I’ll admit, my mind hasn’t been functioning lately, so today I’m just going to share part 1 of my favorite Found Footage horror films! Found Footage is one of my favorite horror movie sub-genres. I love the camerawork and the unsettling intensity that it brings. I hope you enjoy and let me know your favorite Found Footage horror films!

The Blair Witch Project

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): 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 Blair Witch Project was another game changing found footage film that caused controversy at the time of its release. Before its debut, the people behind the film created a clever marketing ploy that included missing posters of the three actors. This truly made audiences believe the actors were really MIA and the movie was real found footage. Over time, it became one of my go-to horror films. I can throw it on at any time and never get tired of it!

[REC]

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): A television reporter and cameraman follow emergency workers into a dark apartment building and are quickly locked inside with something terrifying.

[REC] was a fresh take on the zombie genre. The directors wanted authenticity so much, they hired actors that weren’t known at the time and didn’t even tell them who was going to get killed until the day they shot their death scene. The shaky cam and claustrophobic feeling are what make this film truly stand out from other zombie flicks for me.

Paranormal Activity

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): After moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.

Paranormal Activity petrified audiences by showing very little. It was the atmosphere and the acting that truly sold this film for me. I absolutely love the story and the slow buildup. Including me, this filmgained many fans and quickly turned into the most famous found footage franchise of the 2000s.

V/H/S

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): 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.

V/H/S brought one of the most creative films from two sub-genres: found footage and anthology. With this film and its sequel, we were introduced to memorable characters, cringeworthy scenes, and the creepy found footage aspect to wrap all around it. It also broadened the genre to more than just a video camera (webcam, glasses cam, and sports cam) that stretched the story ideas and created fresh and original found footage.

Capture Kill Release

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): A couple plots to murder a random stranger just for the thrill of it, but things turn ugly when one of them decides not to go through with it.

Capture Kill Release isn’t well known in the horror community, but it definitely brings something new to the table. Audiences get to watch the life and process of a killer with this found footage POV. The characters are also so likable, they make you forget you’re watching them plot to kill someone. I still hope that someday it’ll get the attention it deserves because, in my opinion, this was the best found footage horror in recent years!