Horror
|
1999
|
United States
Director:
Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sánchez
Starring:
Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard
Distribution:
Artisan Entertainment
Platform:
Available on Prime Video, Apple TV
Budget:
$60,000
Gross:
$247,996,000
ROI:
4,133×
You don’t need big stars or gear — you need tension, timing, and a story people talk about. Peli shot this entirely in his home with a consumer camcorder and built terror from atmosphere. The film’s viral word-of-mouth campaign redefined how indie horror could reach audiences.
Spawned a billion-dollar franchise, revived found-footage horror, and proved that creative storytelling can outperform CGI-heavy blockbusters. A landmark example for filmmakers on how to leverage simplicity and authenticity into massive profit.
⭐ IMDB:
/ 10
📊
+
Audience Ratings
Around $60,000 — and it grossed nearly $248 million worldwide.
It pioneered viral marketing and the found-footage horror format, inspiring a generation of indie creators.
Focus on creative marketing and story tension instead of expensive effects — mystery can outperform money.
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