List of films shot on digital video prior to 2012


Since the 1990s, more and more films have been shot on digital video and videotape rather than film stock. Some of them are independent, low-budget productions, while others are major studio productions. Since the mid-2010s, most films have been captured and distributed digitally. Among the 200 highest grossing theatrically released films each year, a majority of films were shot on digital video for the first time in 2013, in 2014 over 80% were shot digitally, and by 2016 over 90% of films were shot digitally.

Notable firsts

List of films

The movies listed are shot mainly digitally. The list includes films released before 2012.
YearTitleCinematographerCamera typeLens typeNotes
2011SetupMike GuntherRed One
2011Catch.44Aaron HarveyRed One MXHawk V-Lite
V-Plus Lenses
2011Albert NobbsMichael McDonoughRed One MX
2011Extremely Loud and Incredibly CloseChris MengesArri Alexa
201111-11-11Joseph WhiteArri Alexa
2011The Wholly FamilyNicola PecoriniArri Alexa
2011Once Upon a Time in AnatoliaGökhan TiryakiSony CineAlta F35
2011Wild BillGeorge RichmondArri Alexa
2011TwixtMihai Mălaimare Jr.Sony HDW-F900Also shot using Red digital cameras
2011This Is 40Phedon PapamichaelArri Alexa
2011The Girl With the Dragon TattooJeff CronenwethRed One MX, Red Epic MXZeiss Master PrimeRed Epic was used to shoot scenes in both the US and Sweden. The film was also the first to employ a workflow higher than 4K resolution from production to presentation.
2011The Darkest HourScott KevanSony CineAlta F35
2011Final Destination 5Brian PearsonArri Alexa
2011Young AdultEric SteelbergArri Alexa
2011The MuppetsDon BurgessRed One MX, Red Epic MXZeiss Ultra Prime
2011HugoRobert RichardsonArri AlexaWinner of the 2011 Academy Award for Best Cinematography
2011ImmortalsBrendan GalvinPanavision Genesis
2011Jack and JillDean CundeyArri AlexaCooke S4
2011A Very Harold & Kumar 3D ChristmasMichael BarrettPanavision Genesis
2011The Three MusketeersGlen MacPhersonArri Alexa
2011Vicky and the Treasure of the GodsChristian ReinArri Alexa
2011RampartBobby BukowskiArri Alexa
2011Killer JoeCaleb DeschanelArri Alexa
2011HeadshotChankit ChamnivikaipongRed One MX
2011Dolphin TaleKarl Walter LindenlaubRed One MX
2011Our Idiot BrotherYaron OrbachRed One MX
2011AnonymousAnna FoersterArri AlexaThe first feature-length film to be shot with Alexa
2011ContagionSteven SoderberghRed One MXRed Pro Prime
2011Margin CallFrank DeMarcoRed One MX
2011The Inbetweeners MovieBen WheelerArri Alexa
2011The Devil's DoubleSam McCurdyRed One MX
2011DriveNewton Thomas SigelArri Alexa
2011In TimeRoger DeakinsArri Alexa
2011Captain America: The First AvengerShelly JohnsonPanavision GenesisUnderwater sequences and epilogue shot with Arri Alexa
2011ZookeeperMichael BarrettPanavision Genesis
2011Horrible BossesDavid HenningsPanavision Genesis
2011Bucky Larson: Born to Be a StarMichael BarrettPanavision Genesis
2011BellflowerJoel HodgeCustom based on Silicon Imaging SI-2K
2011MelancholiaManuel Alberto ClaroArri AlexaPhantom HD Camera used for high-speed photography
2011Mr. Popper's PenguinsFlorian BallhausArri Alexa
2011Transformers: Dark of the MoonAmir MokriSony CineAlta F35Most non-action scenes/close-ups shot with 35mm film
2011Return of the MoonwalkerMike MariaRed Epic MX
2011PinaHélène Louvart
Jörg Widmer
Sony HDC-1500
2011Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger TidesDariusz WolskiRed One MX
2011PromByron ShahArri Alexa
2011TT3D: Closer to the EdgeThomas KürzlRed One MX
2011The Lincoln LawyerLukas EttlinRed One MX
2011Shark Night 3DGary CapoFusion Camera System, Sony CineAlta F35
2011SanctumJules O'LoughlinFusion Camera System
2011Drive AngryBrian PearsonRed One MX, Silicon Imaging SI-2K
2011Cedar RapidsChuy ChávezArriflex D-21
2011Like CrazyJohn GuleserianCanon EOS 7D
2011The FutureNikolai von GraevenitzRed One M
2011Sick BoySean C. CunninghamCanon EOS 7DCanon EOS L-Series lenses, StickyPod, Redrock Micro "Captain Stubling" rig and Lensbaby Muse
2011Sound of My VoiceRachel MorrisonCanon EOS 7D
2010Tron: LegacyClaudio MirandaSony CineAlta F35Phantom HD Camera used for high-speed photography
2010Blue ValentineAndrij ParekhRed One MCooke S4Present-day scenes shot on Red, flashback scenes shot on 16mm
2010Red StateDavid KleinRed One MX, Canon EOS 7DCanon 7D used only for 'running with camera' shots
2010Winter's BoneMichael McDonoughRed One MZeiss Master Prime
2010Sarah's KeyPascal RidaoRed One MCooke S4
2010Jackass 3DDimitry ElyashkevichRed One M
2010Hubble 3DJames NeihouseIMAX Cargo Bay 3-D Camera
2010The Devil's RockPaul CampionRed One M
2010Fair GameDoug LimanRed One M
2010Resident Evil: AfterlifeGlen MacPhersonFusion Camera System
2010The Social NetworkJeff CronenwethRed One MXZeiss Master PrimeFirst film to feature a 2K pipeline, from production to presentation.
2010127 HoursAnthony Dod Mantle
Enrique Chediak
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EOS 7D, Silicon Imaging SI-2K
2010MacheteJimmy LindseyPanavision Genesis
2010Certified CopyLuca BigazziRed One M
2010Casino JackAdam SwicaRed One M
2010Date NightDean SemlerPanavision Genesis
2010The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn TreaderDante SpinottiSony CineAlta F23
2010RosarioCarlo MendozaArri AlexaFirst Filipino film to be shot with the Arri Alexa
2010Yogi BearPeter JamesFusion Camera System
2010Step Up 3DKen SengFusion Camera System
2010Death at a FuneralRogier StoffersPanavision Genesis
2010Film SocialismeFabrice Aragno
Paul Grivas
Sony PMW-EX1, Sony HDR-TG1E, JVC Everio, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Samsung NV24HD, Archos 404 Camcorder
2010KillersRussell CarpenterArriflex D-21
2010Grown UpsTheo van de SandePanavision Genesis
2010Rabbit HoleFrank G. DeMarcoRed One M
2010RubberQuentin DupieuxCanon EOS 5D Mark II
2010TwelveSteven FierbergRed One M
2009AvatarMauro FioreFusion Camera SystemFujinon 6.3-101mm T2 and 7-35mm T1.8First 100% digitally photographed film to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography
2009The Informant!Steven SoderberghRed One MRed Pro prime
2009Survival of the DeadAdam SwicaRed One M
2009Youth in RevoltChuy ChávezSony CineAlta F35
2009The BoxSteven PosterPanavision Genesis
2009ZombielandMichael BonvillainPanavision Genesis
2009The Final DestinationGlen MacPhersonSony CineAlta F23, Sony HDC-F950
2009District 9Trent OpalochRed One M
2009The Secret in Their EyesFélix MontiRed One M
2009Valhalla RisingMorten SøborgRed One M
2009Public EnemiesDante SpinottiSony CineAlta F23Some car interiors during chases shot on Sony XDCAM EX-1
2009The Girlfriend ExperienceSteven SoderberghRed One MPanavision C-series anamorphic
2009GamerEkkehart PollackRed One M
2009Oxhide IILiu JiayinSony Digital Betacam
2009AntichristAnthony Dod MantleRed One MPhantom HD Camera used for high-speed photography
2009S. DarkoChris FisherRed One M
2009Surviving EvilMike DownieThomson Viper
2009TetroMihai Mălaimare Jr.Sony CineAlta F900
2009Crank: High VoltageBrandon TrostCanon XH-A1Fifteen Canon HF10 were used as Crash-Cams
2009The Book of EliDon BurgessRed One MPanavision Primo
2009KnowingSimon DugganRed One M
2009Achchamundu! Achchamundu!Arthur WilsonRed One M
2009Like You Know It AllKim Hoon-kwangSony PMW-EX1
2009My Bloody Valentine 3DBrian PearsonRed One M, Silicon Imaging SI-2K
2009Leaves of GrassRoberto SchaeferRed One M
2009NeighborMarc Jeff SchirmerRed One M
2008The SpiritBill PopePanavision GenesisPhantom HD Camera used for high-speed photography
2008The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonClaudio MirandaThomson ViperZeiss DigiPrimeAmong the first two predominantly digitally photographed films, along with Slumdog Millionaire, to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography
2008Slumdog MillionaireAnthony Dod MantleSilicon Imaging SI-2KThe first predominantly digitally photographed film to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Shot on multiple formats, including 35mm and digital stills.
2008Rachel Getting MarriedDeclan QuinnSony CineAlta F23
2008You Don't Mess With The ZohanMichael BarrettPanavision Genesis
2008Chemical WeddingBrian HerlihyThomson Viper
2008Che: Part TwoSteven SoderberghRed One MRed Pro prime
2008Che: Part OneSteven SoderberghRed One MRed Pro primeThe first feature-length film shot with Red One cameras
2008Get SmartDean SemlerPanavision Genesis
2008Speed RacerDavid TattersallSony CineAlta F23Zeiss DigiPrime
2008Three MonkeysGökhan TiryakiSony CineAlta F900
2008DeceptionDante SpinottiPanavision Genesis
200821Russell CarpenterPanavision Genesis
2008Journey to the Center of the EarthChuck ShumanFusion Camera System
2008CloverfieldMichael BonvillainSony CineAlta F23Segments, other shots include the Panasonic HVX-200, as well as the Thomson Viper
2008RocknRollaDavid HiggsArriflex D-20
2008The Bank JobMichael CoulterArriflex D-21
2007Before the Devil Knows You're DeadRon FortunatoPanavision Genesis
2007Reign Over MeRuss AlsobrookPanavision Genesis
2007Youth Without YouthMihai Mălaimare Jr.Sony CineAlta F900
2007ZodiacHarris SavidesThomson ViperZeiss DigiPrime
2007Balls of FuryThomas E. AckermanPanavision Genesis
2007Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox StoryUta BriesewitzPanavision Genesis
2007SuperbadRuss AlsobrookPanavision Genesis
2007I Now Pronounce You Chuck and LarryDean SemlerPanavision Genesis
2007NextDavid TattersallPanavision Genesis
2007Chronicle of Purgatory: The WaiterJason KonopisosPanasonic AG-DVX100 The Andromeda Modification bypasses the DV compression to get uncompressed 4:4:4 10-bit RGB data straight from the CCD block
2007Planet TerrorRobert RodriguezPanavision Genesis
2006ApocalyptoDean SemlerPanavision Genesis
2006OnceTim FlemingSony HVR-Z1
2006Inland EmpireDavid LynchSony DSR-PD150
2006Miami ViceDion BeebeThomson Viper
2006Superman ReturnsNewton Thomas SigelPanavision Genesis
2006BoratAnthony Hardwick
Luke Geissbühler
Panasonic AJ-HDC27 VaricamShot with two VariCams with occasional use of a Panasonic AG-DVX100
2006ClickDean SemlerPanavision Genesis
2006ClimatesGökhan TiryakiSony CineAlta F900
2006Colossal YouthPedro Costa
Leonardo Simões
Panasonic AG-DVX100
2006CrankAdam BiddleSony CineAlta F950Some scenes shot with Canon XL-2
2006FlyboysHenry BrahamPanavision Genesis
2006Them (Ils)David Moreau
Xavier Palud
Panasonic AG-DVX100
2006Still LifeZhangke JiaSony HVR-Z1
2005Me and You and Everyone We KnowChuy ChávezSony CineAlta F900
2005Il vento fa il suo giroRoberto CimattiPanasonic AG-DVX100
2005Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the SithDavid TattersallSony CineAlta F950
2005The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-DRobert RodriguezSony CineAlta F950
2005BubbleSteven SoderberghSony CineAlta F900/F950
2005ManderlayAnthony Dod MantleSony CineAlta F900Some scenes shot with Sony DSR-PD100
2005Sin CityRobert RodriguezSony CineAlta F950
2005OxhideLiu JiayinSony Digital Betacam
2005The Puffy ChairJay DuplassPanasonic AG-DVX100
2004Sky Captain and the World of TomorrowEric AdkinsSony CineAlta F900
2004A Hole in My HeartMalin Fornander
Jesper Kurlandsky Lukas Moodysson
Karl Strandlind
Shot digitally using DVCAM cameras, later transferred to 35mm for theatrical distribution
2004CollateralPaul Cameron
Dion Beebe
Sony CineAlta F900, Thomson Viper35mm used for some scenes
2004Land of PlentyFranz LustigPanasonic AG-DVX100
2004The WorldYu Lik-waiSony CineAlta F900
2003The GhoulsNicholas LoizidesCanon XL-1s
2003DogvilleAnthony Dod MantleSony CineAlta F900Some scenes shot with Sony DSR-PD100
2003Spy Kids 3-D: Game OverRobert RodriguezSony CineAlta F900
2003Once Upon A Time in MexicoRobert RodriguezSony CineAlta F900Was filmed in 2001 but released theatrically in 2003
2003Red CockroachesMiguel CoyulaCanon GL1
2003Pieces of AprilTami ReikerSony DSR-PD150Filmed in 2002 and released in 2003
2003VirginBenjamin WolfSony DSR-PD150Shot in 2002 and released in 2003
2002Unknown PleasuresYu Lik-waiSony DSR-PD150Other scenes shot in Digital Betacam
2002Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost DreamsRobert RodriguezSony CineAlta F900
2002Russian ArkTilman BüttnerSony CineAlta F900Canon ENG
2002Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the ClonesDavid TattersallSony CineAlta F900Cited by the British Film Institute as "the first digitally shot blockbuster to hit cinemas."
20029 SongsMarcel ZyskindPanasonic AG-DVX100Other scenes shot with Sony DSR-PD150
2002Full FrontalSteven SoderberghCanon XL-1s
2002Personal Velocity: Three PortraitsEllen KurasSony DSR-PD150
2002TadpoleHubert TaczanowskiSony DSR-PD150Shot with three digital cameras
200224 Hour Party PeopleRobby MullerSony DSR-PD150
200228 Days LaterAnthony Dod MantleCanon XL-1sSome shots in 35mm
2001Things Behind the SunTerry StaceySony DSR-500
2001Xuxa e os DuendesCezar MoraesSony CineAlta F900
2001All About Lily Chou-ChouNoboru ShinodaSony CineAlta F900
2001The Anniversary PartyJohn BaileySony DSR-500
2001By Hook or By CrookAnn T. RossettiSony vx2000
2001The King Is AliveJens SchlosserSony DSR-PD150
2001The Center of the WorldThe Chau NgoSony DVW-700, Sony DSR-PD100Used Digital Betacam for some scenes and the Sony DRV-100for others
2001The WagerArnar Thor ThorissonSony CineAlta F900Shot in 2001, released in 2004
2001VidocqJean-Pierre Sauvaire
Jean-Claude Thibaut
Sony HDW-F900 CineAlta
2001You Got Nothin'Cliff Hsui
Jonathan Zames
Sony HDW-F900 CineAltaShot in 2001, released in 2002.
2001XtracurricularJ.P. LipaSony HDW-F900 CineAltaSome scenes shot on Panasonic AJ-HDC27 Varicam and Sony DSR-500WS. Shot in 2001, released in 2003
2001Tortilla SoupXavier Pérez GrobetPanasonic AJ-HDC27 VaricamHome video release from 35mm Interpostive
2000Italian for BeginnersJørgen JohanssonSony DVW-700WS
2000BamboozledEllen KurasSony DCR-VX1000Some scenes shot in 16mm
2000FucklandJosé Luis MárquesSony DCR-TRV900
2000Chuck & BuckChuy ChávezSony DCR-VX1000
2000Dancer in the DarkRobby MüllerSony DXC-D30WSMusical numbers shot with 100 Sony DSR-PD100s
2000Our Lady of the AssassinsBarbet SchroederSony HDW-700Premiered September 1, 2000
2000Ivans XtcBernard RoseSony HDW-700APremiered September 12, 2000
2000Everything Put TogetherRoberto SchaeferSony DCR-VX1000Shot entirely on HD in the summer of 1999, premiered in 2000
1999Solid OnesMatthew W. DavidSony HDW-700AShot entirely on HD in the summer of 1999, premiered in 2000
1999God Wears My UnderwearLeslie StreitCanon XL-1Canon EOS zoomShot in 1999, released in 2005
1999The New WomenLarra AndersonCanon XL-1Canon EOS zoomShot in 1999, released in 2001
1999Julien Donkey-BoyAnthony Dod MantleCanon XL-1Shot with a Canon XL-1 on MiniDV tape, then transferred to 16mm film and blown up to 35mm film for master print
1998Love & PopTakahide ShibanushiSony DCR-VX1000The film was shot almost entirely on handheld digital cameras. Specified as a Sony DCR-VX1000 camera.
1998The Last BroadcastLance WeilerSony DCR-VX1000For some sequences a toy video camera from Tyco was used
1998The Book of LifeJim DenaultSony DCR-VX1000
1998The CelebrationAnthony Dod MantleSony DCR-PC3
1997The IdiotsLars von TrierSony DCR-VX1000
1997HopePete AndersonCanon GL1
1996WindhorseSteve SchecterSony DVW-700WS
Sony DCR-VX1000
Premiered 1998 at the Santa Barbara Film Festival
1996The Demons in My HeadGrant HoySony DVW-700WSPremiered 15 June 1997 at the Sanctuary Cove Village Theater, Queensland, Australia. Also first feature film to be online edited in a computer and projected digitally