Had director Mike Flanagan agreed to film "Oculus" in the "found footage" genre (like Paranormal Activity (2007)), a number of studios would have backed it as early as 2006. However, Flanagan refused.
Director Mike Flanagan has included the Oculus mirror as an Easter egg in most of his movies and TV shows: it's in the basement of "Ouija: Origin of Evil", the headboard in "Gerald's Game", the walls in "The Haunting of Hill House", and the Overlook Hotel in "Doctor Sleep".
Karen Gillan was first choice to play Kaylie as Mike Flanagan was a big fan of her work in Doctor Who (2005).
Filmed in 24 days.