'Feature' Phone: 4 Feature Films Shot Entirely on iPhones

Since the very first iPhone hit the scene, Apple has been setting the bar for what smartphone cameras can do. Each new model has pushed the boundaries of mobile photography and videography, and filmmakers have taken notice. Over the years, directors have used iPhones across multiple generations to shoot feature films, proving that a smartphone can deliver professional, cinema-worthy visuals.

What started as a cool experiment has now become a legitimate way to make movies, with Hollywood directors proving that a smartphone can capture stunning visuals that hold up on the big screen. Don't believe us? Check out these four feature films shot primarily on iPhones and see for yourself. And if you're feeling inspired, get the latest iPhone 16 Pro Max from Next Upgrade Shop and shoot your own cinematic masterpiece today!

Courtesy Next Upgrade Shop

28 Years Later

From IMDB

Danny Boyle returns to his cult classic zombie franchise with 28 Years Later, bringing the iPhone 15 Pro Max with him. But that shouldn't be a surprise. This flagship phone is packed with pro-level filmmaking features that make it a serious contender in the world of digital cinematography. 

Behind the scenes of 28 Years Later, the iPhone Camera Rig is spotted on the right 
(From IMDB)

With the ability to record ProRes 4K video at 60fps directly to an external USB-C drive, filmmakers gain greater flexibility for high-quality post-production work. The phone’s support for a flat color profile allows for more precise color grading, while its triple-lens system and Dolby Vision HDR ensure sharp, dynamic visuals. With each generation, the iPhone continues to blur the line between smartphone and professional camera, proving that high-end filmmaking can happen anywhere.

High Flying Bird

From IMDB

Steven Soderbergh has long been a champion of digital filmmaking, and his sports drama High Flying Bird is a masterclass in maximizing the potential of mobile technology. Shot entirely on an iPhone 8, the film leverages the device’s portability to create fluid, up-close shots that immerse viewers in the world of professional basketball negotiation.

By using the FiLMiC Pro app, Soderbergh and his team were able to achieve a cinematic depth of field and color grading that gives the film a polished, big-budget look. The iPhone’s discreet size also allowed for more naturalistic performances, capturing the energy of the actors in a way that traditional cameras might have inhibited.

Unsane

From IMDB

Another Soderbergh experiment in smartphone filmmaking, Unsane embraces the iPhone 7 Plus’s limitations to enhance its psychological thriller narrative. The film’s unsettling atmosphere is heightened by the phone’s smaller sensor, creating an almost voyeuristic effect that adds to the protagonist’s paranoia.

The dual-lens camera enabled creative depth-of-field manipulation, while the ability to shoot quickly and unobtrusively resulted in an incredibly raw and realistic visual style. Despite being shot on a smartphone, Unsane holds up against traditionally filmed thrillers, proving that compelling storytelling and inventive cinematography can thrive outside of conventional filmmaking norms.

Night Fishing

One of the earliest pioneers of iPhone filmmaking, Night Fishing, directed by Park Chan-wook and Park Chan-kyong, demonstrated the potential of mobile cinematography as far back as 2011. Using an iPhone 4, the directors crafted a visually arresting short film with stunning black-and-white sequences and dreamlike imagery.

The limitations of the phone’s camera became an advantage, forcing the filmmakers to get creative with lighting and framing to achieve the eerie, surreal aesthetic. The fact that this award-winning film was shot on a device most people used for texting and calls at the time was nothing short of groundbreaking, paving the way for the smartphone filmmaking movement.

The Next Blockbuster Could Be Yours

If filmmakers can create visually stunning, critically acclaimed movies on an iPhone, imagine what you could capture. Whether you’re a budding cinematographer or just love shooting high-quality videos, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the ultimate tool for mobile filmmaking—get yours today at Next Upgrade Shop!