10 Most Disturbing Found Footage Films You've Never Seen

What if the scariest horror films weren’t the ones plastered across streaming platforms or hyped up in theaters, but instead lurked in the shadows of obscurity, waiting to be uncovered like a cursed VHS tape in a dusty attic? Found footage films, with their raw, unpolished aesthetic, have a unique ability to blur the line between reality and fiction, making you question what’s real and what’s staged. Since The Blair Witch Project shook audiences in 1999, the genre has spawned countless imitators, but some of the most unsettling entries remain under the radar. These films don’t rely on jump scares or big budgets—they dig into your psyche with disturbing premises, raw realism, and haunting imagery that lingers long after the credits roll. Here are 10 obscure found footage horror films that will leave you rattled, sleepless, and maybe even checking your locks twice.

1. Be My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015)

Imagine answering a Craigslist ad to film a quirky stranger, only to realize they’re spiraling into obsession. Be My Cat: A Film for Anne, a Romanian psychological horror, follows Adrian (Adrian Țofei), an aspiring filmmaker desperate to cast Anne Hathaway in his movie. He lures actresses to his home under the guise of auditions, but his unsettling behavior and disturbing “test footage” reveal a much darker intent. Țofei, who also wrote, directed, and produced the film, blurs the line between actor and character so convincingly that viewers have questioned whether he’s truly unhinged. The film’s raw, voyeuristic style and its exploration of parasocial fixation make it feel like a snuff film you stumbled upon by accident. It’s a slow burn that escalates into a nightmare, leaving you uneasy long before the first kill. Watch it on Prime Video or Tubi, but don’t expect to feel safe afterward.

2. The Tunnel (2011)

What happens when a journalist’s investigation into a government cover-up leads her into a labyrinth of abandoned tunnels beneath Sydney? The Tunnel, an Australian pseudo-documentary, follows Natasha (Bel Deliá) and her crew as they probe mysterious disappearances linked to a network of underground passages. Initially framed as a political exposé, the film shifts into a gripping horror as the crew encounters something sinister in the dark. The film’s strength lies in its seamless transition from mockumentary to survival horror, using real locations and minimal effects to create a claustrophobic sense of dread. Available on YouTube in low-res, it’s a hidden gem that proves you don’t need a big budget to terrify. The knowledge that one character survives doesn’t lessen the tension—it only makes you dread what they endured to make it out.

3. Exhibit A (2007)

A seemingly happy family unravels through the lens of a teenager’s camcorder in this British psychological thriller. Exhibit A follows Judith (Brittany Ashworth), who uses her new camera to cope with anxiety, capturing her family’s slow descent into dysfunction. What starts as a portrait of everyday life—dad’s forced cheer, mom’s quiet strain—turns chilling as financial pressures and buried secrets surface. The film’s realism, driven by naturalistic performances and mundane household settings, makes its tragic climax feel all too plausible. Unlike supernatural horror, this film grounds its terror in the fragility of human relationships, making it painfully relatable. You can watch it legally for free on YouTube, but its emotional weight might cost you a sleepless night.

5. Savageland (2015)

Savageland uses a micro-budget to tell a gut-punching story of a border town wiped out in a single night, with only one survivor—a Mexican immigrant—left to tell the tale. Presented as a mockumentary with grainy photographs and video footage, the film explores themes of racism and scapegoating while unraveling a supernatural mystery. The found footage elements, including chilling stills and shaky camcorder clips, create a sense of authenticity that makes the horror feel all too real. Its creative use of minimal resources delivers a visceral impact, leaving you questioning what you’ve just witnessed. Available on Tubi, this is a film that’s as thought-provoking as it is terrifying.

6. The Andy Baker Tapes (2021)

Two brothers embark on a food tour, filming their journey for a blog, but their road trip takes a dark turn in The Andy Baker Tapes. What begins as a lighthearted travelogue becomes a psychological horror as one brother’s hidden agenda unravels. The film’s guerrilla-style filming and naturalistic dialogue make it feel like a home movie gone wrong, with hints of Creep and Joy Ride but a unique flavor of familial betrayal. The escalating tension and shocking reveals keep you glued to the screen, even as the “food porn” takes a backseat to something far more sinister. Stream it on Pluto TV or Prime Video for a disturbing ride.

7. The Sacrament (2013)

Eli Roth’s The Sacrament takes you inside a remote cult compound, where a group of journalists filming a documentary uncover a horrifying truth. Styled as a Vice-like investigation, the film uses chest-mounted cameras and handheld footage to create a sense of immediacy, drawing you into the escalating chaos. The cult leader’s charismatic menace (played with chilling intensity by Gene Jones) and the film’s exploration of blind devotion make it a gut-wrenching watch. It’s less about supernatural scares and more about the terror of human manipulation, making it all the more unsettling. Available on Hulu, this one will leave you questioning the power of belief.

8. Butterfly Kisses (2018)

A filmmaker discovers a box of VHS tapes containing a student film about an urban legend called Peeping Tom. Obsessed with proving its authenticity, he drags his crew into a spiral of paranoia and terror. Butterfly Kisses blends meta-narrative with found footage, using the tapes to create a layered story that questions the nature of reality. Its campy tone belies a creeping sense of dread, and the final reveal is a gut-punch that lingers. The film’s low-budget charm and clever use of multiple perspectives make it a standout in the genre. Stream it on Tubi or Plex for a mind-bending experience.

9. The Monster Project (2017)

What if you invited real monsters to an interview? The Monster Project follows a group of filmmakers who find supposed supernatural beings—a skinwalker, a vampire, and a possessed girl—via Craigslist. Their plan to document these creatures goes horribly wrong when the monsters prove to be all too real. The film’s strength lies in its unpredictable characters and creative creature designs, which elevate it above typical found footage fare. The mix of humor, horror, and shocking transformations keeps you on edge, wondering who’ll survive the night. It’s a wild ride available on Prime Video.

10. Rorschach (2015)

Two paranormal investigators break into an abandoned house and find a collection of VHS tapes that reveal a horrifying truth. Rorschach uses a minimalist approach to create maximum terror, with grainy footage and subtle sound design that amplify the sense of isolation. The film’s slow pacing builds an oppressive atmosphere, leading to a climax that’s both shocking and emotionally devastating. Its obscurity adds to its mystique, making it feel like a forbidden artifact you weren’t meant to see. Available on YouTube, this is a must-watch for fans of understated horror.

Why These Films Stay With You

These films aren’t just scary—they’re disturbing because they feel too real. The found footage format strips away the polish of traditional cinema, making you feel like you’re watching real people in real danger. Whether it’s the psychological unraveling of a family in Exhibit A, the supernatural dread of Noroi: The Curse, or the raw terror of The Tunnel, these movies exploit the genre’s ability to blur reality and fiction. They don’t rely on gore or cheap scares but instead burrow into your mind, leaving you haunted by what you’ve seen.

Where to Find Them

Many of these films are available on streaming platforms like Tubi, Prime Video, YouTube, and Hulu, often for free or with a subscription. Some, like The Tunnel and Rorschach, can be found in low-res versions online, adding to their gritty authenticity. Check the availability notes for each film, but be warned: their obscurity might require some digging, much like the cursed footage they depict.

Final Thoughts

The found footage genre thrives on its ability to make the impossible feel plausible, and these 10 films push that boundary to its limits. They’re not for the faint of heart—some are slow burns, others are visceral gut-punches, but all are designed to leave you questioning what you just watched. So, dim the lights, lock the doors, and dive into these obscure gems. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking over your shoulder afterward, wondering if someone’s filming you too.

Have you seen any of these hidden horrors? What’s the most disturbing found footage film you’ve stumbled across? Share your thoughts, and let’s uncover more nightmares together.