomplices and active participants. Ben provides casual commentary on the nature of his work and arbitrary musings on topics of interest to him, such as music or the conditions of low-income housing, and even goes so far as to introduce the documentary crew to his family. But their reckless indulgences soon get the better of them.

The Den

Synopsis: While studying the habits of webcam chat users from the apparent safety of her own home, a young woman’s life begins to spiral out of control after witnessing a grisly murder online.

The Conspiracy

Synopsis: A documentary about conspiracy theories takes a horrific turn after the filmmakers uncover an ancient and dangerous secret society.

Exhibit A

Synopsis: The timely story of a normal family disintegrating under financial pressure, eventually driven to the unimaginable. We witness the terrifying events unfold through daughter Judith’s video camera, which subsequently becomes Exhibit A.

The Sacrament

Synopsis: A news team trails a man as he travels into the world of Eden Parish to find his missing sister, where it becomes apparent that this paradise may not be as it seems.

Willow Creek

Synopsis: A man and his girlfriend camp in the woods to capture firsthand evidence of Bigfoot.