Watch Mountain Monsters: Bigfoot Files

Mountain Monsters: Bigfoot Files is a non-fiction reality TV series that airs on the Animal Planet network. The show follows the journey of a group of skilled hunters and trappers known as The Appalachian Investigators of Mysterious Sightings (AIMS) as they search for legendary creatures such as Bigfoot, werewolves, and other Cryptids in the Appalachian Mountains. The show seems similar to other hunting shows, but its focus on Cryptids and the community that surrounds them has set it apart from its counterparts.

The series is filmed documentary-style, giving it an authentic feel. To add to this, each episode starts with a disclaimer that the reported sightings can't be verified and warns people not to try and hunt the cryptids themselves. This sets the tone for the show as something that's just for entertainment, rather than promoting hunting or exacerbating local legends.

The show's premise revolves around AIMS, a group of serious-minded men from Appalachia. These hunters and trappers are specially equipped with cutting-edge gadgets and equipment to track and hunt these elusive Cryptozoological creatures that they believe exist in the mountains. These characters are nothing like your traditional reality TV personalities; each member of AIMS comes off as genuine and sincere. They are passionate about their work and their community, and their camaraderie shines through the show.

The team is unique not because they are actively hunting for the creature, but due to the respect that they show towards the communities they visit. The team interviews locals who've allegedly witnessed the cryptids before, providing the audience with stories of Bigfoot sightings that could make one skeptical if not told with such honesty. The show is informative, giving some interesting facts about the history of the Cryptids mixed with local stories and eyewitness accounts.

The show's approach to the subject matter is informative, often interviewing local experts or entomologists that provide scientific explanations for some of these phenomena. It also covers the cultural and historical context surrounding these stories in each episode. This balanced approach gives the show credibility and makes it a fun and informative watch.

One thing to note is that the show doesn't rely solely on conjecture or myth, unlike most TV shows of its nature. AIMS is always reviewing evidence from their travels, like footprints, fiber samples, and anything else that they find that could be significant. Often, they look to modern technology to aid in their hunts. Things like motion detectors or thermal imaging cameras.

The show follows an overarching narrative over an entire season. Still, each episode feels like a story of its own, generally following a monster-of-the-week structure. The show's pacing is also good, building up suspense by holding off on showing the creatures until the right moment, leaving the viewer with an eerie feeling throughout most of the episode.

Another thing the show benefits from is its direction, capturing the beautiful locale and creating an atmosphere of isolation and quiet, perfectly capturing the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountains. There are also no filler segments or staged drama, making the show feel genuine.

The Mountain Monsters: Bigfoot Files is an excellent series for anyone interested in cryptozoology or general creature myths. Most of all, it's a great watch for people who aren't into reality TV, but still enjoy stories and legends of creatures in the wilderness. It has a loyal following that has helped it stay on the air since it premiered in 2013, and for good reason.