Whilst mockumentaries have become more associated with comedy over the years, with What We Do In the Shadows just one great example of how it can be hilarious if not exactly convincing, it's a genre that, along with found-footage, has the potential to be incredibly convincing. This is Spinal Tap is just one example of a movie that managed to make a fair amount of viewers question whether it was fact or fiction.
Along with movies like The Blair Witch Project and Chronicle that also became sensations because of how convincing they were, it meant Reddit had a decent amount of choice when it came to picking out some unnervingly real-seeming found footage movies and mockumentaries.
Chronicle (2012)
Because found footage tends to give movies a grounded, realistic feel, it's gone criminally underutilized in more imaginative genres like sci-fi. Luckily, Chronicle showed in 2012 that even unearthly telekinetic powers can be convincing if presented right, which was something that Redditors like nicksam123 appreciated.
According to them, the viewer can easily "forget it's filmed on floating cameras until they point them out but other than that it feels like a normal superhero movie". The fact Chronicle is able to strike a good balance between its grounded presentation style and being entertaining as a superhero movie works to its benefit.
Man Bites Dog (1992)
Presented as a movie by a film crew documenting the horrific crimes committed by a serial killer, Man Bites Dog is darkly convincing. Whilst there are plenty of movies that examine filmmakers, rarely do they explore the dark side of the role of the journalistic observer like this Belgian black comedy.
Redditor bloschi was just one of the viewers who found it unnervingly convincing, saying that the "way the crew slowly starts to help Ben enact his crimes is a great commentary on the role of the observer in entertainment." They warn that not everyone will be able to stomach the movie but Man Bites Dog is a unique experience worth seeking out.
Snow On Tha Bluff (2011)
A found-footage drama, Snow on tha Bluff is renowned for its strikingly real portrayal of the infamous Atlanta neighborhood, The Bluff. One Redditor considers it to be in a league of its own when it comes to accuracy, saying "It puts all the other "found footage" movies to shame - at least in terms of blurring reality and fiction."
Starring Curtis Snow as a fictionalized version of himself, every performance in Snow on the Bluff is convincing. The line between fact and fiction is blurred all the more by an ending that brings things full circle by having Snow bring his footage to editors with the idea of making a movie out of it.
Apollo 18 (2011)
Though it received mostly negative reviews when it was released thanks to being compared unfavorably both to other found-footage movies and sci-fi movies, Apollo 18 still had plenty of fans engrossed by the way it built up tension using the format. Presented as the "lost footage" from the fictional Apollo 18 mission that never returned from the moon, it certainly has an intriguing premise.
Redditor Favre99 admits that the ultimate realization of its extraterrestrial threat wasn't well-executed but still argues for its convincingness because, to them, before the "rock aliens came in the movie, Apollo 18 seemed pretty damn real." As with many horror movies, the threat is at its most potent when it's still unclear exactly what the characters are facing.
Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)
Directed by street artist Banksy, Exit Through The Gift Shop is a movie about a french immigrant in LA, Thierry Guetta, who is obsessed with street art and ultimately becomes a renowned artist in his own right as Mr. Brainwash. Redditor ThisRiverisWild outlines the issue with the movie, which is marketed as a real documentary, saying "there is still debate over whether or not it's real".
Whilst the consensus amongst fans on Reddit was that the movie has to be partially constructed at the very least, the fact the debate exists in the first place stands as a testament to just how convincing Exit Through The Gift Shop is. This could detract from its appeal for someone looking for a straightforward art documentary but it means it has the freedom to be one of the most fun movies in the genre.
Trollhunter (2010)
In any normal circumstances, a movie about a group of students searching for elusive troll-like creatures has no right to be convincing but its low-budget found-footage presentation means this Norwegian movie is surprisingly grounded. Redditor Crowbar2099 admits that its premise leads to some believability problems, specifically "some dodgy CGI", but that doesn't stop it from being a fan favorite.
As the students track unusual bear killings, the Norwegian countryside means the movie has some amazing visuals at times but it's the way the bizarre threat is built up through odd sightings that make Trollhunter such an innovative found-footage movie.
Best In Show (2000)
Christopher Guest's talent for improvisational comedy has allowed him to be a part of some of the most acclaimed mockumentaries of all time in This is Spinal Tap as well as this movie about entrants of a famous dog show. Redditor theenigmaofnolan says the movie had many people convinced because "apparently dog shows are really like that!"
Whilst a dog show doesn't quite have the same potential for absurd characters that lack any self-awareness as a rock band does, Best In Show's setting is still perfect for portraying bizarre characters of a gentler yet still hilarious variety. With the comedy and believability all arising from these characters' interactions, the plot is hardly consequential.
I’m Still Here (2010)
Joaquin Phoenix's talent as an actor means there will always be debate over his best movie role but his turn in I'm Still Here stands out because, in a way, it still has people convinced over a decade later. In the movie, Phoenix stars as a fictionalized version of himself as he announces his retirement from acting and pursues a hip-hop career.
A hilarious send-up of the absurdity of celebrity, the movie's jokes all manage to hit close to home though it's unlikely the movie would have fooled anyone into believing it was a real documentary if not for Phoenix staying in character for the movie's press tour. Redditor The_Ion_Shake noted how his interviews are still used as an example of celebrities going off the rails even though "It was a stunt!"
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
If any movie is synonymous with the found-footage genre, it's The Blair Witch Project so it's no surprise that the movie was brought up countless times in discussions of convincing movies. Redditor madism comments that "when it came out, some people even thought it was completely real."
The movie follows a group of young filmmakers trying to get to the bottom of an urban legend of something called The Blair Witch that turns out to be all too real and its innovative guerrilla marketing campaign that never mentioned the movie was fiction helped make it one of the most profitable movies of all time. Even now, it's easy to be engrossed by the movie's realism which few found-footage movies have managed to emulate since.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
The world of rock and roll is known for its excess as well as for hilariously self-absorbed stars and This is Spinal Tap took advantage of both to become one of the most well-liked mockumentaries of all time. Following a fictional British band on tour in the US, every member of the band manages to perfectly spoof some element of rock stardom.
The reason why this subject matter is perfect is that, since rock musicians tend to be so over-the-top in real life, it's not that hard to believe that any of it's real. Redditor klsi832 was one of many users offering examples of just how much the mockumentary had people convinced, mentioning how people used to ask the movie's director "why he didn't pick a more well-known band to film."