By Jim Mcleod 
Let’s be honest, found footage is the most divisive genre in horror. Critics bemoan the shaky cameras, the questionable logic of characters who won’t stop filming, and a sea of low-budget imitators. But for true aficionados like me, when it’s done right, nothing is more terrifying. There’s a raw, immersive quality to the best found footage that big-budget studio horror can rarely match.
It’s a genre built on a brilliant premise: what you’re about to see is real. From the game-changing phenomenon of The Blair Witch Project to the creeping dread of Paranormal Activity, these films tap into a primal fear by presenting themselves as unedited evidence of the unimaginable.
The use of unknown actors only heightens this illusion, making the terror feel authentic and immediate. Of course, the cardinal sin of the genre is breaking that very illusion—the moment you stop and ask, “Why are they still filming?!” is the moment the spell is broken. In this article, I’ll cut through the noise and celebrate the films that get it right, from iconic classics to forgotten treasures that deserve a spot in every horror fan’s queue.
Found Footage Fear: A Cinephile’s Defense of the Genre’s Best Scares
Let’s talk about my personal favorite genre in horror: found footage. They’re controversial and there are some really bad ones but I enjoy them more than most other genres of horror. Some people argue you’ll never see a star in one of them because…you know, they end badly for everyone in the “footage” but I’m okay with that. Part of the charm, to me, is they’re made by largely unknown actors.
Obviously, the most famous is the Blair Witch Project. It really kicked the idea of found footage movies to that next level and, to my mind, secured the Found Footage genre as a sub-genre of horror. I remember seeing BWP in the theater and being absolutely “wowed.” My cousin hated it because he couldn’t take the jostling camera and it is a common complaint from those who don’t like the genre.
One thing I look for in a found footage horror movie, is whether it’s believable that the “victims” would continue filming. Let’s face it—if you’re in a life and death struggle for survival, continually filming when you’re being chased by some Big Bad isn’t even believable. I’ve had problems with a few movies because of this. Lots of people liked Chronicle, but I saw several points where it wasn’t realistic to continue using a camera. Those moments pulled me out of the movie to say, “Wait!” and so I don’t count that one as a fav.
To date there have been LOTS of found footage films and I’ve watched most of them. Of course, I have my favorites, which I’ll give my top 5 plus a Must Mention, but there are plenty of really good movies to represent the genre. I’ll name a few here: REC, V/H/S, Grave Encounters, The Last Broadcast, Tunnel, Exists, Apollo 18, and Cloverfield (this was another I questioned on continued filming once things got bad, but it was still enjoyable).
I will give a shoutout to two lesser known ones: Creep 1 & 2, and a forgotten one—Phoenix Forgotten. Creep 1 & 2 don’t fit my usual criteria because there’s nothing really supernatural going on, but they’re so well done they’re well worth the watch. And Phoenix Forgotten was a movie that came out in 2017 and focused on the famous Phoenix Lights. It’s underrated, and also hard to find now. You can purchase copies but it’s unavailable on Amazon to stream.
As for newer found footage that are worth watching I came up with 3: Host, Late Night With the Devil, and one called The House on Mansfield Street. They’re all decent, but I’ll let you look into them as opposed to regurgitating the plots. For me, they all fit the genre and do some clever things in the filming and story.
As to my Top 5, they are as follows and in order:
#1: Hell House LLC franchise. Specifically the original. Truly creepy with some unnerving scenes and that damn clown—this is the best. It’s got the slow build without dragging it out before getting to the scares and the creeps. #2 & #3 were decent too for being sequels. Hell House: Origins came out just recently with another on the way, and Origins to me, took it back to the original in terms of tension and freak out.
#2: Lake Mungo. A lot of people argue it’s not really that creepy so much as an unsettling mockumentary of a family’s tragedy, but it takes twists and turns I really liked, and the end cements it as a true found footage horror for me.
#3: Paranormal Activity. The first movie to me, is pure genius. Shot on a tiny budget like Blair Witch, it captures all the elements of horror and they pull some stunts and effects in the movie that I thought added a lot of creep in creative ways!
#4: The Frankenstein Theory. This is a lesser known found footage but to my mind it’s really great. Classic set up with the twist of following up on Mary Shelley’s novel. It stands the test of time and offers a creepy adventure.
#5 Butterfly Kisses. I hate the title and avoided watching it for some time because of it, but when I finally did, I really loved the concept and the movie. It’s actually two found footage stories unfolding connected to Peeping Tom / Blink Tom (I think the latter would have been a much better title). One story is the direct found footage and the second, also documented on film, shows the slow spiral of a guy with issues. It’s very clever all the way around.
Finally, I’m giving a special shoutout to my personal favorite found footage:
Savageland. I discovered this gem a few years back though it came out in 2015. It’s called a mockumentary and doesn’t follow the standard protocol for a found footage but I do count it as found footage. Instead of movie footage, there are a series of 36 photographs which form the crux of the plot, though there is some film footage of the main character included.
Otherwise it’s all interviews. I fell in love with Savageland from the first viewing. It’s eerie and downright disturbing, from the actual plot but also from the perspective of all the secondary characters who have wildly differing opinions of what happened in Sangrie De Cristo “that night.” If you haven’t seen it, you need to. It’s clever and takes a creative spin on the genre.
Craig Crawford
BIO:
Craig Crawford grew up reading all the time but it’s when he discovered fantasy and science fiction he got to wondering whether he could create his own stories. He spent the next decades writing and improving his skills. He published two non-fiction indexes with Palladium Books in 1994 and 1997. In 2008 he happened into an internship working with an editor on a fantasy novel and a novella.
In 2019 he got interested in writing horror and got his first fiction story published. Since then he’s published thirty short stories with twenty-two different presses in a variety of genres. In 2023 he published a novel length, dark sci-fi/horror serial in four parts thanks to RedCape Publishing. The next installment is releasing now.
He writes in fantasy, sci-fi, YA, horror, humor—whatever his imagination gives him. You can learn more about his writing and what makes him tick at https://craiglcrawfordbooks.com.
Currently he’s published two novel length serials titled under Project Threshold under Red Cape Publishing. For his novel length serial you can find our more at https://projectthreshold.com.
Craig’s twitter account is: @CraigLCrawford
Project Threshold: Team Berger: Division 1 by Craig Crawford
In a multiverse where the walls are thin between our world and others, Project Threshold stands between humanity and monsters crossing over to threaten us. Harris Berger and his team intervenes on our behalf. Death waits around every corner but dying isn’t the worst thing they have to endure. Berger wades in with his team: Sam, Billy, Jacks, Jessie, and their new recruit, Pendelhaven. Team Berger faces an unknown advanced civilization, mimics loose on the streets of Chicago killing homeless people, dealing with the aftermath of witnessing awful things, mermaids in the Midwest and an apartment where people start committing suicide for no apparent reason.
Project Threshold Season 2: Team Riker by Craig Crawford
Hannah and McCoy lost two of their closest friends during the confrontation with the genocidal Alaskan entity and they’re not sure how to move on. Kurt and Cass bolster their ranks but Kurt struggles against his Alaskan curse. Riker continues hunting the monster that killed her parents while trying to stop an entity killing those who trespass on its domain, and they enter the most dangerous house in Alaska . . .
Horror Features on Ginger Nuts of Horror
If you’re a fan of spine-chilling tales and hair-raising suspense, then you won’t want to miss the horror features page on The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website. This is the ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts seeking in-depth analysis, thrilling reviews, and exclusive interviews with some of the best minds in the genre. From independent films to mainstream blockbusters, the site covers a broad spectrum of horror media, ensuring that you’re always in the loop about the latest and greatest.
The passionate team behind The Ginger Nuts of Horror delivers thoughtful critiques and recommendations that delve into the nuances of storytelling, character development, and atmospheric tension. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems to stream on a dark and stormy night or want to explore the work of up-and-coming horror filmmakers, this page is packed with content that will ignite your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat.
So grab your favourite horror-themed snacks, settle into a cosy spot, and immerse yourself in the chilling world of horror literature and film. Head over to The Ginger Nuts of Horror and embark on a journey through the eerie and the extraordinary. It’s an adventure you won’t soon forget!
