The found footage horror genre is one of the scariest kinds of films that create fear by presenting the narrative as though it were video recorded or “discovered”. It gives the impression that the footages were found by accidental means and adds a layer of authenticity to immerse in the story in a deeper way.
It is widely believed that the genre became popular with the release of The Blair Witch Project in 1999. This movie tricked audiences into believing they were watching real footage. It was because of the success of this movie that other filmmakers started exploring this particular style of filmmaking.
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What makes these horror movies stand apart is the use of first-person perspectives and the "handheld camera" perspective to intensify the tension and blur the line between what’s real and what’s not. It allows the audience to feel like they are a part of the events in the story. These movies create intimate, terrifying experiences that feel personal and believable.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
Top 10 terrifying found footage horror films to watch this Halloween
1.Noroi: The Curse (2005)
Noroi: The Curse is a Japanese found footage horror movie that has a mix of documentary-style filmmaking and supernatural terror. It is about a aranormal investigator who finds out a series of disturbing events connected to a curse. It is a slow-building movie that has an eerie atmosphere throughout. Noroi is one of the scariest and most unsettling-found footage films out there as it has folklore connections that will surely give you goosebumps.
2) Creep (2014)
Directed by Patrick Brice, Creep is found footage horror movie is dependent on the awkward and unnerving interaction between two characters. Mark Duplass is Josef, who is a seemingly friendly but eccentric man. He hires a videographer to document his life. But, what starts as an unusual gig soon turns into something deeply terrifying and unsettling.
The tension between the two characters increases, and the audience won’t be able to shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. The plot will keep viewers guessing and the minimal settings make it almost believable.
It makes you feel terrified because of how it makes everyday situations feel eerie. It’s proof that sometimes, the most terrifying is when humans act out of pure madness.
3) The Blair Witch Project (1999)
As mentioned, The Blair Witch Project is widely considered to be the first in the found footage horror genre. This movie had a raw and realistic approach
The story is about three filmmakers who go into the woods to know more about the legend of the Blair Witch. When the promotional campaign for the movie was happening, audiences wondered if whatever they were seeing was made up or real. The grainy and shaky footage aided that thought.
4) Lake Mungo (2008)
Lake Mungo is a documentary-style found footage horror movie that shows how deeply humans are affected by grief and loss, and how we are haunted by the search for closure.
When Alice Palmer drowns, her family starts to experience some strange happenings. They start believing that her spirit is still around. What makes this horror movie stand out is its focus on the emotional weight of losing a loved one.
This is a slow-burning, mysterious, strange, and haunting found footage horror movie that will sneak up on you.
5) Hell House LLC (2015)
Hell House LLC is a must-watch for found footage horror movie lovers. It is about the story of a crew that sets up a haunted house attraction in an abandoned hotel. Later they come to know that they are not alone there.
The movie features interviews and footage from the cameras of the crew. The strange sounds help in creating a plot that is subtle, but effective. There are plenty of jumpscares and creepy mannequins too. All in all, Hell House LLC is a good mixture of paranormal activity and haunted house horror.
6) REC (2007)
REC is a Spanish horror movie that brings a new twist with a zombie trope to the found footage horror genre. The story is about a news crew who report on an emergency at an apartment building.
But to their horror, they find themselves trapped inside the building with infected residents who are rage-filled. This is a heart-pounding watch with confined spaces and relentless pace from start to finish. Not to forget, the first-person perspective of found footage horror makes you feel like you are right in the middle of all the chaos.
7) As Above, So Below (2014)
As Above, So Below is one of the favorites of found footage horror fans because of how uniquely terrifying and unsettling it is. The story is about a group of explorers who descend into the eerie catacombs of Paris. They go deeper underground and then find themselves confronting their deepest fears.
The movie is inspired by Dante’s Inferno. It reflects a metaphysical journey through hell. The cramped and dark space creates a sense of unease and gives you an unsettling feeling. The scares play out well and the mystery makes you want to know more about what’s going to happen next. This is definitely a cerebral watch which is not very common when it comes to found footage horror movies out there.
8) The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
The Poughkeepsie Tapes is a pseudo-documentary found footage horror movie that features tapes of a serial killer, which is undoubtedly, extremely disturbing. It shows everything from stalking to kidnapping to the torturing of victims.
The found footage horror format makes the story seem realistic. The killer’s actions seem realistic and believable, which makes it even more scarier. Also, the interview format creates a chilling experience that will stay with you for a long time.
9) The Tunnel (2011)
It is an Australian found footage horror movie. It is about a journalist and her crew who investigate abandoned tunnels beneath Sydney.
What they find lurking in the dark is far more terrifying than any government conspiracy. The movie makes use of interviews with the crew members who survive. This makes it feel like a true documentary. There are several bone-chilling moments in the movie and lots of tense scenes too.
10) One Cut of the Dead (2017)
This Japanese found footage horror movie starts as a typical zombie movie. But soon it becomes much more than that. It plays with the concept of filmmaking as it shows the chaotic process of making a low-budget zombie movie.
The movie is equal parts hilarious, equal parts smart, and full of surprises. This found footage movie might not be as scary as the others on the list but it’s the kind of movie that horror fans will like for its originality.
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