49+ Bigfoot Movies: Sasquatch in Cinema

Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is an ape-like creature from North American folklore. Due to their resemblance to humans, Bigfoot is often see as the missing link between humans and our ancestors.

Most Bigfoot sightings have taken place in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Northern California. While some people genuinely believe in the creature’s existence, others believe Bigfoot if a fictional being based on a combination of folklore, misidentification, urban legend and hoaxes.

Yetis are a similar creature commonly associated with Bigfoot. Sometimes the two names are even used interchangeably. However, they are completely different beasts. While Bigfoot is commonly sighted in warm climates, Yetis exist in more arctic climates. Also, Yetis are usually described more like a bear than an ape.

Films about both Bigfoot and Yetis have been around since the fifties. They are such a popular creature because they represent the ancient version of us we abandoned in the wild. They are similar to us — but they are an untamed, alternate version of us.

Top Bigfoot Movies

The Abominable Snowman (1957)

This black and white film, directed by Val Guest, is about an American scientist searching for a Yeti in the Himalayas. However, when more people join his exploration who want to exploit their findings, the mission becomes complicated. Although this is a fun horror film, it also has a sincere message. It talks about the conflict between commercialism and science. Overall, it is less of a monster movie than an adventure tale with a deep philosophical message.

Abominable (2006)

This film is about a man who is crippled in a climbing accident and rehabilitates in a cabin deep in the woods. While he is stuck there, he ends up spotting Bigfoot, who is going on a bloody rampage. The sound effect used for Bigfoot’s breathing was actually the sound of a regular horse slowed down. Even more interestingly, the director of the film, Ryan Schifrin, hired his father to create the score. His name is Lalo Shifrin, and he is a six-time Oscar nominee.

Boggy Creek (2010)

After a woman’s father dies in a tragic accident, she visits his cabin in the woods with her friends. During their trip, they spot a monster known to kill men and abduct women. The film is directed by Brian T. Jaynes and stars Melissa Carnell from Humans vs Zombies (2011). At one point in the story, there is a campfire scene where a character tells a story about a killer in a hockey mask. This is a reference to one of the most famous horror films ever created, Friday the 13^th (1980).

Bigfoot (2012)

This action adventure film, directed by Bruce Davison, is about two former musicians on the hunt for Bigfoot. It stars Danny Bonaduce, who you might recognize from The Partridge Family (1970-1974). It also stars Barry Williams, who played the eldest boy on The Brady Bunch (1969-1974). Although the storyline is pretty predictable, it is meant to be cheesy. It is a fun film that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes (2012)

Corey Grant directed this found footage film. It’s about a Bigfoot Hunter, played by Frank Ashmore, who claims to possess the body of a dead Sasquatch. However, a journalist tries to prove that the man’s findings are a hoax. Although the film starts out slow, it has a fun story with excellent acting. The writing is also well done. Best of all, there are plenty of jump scares that are going to catch you off-guard.

Willow Creek (2013)

Bobcat Goldthwait directed this film about a couple who visits the home of the original Bigfoot legend. Bobcat Goldthwait was actually the one to perform all of the throaty noises for Bigfoot. Although the film was shot in only five days, it handles its scares with maturity. It is very tense and suspenseful, and it includes a one-take scene that lasts a full eighteen minutes. Best of all, the protagonists are very likable, which will make you care about the characters.

Exists (2014)

Exists is about a group of friends who decide to party in the woods, but their fun comes to an end when they get stalked by Bigfoot. This film was directed by Eduardo Sanchez and stars Brian Steele as Bigfoot. This is actually the second movie where Steele has played the same monster. He also played Bigfoot in Harry and the Hendersons (1987). This might have to do with the fact that he is six foot seven.

The Bigfoot Project (2017)

The Bigfoot Project is about a group of amateur filmmakers who are searching for Bigfoot. It was directed in a mockumentary style by Ricardo Herrera, who is also the writer of the film. It’s important to note, this film is classified as more of a comedy than a horror. It even involves improvisational scenes between the characters. It stars comedic actors like Andy Goldenberg, Emily O’Brien, and Nick Armstrong.

Big Legend (2018)

Big Legend, which was written and directed by Justin Lee, is about an ex-soldier. He travels to the Pacific Northwest to search for the truth behind his fiancé’s disappearance and ends up finding a mysterious monster. This was Lance Henriksen’s fourth appearance in a movie centered around Bigfoot. He was also in The Untold (2002), Abominable (2006), and Sasquatch Mountain (2006). However, he is most famous for his role in Aliens (1986).

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (2018)

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot, directed and written by Robert D. Krzykowski, is about a war veteran who is sent to hunt a mythical creature. The story switches between his search for Bigfoot and flashbacks to his time in WWII. The visual effects in this film were created by the talented Douglas Trumbull. Trumbull has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards throughout his career. He also worked on Blade Runner (1982), Star Trek (1979) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).

Hunting Bigfoot (2021)

Hunting Bigfoot is a movie that takes a different approach from everything else on this list. It is a documentary, and it focuses less on the search for the legendary creature, and more on a man’s whose obsession with the hunt. That man is John Green, and by joining him on a hunt and hearing from the people in his life, viewers get a unique view into the mindset of people who dedicate themselves to something as elusive as proving the existence of Bigfoot.

More Bigfoot Movies

The movies listed above were chosen based on their themes, settings, and monsters. However, there are plenty more movies about Bigfoot. Some are more humorous. Others lean more toward the horror genre. No matter what you’re interested in watching, here are some more movies about Bigfoot for you to enjoy:

• Creature from Black Lake (1976) is about two men who encounter a monster in a Louisiana swamp. It is classified as a horror, drama, and mystery.
• Bigfoot (1970) is about bikers who hunt down a monster that has kidnapped a group of women. It only took two weeks to film.
• The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972) is a documentary-style drama about a monster in an Arkansas swamp. The film was a major success at drive-ins, grossing $20 million.
• Shriek of the Mutilated (1974) is about a group of college students who get killed off one-by-one while searching for a Yeti. It was directed by Michael Findlay.
• The Curse of Bigfoot (1975) is about a group of high school students who discover a body in a cave. It was originally called Teenagers Battle the Thing.
• Snowbeast (1977) is about a ski resort plagued by a beast who kills on the slopes. It was shot on location in the Colorado mountains.
• Return to Boggy Creek (1977) is about two men searching for a creature when a hurricane is about to hit. It is classified as a family film, horror, drama, adventure, thriller, and mystery.
• Night of the Demon (1980) is a low-budget horror flick in which, at one point, a murderous Bigfoot has a human-bigfoot hybrid baby with a woman.
• Harry and the Hendersons (1987) is about a family who tries to adopt a friendly Sasquatch. It stars John Lithgow and Melinda Dillon.
• Cry Wilderness (1987) is a PG film about a Bigfoot who becomes friends with a student. To protect the creature, the boy keeps him a secret.
• The Capture of Bigfoot (1979) is about a series of killings caused by Bigfoot. It follows a businessman who tries to trap him for the publicity.
• Boggy Creak II: And The Legend Continues (1984) is about a professor and his students searching for Bigfoot. It’s the third film in the Boggy Creek series.
• Demonwarp (1988) is about a man and his daughter attacked in the woods. George Kennedy was paid fifteen thousand dollars for his work in the film.
• Sasuatch Hunters (2005) is about a group of explorers searching for fossils in the forest. The film was originally called Primevil.
• Sasquatch Mountain (2006) is also known as Devil on the Mountain. It’s about a monster in the Arizona mountains.
• Bigfoot at the Holler Creek Canyon (2006) is about a group of friends out camping who don’t realize they’re in danger. It stars Ron Jeremy and Justin Alvarez.
• Bigfoot (2006) is about a town where a creature has been killing and mutilating the local animal population. It was written and directed by Bob Gray.
• Assault of the Sasquatch (2009) is about a bear poacher who rips a Sasquatch from its environment. It goes after him for revenge.
• Howls (2011) is about three friends lost in the forest. It was written and directed by Jamie Tracey.
• Savage (2011) is about a fire that tears through a national park. The flames force out a monster lurking in the trees.
• Snow Beast (2011) is about a research team who get stalked by something that is not human. It takes place in the Canadian wilderness.
• Letters From The Big Man (2011) is about an artist who makes friends with a Sasquatch man. She tries to protect his privacy as their relationship grows.
• Bigfoot Island (2012) is about a woman who summons a beast to right the wrongs done to her. It was shot in Bigfoot Country.
• Night Claws (2012) is about a small town terrorized by Bigfoot. It was written and directed by David A. Prior.
• Lost Woods (2012) is about a man forced to face his fears during a camping trip. Although it was a low-budget film, the soundtrack is impressive and so is the monster. The film also contains a great opening monologue and opening credits.
• Deadly Descent: The Abominable Snowman (2013) is about a group of friends who face a deadly creature. The whole film was only shot in thirteen days.
• Love in the Time of Monsters (2013) is about sisters who travel to a tourist trap where they must battle monsters in costumes. It was directed by Matt Jackson.
• Throwback (2014) is about treasure hunters who find a Yowie, which is Australia’s version of Bigfoot.
• Stomping Ground (2014) is about a couple who goes on a Bigfoot hunt. The film contains several references to Deliverance (1972).
• Bigfoot vs D.B. Cooper (2014) is about a group of hunters in the Pacific Northwest who get hunted themselves. It was directed by David DeCoteau.
• Hunting Grounds (2015) is about a group who discover Sasquatch in the forest while looking for wild game. The Fantastic Film Awards named this the best horror film of 2015.
• The Sighting (2016) is about high school graduates who are attacked by a mysterious creature during a road trip. It is considered a horror, thriller, and science fiction movie.
• Bigfoot vs Zombies (2016) is about a scientist who accidentally creates an army of zombies. They can only be stopped by another creature. Bigfoot.
• Something in the Woods (2016) is about a family who gets attacked in their farmhouse. It takes place in the 1960s.
• Field Freak (2016) is about a family who is terrorized by a creature in their cabin. During most of the scenes, the creature was played by a production assistant.
• Creature in the Woods (2017) is a found footage film about students who film a survival documentary in the woods. They accidentally end up recording their own demise.
• Son of Bigfoot (2017) is an animated movie about a teenage boy searching for his missing father. It turns out his father is Bigfoot.
• Missing Link (2019) is an animated movie that stars Zach Galifianakis as a Sasquatch on a mission to find his distant Yeti relatives.