10 Movies That Were Shot on iPhones, Ranked

Smartphones have develop into an important a part of our every day lives, and thru them, filmmakers have discovered modern methods to harness their energy for cinematic storytelling. Whereas the standard of smartphone filmmaking is clearly not the identical as skilled devices, some administrators have managed to supply viewers with intriguing takes on how the Apple machine can be utilized to precise creativity and make for a enjoyable time.

Whereas movies shot on the machine are inherently tougher to execute correctly because of the lack {of professional} instruments, some have managed to face out nonetheless. Whether or not it involves motion pictures partially or completely captured on the Apple gadget, we discover a number of the finest movies shot on iPhones, rating them by creativity, innovation, and total high quality.

10

’28 Years Later’ (2025)

Directed by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland

For dystopian sci-fi epic enjoyers, Danny Boyle‘s 28 Days Later, starring none different however the extremely gifted, Academy Award-winner Cillian Murphy, is a must-see. The upcoming, long-awaited sequel to the cult traditional will hit theaters on June 20, 2025.

One of the crucial thrilling issues about Danny Boyle and Alex Garland‘s film is the way it was reportedly entirely shot on an iPhone 15 Pro Max this summer season. Understandably, followers of the primary installment cannot wait to lastly see the end result — particularly after its thrilling trailer was launched. It’s naturally a bit too quickly to say whether or not the 2025 characteristic shall be an amazing one (therefore its rating on this listing). Nonetheless, there isn’t a doubt that it’s set as much as be one of the thrilling post-apocalyptic movies of current occasions.

9

‘Uneasy Lies the Thoughts’ (2014)

Directed by Ricky Fosheim

Shot entirely on iPhone, Uneasy Lies the Thoughts explores themes of psychological instability, guilt, and psychological pressure. Directed by Ricky Fosheim and starring Jonas Fisch within the lead position, this dramatic thriller depicts a person’s psychological well being descent throughout a pair’s retreat to an remoted winter mansion.

Uneasy Lies the Thoughts was shot on an iPhone 5s, leaving its mark on a rising development of filmmakers experimenting with smartphone cameras. Regardless of the cellphone’s small sensor and diminished depth, cinematographer Niels Alpert does an amazing job within the visible storytelling division, utilizing close-up pictures to intensify the psychological pressure. Though arguably not a masterpiece, Fosheim’s film remains to be entertaining and can most likely attraction to followers of psychological thrills with its participating plot.

Watch on Hoopla

8

‘Excessive Flying Chicken’ (2019)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

Shot entirely on the iPhone 8, Steven Soderbergh‘s sports drama, High Flying Bird, tells the story of a sports activities agent who pitches a rookie basketball consumer on an intriguing and controversial enterprise proposition. He should pull off a plan in 72 hours. André Holland, Zazie Beetz, and Zachary Quinto are a number of the faces in its forged.

Soderbergh has been one of many pioneers with regards to experimenting with digital filmmaking on iPhones, and Excessive Flying Chicken highlights this as soon as extra. Regardless of being shot on a cellphone, Excessive Flying Chicken options an intriguing visible model with a contemporary really feel that enhances the film’s fast-paced storytelling. It’s an vital entry within the style as a result of it proves that iPhone-shot movies can look polished and cinematic, too.

7

‘9 Rides’ (2016)

Directed by Matthew A. Cherry

Written and directed by Matthew A. Cherry, 9 Rides sees an Uber driver getting life-changing information on the busiest night time of the yr. Regardless of its combined opinions, 9 Rides options modern use of expertise and an intriguing narrative, even when it falls quick in different features resembling its pacing.

Recognized for being totally shot on the Beastgrip Pro and iPhone 6s in 4K, 9 Rides is a superb testomony to distinctive ideas, showcasing the potential of smartphones for indie cinema administrators engaged on a finances. Regardless of being filmed on a small machine, 9 Rides remains to be a well-crafted film that showcases how iPhones can seize compelling storylines.

Watch on Hoopla

6

‘160 Characters’ (2015)

Directed by Victoria Mapplebeck

At solely 11 minutes lengthy, this compelling documentary tells the story of a 3-year relationship by means of textual content messages on an outdated Nokia cellphone, elevating questions on how we talk on this more and more digital and technological world. Along with its authentic premise, Mapplebeck‘s quick movie innovates by pushing filmmaking boundaries.

By way of her use of the iPhone as the primary filmmaking software, Victoria Mapplebeck enhances the narrative’s private and introspective tone, leading to an intimate documentary that resonates with viewers. In 160 Characters, the iPhone’s position goes past a filming machine and takes on a job that’s pivotal to the film’s narrative, which tackles themes of communication, reminiscence, love, and relationships. The filmmaker obtained an RIFA Innovation Award nomination for her efforts.

Watch on YouTube

5

‘Unsane’ (2018)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

One other Steven Soderbergh film value mentioning is Unsane — an amazing decide for followers of psychological horror who wish to expertise the style by means of the lens of a smartphone. The 2018 movie, starring The Crown’s Claire Foy, sees a younger girl involuntarily dedicated to a psychological establishment the place she is confronted by her biggest worry. The query is whether or not it’s actual or a product of her delusion.

Earlier than his Excessive Flying Chicken, Soderbergh was already bringing innovativeness to the movie trade; Unsane was his first iPhone-filmed movie, and it obtained pretty good opinions, whether or not that was for the way the iPhone’s aesthetics, which added to the story, or Foy’s wonderful efficiency. Like 160 Characters, Unsane advantages from iPhone filmmaking in a broader means, because it helped seize the film’s themes of paranoia and confinement.

4

‘Sleep Has Her Home’ (2017)

Directed by Scott Barley

Directed by Scott Barley, Sleep Has Her Home blends drama, horror, and thriller because it delivers an summary narrative largely specializing in ambiance somewhat than conventional storytelling. That includes fascinating surrealist parts, Barley’s film captures the pure world, together with forests, mountains, rivers, and delightful skies.

Sleep Has Her Home might be in contrast to something audiences have ever witnessed — it sees the surroundings itself changing into the primary character whereas totally immersing viewers in its photos. Whereas it might really feel a bit overly summary and even alienating at occasions (relying on whoever is watching it), this considerate meditation is, at its finest, a mesmerizing meditative expertise that blurs the road between cinema and artwork. Moreover, it was additionally budget-friendly (shot on an iPhone 6), proving that good cinema doesn’t want costly devices.

Buy on Scott Barley’s Website

3

‘Tangerine’ (2015)

Directed by Sean Baker

Shot entirely with three iPhone 5s cameras utilizing the FiLMIC Professional App, the comedy crime drama Tangerine follows a transgender intercourse employee (Mya Taylor) who tears by means of Tinseltown on Christmas Eve looking for the PIMP who broke her coronary heart.

From the thoughts of Anora filmmaker Sean Baker, the LGBTQ+ essential is without doubt one of the most well-known and acclaimed motion pictures shot on the Apple machine. That includes a powerful 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, this groundbreaking indie movie garnered crucial reward after premiering on the Sundance Movie Competition, with audiences — each critics and cinephiles alike — highlighting how the filmmaker utilized the iPhone to seize the gritty streets of Los Angeles, which finally gave the film a gritty and genuine really feel.

Watch on Hulu

2

‘The Florida Undertaking’ (2017)

Directed by Sean Baker

Like Tangerine, Baker’s The Florida Project is nothing wanting intriguing, offering audiences with a uncooked and sincere portrayal of marginalized minorities. Set over one summer season, it follows precocious six-year-old Moonee as she courts mischief and journey together with her playmates and bonds together with her rebellious however caring mom.

Whereas The Florida Undertaking was not filmed on an iPhone all through its entirety — however somewhat on 35mm movie — its ultimate scene, shot with out authorization in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park, was filmed on an iPhone 6S Plus. Whereas its use of Apple’s gadget is clearly not as vital as the opposite motion pictures on this listing, The Florida Undertaking is definitely probably the greatest movies right here talked about, with its lovely cinematography, equal quantities of heartwarming and heartwrenching narrative, and wonderful performing performances standing out.

Launch Date

October 6, 2017

Runtime

111 Minutes

1

‘Looking for Sugar Man’ (2012)

Directed by Malik Bendjelloul

Malik Bendjelloul‘s 2021 biographical documentary illustrates two South Africans who got down to uncover what occurred to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious Seventies rock n’ curler Rodriguez. The Best Documentary Oscar winner focuses on id — each private and cultural — and self-discovery, delving into the idea of fame and anonymity.

Apparently, after the producers ran out of the movie for an costly actual 8mm digital camera, Looking for Sugar Man was shot on an iPhone app referred to as 8mm Classic Digital camera to emulate its authentic look. Whereas it’s only partially shot on the Apple machine, it nonetheless supplies viewers with an attention-grabbing and modern expertise that highlights how filmmakers can embrace new applied sciences when conventional instruments are unavailable.

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