Top 3 found footage horror films to scare and shake you

In the realm of cinema, Horror movies are a genre of their own regarding the type of film created and how they are perceived. Horror is meant to deliver a different feeling altogether and for those who seek a good thrill or spook won’t be disappointed. Usually, but it all depends on the type of scary movie that is sought out though as many are tied to the genre. Supernatural and paranormal shared the limelight with the slasher lane into the late 90’s and forward. So many titles to think about and name, but there’s a specific kind that came after them all. Found footage typically tied with supernatural made its way onto the scene and recreated the landscape. Here’s the top 3 found footage, horror films of all time.


1. Grave Encounters – This 2011 release had an original concept whereas it’s so hard for a movie, let alone horror to have some originality behind it. This isn’t the first of its kind, but it did make a splash in how it was viewed and the way it freaked people out. Directed by the Vicious Brothers, this is filmed in Canada and with a low budget it made quite the profit since it climbed towards the 5-million-dollar mark. The money made off it isn’t the most impressive part though. It’s the setting behind it and the general idea of what happens in the movie. An up-coming crew who film a supernatural show in the plot descend upon an abandoned mental asylum that’s been shut down for decades. One of the most haunted apparently in the United States. What draws them in for what they believe will be their best episode yet ends up becoming something much worse. Much more of a nightmare for the crew who question the realism of what supernatural is. Even to the point of mocking. As scripted as their plans are, once nightfall hits, is when they realize everything is not as fake as they originally thought. As the film goes on, you can feel the intensity rise and this feeling of doom creeps in as you watch the crew. With an ultimate feeling of despair, evil and surprise this scary movie will leave you wondering and shocked. All found in the end by someone else

2. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum – The South Korean release in 2018 isn’t the first found footage movie to make people believe how frightening they are. But it did improve and even heighten the take on how supernatural horror with the theme of found footage can be made.  Also, the idea and even history behind this movie reinforces the message to the viewer just how real these places are. Once again, you find a crew of young, eager adults who venture into a historical mental asylum that has been shut down for decades. Notoriously and apparently haunted, it gives them the idea that they should shoot for their show which is about the most haunted locations in the world. This location being on the top of the list but as usual the crew doesn’t buy into it being a paranormal spot. Instead, they approach it as a joke and look to make an easy episode that will fool their viewers into believing it all to be real. It all ends up becoming a mistake for the crew as the night goes on and the spookiest of things start to appear and come right at them. Find out what fate awaits this crew.. Just like Grave Encounters, this drew inspiration for the South Korean filmmakers to make their own version. It’s done more visually disturbing, and the intensity seems to spike compared the American take on it. The scariest fact about this movie is that it was a real location that they shot at. Not long after the release, the government had the site demolished. Suspicious to say the least. Were they trying to bury truth or simply stop any others from going to the asylum? Either way, this is bound to give you a scare you won’t remember.

3. The Blair Witch Project – Last but not least with found footage horror. This is at the top of the list and considered to be the film to start it all with its spark. In 1999, a film with a low budget was released and at first people thought it was another typical horror movie. They had no idea it would be the kind it was meant to be and did it ever surprise the hell out of movie goers. At the time, social media was not the mecca it is now, and the internet was still a web browser with little information. So, the element of surprise this gave truly shocked and scared fans of the genre. 3 college students who are young and eager to make a statement for themselves find their way into Maryland stateside. . The mythical Blair Witch is the focus of their adventure and unlike non-believers or skeptics, this group simply want to do research. With no intent of making anything up they talk to locals of the town about the legend of the witch. The incidents of how people and children had gone missing with sights of a woman who floated as she appeared. The crew then heads out into the woods, set on being committed to the cause of the documentary. Everything seems fine until they start coming across old sites that seem to be ritualistic. This doesn’t deter them and remain in the woods while staying optimistic. At night is when the paranormal activity seems to taunt and attack them. Shot on the old-style cameras to record in the older days, this movie gives such a realistic feel. Even to the point that people literally thought it was all real once they saw in in theatres and on VHS. I know I certainly thought it was real when I first watched it as a kid. Scary indeed!

So, there you have it. My top 3 found footage horror films I recommend to you. Now go ahead and get your popcorn ready for these standout scary movies. They’re sure to give you a spook!

Footer image captured by Katlin Whitehawk

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