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Top 10 Found Footage Films

Published

9 years ago

September 25, 2015

I can’t believe that in 2015 I am finally making this list, but I am.

A few years ago, I would have scoffed at the idea. I hated found footage movies, but after so many of them being shoved in my face, I’ve actually grown to appreciate them. If done correctly, they can be good. Very good, in fact. However, that is the exception and not the rule. Too many of them employ the same beaten-to-death jump scare tricks and poor storylines just to pump out a quick, low-budget movie for a nice profit. I’ve waded through the mud for you lovely readers and have compiled a list of 10 of the best found footage films that have been made thus far. The films on this list go above and beyond most movies in this horror subgenre, with unique storylines, scares, and overall production. I really enjoyed these ones, and I hope you will too.

The plot for about 7,506,405,450,540 films to date.

10. The Houses October Built (2014)[youtube id=”Yedl4lY9VgM” align=”right”]

This movie belongs on this list because of its original plot. I love the idea of a group of friends traveling around in search for haunted houses that go above and beyond your standard Halloween attractions. Evil clowns, psycho rednecks, and Haunted House freaks abound, this movie is filled with creepiness. Watch the trailer…I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

9. Trollhunter (2012) [youtube id=”uvwEyHeRSvE” align=”right”]

Trollhunter is a Norwegian film about a group of students who aim to find out what exactly is going on behind a bunch of bear killings. As the title suggests, there is more than just bears in this movie. There are Trolls. Awesome, stop-motion styled Trolls at that. If you don’t like movies with subtitles, then you may want to skip this one, but I implore you to reconsider and just get over it. Reading’s not that bad. You’re a big boy or girl. You can handle it.

8. Paranormal Activity (2009) [youtube id=”F_UxLEqd074″ align=”right”]

This is like every 7th grader’s first scary movie. “Oh, that wasn’t even scary! That was funny. And stupid too, actually. Huhuhuhhuh!” Nice try. Look, it’s not universally beloved, and I get why some people don’t like it, but I also think that some people just don’t understand it. It’s not supposed to have some deep moral impact. It’s supposed to have some good jump scares, allow you to have some fun, and be entertained a bit. Watching a movie from the Paranormal Activity franchise is like walking into a haunted house. It works the same way. And though I’ve already said that too many FF movies rely on jump scares and CGI, but this movie was a pioneer at the time. Most are copycats. So shove it.

7. Grave Encounters (2011) [youtube id=”g8FBRATbJoA” align=”right”]

Are you a fan of the show Ghost Adventures? If so, you’ll like this one. It’s like the main character is an exact replica of Zak Bagans, except slightly less of a jacked “bro.” Don’t get me wrong, I love Zak, but…he’s kind of an airhead. A loveable one, but an airhead at that. This movie follows the same formula as the show, but puts it on steroids and kills off a lot of people instead of having them find one tiny discrepancy on a soundwave. The spirits in this movie are dangerous, and it works. Word to the wise, however; please, for the love of everything Horror, please don’t waste your time with the sequel. It’s probably one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen, without exaggeration. They should make posters that say: Grave Encounters 2: Not even once.

6. Frankenstein’s Army (2013) [youtube id=”dOF8GiIXtGY” align=”right”]

Now this is a found footage movie done right! This movie features some really awesome practical effects for the monsters in it, which is incredibly rare for anything in this subgenre. The hideous pieced-together “army” in this movie looks so, so good. Usually, you’d expect some CGI cop-out effects, but this movie decides to do things way better. Great movie. I really’ cannot recommend it enough. Plus, it’s been on Netflix for a while and I don’t think it’s going to be removed any time soon.

5. Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) [youtube id=”1tNrvDA_eE8″ align=”right”]

This is a genius movie, and one that is criminally underrated as well. I don’t know one person in my non-internet life that’s seen it, and that is a crying shame. It’s basically a mockumentary about the “business” of being a masked killer; they speak of other heavy-hitters of the industry, namedropping Michael and Jason. It’s really funny and really good. Technically, it’s not fully a found-footage movie, but that’s all I’m going to say. You’ll have to watch it to find out why. Oh, and Robert Englund too!

4. The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014) [youtube id=”JiODgrdAJvo” align=”right”]

Is there anyone who hasn’t seen this movie yet? It’s gotten an insane amount of attention, and rightfully so. This movie is insane. I have to take a moment to talk about the acting in this movie. It is great, which is a rare commodity in horror films. Even the good ones suffer from poor acting from time to time. Everyone in this particular film is very convincing in their roles, and the movie feels like a breath of fresh air. If you haven’t seen it, then see it now. If you’ve seen it before, see it again.

3. The Blair Witch Project (1999) [youtube id=”pWiz6reVupA” align=”right”]

I’m going to be honest with you: personally, I had felt underwhelmed when I first saw this movie. However, I can’t deny its impact, and therefore, it will stay at #3 on this list. I like pretty much all of this film besides the ending, which I won’t spoil. It just doesn’t do it for me. Everything leading up to it was highly enjoyable for me. The tension between the film crew, the little clues here and there, the grainy VHS footage of a decaying forest…I love it. Do I think it’s one of the best? No, but once again, I understand that legions of fans will disagree with me. So I’m taking one for the team here. Don’t say I never did anything for you.

2. V/H/S (2012) [youtube id=”Z_vPmmZpV4I” align=”right”]

I can say with full conviction that, at least for me, this movie will go on to be a classic of the horror genre. I absolutely loved everything about it. The sequel was good, but it can’t compare to the first. All segments in this one were fantastic, especially the first one. That girl! Wow. It’s one of the only movies in recent memory that’s actually scared me so bad that I had trouble sleeping. I know I may get heat for putting this at a higher ranking than The Blair Witch, but I stand by my opinion. Lay off!

1. Cannibal Holocaust (1980) [youtube id=”USSnC-1Oq2g” align=”right”]

Can you stomach this one? A gory masterpiece of exploitation cinema. The movie was so realistic at the time that the director was put on trial for obscenity and also possibly murdering some of the people that were featured in the film for real. Of course, he did not murder anyone, but he still had to prove how some of the effects were created in court for his case. Now if that is not a sign that your movie is convincing, I don’t know what is. Some call this movie trash; gory torture porn, and nothing more. Despite this, I don’t think there is a found footage movie that is more terrifying than this one.

There you go. The best of the best in a subgenre that is way too overcrowded with terrible movies. Thankfully, you have someone like me to save your precious time. Did I leave any of your favorites out? Do you think any of these movies don’t deserve to be on this list? Let me know in the comments!

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A24 Joins Blockbuster Movie Club With Their Biggest Opening Ever

Published

25 mins ago

April 16, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Everyone welcome A24 to the big leagues! Their latest film Civil War has broken a few records over the weekend. First, it’s the highest-grossing R-rated film of the year. Second, it’s the highest-grossing opening weekend A24 film ever.

Although reviews of the action film are polarizing, it certainly captured the curiosity of moviegoers. Even if the ambiguous screenplay didn’t blow them away, they seemed to find it entertaining. Furthermore, a lot of ticket buyers lauded the film’s sound design and IMAX presentation.

While not a straight-out horror movie, it does weave a thread on the hem of the genre thanks to its disturbing subject matter and graphic violence.

It’s about time A24 came out of the independent movie trenches and into the blockbuster category. While their features are embraced by a niche group, it was time they swung for the fences to generate a bigger payday to compete with behemoth studios such as Warner Bros. and Universal who have been making money hand over fist over the past few years.

While Civil War’s $25 million opening isn’t exactly a windfall in blockbuster terms it’s still solid enough in the mainstream movie-going climate to predict further success, if not by word of mouth, then by curiosity.

A24’s biggest money maker to date is Everything Everywhere All at Once with an over $77 million domestic haul. Then it’s Talk to Me with over $48 million domestically.

It’s not all good news. The film was made in-house for $50 million so if it tanks by week two, it could turn into a box office failure. That could be a possibility as the guys behind the Scream reboot, Radio Silence, will be on the marquee themselves for their vampire flick Abigail on April 19. That film has already generated some good buzz.

Even worse for Civil War, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s own actioneer The Fall Guy is ready to usurp Civil War’s IMAX real estate on May 3.

Whatever happens, A24 has proven over the weekend that with the right subject matter, an increased budget, and a streamlined ad campaign, they have now entered the blockbuster chat.

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Melissa Barrera Says Her ‘Scream’ Contract Never Included a Third Movie

Published

18 hours ago

April 15, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The Scream franchise has done a major overhaul to its original script for Scream VII after its two main leads departed production. Jenna Ortega who played Tara Carpenter left because she was overly booked and blessed while her co-star Melissa Barrera was fired after making political comments on social media.

But Barrera isn’t regretting any of it. In fact, she is happy where the character arc left off. She played Samantha Carpenter, the latest focus of the Ghostface killer.

Barrera did an exclusive interview with Collider. During their talk, the 33-year-old says she fulfilled her contract and her character Samantha’s arc finished at a good spot, even though it was meant to be a trilogy.

“I feel like the ending of [ Scream VI ] was a very good ending, and so I don’t feel like ‘Ugh, I got left in the middle.’ No, I think people, the fans, were wanting a third movie to continue that arc, and apparently, the plan was a trilogy, even though I was only contracted for two movies.

So, I did my two movies, and I’m fine. I’m good with that. I got two – that’s more than most people get. When you’re on a TV show, and it gets canceled, you can’t harp on things, you gotta move on.

That’s the nature of this industry too, I get excited for the next job, I get excited for the next skin I get to put on. It’s exciting to create a different character. So yeah, I feel good. I did what I set out to do. It was always meant to be two movies for me, ’cause that was my contract, and so everything is perfect.”

The entire production of the original seventh entry has moved on from the Carpenter’s storyline. With a new director and new script, production will resume, including the return of Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox.

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Read Reviews For ‘Abigail’ The Latest From Radio Silence

Published

23 hours ago

April 15, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The review embargo has lifted for the vampire horror movie Abigail and the reviews are abundantly positive.

Matt Bettinelli– Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence are getting early praise for their latest horror movie which opens on April 19. Unless you’re Barbie or Oppenheimer the name of the game in Hollywood is about what kind of box office numbers you pull on opening weekend and how much they drop thereafter. Abigail could be this year’s sleeper.

Radio Silence is no stranger to opening big, their Scream reboot and sequel packed fans into seats on their respective opening dates. The duo are currently working on another reboot, that of 1981’s Kurt Russel cult favorite Escape From New York.

^Abigail

Now that ticket sales for GodzillaxKong, Dune 2, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire have gathered patina, Abigail could knock A24’s current powerhouse Civil War from the top spot, especially if ticket buyers base their purchase off reviews. If it is successful, it could be temporary, since Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s action comedy The Fall Guy opens on May 3, just two weeks later.

We have gathered pull quotes (good & bad) from some genre critics on Rotten Tomatoes (score for Abigail currently sits at 85%) to give you an indicator of how they are skewing ahead of its release this weekend. First, the good:

“Abigail is a fun, bloody ride. It also has the most lovable ensemble of morally grey characters this year. The film introduces a new favorite monster into the genre and gives her room to take the biggest swings possible. I lived!” — Sharai Bohannon: A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

“The standout is Weir, commanding the screen despite her small stature and effortlessly switching from apparently helpless, terrified child to savage predator with a mordant sense of humor.” — Michael Gingold: Rue Morgue Magazine

“‘Abigail’ sets the bar as the most fun you can have with a horror movie of the year. In other words, “Abigail” is horror on pointe.” — BJ Colangelo: Slashfilm

“In what may become one of the greatest vampire movies of all time, Abigail provides an extremely bloody, fun, humorous & fresh take on the subgenre.” — Jordan Williams: Screen Rant

“Radio Silence have proven themselves as one of the most exciting, and crucially, fun, voices in the horror genre and Abigail takes this to the next level.” — Rosie Fletcher: Den of Geek

Now, the not-so-good:

“It’s not badly made, just uninspired and played out.” — Simon Abrams: RogerEbert.com

A ‘Ready or Not’ redux running on half the steam, this one-location misfire has plenty of parts that work but its namesake isn’t among them.” –Alison Foreman: indieWire

Let us know if you are planning to see Abigail. If or when you do, give us your hot take in the comments.

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