God bless V/H/S.
Though it burned brightly for three straight years, it looked like the V/H/S franchise was dead after V/H/S: Viral.
And then a beautiful thing happened: In 2021, the franchise moved to Shudder for a fourth installment, V/H/S/94, which became their biggest film premiere ever. Naturally, Shudder parlayed this success by announcing a fifth film, V/H/S/99, to premiere a year later—and it became their biggest film premiere ever yet again. No wonder they announced a sixth film, V/H/S/85, before the fifth film even hit the airwaves. And then a seventh film, the sci-fi themed V/H/S/Beyond, late last year.
In an age of hit-and-miss horror anthologies, this franchise has provided some of the most hit-and-miss collections of them all—and yet, all seven films have at least a couple of truly engaging segments to tide viewers over. Mileage may vary with the found-footage format, but there’s nothing else quite like this series.
More importantly, though, this franchise has been a wonderful playground for genre filmmakers who are either finding their footing or experimenting with different formats. After their segments were released, V/H/S alumni went on to make independent horror bangers like The Guest, Ready or Not, The Ritual, Colossal, X, May The Devil Take You, The Endless, Séance, and Apostle as well as other franchise installments like Blair Witch, Hellraiser, and Scream.
In 2021, I took up the challenge of ranking all 21 segments of this franchise (including the wraparounds and one short that was cut altogether). In 2022, I added the five segments (no wraparound, weirdly enough) from V/H/S/99 to the mix. With V/H/S/85, the list ballooned to more than 30 entries in 2023. And now we’re up to a gargantuan 37 segments with V/H/S/Beyond. (Shudder, if you keep this franchise going, I’ll keep this list growing, no matter how ridiculous this exercise becomes.)
If you’ve taken the full plunge on the V/H/S series, let us know how your list compares to ours!
37. “Dante the Great” – Gregg Bishop (V/H/S: Viral)
No disrespect to Bishop, but somebody has to be last on these lists. The Southern setting is a nice touch (especially the lovely Fox Theatre in Atlanta); however this short is burdened by many things, namely the shoddy CGI, lackluster lead performances, and a talking-heads-style framing device that does it no favors. And if we’re being honest, there’s nothing scary about a murderous magician with a cloak that craves blood.
36. “Tuesday the 17th” – Glenn McQuaid (V/H/S)
There’s a nice aesthetic quality to McQuaid’s riff on the slasher flicks of his youth—as evidenced immediately by the title—but the homage gets pretty old pretty quickly, even for a short film. And not to be all “that’s not how video cameras work,” but the supernatural element meant to set this segment apart from its titular predecessor just makes it more of a head-scratcher.
35. “Vicious Circles” – Marcel Sarmiento (V/H/S: Viral)
The least successful wraparound of the franchise flies a bit too close to the sun. Sarmiento deserves credit for trying something different from the first two framework devices, but it’s too disjointed and unrestrained to tell an effective story—or even make sense most of the time. The backyard barbeque and the taxi cab hostage moments are solid, but they don’t fit into the larger story very well.
34. “The Gawkers” – Tyler MacIntyre (V/H/S/99)
MacIntyre’s segment is peppered with a blend of late 90s nostalgia both authentic (Hot Pockets, degenerate adolescent masculinity, a character named Boner) and forced (the Woodstock ’99 lineup, Y2K bunker planning, name-dropping the likes of Britney Spears and Sarah Michelle Gellar) to the point where it feels overseasoned to mask a lackluster cut of meat. And sure enough, once the limited action finally kicks in, it’s plagued by iffy CGI and a concept far too similar to an earlier, better V/H/S short. It doesn’t help that this segment is burdened by carrying the forgettable wraparound clips.
33. “Abduction / Adduction” — Jay Cheel (V/H/S/Beyond)
It’s not the worst wraparound device, but it might be the most forgettable. The mysterious second-hand videotapes fit the franchise vibe well, and the cable-style documentary about alien abductions fits this edition’s theme, but there’s simply not much to it. By the time we do see the video footage, which focuses on a Canadian urban legend about a farmhouse encounter, it’s too little too late. There’s not much more than filler and stitching here.
32. “Tape 56” – Adam Wingard (V/H/S)
In the original wraparound device, Wingard and his friends play a band of scumdog losers who commit (and record) public sex crimes for money before embarking upon a more profitable excursion: stealing a special videotape from an old man’s house. It’s hard to watch at times (and hasn’t aged well in that way), but there are some solid scares and a nice atmosphere, and it sets the tone well for the franchise as a whole.
31. “Gorgeous Vortex” – Todd Lincoln (V/H/S: Viral)
If you’re scratching your head here, you might not’ve actually seen this one. Lincoln’s short was cut from the final version of the V/H/S: Viral and lives only as an extra on the physical release because, well, he didn’t really understand the assignment. It’s abstract, it’s dialogue-free, it moves like a music video, and it isn’t found footage…but it isn’t that bad either. With a brief runtime and some memorable imagery, it’s worth digging up.
30. “Dream Girl” — Virat Pal (V/H/S/Beyond)
It’s always refreshing to see this franchise span the globe, this time venturing into India to follow two paparazzi attempting to cash in on footage of Mumbai’s hottest new celebrity sensation. But Pal loses his way a bit, combining perspectives that wouldn’t logically be presented together (such as music video footage from modern cameras) and leaning into an explosive finale that feels chaotic and a bit unearned. Also, why are these guys using camcorders when they have iPhones?
29. “The Empty Wake” – Simon Barrett (V/H/S/94)
Barrett’s idea here is a good one, especially for a single location (which looks great from a production design standpoint). But the build-up is all atmosphere and phone calls, and by the time the antagonist arrives, it feels like too little too late, especially when it ends abruptly. That said, there’s something rewarding about Mother Nature being the ultimate victor at the end of a horror tale…
28. “Phase I Clinical Trials” – Adam Wingard (V/H/S/2)
Wingard got to make a proper horror short his second time around, and though it’s the least effective segment in the V/H/S/2 crop, he did have some stiff competition. He might’ve benefitted from hiring a better actor and fleshing out the narrative a bit more, but the concept of a bionic eye doubling as a camera is pretty cool, and shady medicinal ethics always provide a nice boost in this genre.
27. “God of Death” – Gigi Saul Guerrero (V/H/S/85)
Once Guerrero’s film really gets going, there’s some fun to be had in the final moments, despite a bit of lackluster production design. And the different setting/perspective is refreshing for a largely American franchise. But there’s too much setup for only a moderate amount of payoff, and once the secret of the premise is revealed, it’s disappointingly similar to some other (better) V/H/S segments.
26. “Tape 49” – Simon Barrett (V/H/S/2)
An improvement upon his buddy Wingard’s original wraparound saga, Barrett’s piecemeal framework gives us a groovy “haunted tapes” scenario that follows a pair of ethically ambiguous amateur detectives (though they’re far less scummy than the “Tape 56” hooligans). There’s not much of a story to it once they get to their investigation, but these framework devices can only do so much. (Barrett bares it all in the opening minutes, though, and you have to respect that.)
25. “The Sick Thing That Happened to Emily When She Was Younger” – Joe Swanberg (V/H/S)
Aesthetically speaking, this segment doesn’t exactly follow the rules, since it’s on a computer screen. But credit to Swanberg for delivering an early entry into a subgenre that would explode a couple years later with films like Unfriended. The twist is a bit flat, but the format works well here, playing up the fear of dark rooms in a fresh way and blending a few different subgenres into the mix.
24. “A Ride In The Park” – Eduardo Sánchez & Gregg Hale (V/H/S/2)
The franchise comes thematically full circle here with the co-director and producer of The Blair Witch Project. The idea of using a GoPro as the recording device is clever, and while a zombie origin event in the woods isn’t the most original premise (especially after they’d already nailed the “spooky woods” conceit), Sánchez and Hale keep the narrative tight and elevate it above mediocrity with some light humor and great effects.
23. “TKNOGD” – Natasha Kermani (V/H/S/85)
One of the most contained segments of the whole franchise, Kermani’s film doesn’t cover much ground. In fact, it takes place almost entirely in a black box theatre setting. But where the decent bits of violence fall relatively short, the narrative concept provides plenty of intrigue by bringing the fourth wall into question. Blurring the lines between the digital world, the real world, and the world of performance is a great idea, even if it’s undercooked here.
22. “Fur Babies” — Christian Long & Justin Long (V/H/S/Beyond)
Of all the films Justin Long has starred in, could it be that Tusk has stayed with him the most? This disturbing segment, directed by Justin with his brother Christian, seems to suggest as much. While it strays from the theme more than the other segments, focusing not on aliens but mad scientists a la Dr. Moreau instead, it’s effectively gnarly and it makes a lasting impression. Libby Letlow is the standout performance of V/H/S/Beyond as a suspicious doggie daycare owner.
21. “10/31/98” – Radio Silence (V/H/S)
The final chapter of the original anthology is a pretty standard haunted house scenario on the page: A group of young men show up for a Halloween party at an unknown location to find an empty house. (Or is it?) The special effects leave something to be desired, but the Radio Silence team knows how to execute a decent premise. It’s a fun segment and a great closing chapter, right down to the terrifying final images.
20. “Shredding” – Maggie Levin (V/H/S/99)
With only one feature under her belt, Levin was the scrappy newcomer of the fifth anthology, and she earns her spot by leaning into an essential late 90s scene—the DIY blend of punk rock, skate videos, and street stunts that was inescapable at the time. The concept of a zombie female punk band haunting the venue where they were trampled to death is a terrific one, and while it plays out mostly as expected once it gets going, the final moment is pretty nifty.
19. “Stork” — Jordan Downey (V/H/S/Beyond)
This segment follows a specialized police unit being sent to a suspicious location to investigate a case of several missing infants. As the team plows through zombie-like creatures, the perspective switches between their body cams, focusing largely on the rookie of the group (who also happens to be the only one unarmed). It’s a very straightforward story with a great creature design, but it works because it hearkens back to first-person shooter games like Area 51 more so than retro horror films. You might find yourself wishing you had a controller in your hand.
18. “No Wake / Ambrosia” – Mike P. Nelson (V/H/S/85)
Nelson’s entry has a curious distinction: It’s the only two-parter of the franchise. The first half features some gruesome moments and some narrative intrigue, but it ends abruptly (and confusingly). When the second half finally comes around and reveals its connective tissue, it provides some answers, yet somehow still feels incomplete. This segment leans into the 80s more than any other V/H/S/85 installment, though, and it’s a fun ride while it lasts.
17. “Holy Hell” – Jennifer Reeder (V/H/S/94)
The directors of the wraparounds always have the biggest challenge, but Reeder’s rises above all those before it thanks to a solid premise—a SWAT team raids a warehouse thinking it’s a drug bust only to stumble upon a spooky analog cult scenario—and some terrific production design. Also, points to Reeder for getting one of the best line reads of the franchise: “We don’t need more tech. We need a gravedigger!”
16. “Stowaway” — Kate Siegel (V/H/S/Beyond)
Helmed by actress Kate Siegel and written by her partner Mike Flanagan, this segment was for many the biggest hook in V/H/S/Beyond. Siegel smartly takes a familiar narrative approach—a journalist investigating mysterious circumstances while filming her own journey—and filters it through an abstract lens, leaving viewers to use their imagination to fill in the gaps. The latter half of the segment is visually disorienting, but in a way that really complements the action that’s taking place. Hopefully this wasn’t merely a fun exercise for Siegel.
15. “Suicide Bid” – Johannes Roberts (V/H/S/99)
Roberts had already tackled sharks, zombies, and home intruders on a large scale, so it makes sense that he would lean on his diversified palette here. Though this segment starts with a simple enough premise—a young, lonely college girl is desperate enough to do anything for a sorority bid—he expertly weaves no fewer than three distinct fears into a tight window. It doesn’t quite nail the landing, but when it’s really cooking, it’s enough to make you squirm in your seat.
14. “To Hell and Back” – Vanessa & Joseph Winter (V/H/S/99)
The final chapter of V/H/S/99 certainly lives up to the film’s tagline by sending its protagonists, well, to hell. A witchy ritual gone wrong catapults a two-man camera crew to the netherworld where they spend most of the segment’s runtime exploring the rocky wasteland and fleeing from demonic creatures. The main characters aren’t very compelling, especially when they’re bickering through their anxieties, but the effects are plentiful and great, and the twist ending is a nice finishing touch.
13. “Bonestorm” – Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead (V/H/S: Viral)
A couple of narrative decisions already feel outdated here, but Benson and Moorhead really go for it. The second V/H/S segment to employ GoPro cameras, this one works better in the context of skate punks trying to film their own trick compilation, only to find themselves in the midst of a resurrection ritual in Tijuana. Particular praise is in order for great effects and what feels like some of the most blood and carnage of the series.
12. “Slumber Party Alien Abduction” – Jason Eisener (V/H/S/2)
Your mileage may vary on the adolescent shenanigans and the ensuing revenge plot, but once the aliens actually show up (including a nice underwater preview), Eisener’s short becomes a different kind of party. The very last shot will trigger many viewers, but strapping a camera to a little dog was a refreshing creative choice. And if you love this segment, Eisener stretched it to a full-length spinoff, Kids vs. Aliens, in 2022.
11. “Dreamkill” – Scott Derrickson (V/H/S/85)
An established horror veteran, Derrickson was a welcome addition to the franchise fold, and he brings a healthy dose of style to his entry; it’s pretty easy to discern that the director of Sinister also made the homemade murder tapes in this story. And the content of those tapes is some of the grisliest, most disturbing imagery you’ll see in the whole series. Though this one has a bit of a bumpy landing at the end, it’s still a fully realized narrative.
10. “The Subject” – Timo Tjahjanto (V/H/S/94)
Tjahjanto is trusted with the longest, meatiest segment of V/H/S/94, and while it’s near the middle of that crop, it’s still an absolute blast. It may be more of a gory action film than a true horror short—and the quality of that video footage is far too crisp for a handheld camera in 1994—but the pacing of the setup and the reveal provide a solid foundation for all the bonkersness happening from the jump.
9. “Second Honeymoon” – Ti West (V/H/S)
West was arguably the most established horror director of the original crew, and it’s easy to see why in his lone contribution to the franchise. There’s no gimmick to be found here—and not much gore either. But this slow-burn segment following a young couple on the road, acted well by Sophia Takal and fellow V/H/S director Joe Swanberg, implements a level of underlying dread typically only achieved in features.
8. “Total Copy” – David Bruckner (V/H/S/85)
Bruckner (whose name will come up later) was already one of the V/H/S MVPs, but taking a wraparound assignment and turning it into the best thing about V/H/S/85 is no small feat. In fact, the bite-size pieces serve the story well—what begins as an oddball 80s TV documentary gets curiouser and curiouser until it all comes together in the final few minutes, ending the collection with an appropriate dose of goopy fun.
7. “Live and Let Dive” — Justin Martinez (V/H/S/Beyond)
The highlight of V/H/S/Beyond comes from a founding member of Radio Silence. And it’s a pretty stellar concept: A group of young partygoers prepares to go skydiving only to find themselves in the midst of an alien invasion. We follow the characters from the plane to the sky to the ground as terror escalates palpably, culminating with a cat-and-mouse chase through an orange grove. The creature design feels maybe a draft or two away from something truly great, but it gets the job done in this excellent framework.
6. “Ozzy’s Dungeon” – Flying Lotus (V/H/S/99)
The least predictable and most unhinged piece of the fifth anthology spans the genre spectrum in a clean three-act structure. It begins as a gross-out retro comedy paying homage to Nickelodeon’s notoriously difficult Legends of the Hidden Temple, switches to a revenge/torture porn saga, and concludes with a Lovecraftian nightmare. It’s not the spookiest segment of the franchise, but Flying Lotus expands upon the bizarre creativity he displayed in Kuso to provide one of the most fun (and most memorable) chapters.
5. “Terror” – Ryan Prows (V/H/S/94)
Prows toes the line effectively with the V/H/S/94 bookender; gun-toting right-wing extremists might be the scariest villains imaginable in this day and age, but for those who are able to laugh at their buffoonery, this might be the funniest segment in the franchise. The exploding vampire rabbit (perhaps an ode to Bunnicula, since this is 1994 after all) is almost as memorable as the long-jawed vampire master himself.
4. “Parallel Monsters” – Nacho Vigalondo (V/H/S: Viral)
Widely believed to be the worst film in the franchise (and possibly the reason why the series remained dormant for years afterward), V/H/S: Viral nonetheless gives viewers a truly great segment from Vigalondo. The pacing is the key here as the short follows a Spanish inventor who builds a gateway to another dimension in his own home…and then finds out how different that dimension truly is as he explores what appears to be his neighborhood. (Two words: demon penis.)
3. “Storm Drain” – Chloe Okuno (V/H/S/94)
The concept here—a vainglorious news reporter trying to spin gold out of a dead-end story—is a refreshing framework for not just this series but the found footage subgenre at large. Perhaps it owes a bit to [REC] for that, but what this news team discovers in the titular storm drain is wonderfully wild and ultimately unforgettable, right down to the ill-fated recap behind the news desk. (I’m convinced this one was partially inspired by the Crichton leprechaun in Mobile. That amateur sketch!)
2. “Amateur Night” – David Bruckner (V/H/S)
Bruckner’s chilling segment stole the show the first time around and announced him as a future force in the horror genre. What starts as a despicable spin on a sexual conquest for a few young men—which feels even slimier after the first portion of “Tape 49”—slowly devolves into something sinister and befitting of its faux hero characters, fueled brilliantly by Hannah Fierman’s terrifying expressions and landed splendidly with a terrific climax. This one is so good, it got its own feature-length spinoff in Siren.
1. “Safe Haven” – Timo Tjahjanto & Gareth Evans (V/H/S/2)
Two of the finest 21st century genre directors combined their talents to create not just the best segment of the franchise but one of the best short-form horror pieces ever made. What could’ve been a routine found-footage concept—a camera team traveling to a remote area to document something vaguely unsettling—is elevated to classic status thanks to tremendous effects, terrific atmosphere, a stellar performance from Epy Kusnandar, and one hell of a final moment. Even at a full 30 minutes (still the longest segment of the franchise), it doesn’t wear out its welcome for a single second.