I have recently seen many post with various opinions on the top 10 found footage films. I tend to agree with most of the lists a few exceptions. Some films are not on certain lists that should 100% be there in my opinion. Again, this is all up to interpretation. This is my attempt to make the perfect list of top found footage films. I went with my top 8.
Hell House LLC
There is so much to be said about this movie. A group of friends/business partners venture out to create a haunted attraction. Things definitely start to get weird and eventually take a turn for the worst. On opening night their attraction is responsible for several deaths. It also leaves so many questions. The Hell House crew recorded everything for their personal use. The movie does start with investigators talking about the events 5 years prior and shows footage that was recorded. This to me is the perfect found footage film. Also, watch Hell House 2 The Abaddon Hotel and Hell House 3 Lake of Fire. I named all three here to not take up 3 slot sin my top 8. The two movies that follow align perfectly with the first one to make it very streamlined to binge watch.
Deadstream
This film for me had one thing all the other did not. It was found footage in real time. A streamer is looking to make his way back to the limelight. His page is him facing his fears no matter what they are and filming it for the world to see. He is afraid of haunted house. So naturally he finds the most haunted place to break into and spend the night. He locks himself in the above mentioned house. He sets up cameras on the outside, inside, and on his person. There is a perfect balance of comedy along with creepy paranormal events. There is also a splash of gore to round this one off. This is a truly unique film and a must watch.
Followed
A streamer is looking to make his big payday. DropTheMike is all about horror and making his payday. He decides to let his fans pick a haunted location for his crew and himself to go. He needs to hit a certain amount of followers to receive his $250,000 sponsorship. They end up at the Lennox Hotel. He has an expert on the hotel give him information in regards to the history. Things start normal, but does not last. Mike is not buying into the ghost stories, but his team is. He does however find out that it isn't all hype. With the news of a new baby and a wild twist he has zero chance of making it happen. This film is relatable to anyone who enjoys social media and what it takes to make a living from it.
The Haunting of Murder House
This films is another piece of proof that becoming a successful and profitable streamer may not be worth it. Friends run a website that revolves around the haunted and paranormal. They are looking for their big score so they decide to go to the most haunted house they could find. Not only do they decide to stream the entire night they also taunt the spirits with tests and a Ouija board. Things get bad and the killing begins. To up the ante they also locked themselves in the house so they could not escape. The only key is with the person running the stream remotely. You see this one go from bad idea to worse idea. You could imagine that there is not a happy ending to this one either. This one I classify as a hidden gem which earned its spot on my list.
Unfriended
The definition of play stupid games and win stupid prizes could describe this movie. It also can be related to due to the content in the film. A group of friends meet on video chat as they normally would. A random user enters their chat and they can not get rid of them. The random decides to play some deadly games with the group. One by one they divulge their secrets, fight with each other, and meet their demise. Mid movie they find out it is the spirit of a girl they were friends with prior to her suicide. They all had a hand in what drove her to kill herself. Despite their best efforts they start to turn on each other and lose all trust between the friend group. This goes to show you that you should treat people the way you want to be treated. This was payback form the other side.
Host
Another film that mostly takes place via video chat. You would think the people in this video watch unfriended and learned something. A group of friends meet up during the pandemic on-line so they have some safe human interaction. They decide to have a virtual séance. They call in an expert to get the ball rolling. You can already see where this is going. What started off as a game ended deadly. One of the friends decides to taunt a spirit and lie after being told not to do that. It is all downhill from there. One by one they are unable to survive the game they they brought on themselves. The way it goes down in this film makes it a winner and earned it a slot in my top 8.
V/H/S
I literally can not pick which of the 5 films I should recommend. They all offer something a little bit different. I have to say that these films are a staple in the found footage genre of movies. The latest release is V/H/S 99 and if I had to choose I would say this one is my favorite. Each story is one wild ride. For those who have not been following, Mabel is the new bad ass in found footage horror. It would be impossible to explain any of these films in short form. There is a lot to take in. I will however leave you with this. Go and watch them all. VHS, VHS 2, VHS Viral, VHS 94, and newly released VHS 99. You will find zero disappointment in any of them. I also put these all together to not take up 5 spots.
Cannibal Holocaust
When director Ruggero Deodato set out to make his now legendary found footage film it wasn't just about making a movie. He wanted his viewers to question if it was a movie. He definitely succeeded there. Deodato was arrested and brought up on murder charges and had to prove that his movie was fake and done with special effects. After providing authorities with proof he was let free and charges were dropped. Judging by the name you can already guess what this movie is about. An American camera crew is shooting a documentary and they end up being a meal for a remote tribe in the Amazon. This one is one of the harder ones to sit through due to the savage nature.
Well this is my personal top 8. I know there are a few missing that have been in other lists. These lists are all up to personal opinion. With that being said I hope you give each and every film I listed a chance. None of them will disappoint you. Please comment on which films you think I got right and which I missed.
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