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The 15 best found footage horror movies

The best found footage horror movie is The Blair Witch Project, the 1999 film that made the format a phenomenon. [REC] (90%) and Host (98%) are the scariest of the rest (Rotten Tomatoes).

By the Horror Planet editors · Updated November 9, 2026

  1. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

    86% on Rotten Tomatoes

    Where it all began for most of us. A new Blair Witch arrives in 2027.

  2. [REC] (2007)

    90% on Rotten Tomatoes

    A Barcelona apartment block, a fire crew and the best final shot in found footage.

  3. Host (2020)

    98% on Rotten Tomatoes

    A Zoom séance. Peak lockdown horror, still terrifying.

  4. Late Night with the Devil (2023)

    97% on Rotten Tomatoes

    A 1977 talk show tape. Shudder streams it.

  5. Paranormal Activity (2007)

    82% on Rotten Tomatoes

    A bedroom, a camera on a tripod and a door that moves. See the series in order.

  6. Lake Mungo (2008)

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes

    An Australian mock documentary about a drowned girl. The sad one.

  7. One Cut of the Dead (2017)

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

    A zombie shoot in one take, then a twist that makes it a comedy classic.

  8. V/H/S/94 (2021)

    90% on Rotten Tomatoes

    The best of the anthology series.

  9. Creep (2014)

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes

    Mark Duplass is far too friendly.

  10. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes

    Korean livestreamers break into an asylum.

  11. Hell House LLC (2015)

    Streaming on Shudder (iHorror)

    A haunted attraction with a deadly opening night.

  12. Deadstream (2022)

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes

    A disgraced YouTuber's haunted livestream. Very funny.

  13. Cloverfield (2008)

    78% on Rotten Tomatoes

    A monster movie from street level.

  14. Trollhunter (2010)

    83% on Rotten Tomatoes

    Norway's trolls, documented.

  15. Backrooms (2026)

    $400.6M worldwide (Wikipedia)

    Born on YouTube as found footage, grown into the year's strangest blockbuster.

How we picked

Scores from Rotten Tomatoes' found footage ranking. We left out non-horror entries like Searching and Chronicle. Shudder adds Tinsman Road, a new found footage film from Robbie Banfitch, on November 13, 2026 (iHorror).

Next: Paranormal Activity in order · best on Shudder · scariest of all time.

Questions

What is the best found footage horror movie?

The Blair Witch Project (1999). [REC] and Host are the scariest of the rest.

What is the highest-rated found footage movie?

One Cut of the Dead holds 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, though it plays as a comedy. Host, at 98%, is the top pure horror pick.

Is there a new Blair Witch movie?

Yes. A new Blair Witch from Blumhouse is dated for September 24, 2027.

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