The found footage-style of filmmaking is often associated with the horror genre, and it's easy to see why. The first found footage film to hit theaters was the immensely controversial Cannibal Holocaust back in 1980. But it could be argued that this particular style did not really take off until 1999, when yet another horror film, The Blair Witch Project, took the world by storm.
Found footage, when executed well, has the opportunity to really immerse viewers into the story being told. It is rough around the edges, which sometimes makes it a more effective representation of reality. With that in mind, it makes sense why filmmakers would use this to up the terror quotient in horror films. But found footage has proven to be just as wonderful in other genres as well, leveraging the intimacy the style lends itself to. Whether it's sci-fi, comedy, or beyond, some found footage films have delivered great projects without leaning on horror. Here are 10 of the best found footage movies that aren't horror.
10 Project X
Loosely based on a real story, Project X is a teenager's dream party come to life. With Thomas' (Thomas Mann) parents out of town, he and his friends throw a party that quickly spirals out of control. Project X is far from a great film; its humor is hit-or-miss, the acting can be shaky, and can even feel a little mean-spirited at times.
However, the film also taps into a feeling of true liberation, a night that feels like it exists out of time with no consequences in sight (for a while at least). It is a film that is best enjoyed when viewers don't try to analyze it, and just let themselves enjoy 87 minutes of debauchery and madness.
9 Tex Montana Will Survive!
Tex Montana Will Survive! is the definition of an undiscovered gem, being released directly on YouTube back in 2016 after a Kickstarter campaign. Directed by and starring Jeremy Gardner, Tex Montana is the host of a popular survival show. But when it is discovered that he's a fraud, Tex heads to the wild to prove that he actually has what it takes.
The film is quite funny, as viewers see Tex struggle to do the most basic tasks in nature while addressing his editor and requesting she doesn't make him look stupid in the finished product. Tex Montana Will Survive! is special because of its smart script and a hilarious performance by Gardner, whose Tex seldom practices what he preaches as he tries to survive in nature. It is one of those movies that was actually better because of its shoestring budget and no studio interference.
8 Project Almanac
When you mess with time, it tends to mess back. When you add overzealous teenagers into the mix, those messes can be catastrophic. After getting into MIT, young David Raskin tries to find a way to pay the tuition. He and his friends inadvertently discover his deceased father's blueprints for a time machine.
With the machine built, the group of teenagers seeks to serve themselves by traveling through time but tinkering with the natural order of things leads to paradoxes and time loops that boggle the mind. The concept is undeniably interesting, but Project Almanacis held back by the fact that it doesn't do nearly enough with it. Furthermore, like a lot of time-travel movies, the film's science is flimsy, but it is still enjoyable and makes for a perfectly serviceable diversion.
7 LolliLove
A satire starring James Gunn and Jenna Fischer as the leads should be a big deal. But back in 2004, both were still waiting for their big break when Fischer directed LolliLove on a $1500 budget. Newly-weds, James and Jenna hope to help those less fortunate. The film is a scathing satire of the wealthy, who are so disconnected from the needs of real people, that they mistake posturing for actual service.
After some brainstorming that includes starting a program to help people remove tattoos they regret, James and Jenna decide that the homeless would benefit most from their help. And so begins a legendary battle to end poverty...by giving the homeless lollipops with inspirational messages on them.
6 Searching
Video calls have helped the found footage style evolve, keeping it fresh and interesting for newer audiences. After David (played by John Cho) discovers that his 16-year-old daughter Margot has gone missing, he files a police complaint to find her. Soon enough, he discovers a series of secrets hidden in Margot's laptop as the truth comes to light.
Searchingis a taut, tense thriller that makes excellent use of its setup. Cho is fantastic, turning in one of the best performances of his career, supported by a script that is consistently surprising and exciting. Well-acted, well-written, and fantastically edited, Searching is a movie worth seeking out.
5 Man Bites Dog
There are few movies quite like 1992's Man Bites Dog. The Belgian dark comedy shot in black and white sees a documentary crew follow a serial killer named Ben as he goes about his business. The set-up is incredible, made crazier by Ben's musings on low-income housing and a series of other topics. While technically a mockumentary, that style shares a lot in common with found footage films, meriting its inclusion here.
Man Bites Dog sets itself apart by making the viewer almost feel complicit in Ben's crimes as the documentary crew struggles to maintain its objectivity. Beyond that, the film is supported by a brilliant script that would make someone laugh and recoil in horror in a matter of seconds. The film is also far more complex than it first seems, and has a lot to say about the human condition and our collective thirst for spectacle, often at the expense of morality.
All of this makes Man Bites Dog a film that needs multiple viewings to be truly appreciated. It was rated NC-17 for its violence upon release, but will not be nearly as shocking to modern audiences. Even today, it remains one of the most highly-regarded mockumentaries ever made.
4 LOLA
Another time-travel story, and another film shot in black and white, 2022's LOLA sees two sisters develop a machine that can intercept broadcasts from the future during World War II. Shot in Ireland during the 2020 COVID-related lockdown, LOLA makes for a very intimate viewing experience, amid world-changing events. As the sisters use the broadcasts to change the course of the war, they mess with the flow of time, creating an alternate future that should have never come to pass.
It is a classic time-travel story, but is elevated by its execution. This is not necessarily a film about time travel, but more about the relationship between sisters Thomasina and Martha who come together to save lives, but threaten to be ripped apart by the world they unwittingly created. Clocking in at just 79 minutes, LOLA is intriguing, clever, and actually tries to do something new with the well-worn time-travel formula.
3 End of Watch
Written and directed by David Ayer, 2012's End of Watch focuses on Brian (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike (Michael Peña), partners in the LAPD. The film has a fly-on-the-wall energy to it, as viewers witness Brian and Mike just shooting the breeze and talking about their lives while traversing dangerous streets flooded with gang activity.
The partners find themselves targeted by a gang leader, which could have disastrous consequences for everyone involved. Gyllenhaal and Pena are absolutely phenomenal, viewers will feel like they really know Brian and Mike. It is further elevated by its presentation, not showcasing an overly manicured portrayal of being a cop, instead choosing to explore the sheer grit and determination needed to work such a job.
2 Trollhunter
There are some who might consider 2010's Trollhunter to be a horror film. Well, it's not. Better categorized as a fantasy, by tapping deep into Norwegian folklore, Trollhunter weaves a thrilling story of a mysterious man hunting trolls for the government. The creature designs are great, and by casting Norwegian comedians in prominent roles, the film is often light on its feet with a wonderfully paced plot.
A group of student filmmakers are pulled into this journey, and the found footage format is an excellent choice here. Viewers feel like they are really seeing something they shouldn't, pulling the veil back on the existence of these monsters.
1 Chronicle
On the surface, Chronicle is the story of three high schoolers getting superpowers. After a honeymoon period, all three friends began to unravel, leading to deadly consequences. Featuring a breakout performance by Dane DeHaan as Andrew, Chronicle is actually a story of powerlessness.
Living in an abusive home, Andrew decides to record everything in his life. It creates an interesting dichotomy, as Andrew literally puts up a barrier between himself and the world, but the viewer is right alongside him, every step of the way. Emotions we often suppress, jealousy, frustration, and rage, manifest in terrifying ways in Chronicle, creating a fantastical story rooted in real pain.
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