A Glean movie guide
Found Footage Essentials
Don't stop recording.
From shaky-cam classics to modern screenlife nightmares.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
The Blair Witch Project
The definitive forest nightmare that launched a genre through pure psychological dread and isolation.
In October of 1994 three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary. A year later their footage was found.
- 02
Paranormal Activity
A masterclass in domestic tension that turns every bump in the night into a terrifying event.
After a young, middle-class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly the most active in the middle of the night.
- 03
REC
A relentless, claustrophobic descent into a quarantined apartment building that never lets you catch your breath.
- 04
Host
A terrifyingly relatable séance conducted over Zoom that captures the dread of digital isolation.
Six friends hire a medium to hold a séance via Zoom during lockdown — but they get far more than they bargained for as things quickly go wrong. When an evil spirit starts invading their homes, they begin to realise they might not survive the night.
- 05
Creep
An unsettling two-man character study that weaponizes awkward social interactions into pure suspense.
Looking for work, Aaron comes across a cryptic online ad: “$1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is appreciated.” Low on cash and full of naiveté, he decides to go for it. He drives to a cabin in a remote mountain town where he meets Josef, his cinematic subject for the day. Josef is sincere and the project seems heartfelt, so Aaron begins to film. But as the day goes on, it becomes clear that Josef is not who he says, and his intentions are not at all pure.
- 06
Lake Mungo
A haunting mockumentary that trades jump scares for a lingering, existential sense of unease.
After 16-year-old Alice Palmer drowns at a local dam, her family experiences a series of strange, inexplicable events centered in and around their home. Unsettled, the Palmers seek the help of a psychic and parapsychologist, who discovers that Alice led a secret, double life. At Lake Mungo, Alice's secret past emerges.
- 07
Hell House LLC
A slow-burn investigation into a tragic haunted house attraction filled with effective background scares.
Five years after an unexplained malfunction causes the death of 15 tour-goers and staff on the opening night of a Halloween haunted house tour, a documentary crew travels back to the scene of the tragedy to find out what really happened.
- 08
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
A high-tech update to the haunted hospital trope featuring some of the genre's most intense final acts.
The crew of a horror web series travels to an abandoned asylum for a live broadcast, but they encounter much more than expected as they move deeper inside the nightmarish old building.
- 09
The Taking of Deborah Logan
A chilling blend of medical drama and supernatural horror with a truly unforgettable lead performance.
What starts as a poignant medical documentary about Deborah Logan's descent into Alzheimer's disease and her daughter's struggles as caregiver degenerates into a maddening portrayal of dementia at its most frightening, as hair-raising events begin to plague the family and crew and an unspeakable malevolence threatens to tear the very fabric of sanity from them all.
- 10
Incantation
A disturbing Taiwanese folk-horror experience that masterfully breaks the fourth wall to curse its audience.
Inspired by the true story of a family who believed they were possessed by spirits. This film follows a woman who must protect her child from a curse.
- 11
Cloverfield
A massive monster movie seen through a handheld lens, bringing a terrifying sense of scale to the streets.
Five young New Yorkers throw their friend a going-away party the night that a monster the size of a skyscraper descends upon the city. Told from the point of view of their video camera, the film is a document of their attempt to survive the most surreal, horrifying event of their lives.
- 12
Deadstream
A clever, chaotic livestream nightmare that perfectly balances slapstick energy with genuine frights.
A disgraced internet personality attempts to win back his followers by livestreaming one night alone in a haunted house. But when he accidentally pisses off a vengeful spirit, his big comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life.