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The constant development of smartphones is increasingly transforming the audiovisual landscape, allowing filmmakers to explore narratives from different angles and using tools that were previously unthinkable. With that in mind, check out the list of ten movies that were recorded with the cell phone, either in full or in parts. u3k38
Detour (2017) v6r55
6,7 on IMDB
Known for success Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the director Michel Gondry developed Detour, a short film that was also used as a commercial for Apple , recorded entirely with a 7 iPhone Plus. The story, which lasts just 11 minutes, follows the extraordinary adventure of a children's tricycle who, miraculously, decides to reunite with his little owner and her family during the summer holidays.
Disturbance (2018) 2j3m62
Original title: Unsane
80% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,4 on IMDb
Where to watch: Prime Video
Among the most popular movies that were recorded with iPhone is DisturbDirected by Steven Soderbergh. The psychological thriller, filmed entirely with a 7 iPhone Plus, explores the anguish of Sawyer Valentini (Claire Foy), a young woman involuntarily itted to a psychiatric institution. Confined, Sawyer begins to question his own sanity and the reality of events when his stalker reappears as an employee, blurring the lines between paranoia and a real threat.
The team used apps and other tools in the 7 iPhone Plus to achieve a look reminiscent of 16mm film and claustrophobic aesthetics. Additionally, additional lenses were implemented in some contexts to adjust depth of field.
Extermination: Evolution (2025) 1p3t1j
Original title: 28 Years Later
Where to watch: scheduled to premiere in June
The long awaited movie Extermination: The Evolution, which is set 28 years after the outbreak of an apocalyptic virus that turns humans into violent zombies, was filmed primarily with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Following the line of previous films (Extermination e Extermination 2), the story follows a group of survivors isolated on an island, whose existence is shaken when one of them ventures to the mainland and discovers that the threat has evolved, affecting both the infected and humanity itself. The new plot features names such as Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes e Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Despite the notorious budget of $75M monthly, the choice of iPhone 15 Pro Max for filming demonstrates the growing capacity of smartphones to meet high-level cinematographic demands. Reports from iPhone 15.
High Fantasy (2017) 1s1p1u
75% on Rotten Tomatoes
Where to watch: currently unavailable
Among the movies that were recorded with the cell phoneIs High Fantasy, which emerged as a groundbreaking South African work, exploring issues of race and identity through a surreal premise and an aesthetic of found footage. Directed by Jenna Bass, the film was almost entirely captured in 4K resolution using a iPhone 7, with the help of the application FiLMiC Pro for aesthetic control and a stabilizer DJI Osmo Mobile for smooth camera movements.
The plot follows four friends from different ethnic backgrounds – Xoli (Qondiswa James), Lexi (sca Varrie Michel), Tatiana (Liza Scholtz) e Thami (Nala Khumalo) – who, during a camp, wake up in each other's bodies, generating shocks and conflicts that force them to confront their differences and prejudices.
The choice to film the production with a smartphone was not just a budgetary issue, but also an artistic decision that highlighted the feeling of intimacy and realism, as if the characters themselves were recording the events. The lighting was adapted to the use of iPhone, using camping lights and even cell phone flashlights.
High Flying Bird (2019) 2p3h1k
91% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,2 on IMDb
Where to watch: Netflix
Directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, the sports drama High Flying Bird was entirely recorded with a iPhone 8. The story follows Ray Burke (André Holland), a shrewd sports agent who finds himself in the middle of an NBA lockout. With his promising client's career on the line, Eric Scott (Melvin Gregg), at stake, Ray develops a bold plan to challenge the system and turn things around, exploiting new media and the direct power of athletes.
The choice of iPhone 8 allowed Soderbergh created a raw, intimate aesthetic that perfectly aligns with the film's tense atmosphere and sharp dialogue. While the settings of luxurious restaurants and high-powered offices are a departure from his previous work with iPhone em Disturb, the director knew how to explore the functionalities of the smartphone, including scenes of basketball games seen through cell phone videos recorded by teenagers. The production also featured accessories such as additional lenses and stabilizers gimbal, and post-production was crucial to improving visual quality.
I Play With The Phrase Each Other (2013) 514d4y
100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,7 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
Directed by Jay Alvarez, I Play With The Phrase Each Otherr is an experimental film that stands out for telling its story exclusively through telephone calls, reflecting the isolation and technological dependence of the characters. Filmed almost entirely with a iPhone 4S, the film adopts a high-contrast black-and-white aesthetic, focusing on degraded urban landscapes to heighten the sense of modern detachment and alienation.
The production embraced the simplicity of the device, using little artificial lighting and sound captured directly by the iPhone or lapel microphones. Stabilization, when necessary, was done organically, resulting in images that reinforce authenticity. The film presents a collage of moments from the lives of a group of friends in New York, exploring relationships, identity and the complexities of digital communication through spontaneous conversations. The camera of iPhone captures the authenticity of these encounters, transforming fragments of real life into visual poetry.
I WeirDo (2020) 4de6y
100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
Taiwanese production I WeirDo was the first Asian feature film shot entirely with a iPhone. The romantic comedy, written and directed by Liao Ming-yi, accompanies Po-Ching (Po-Hung Lin), a freelance translator who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and severe misophonia, living in a world that he sees in black and white. His isolation and aversion to noise are the main characteristics of his existence until he meets Chen Ching (Nikki Hsieh), a girl who shares her same condition and also perceives the world in monochromatic tones.
The film, which explores themes of acceptance, individuality and the beauty in differences, was shot in just 32 days using a iPhone XS Max. The choice of smartphone allowed for an inventive and intimate visual approach, capturing the essence of the story in an authentic and impactful way.
Midnight Traveler (2019) 6g1n4w
98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
Other movie made with a cell phoneIs Midnight Traveler, a moving documentary that chronicles the Afghan director's perilous three-year journey Hassan Fazil, his wife Fatima Hussaini and her daughters Nargis e Zahra, from Afghanistan to Europe, seeking asylum. The story begins when the Taliban put a bounty on the head of Fazili due to his critical work towards the group, forcing the family to flee their home and embark on an uncertain odyssey through countries such as Iran, Türkiye, Bulgaria and Serbia.
The film is notable for having been filmed entirely by its protagonists themselves, using three cell phones. Samsung (models not specified). This choice not only made the production possible under such extreme circumstances, but also allowed the documentary to develop an unparalleled intimacy and authenticity. The 300 hours of footage and 25 hours of narration were carefully edited down to the final 87 minutes, capturing the dangers faced by refugees, the exploitation of smugglers and the constant threat of deportation, but also the moments of fleeting joy and the unwavering resilience of the daughters.
Searching for Sugar Man (2012) 1wl1t
Original title: Searching For Sugar Man
95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,2 on IMDb
Where to watch: AppleTV +
The history of Looking for Sugar Man, a documentary that won the award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2013 Oscars made with a cell phone in part, tells the incredible saga of Sixto Diaz Rodriguez, a mysterious musician from Detroit who, despite being forgotten in his own country, has become a legend in South Africa. Two South African fans embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind the artist, and their ion for music leads them to a surprising discovery.
At first, the director Malik Bendjelloul started filming with cameras Super 8, seeking a vintage aesthetic. However, the limited budget became a major challenge and he found himself without the resources to buy more films. The solution, which saved the project, came from an unexpected ally: a iPhone (model not specified) with the application 8mm vintage camera, which at the time cost US$ 1,99. This accessible tool has allowed Bendjelloul finished the remaining scenes, maintaining the desired atmosphere of the film with excellence.
Tangerine (2015) 4c3r5y
Original title: Tangerines
96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb
Where to watch: Play Market
Known for Florida project e Anora — feature film winner of the Oscar of Best movie out of 2025 - Sean baker also drove Tangerine, the independent feature film that stood out at the time for being filmed entirely with the iPhone 5s. Production follows the chaotic Christmas Eve of Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez), a trans prostitute who, recently released from prison, discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her. On her journey in search of answers alongside her best friend, Alexandra (Mya Taylor), we are faced with a vibrant and raw portrait of the streets of Los Angeles.
To work on this story in an immersive way, Baker used three iPhones 5s combined with anamorphic lenses Moondog labs to refine the cinematic aspect, in addition to the application FiLMIC Pro, which allowed precise control over focus, aperture and color temperature. Image stabilization was guaranteed by Steadicam Smoothie and even a 10-speed racing bike that served as a makeshift dolly. The attention to natural lighting, complemented by the Rosco Lite Pads, resulted in an authentic visual aesthetic that contributed to the success of movie that was recorded with iPhone.
See also other features
Sources: Collider, The Wrap e Screen Rant.
Text review done by Jaime Ninice on 21/05/2025
