Every so often, a new and innovative approach to movie storytelling is introduced that spreads throughout the filmmaking world. This was true of the found footage movie which found a way of telling small scale and inexpensive stories in an exciting way that put audiences right in the middle of the action.
While found footage movies are often especially popular in the horror genre, the approach has been shown to work in all types of movies, from thrillers to comedies to action movies. They might not always be for everyone but among the top-rated found footage movies on Letterboxd are some great examples of how effective they can be.
The Blair Witch Project (1999) - 3.34
The movie that is often seen as popularizing the found footage genre is The Blair Witch Project. The movie follows a group of friends who head deep into the forest with their camera to document the local supernatural legend only to find that the stories hold unsettling truths they never imagined.
It is easy to forget just how big of a phenomenon the movie was when it came out. It offered something totally new to horror fans and there was a lot of discussion about how real it actually was. Though it has been parodied endlessly since then, it still holds up well as a standout in the genre.
Creep (2014) - 3.35
The deeply unsettling movie Creep is a perfect example of how found footage movies can take such small-scale ideas and make them completely compelling. It follows a videographer who is hired to document a day in the life of an eccentric man named Josef. But it is gradually revealed that Josef may be more dangerous than he seems.
The movie combines awkward social interactions with unsettling horror elements in a wonderful way. There is strange dark humor throughout yet it always remains an incredibly intense and gripping ride.
Creep 2 (2017) - 3.36
In a rare feat, Creep 2 managed to earn a slightly more favorable rating than the original. The sequel maintains the found footage approach from the first movie as it catches up with Josef now going by the name Aaron. The movie finds him going through a personal crisis as he attempts to connect with another stranger.
The movie continues to have fun with its quirky style but still delivers on the thrills and tension that worked so effectively the first time around.
Chronicle (2012) - 3.41
As both genres grew in popularity, it was only a matter of time before there was a found footage superhero movie. Chronicle is the story of three high schoolers who come across a strange discovery that gives them all amazing superpowers. But as they adjust to their new abilities, one of the boys begins to head down a dark path.
The movie balances a lot of different story elements and tones, both having fun with the characters exploring their powers and the unsettling rise of a supervillain. The found footage approach also makes it a more intimate superhero story than others.
Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon (2006) 3.46
The underrated horror-comedy Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon blends the found footage aspect of horror movies with a wacky mockumentary style. The movie follows a documentary crew profiling the titular character as he sets out to become the next great horror slasher.
The movie has a lot of fun playing with the various horror movie tropes as the enthusiastic Leslie Vernon attempts to learn what it takes to live up to the likes of Michael Myers.
Lake Mungo (2008) - 3.46
Around the same time that Paranormal Activity became a huge hit with its found footage ghost story, the Australian movie Lake Mungo took a similar yet quieter approach. It tells the story of a family grieving the death of their daughter when visions of her begin appearing around the house.
The movie keeps audiences on their toes with various reveals. Just when the truth of the mystery seems to be clear, another aspect comes to light that changes everything.
End Of Watch (2012) - 3.62
David Ayer is known for his gritty crime stories and he mixed that style with the found footage format in a very effective way for End of Watch. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña play two Los Angeles police officers who become the targets of a deadly gang while documenting their daily patrols.
Gyllenhaal and Peña give terrific performances that are grounded and authentic enough to work in this format. Their chemistry together pulls the audience into this intense and brutal story while keeping them on the edge of their seats.
REC (2007) - 3.65
The Spanish movie REC is another hugely influential found footage movie that showed just how effective this approach can be for horror movies. It centers around a news crew following a group of firefighters on their nightly shift. When they respond to a strange occurrence at an apartment complex, they find themselves locked inside as a virus spreads among them.
What could have been a typical zombie movie is made so much more interesting thanks to the brilliant use of the found footage format. It results in some of the greatest horror movie scares of all time.
District 9 (2009) - 3.74
The sci-fi movie District 9 is actually only a found footage movie for the first half of the story, but it uses it in a very clever and effective way to warrant its inclusion in the genre. The movie is set in a South African camp where a society of peaceful aliens are being kept after their damaged ship landed on Earth.
The early part of the movie follows a U.N. worker who takes a camera crew through the camp, exploring the community these aliens have built and the injustices they face. It is a clever and thoughtful way of combining real-world elements with a bold sci-fi story.
Searching (2018) - 3.74
One of the biggest surprises in recent years has been the thriller Searching. Taking place entirely on computer, phone, and video screens, the movie stars John Cho as a father of a missing girl who begins a desperate investigation to find her.
Cho is a terrific lead and carries the movie with his performance. The story unfolds in this unique way while always remaining a gripping and entertaining mystery with a satisfying conclusion.