The 18 Best Movies Like 'Paranormal Activity,' Ranked

Kayla Caldwell
Updated April 9, 2024 18 items
Voting Rules
Vote up the movies that fans of 'Paranormal Activity' are sure to love.

If you love Paranormal Activity, it’s safe to say you are a fan of found footage horror films. Whether supernatural like Host and V/H/S, or more human frights, like in Creep and The Visit, the list below will feature some of the best horror movies like Paranormal Activity.

V/H/S/99 may be a sequel, but that does not mean it is not worth watching. It’s a Shudder hit that broke the platform’s streaming records with its premiere in October 2022. Fans of guts and gore will love films like The Outwaters and V/H/S/94. Of course, one of the most classic and beloved found footage horror movies is The Blair Witch Project, which came out in 1999. As Above, So Below makes things really spooky by setting the protagonists underground, in the infamous Catacombs of Paris.

Check out the films like Paranormal Activity below, and vote up the ones you think most compare to the 2007 low-budget hit. Then come back to see if other fans agree with your rankings. Head over to your favorite streaming platform to check out any you have yet to see.

Latest additions: V/h/s/85
Help shape these rankings by voting on this list of The 18 Best Movies Like 'Paranormal Activity,' Ranked
  • Grave Encounters
    1

    Grave Encounters

    Sean Rogerson, Juan Riedinger, Mackenzie Gray
    19 votes

    Grave Encounters presents an eerie tale of a ghost-hunting reality TV crew, who find themselves trapped in a haunted asylum and become terrorized by malevolent spirits. With its immersive found-footage format and spine-tingling scares, the film is a must-watch for fans of the Paranormal Activity franchise. The chilling atmosphere and terrifying visuals evoke a sense of claustrophobia that leaves viewers gasping for breath while questioning their own senses. Featuring gripping performances from the cast, Grave Encounters delves deeply into the unknown and demonstrates that sometimes the most frightening things are those we cannot see.

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  • As Above, So Below
    2

    As Above, So Below

    Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge
    20 votes

    Set deep within the haunting catacombs beneath Paris, As Above, So Below follows a group of explorers as they uncover hidden secrets and face unspeakable horrors lurking in this subterranean labyrinth. This frightening feature combines elements of psychological horror with spine-chilling supernatural events to create an intense atmosphere that keeps viewers on tenterhooks from start to finish. The film's intricate plot and cleverly crafted surprises add depth to this unsettling tale, making it an excellent choice for aficionados of paranormal cinema.

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  • The Blair Witch Project
    3

    The Blair Witch Project

    Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard
    25 votes

    The Blair Witch Project revolutionized the horror genre with its innovative use of found footage, telling the harrowing story of three documentary filmmakers who venture into Maryland's Black Hills Forest in search of a legendary witch. What begins as a seemingly harmless journey quickly descends into a nightmarish ordeal filled with bone-chilling suspense and unimaginable dread. As tension mounts throughout each frame, viewers find themselves drawn into this terrifying world where nothing is quite what it seems. Widely considered one of the most influential films in modern horror cinema—and often compared to Paranormal Activity—the Blair Witch Project remains an enduring favorite among fans seeking thrilling scares.

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  • Hell House LLC
    4

    Hell House LLC

    Kristin Michelle Taylor, Theodore Bouloukos, Natalie Gee
    14 votes

    Hell House LLC invites viewers into a world of unimaginable terror as they join a group of haunted house creators who unwittingly unleash hellish forces within their eerie attraction. This gripping found-footage thriller expertly weaves together themes of demonic possession and supernatural mystery, resulting in a pulse-pounding experience that rivals even Paranormal Activity's nerve-shattering horror. Its enthralling storyline keeps audiences guessing until the very end while showcasing superb craftsmanship through exceptional cinematography and special effects.

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  • Paranormal Activity 3
    5

    Paranormal Activity 3

    Katie Featherston, Sprague Grayden, Lauren Bittner
    13 votes

    Prequel to its predecessors' infamous haunting tales, Paranormal Activity 3 offers an unsettling glimpse into the origins of the malevolent entity that tormented sisters Katie and Kristi. Set in the late 1980s, this spine-tingling film follows young siblings as they befriend a sinister presence lurking within their suburban home. Packed with heart-stopping moments and shocking scares, Paranormal Activity 3 builds upon the successful formula that made its predecessors so captivating. With compelling performances from its cast and skillful use of found footage, this chilling installment is an essential watch for fans of paranormal horror.

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  • Sinister
    6

    Sinister

    Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, James Ransone
    25 votes

    In Sinister, a true-crime novelist moves his family into a new home only to discover disturbing footage documenting gruesome murders committed by an ancient pagan deity named Bughuul. As he becomes increasingly obsessed with unraveling the terrifying truth behind these ghastly crimes, his life spirals out of control in this suspenseful supernatural thriller. The film cleverly combines elements of psychological horror with nerve-jangling jump scares, providing viewers with an intense ride that will have them questioning every shadowy corner long after the credits roll.

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  • The Visit
    7

    The Visit

    Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan
    7 votes

    Merging dark comedy with hair-raising suspense, The Visit chronicles two siblings' stay at their estranged grandparents' remote Pennsylvania farmhouse in this chilling found-footage chiller from acclaimed director M. Night Shyamalan. As bizarre incidents escalate during their weeklong visit, the children discover shocking secrets about their grandparents that could put them in mortal danger. The Visit masterfully blends Shyamalan's signature storytelling with the found-footage format to create a tense cinematic experience filled with unexpected twists and nerve-shredding scares.

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  • V/H/S/94
    8

    V/H/S/94

    Anna Hopkins, Christian Potenza, Kyal Legend
    16 votes

    V/H/S/94 is a pulse-pounding anthology of found-footage horror shorts that delve into various supernatural and macabre scenarios, from cult rituals gone awry to zombie outbreaks and malevolent spirits. Each segment offers unique scares while maintaining an overarching narrative thread, delivering an exhilarating viewing experience for fans of Paranormal Activity and other found-footage films. The chilling atmosphere coupled with startling special effects ensures that V/H/S/94 will leave its audience breathless.

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  • V/H/S
    9

    V/H/S

    Calvin Reeder, Lane Hughes, Adam Wingard
    4 votes

    Featuring a collection of skin-crawling tales woven together by one sinister overarching theme, V/H/S presents an unmistakably unnerving anthology film that explores everything from haunted houses to mysterious creatures in the night. Its innovative use of found footage elevates the terror experienced by both its characters and viewers alike as they're plunged headfirst into terrifying situations beyond their wildest nightmares. With each installment boasting its own distinctive style and tone, V/H/S offers something for every horror enthusiast, making it an essential watch similar to Paranormal Activity.

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  • Lake Mungo
    10

    Lake Mungo

    Steve Jodrell, Talia Zucker, Tamara Donnellan
    12 votes

    Unraveling a web of deeply buried family secrets, Lake Mungo tells the haunting story of a grieving Australian family whose daughter's drowning sets in motion a series of unsettling events captured on tape. Blending documentary-style footage with spine-chilling supernatural elements, this atmospheric psychological thriller delves into themes of grief, guilt, and disturbing revelations that will leave audiences pondering long after the final frame.

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  • Creep
    11

    Creep

    Mark Duplass, Patrick Brice
    8 votes

    Creep introduces viewers to a seemingly benign loner who hires a videographer under false pretenses, only to reveal his true dark motivations as events unfold in this unsettling psychological thriller shot in the found-footage format. Blending nuanced character development with moments of shocking intensity, Creep crafts a tense narrative that keeps audiences on edge throughout its duration while proving just how deceptive appearances can be when hiding malicious intent beneath layers of human vulnerability.

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  • Host
    12

    Host

    Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb
    4 votes

    Host plunges viewers into the world of digital séances as it follows six friends who unwittingly summon a demonic presence through an online gathering. As they struggle to escape the malevolent force they've unleashed, the group must confront their darkest fears in this innovative found-footage chiller. Inventive storytelling and imaginative special effects make Host an enthralling addition to supernatural horror cinema that fans of Paranormal Activity should not miss.

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  • The Outwaters
    13

    The Outwaters

    Angela Basolis, Michelle May, Scott Schamell
    7 votes

    The Outwaters offers a terrifying glimpse into the lives of four friends who embark on a survivalist weekend trip together, only to discover bone-chilling evidence suggesting that they are not alone in this remote wilderness location. With its immersive found-footage format and taut narrative structure, The Outwaters keeps viewers engaged from start to finish as tension mounts at every turn while unraveling mysteries lurking beneath its eerie surface.

  • Deadstream
    14

    Deadstream

    Joseph Winter, Melanie Stone
    4 votes

    Deadstream follows a popular internet vlogger as he undertakes a paranormal investigation inside an abandoned house rumored to be haunted by sinister forces. As his livestream unfolds in real-time, so too does the terror enveloping him within these malevolent walls. Combining contemporary technology with traditional ghost-story tropes, Deadstream delivers an intensely gripping viewing experience for those who crave chills down their spines akin to Paranormal Activity's most memorable moments.

  • V/h/s/85
    15

    V/h/s/85

    Freddy Rodríguez, James Ransone, Jordan Belfi
    1 votes

    Set against the backdrop of 1980s America, V/h/s/85 is yet another anthology entry in the acclaimed V/H/S series that presents disparate found-footage tales linked by an overarching narrative involving mysterious videotapes containing otherworldly horrors. From demonic possession to surreal dreamscapes, this film explores the deepest recesses of fear and dread, offering a captivating cinematic experience for fans of Paranormal Activity and other found-footage horror flicks.

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  • V/H/S/99
    16

    V/H/S/99

    Joseph Winter, Melissa Macedo, Isabelle Hahn
    1 votes

    The latest installment in the V/H/S series, V/H/S/99 continues to delve into the spine-chilling realm of found-footage anthology films with its eerie array of supernatural tales connected by an elusive thread. Showcasing inventive storytelling, cutting-edge special effects, and taut suspense at every turn, V/H/S/99 further cements this franchise's status as a must-watch for aficionados seeking supernatural thrills akin to those experienced in Paranormal Activity.

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  • The Den
    17

    The Den

    Melanie Papalia, Bill Oberst Jr., Matt Riedy
    1 votes

    The Den unveils a dark web of deceit and danger lurking beneath seemingly benign online interactions when a young woman witnesses what appears to be a murder during one of her video-chat sessions. As she delves deeper into this chilling mystery amidst mounting peril, viewers are taken on a heart-pounding journey through cyberspace where no one can be trusted — or is truly safe. Combining elements of found footage with social-media-driven narrative twists, The Den offers an innovative take on traditional horror storytelling that will leave fans of Paranormal Activity breathless.

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  • Quarantine
    18

    Quarantine

    Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez
    3 votes

    A relentless epidemic runs rampant through the streets of Los Angeles in Quarantine, as seen through the lens of an unflinching news crew documenting their nightmarish ordeal within an infected apartment complex. With its raw intensity and masterful use of found footage, Quarantine hurls viewers headlong into the chaos unfolding onscreen while delivering terrifying scares at every turn. This gripping tale is sure to captivate fans drawn to the unsettling realism captured in Paranormal Activity's bone-chilling moments.

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