It’s redundant to say I love horror movies, especially if you’re reading this on my horror blog. So I’m making a list of scary found footage movies I think we’ll all enjoy (because I make these lists for you as well as for me.)
So, some of these movies I haven’t seen, while others I can watch over and over again. I also have a list of scary found footage movies I think look terrible, and I definitely DO NOT want to watch. But since I can’t speak for everyone, I’ve included them in case you want to put them on your list.
One more thing, I am rating them in order of how scary they are (as per the research I found, and in some cases, my personal opinion).
How am I ranking these movies?
- 1 = Not so scary, maybe slightly creepy or unsettling, but not nightmare-inducing
- 3 = Solid scares might stay with you
- 5 = Deeply disturbing, nightmare fuel that will haunt your thoughts
Queue Up These Scary Found Footage Movies Next
Here’s a list of scary found footage movies I haven’t seen that I want to watch stat!
1. Lake Mungo (2008)
Synopsis: A grieving family documents their teenage daughter’s death, only to uncover chilling secrets and supernatural phenomena.
Why it’s on my list of scary found footage movies: It’s haunting, emotional, and builds dread through realism. Think The Sixth Sense meets true crime.
Rating: 5 — Quiet horror that burrows under your skin.
2. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)
Synopsis: A YouTube ghost-hunting crew livestreams from a notoriously haunted asylum—and slowly descends into terror.
Why it’s on my list: It’s one of the most effective South Korean horror films, with jump scares that actually earn their place.
Rating: 4.5 — One of the scariest haunted asylum films.
3. The Houses October Built (2014)
Synopsis: Friends search for the most extreme haunted house experience and find more than they bargained for.
Why it’s on my list of scary found footage movies: Blurs the line between Halloween fun and real-life fear, perfect for haunt fans.
Rating: 3.5 — Creepy atmosphere, Halloween dread.
4. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Synopsis: A documentary team follows a wannabe slasher villain in a world where horror icons are real.
Why Watch: It’s clever, meta, and totally flips the script on found footage horror.
Rating: 2 — More clever than scary, but fun.
5. Incantation (2022)
Synopsis: A cursed woman breaks a taboo and films her descent into madness to save her child.
Why it’s on my list of scary found footage movies: Taiwan’s answer to The Ring, but more disturbing and layered with mythology.
Rating: 5 — Disturbing, layered, and culturally chilling.
6. POV: A Cursed Film (2012)
Synopsis: A cursed videotape leads to escalating supernatural attacks caught on camera.
Why Watch: Japan knows how to make your skin crawl—this one is deeply unsettling.
Rating: 4 — Short and disturbing in classic J-horror style.
7. Horror in the High Desert (2021)
Synopsis: A faux documentary follows the disappearance of a reclusive hiker in Nevada, and the footage he left behind.
Why Watch: Eerie buildup, minimalism done right, with an ending that will ruin your night.
Rating: 4.5 — Slow burn with a haunting, unforgettable finale.
8. The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
Synopsis: Found footage reveals the horrific crimes of a serial killer who documented everything.
Why Watch: Disturbingly realistic—uncomfortable in the best (worst?) way.
Rating: 5 — Deeply unsettling, feels too real.
9. Alien Abduction (2014)
Synopsis: A family camping trip turns terrifying when extraterrestrials arrive.
Why Watch: The tension never lets up. A must for UFO horror lovers.
Rating: 4 — Fast-paced and deeply uncomfortable.
Some Scary Yet Funny Found Footage Movies That Look Great
There’s something about a horror comedy thats incredible. And when executed correctly, it can become your next favorite scary movie. Even though I didn’t find too many of them, I’ll leave them here for our next movie night.
10. Deadstream (2022)
Synopsis: A disgraced livestreamer tries to win back fans by exploring a haunted house… and gets more than clicks.
Why Watch: Funny, gross, terrifying—like Evil Dead in the TikTok age.
Rating: 3.5 — Hilarious and gross with solid scares.
11. #ChadGetsTheAxe (2022)
Synopsis: Influencers livestream from a haunted location with deadly consequences.
Why Watch: Satirical and spooky, great commentary on social media culture and horror tropes.
Rating: 3 — Creepy and current, not overwhelming.
Terrific Scary Found footage Movies to watch over and over
12. The Bay (2012)
Synopsis: A seaside town faces a grotesque outbreak caused by environmental negligence, all caught on various devices.
Why Watch: Eco-horror meets body horror—disturbing and too plausible.
Rating: 4 — Grotesque and believable—body horror fans will love this. One of my faves.
13. V/H/S (2012)
Synopsis: A collection of terrifying short found footage stories, all tied together by one sinister thread.
Why it’s on my list of scary found footage movies you must watch: Variety, chaos, and unforgettable imagery. A cornerstone of modern found footage. This one was the best, but honestly all of the VHS films are fantastic.
Rating: 4.5 — Disturbing variety of twisted short films.
14. Afflicted (2013)
Synopsis: Two friends travel the world—until one of them starts changing into something monstrous.
Why Watch: Found footage vampire transformation? YES. Great effects and emotional depth. It’s one of the best vampire movies I’ve seen in a long time. It just feels so believable.
Rating: 4 — Gory and engaging, great creature work.
15. As Above, So Below (2014)
Synopsis: Explorers enter the catacombs beneath Paris and uncover a hellish mystery.
Why it’s on my list of scary found footage movies you must watch: It’s Indiana Jones meets Dante’s Inferno. Claustrophobic and philosophical. Another favorite of mine. There’s just something so fantastic about travel, horror, and Tomb Raider.
Rating: 4 — Claustrophobic and nightmarish descent.
16. REC (2007)
Synopsis: A news crew trapped in a quarantined building encounters something unholy.
Why Watch: Spanish horror at its peak—intense, scary, and absolutely relentless. All of the REC films are ground breaking to be honest.
Rating: 5 — Intense, unrelenting, top-tier found footage.
17. The Last Exorcism (2010)
Synopsis: A skeptical preacher invites a camera crew to film his final exorcism… but something real shows up.
Why Watch: Excellent acting, creepy realism, and an ending that sticks with you. This one scared me the first time I saw it. Very well done.
Rating: 4 — Smart with a solid sense of dread.
Maybe I’ll Watch These, But Honestly, I’m on The Fence
Here are a few that I pass up each time I see them on my streaming subscriptions. And even though some sound like they can be quite entertaining, I’m not entirely sold. So, I’m putting these on my “maybe” list.
18. Apartment 143 (2011)
Synopsis: A team of parapsychologists documents a family’s extreme haunting.
Why Watch: High-energy scares and a constant sense of dread.
Rating: 3.5 — High energy, chaotic haunting scenes.
19. Paranormal Entity (2009)
Synopsis: A man documents the terrifying supernatural events tormenting his sister.
Why Watch: A Paranormal Activity clone with some truly chilling moments.
Rating: 3 — Scary at times, but more derivative.
20. Tape 407 (2012)
Synopsis: Survivors of a plane crash are hunted by unknown creatures.
Why Watch: Not perfect, but the chaos and mystery keep it entertaining.
Rating: 2.5 — Tension is there, but messy execution.
21. The Monster Project (2017)
Synopsis: Filmmakers interview people claiming to be real monsters—only to find out it’s not a hoax.
Why Watch: Practical effects and creative premise make this a hidden gem.
Rating: 3.5 — Inventive and practical FX-heavy horror.
22. Troll Hunter (2010)
Synopsis: Norwegian students uncover the existence of real, government-hidden trolls.
Why Watch: Surprisingly funny and original—Scandinavian folklore meets monster doc. I tried watching it and opted for laundry while it was playing in the background. Maybe one day I’ll actually watch it.
Rating: 2 — More dark fantasy than scary, but fun.
Scary Found Footage Movies I’ll Pass On
I’ve seen some of these movies below, and some just look downright terrible. So these movies are a hard “no thank you.” But if you feel differently, please let me know in the comments.
23. Rorschach (2015)
Synopsis: Paranormal investigators document a house haunted by a ghost that communicates through visual tests.
Why I’m passing on it: Everything in the movie was too subtle for me, and it was anti-climactic. While some movies I’ll watch over and over, I’m passing on this one if I ever have the choice again.
Don’t take my word for it. Watch the entire movie here:
Rating: 1 — Psychological and eerie, not overwhelming.
24. Host (2020)
Synopsis: A Zoom séance during lockdown goes horribly wrong.
Why I’m passing on it: Made during COVID, it’s short, smart, and genuinely scary. Proof horror evolves.
Rating: 4.5 — Brilliant modern horror, tight and effective. Even though people seem to love this one, it feels like Unfriended, or whatever that one was called. And I wasn’t a fan.
25. Willow Creek (2013)
Synopsis: A couple investigates Bigfoot in the woods. Let’s just say they find something.
Why I’m passing on it: I watched this one a long time ago. It’s basically a whole lot of nothing. The scariest thing in this movie is the threatening hillbillies. I was also super disappointed because I love Bigfoot.
Rating: 2 — Slow build, one very long drawn-out scene.
26. Always Watching: A Marble Hornets Story (2015)
Synopsis: A team uncovers tapes of the Slender Man-esque “Operator.”
Why I’m passing on it: A mainstream take on the beloved creepypasta series. If I’m being honest, I am done with the Slender Man movies. I’ve seen too many and watched too many creepy pastas. I feel like it’s completely unoriginal.
Rating: 3 — Creepy concept, decent execution. Rating of 3 as per the research. People don’t hate it.
27. Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021)
Synopsis: A woman searches for her roots in an isolated Amish community and finds darkness.
Why I’m passing on it: So this one is not terrible. But it was the sequel I liked the least in the Paranormal Activities universe. It’s basically a new direction for the franchise—folk horror vibes meet classic PA scares.
Rating: 3 — Different vibe, strong ending.
28. Quarantine (2008)
Synopsis: American remake of REC, following a reporter trapped in a hellish building.
Why I’m passing on it: Same story, different take—with more Hollywood-style terror, but if I’m being honest, Rec (the original) was so much better than this one, which seemed dull in comparison.
Rating: 3 — Gory, claustrophobic, high-tension.
Bonus:
Check out Quarantine 2 instead. It’s set on an airplane and is a completely different story than Rec 2. Worth the watch and perhaps even a 4 rating!
That’s a Wrap
Phew, that was a lot to get through. However, I hope you have a good idea of what you’re watching tonight. I left out a few, like Hell House LLC and other fantastic ones. That’s because I wrote a blog post about some of those already.
If you feel I missed out on a particular scary found footage movie, please put it in the comments. The more the merrier, right?
