The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project (1999), directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, revolutionized horror with its pioneering found-footage style. The film follows three student filmmakers who disappear while investigating the legendary Blair Witch in Maryland's Black Hills Forest. Shot with handheld cameras for $60,000, its documentary realism and marketing campaign convinced many viewers it was actual recovered footage. The movie's psychological terror stems from unseen threats, eerie sound design, and the characters' escalating panic. Despite minimal gore, its ambiguous ending and raw performances created unprecedented audience unease, grossing $248 million worldwide and inspiring a new wave of found-footage horror films.