Cloverfield (2008)

The film is presented as footage from a personal camcorder recovered by the United States Department of Defense in the area “formerly known as Central Park,” bearing a disclaimer stating multiple sightings of a case designated Cloverfield. Older, saved footage shows Rob waking up with Beth in her father’s apartment above Columbus Circle before sharing a special day across New York City and Coney Island. Fragments of this overwritten footage appear during the course of the film.

Rob has a farewell party thrown for him by his brother Jason and Jason’s girlfriend Lily, celebrating Rob’s new job in Japan. Their friend Hud films testimonials for Rob during the party. Rob’s former romance Beth brings a new man to the party. Beth and Rob argue over her guest, and Beth leaves shortly before a supposed earthquake occurs, causing a brief citywide power outage; the local news reports a capsized oil tanker near Liberty Island. When the party-goers leave the building, the severed head of the Statue of Liberty is hurled into the street in front of them. Hud records an enormous creature several blocks away collapsing the Woolworth Building. Later, during the city’s evacuation, the creature’s tail destroys the Brooklyn Bridge, killing Jason and several other people. News reports show the Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division attacking the monster. Smaller parasite creatures fall off its body and attack nearby pedestrians and soldiers.