Back in the ’80s, horror franchises were the thing and demonstrated a horror villain’s longevity. Decades later, there have been a few that have gone on to establish cult status and up the ante after the first three films. Terrifier has been a raging success, and Scream keeps going and going… and then going some more.
For me, V/H/S stands out as a true modern-era horror franchise. It started in 2012 and was picked up by streaming platform Shudder nearly a decade after its inception. There have been some lesser entries, but overall the found footage films have been a mixed bag due to their nature. Its anthology style has left room for terrible segments and diamonds in the rough.
Still, V/H/S has been a mainstay and a reliable source for found footage fans to get their fix. Let’s look at all eight films in the franchise and rank them.
8. V/H/S: Viral (2014)
Heralded as the worst in the franchise, the third entry revolves around modern technology and largely misses the mark. There’s a problem when an anthology’s wraparound story outshines its meat and potatoes.
7. V/H/S/94 (2021)
The first entry since Viral and the beginning of the Shudder era. Whilst there’s a strong opening segment involving a rat man, 94 feels like a step in the right direction despite some disappointing moments. It’s a film that seems to be finding its feet within this new era.
6. V/H/S/99 (2022)
The idea of giving each later film a year-based focus is in full swing, and 99 is an improvement on 94 overall. The green plastic soldiers segment is a highlight and captures the found footage style brilliantly. It feels more focused than the previous entry, featuring possession, suicide, and more.
5. V/H/S/2 (2013)
It’s still early days with part two, and there are some engaging segments here—perhaps too many. The film can feel a bit convoluted at times. That said, Safe Haven is a standout, documenting an insular Indonesian cult in unforgettable fashion. The P.O.V. segment is decent but leaves a lot to be desired.
4. V/H/S: Beyond (2024)
Opening with a banger of a segment featuring a strange bird-like creature from outer space, V/H/S proves it isn’t restricted to typical horror tropes and confidently expands into sci-fi territory.
3. V/H/S: Halloween (2025)
This time, the focus shifts to All Hallows’ Eve. The result is a strong, focused entry where all segments maintain interest. The seasonal theme is a refreshing change from the year-based approach, with Fun Size standing out as a particularly entertaining story.
2. V/H/S/85 (2023)
Leaning into an ’80s aesthetic was always going to be a hit with fans, and this entry delivers. Grainy visuals and a focus on the video cassette’s heyday make this feel like a definitive V/H/S experience. Ambrosia is a standout segment.
1. V/H/S (2012)
I truly believe this debut entry is the tightest overall. While some individual segments in later films may be stronger, as a complete package this one nails it.
Four stories wrapped in a creepy setup inside a house filled with mysterious videotapes—it’s simple but effective. The first segment hits hard and showcases some nasty effects. Tuesday the 17th is gruesomely mean-spirited and features a killer with a twist.
I personally think the found footage format is used to its maximum potential here, especially given the budget. Everything flows, and every segment hits.
