Found footage horror thrives on realism. By presenting events through handheld cameras, livestreams, and documentaries, these films blur the line between fiction and reality—making the scares hit harder. Below are ten standout found footage horror movies from recent years, each offering a unique and unsettling experience.
1. Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023)
Stream on: Shudder, AMC+
This return to the Hell House LLC universe strips the franchise back to its creepiest essentials. The film follows a group of investigators exploring the Carmichael Manor, a house connected to a string of unexplained deaths. Rather than overwhelming viewers with jump scares, the movie focuses on quiet tension, disturbing imagery, and subtle background details that reward attentive viewers. It’s a slow-burn haunted house story that builds dread scene by scene, making it one of the strongest found footage horror releases in recent years.
2. Deadstream (2022)
Stream on: Shudder
Deadstream blends internet culture with supernatural horror in a way that feels surprisingly fresh. The story centers on a disgraced livestreamer attempting to win back his audience by broadcasting himself spending the night in a supposedly haunted house. His arrogance and desperation make him easy to root against—until the haunting becomes terrifyingly real. The film balances comedy and chaos with effective scares, using nonstop motion and escalating tension to keep viewers on edge from start to finish.
3. Incantation (2022)
Stream on: Netflix
This Taiwanese found footage horror presents itself as a cursed documentary meant to protect its audience—while simultaneously pulling them deeper into the horror. Inspired by real-world urban legends, Incantation uses ritual imagery, unsettling sound design, and direct audience involvement to create a deeply immersive experience. The fear here is psychological and lingering, growing stronger the more the story unfolds. It’s a haunting exploration of belief, guilt, and generational curses.
4. The Medium (2021)
Stream on: Shudder
Blending mockumentary and found footage, The Medium follows a documentary crew filming a shaman whose family has long been connected to spiritual possession. What begins as a calm cultural exploration slowly spirals into chaos as dark forces take hold. The film’s strength lies in its realism—grounded performances and traditional beliefs make the supernatural elements feel disturbingly authentic. Its final act is intense, brutal, and unforgettable.
5. Dashcam (2022)
Stream on: Hulu
Shot entirely through livestreams and dash cameras, Dashcam is chaotic, abrasive, and intentionally uncomfortable. The film follows a volatile streamer whose night takes a terrifying turn after she becomes involved in a series of violent and supernatural events. The movie’s frantic pacing and raw presentation create a constant sense of danger, making viewers feel trapped in the chaos alongside the protagonist. It’s divisive but undeniably intense.
6. Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021)
Stream on: Amazon
Breaking away from the suburban setting of previous entries, Next of Kin relocates the franchise to an isolated religious community. A documentarian follows a woman searching for answers about her past, only to uncover disturbing secrets tied to ancient beliefs. The found footage format works well as the tension slowly builds, culminating in a shocking and violent finale that reinvents the series while staying true to its roots.
7. Host (2020)
Stream on: Shudder
Set entirely during a Zoom call, Host is a perfect example of modern found footage done right. A group of friends attempts to conduct an online séance, only to unleash something terrifying into their homes. Clocking in at under an hour, the film is tightly paced and relentless, packing effective jump scares and creative visuals into every minute. Its simplicity and realism make it one of the most effective found footage films of the decade.
8. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)
Stream on: Tubi, Shudder
This South Korean found footage film follows a group of web series hosts who livestream an exploration of an abandoned psychiatric hospital rumored to be haunted. What begins as playful and staged quickly becomes horrifyingly real. The movie excels at gradual escalation, using silence, darkness, and distorted imagery to create genuine fear. Its final act is widely considered one of the most terrifying sequences in found footage horror.
9. The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)
Stream on: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video
Presented as a medical documentary about Alzheimer’s disease, this film slowly reveals something far more sinister. As the subject’s condition worsens, unsettling behavior suggests a supernatural cause. The emotional weight of the story adds depth to the horror, making the scares more impactful. It’s a smart, chilling film that blends emotional realism with demonic terror.
10. As Above, So Below (2014)
Stream on: Amazon
Set deep beneath Paris in the city’s catacombs, this claustrophobic found footage film follows a group of explorers searching for hidden relics. As they descend further underground, reality begins to unravel. Drawing inspiration from Dante’s Inferno, the film combines mythology, religious symbolism, and relentless tension. The confined setting and mounting paranoia make this a uniquely unsettling descent into darkness.
Final Thoughts
From haunted houses and cursed rituals to livestream disasters and underground nightmares, these films show just how versatile and effective found footage horror can be. When done right, the genre offers some of the most immersive and unsettling experiences in modern horror—making each of these titles well worth the watch.
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