Despite its controversies, Cannibal Holocaust is consistently ranked in the top 10 most disturbing films ever made. It directly inspired The Blair Witch Project (1999) and modern found-footage horror. The climactic "last reel of footage" is a masterclass in narrative dread.

: This film is extremely graphic and features real animal cruelty, which led to it being banned in many countries for years. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

: Often includes the film as part of its horror catalog.

remains one of the most controversial films ever made. It features extreme graphic violence, sexual assault, and genuine scenes of animal cruelty

The film follows a rescue team searching for a missing documentary crew in the Amazon rainforest. They recover the crew’s footage—which makes up the second half of the film—revealing that the documentarians went mad with power, staging atrocities to create sensationalist television.

"Cannibal Holocaust" has been cited as an influence by many filmmakers, including Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Despite its reputation, the film has gained a cult following over the years.