7 Forgotten Found-Footage Horror Gems That Will Make You Believe in Paranormal Nightmares

To put it simply, the found-footage genre is a divisive one – people either adore its raw, authentic feel or find fault with the unstable camera work and illogical plotlines of some characters who are often portrayed as less than intelligent. However, for those who cherish this genre, discovering an overlooked gem in the found-footage world is a delight, leaving us pondering how we could have missed it for so long. The challenge lies in the fact that these hidden gems can just as easily be forgotten.

Back in 1999, the release of “The Blair Witch Project” marked a turning point for the found-footage genre, establishing itself as an all-time horror classic, despite not showing the monster or witch directly. Many subsequent horror movies aspired to replicate its success as a viral sensation, but the reality is that becoming the next big hit in this genre is often more challenging than it seems. For every “Rec,” “Hell House,” or “Paranormal Activity,” there appear to be numerous unimaginative films vying for their spot. However, the search for that underrated gem in the found-footage genre remains an enjoyable endeavor, albeit one that requires patience and a keen eye. Fortunately, we’ve kept track of some outstanding found-footage films that might have slipped your notice. So, remember to keep an open mind!

The Den

In times before common access to high-speed internet, video calling was more of a luxury than a practical means of communication. Even with faster internet connections, the notion of conversing with unknown individuals worldwide remained somewhat unsettling. Enter “The Den“, a 2013 film that focuses on Elizabeth Benton (Melanie Papalia), a graduate student who seeks to engage in conversations with as many strangers as possible, hoping to forge meaningful connections. However, she soon discovers that not everyone online is as friendly as they appear and finds herself battling for survival when she stumbles upon a sinister and lethal plot.

As someone who appreciates low-budget cinema, especially films like ‘The Den‘, I must admit that it doesn’t boast the mind-blowing visuals that some might expect. But that’s not really what this film is about. Since we only get to know Elizabeth through a webcam, understanding her completely can be a bit challenging, yet that’s part of its charm. We form a good impression, but it’s based on what we see from the webcam, and that’s the genius of it all. The filmmaker, Zachary Donohue, cleverly taps into the lingering fear surrounding video calling technology to create a suspenseful horror flick, albeit one that follows familiar found-footage conventions. It may not be among the top 10 horror movies of the 2010s, but it’s definitely worth a watch.

Butterfly Kisses

Despite its seemingly harmless title, Butterfly Kisses manages to deliver a chilling tale that will make you forget it’s not a typical horror movie. The story revolves around Gavin York (Seth Adam Kallick), a filmmaker who stumbles upon a box labeled “Don’t Watch”. Ignoring the warning, he opens it and finds videotapes that soon become his fixation. These tapes are part of a film project by students Sophia (Rachel Armiger) and Feldman (Reed DeLisle), who are on a mission to uncover the truth behind an urban legend known as Peeping Tom.

The most intriguing element in the movie “Butterfly Kisses” revolves around a chilling urban myth, which serves as the foundation for the entire plot. This myth suggests that anyone brave enough can summon Peeping Tom by gazing into a tunnel at midnight for an hour without blinking. If successful, they will unwittingly invite him closer with each blink, ultimately putting themselves in grave danger when he’s close enough to take their life. The film “Butterfly Kisses” skillfully explores the origins of urban legends and how easily they can overwhelm your existence if caution is not exercised.

Butterfly Kisses can be streamed on Tubi.

The Taking of Deborah Logan

As a movie enthusiast, if you’ve ever had someone close to you grappling with Alzheimer’s disease, you’d understand the spine-tingling fear of watching a loved one morph into an entirely different person. The Taking of Deborah Logan delves deep into the heartache of a family member coping with such a devastating condition. Yet, much like any gripping horror flick, there’s always something lurking beneath the surface. In this chilling tale, we follow a documentary team producing a film about Alzheimer’s patients when they stumble upon Sarah Logan (Anne Ramsay) and her mother Deborah Logan (Jill Larson), who is battling the disease. However, as they trail Deborah through her days, they gradually unearth something eerie within her household that not only jeopardizes Deborah’s life but also poses a threat to everyone around her.

The movie “The Taking of Deborah Logan” delivers a chilling experience, boasting an outstanding portrayal by Larson that sends shivers up your back. She’s captivating as the frail yet charismatic lead character, but her condition gradually takes control, turning dark. Despite following a seemingly predictable path, the plot unexpectedly veers off course in a way that leaves you astonished. As a first-time directorial effort by Adam Robitel, “The Taking of Deborah Logan” is a found-footage film worth remembering.

Stream The Taking of Deborah Logan on Tubi.

The McPherson Tape

Titled originally as “UFO Abduction“, “The McPherson Tape” is one of those films that might even gain from slipping into obscurity. Released back in 1989, it’s evident that the movie was produced on a meager budget – precisely $6,500. Much like many outstanding found-footage films, this modest budget adds to the film’s credibility, making it seem as if “The McPherson Tape” could be an authentic discovered tape. If you were unaware of its true origins, you might be convinced that it was indeed a recovered recording. The 66-minute movie chronicles the story of a simple family celebrating a birthday. However, their joy is abruptly halted when they witness an unusual UFO incident during their party, which not only disrupts their festivities but also places their lives in danger.

Title “The McPherson Tape” exemplifies the saying ‘less is more.’ You won’t find any star-studded actors or awe-inspiring performances here, but the authentic emotion portrayed and seemingly real-time events could give you quite a scare. This underappreciated and forgotten gem of found footage might not win any beauty contests, but its convincing plot would have been compromised by a bigger budget and high-tech equipment. It’s as if you’ve attended a birthday party where things take an unexpected turn – the atmosphere suddenly changes – just imagine that… with aliens instead.

Stream The McPherson Tape on Tubi.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum

As a dedicated cinephile with a special affection for horror films, I must say that enduring some found-footage movies can be more of an ordeal than entertainment due to factors like flat characters, illogical sequences, and uninspiring scares. However, the 2018 South Korean gem “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” skillfully sidesteps these pitfalls, making it a must-watch found-footage masterpiece for horror enthusiasts like myself.

This thrilling production follows a crew of YouTube sensation who specialize in exploring the world’s most terrifying locales during live broadcasts. Accompanied by a fresh batch of novices, our heroes embark on an expedition to a purportedly haunted asylum, rumored to conceal a secret room from which no one has ever escaped.

Among the most entertaining films on this list, “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” provides an exhilarating viewing experience. It skillfully combines a good number of relatable characters with the occasional unsavory character to create someone you might find yourself rooting against. The actors deliver their roles exceptionally well, particularly when faced with the eerie specters that haunt them within the asylum’s walls. Notably, “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” boasts some of the best crafted scares in any found-footage film from the past three decades. Due to its presentation as a YouTube video gone wrong, it can be quite simple to overlook that it’s merely a movie.

Stream Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum on Tubi.

Final Prayer (The Borderlands)

2013’s “Final Prayer,” a found-footage horror film by Elliot Goldner, gradually gathers momentum before leaving a lasting impact. The story revolves around a group of Vatican investigators assigned to explore an ancient English countryside church, rumored to be the site of a miracle. At first glance, the church seems ordinary, but as they delve deeper, the investigators discover that all is not as it appears. Reaching a critical point, they are compelled to see the mission through, whatever the outcome may be.

In the heart of “Final Prayer”, a flourishing camaraderie between the two investigators adds depth to the chilling atmosphere permeating the movie. Gordon Kennedy portrays Brother Deacon and Robin Hill embodies Gray Parker, both delivering exceptional performances that draw you in as a viewer. Their characters are so appealing that it’s simple to overlook the fact that they are involved in something sinister. “Final Prayer” is another found-footage film that rewards your patience as you wait for the storyline to unfold. The climax will leave you stunned, making you question whether it’s the same movie you’ve been watching for the previous 80 minutes.

Stream Final Prayer (aka The Border Lands) on Tubi.

The Devil’s Doorway

Much like Final Prayer, The Devil’s Doorway is another chilling found-footage film steeped in religious folklore, which might prompt you to dust off your Bible for a refresher. However, it’s not quite as dramatic as that. Still, The Devil’s Doorway is an exceptional movie that frequently slips under the radar due to its lack of big-name actors. Navigating this film might be tricky without any major stars. Directed by Aislinn Clarke, the movie follows Father Thomas Riley (Lalor Roddy) and Father John Thornton (Ciaran Flynn), two priests dispatched by the Vatican to investigate reports of a miracle. The witnesses claim that a statue of the Virgin Mary weeps human blood within a secluded Catholic asylum for wayward women. As the two priests delve into the mystery, they uncover widespread fear, ranging from cruel nuns to even demonic possessions.

In just over an hour and a half, the film “The Devil’s Doorway” might seem short in duration, but it’s so rich in content that it more than delivers on its value. Initially presenting as a religious enigma, this underestimated found-footage movie rapidly evolves into an unsettling horror narrative saturated with fear. Given the title “The Devil’s Doorway“, it’s easy to predict the film’s direction, but it skillfully weaves a captivating tale that will leave you questioning your perception of nuns after watching movies like “The First Omen” and “Immaculate“.

Stream The Devil’s Doorway on Shudder.

2025-01-23 07:40