Exorcism movies have bewitched audiences since the release of William Friedkin’s The Exorcist in 1973, one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces. The Exorcist remains one of the most memorable horror movies, with an impact that outlasts so many other evil characters we’ve seen in countless exorcism films—entities in league with the Devil to bring hell on earth.
Over the years, this subgenre has risen to unparalleled heights. In mainstream cinema, it’s usually associated with twisting heads, agonized grimaces, and contorted bodies battling a malevolent force that possesses them. However, some independent films and documentaries take the subject more seriously, without straying into pure horror entertainment. Exorcism is an ancient practice dating back to remote times.
What Is Exorcism
Exorcism is the spiritual practice of expelling demonic forces, jinn, or other supernatural entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. Depending on the exorcist’s spiritual tradition, this may involve compelling the entity to swear an oath, performing rituals, or simply commanding it to leave in the name of a higher power. It’s an age-old custom found in the belief systems of many cultures and religions.
The practice of hearing or reciting the Paritta began very early in Buddhist history. It is a Buddhist ritual involving the recitation of selected verses from the Pali canon to ward off demons. In Sri Lanka, Sinhalese Buddhists invoke the Buddha and the divine being Suniyam to control and drive out malevolent supernatural forces in a ceremony known as “yakto.” Meanwhile, the “Phantom Exorcist Day” ritual is observed in Tibetan customs. Throughout Tibet, temples and monasteries hold major spiritual dance festivals—one of the largest at the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Families clean their homes and consume a noodle soup called “Guthuk.” At night, people carry torches, chanting exorcism words.
Prayer in Christian Exorcism
Within Christianity, the person who performs the exorcism, commonly called an exorcist, is usually a member of the Church. The exorcist may employ various spiritual prayers, rites, gestures, signs, icons, or amulets. Often, they call upon God, Jesus, or the angels and archangels to assist with the exorcism. In many Protestant traditions, exorcists see the authority granted by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (the Trinity) as their sole power to cast out demons. Individuals who are possessed are not deemed evil themselves, nor are they viewed as accountable for their actions, as they are thought to be under the dominion of a dark force causing harm to them and others.
Exorcists regard exorcism as a healing measure rather than a punishment. Traditional rites emphasize that there must be no violence against the possessed. Certain biblical passages—such as John 13:27—imply demonic possession can be voluntary, as illustrated by Judas Iscariot, who willingly sold himself to the Devil. Exorcism waned in the United States during the 1700s and rarely took place until the late 20th century when it saw a notable resurgence driven by the public’s fascination with it. Between the early 1960s and mid-1970s, the number of exorcisms performed rose by 50%.
Catholic Exorcism
In Catholicism, exorcisms are conducted in the name of Jesus Christ. A related practice is known as the “ministry of deliverance.” The distinction between the ministry of deliverance and exorcism lies in the fact that exorcisms are performed by priests who have received special permission from the Catholic Church, whereas the ministry of deliverance is a prayer offered for troubled individuals hoping to overcome demonic harm.
In Catholic custom, the exorcist—usually a specially appointed priest—recites prayers according to a specific rite and may use sacred objects, icons, and sacraments. The exorcist calls upon God, specifically invoking Jesus Christ, along with saints and the Archangel Michael to aid in the exorcism. According to Catholic tradition, multiple weekly exorcisms over several years are frequently needed to expel a deeply embedded demonic force. The Prayer to St. Michael against Satan and the rebel angels, attributed to Pope Leo XIII, is regarded as one of Catholicism’s most potent prayers against demonic possession. The Holy Rosary is also seen as a powerful tool of intercession and exorcism.
Best Exorcism Movies to Watch
What are the best exorcism movies ever made? From lesser-known indies to mainstream favorites, each category features the crucifix as the weapon to fight unholy spirits.
The Devil’s Doorway (2018)
Set in the 1960s, two Roman Catholic priests—Father Thomas Riley (Lalor Roddy) and Father John Thornton (Ciaran Flynn)—travel to an isolated Magdalene laundry, an institution for “fallen women” operated by a religious order, to investigate a supposed miracle: a statue of the Virgin Mary bleeding from the eyes. On arrival, they’re met with hostility and soon discover the place hides a terrible secret.
Much like how The Last Exorcism revitalized the exorcism subgenre using found-footage style, Aislinn Clarke’s The Devil’s Doorway adopts a similar approach. Clarke carefully incorporates the historical context, spotlighting the extensive abuse suffered by hundreds of women labeled sinners in Ireland’s Magdalene laundries. The actual exorcism doesn’t occur until the climax, and although it’s briefer than other examples, it’s shockingly intense and disturbing.
Deliver Us from Evil (2014)
Scott Derrickson is a noteworthy horror director, though less famous than other modern genre heavyweights. Deliver Us from Evil is one of two films he directed. Eric Bana portrays Ralph Sarchie, a police officer drawn into a genuine demonic ritual. Part exorcism movie, part haunted-house thriller, part cop drama, this genre fusion can be perplexing, yet the result is genuinely scary and energetic. The cast delivers strong performances, the atmosphere is well-crafted, and the scares are plentiful.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Scott Derrickson returns, mixing psychological horror elements with classic demonic themes reminiscent of The Exorcist. Laura Linney plays Erin Bruner, an attorney defending Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson), a priest charged with a young woman’s death following an exorcism. Jennifer Carpenter is striking in her role as the unfortunate girl, contorting her body in chilling ways—without digital effects—leading to the film’s R rating. This story raises moral dilemmas, and while it feels more conventional at first, the second half packs a real punch. It’s among the most frightening recent films.
The Last Exorcism (2010)
The Last Exorcism likely revived the exorcism subgenre at a time it was nearly dormant. Attempting to follow The Exorcist is no small feat, but this movie delivers enough tension to resurrect the category; it even spawned a sequel, “Part II.” Much of the credit goes to actress Ashley Bell. Continuing the tradition of Jennifer Carpenter in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Bell’s performance is extremely physical, twisting and contorting in horrifying ways that transcend mere fear. The unstoppable demonic power is unsettling and entirely believable. The film’s terror escalates immediately, pushing boundaries as it hurtles into its frantic second half.
The Medium (2021)
The Medium is terrifying—an elaborate, slow-burning tale that reinvigorates exorcism cinema by employing found-footage elements. Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun and co-written by Na Hong-jin, it’s an intense, harrowing movie loaded with singular cultural themes.
The narrative centers on Nim (Sawanee Utoomma), a shaman in a remote Thai village who’s being profiled by a documentary crew. Nim claims she’s possessed by an ancestral goddess, Bayan, who’s inhabited the women of her family for generations. She’s called upon to help her niece Mink, who develops frightening and violent behaviors. The Medium devotes much time to depicting the routine details of rural life—its over-two-hour run slowly builds unease like dripping candle wax—until fear erupts violently in the final act.
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is the prototype and arguably the greatest film in the exorcism-horror subgenre, an arthouse piece that shook global audiences. Some viewers were so disturbed during showings that they grew ill. Directed by William Friedkin and scripted by William Peter Blatty (with cinematography by Owen Roizman), The Exorcist features iconic performances by Jason Miller, Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, and Linda Blair as the possessed Regan. It’s not just scary, it’s a resonant drama whose human dimension strikes at the core.
Even those who have never seen it often label The Exorcist the scariest film ever. Other entries in the exorcism category are inevitably overshadowed. A gripping journey into absolute terror, the film opens with clinical MRIs and medical tests as Chris tries to diagnose her daughter Regan’s condition, culminating in legendary scenes that have traumatized audiences worldwide. Even more frightening is that it’s based on a real-life incident.
The Wailing (2016)
It feels almost unfair to compare The Wailing to The Exorcist, yet both are exceptionally chilling and stand among the most terrifying films ever made. Over time, The Wailing has grown in status, and its realism can make The Exorcist look comparatively tame.
Directed by Na Hong-jin, it centers on a rural Korean policeman (Kwak Do-won) in Gokseong investigating the arrival of a mysterious Japanese stranger (Jun Kunimura). Locals suspect something sinister about him, with rumors of him lurking naked in the forest, his glowing eyes instilling dread in those he meets. Some even say he might be the Devil himself. Set in the winding mountains of Gokseong, The Wailing boasts epic scope, and its 2.5-hour runtime is wholly warranted for such a layered story—arguably the best exorcism film alongside The Exorcist.
The Devil Inside (2012)
Twenty years ago, Maria Rossi (Suzan Crowley) killed three priests during an exorcism attempt. Now confined to an Italian psychiatric hospital, her daughter (Fernanda Andrade) questions whether Maria is truly mentally ill or still demonically possessed. Four evil spirits have possibly overtaken her soul, and two exorcists (Simon Quarterman, Evan Helmuth) strive to set her free. Shot documentary style, this is a tense barrage of shocking attacks, seizures, and crosses carved into skin. Director William Brent Bell proves that low-budget filmmaking can be advantageous: The Devil Inside earned over $101 million against a mere $1 million budget.
The Cleansing Hour (2019)
In a streaming show about exorcisms hosted by “Father” Max (Ryan Guzman) and his friend Drew (Kyle Gallner), every week they stage a fake exorcism to entertain their online audience. One day, Drew’s girlfriend (Alix Angelis) is genuinely possessed, and real demonic powers hijack the live broadcast—along with its surging viewer count. Obsessed with building the show’s popularity, Drew finds himself providing a wholly unexpected spectacle when the once-phony exorcism becomes horrifyingly real.
The Possession (2012)
Directed by Ole Bornedal, The Possession delves into subconscious fears and shadowy perils. Jeffrey Dean Morgan stars as a basketball coach raising his daughters (Natasha Calis and Madison Davenport) after a bitter divorce. In their new home, they find a cursed presence: Abyzou, a Hebrew demon said to prey on children. Even when they believe they’ve banished this demon, Abyzou reemerges in chilling locations like a hospital. Wind howls as Calis’s body jerks on a stretcher, while her family lights candles and a rabbi bellows biblical verses. Although it uses familiar exorcism tropes, the script—supposedly based on the so-called haunted dybbuk box—is still effectively unsettling.
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
James Wan’s The Conjuring 2 continues the story of Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) as they explore a new supernatural case. While it doesn’t quite match the first film’s excellence, memorable Amityville sequences, Joseph Bishara’s unnerving score and Wan’s suspenseful direction should satisfy fans.
Packed with sudden shocks filmed in a ’70s-inspired style, The Conjuring 2 culminates with a drenched, lightning-lit exorcism that leaves viewers breathless. Once again, Wan demonstrates his mastery in horror direction.
Agnes (2021)
Sister Agnes (Hayley McFarland) writhes before an exorcist priest in a dark chamber, frothing at the mouth, while a group of Carmelite nuns watches in horror. This first exorcism triggers ensuing drama in Agnes, a haunting exorcism film. After that demonic experience, Agnes quits the church, aiming for a normal life. However, Satanic forces linger like old wounds, surfacing in flashbacks of a bloody covenant and ominous knocks at the supermarket where Agnes now works. Director Mickey Reece (Country Gold) deftly interweaves faith-based terror and heartfelt drama, packing the film with looming threats, spiritual crises, and unanswered prayers.
The Exorcist III (1990)
An overlooked gem that emerged in the wake of the original film’s fame, this third entry was written and directed by William Peter Blatty. Set 17 years later, it concludes what Blatty calls the “Trilogy of Faith.” Lt. Kinderman (George C. Scott) sees parallels between a current homicide investigation and the “Gemini Killer” from 15 years ago, as a hospital environment grows increasingly dire amid a rising body count. Even when ignoring The Exorcist, many horror fans praise this sequel for its own merits—particularly for its chilling scenes: a nurse being murdered during her night shift, “It’s a Wonderful Life” scrawled in blood, and Father Karras (Jason Miller) returning in a cameo. The scares and sequences remain truly frightening.
The Witch (2015)
Robert Eggers’ debut feature, The Witch, is a 17th-century New England folktale. A devout family—led by father William (Ralph Ineson) and mother Katherine (Kate Dickie)—lives on a remote farm following their banishment from Puritan society. A menacing witch (Sarah Stephens) prowls in the nearby forest, abducting the family’s infant and plunging them into crisis. Each member subsequently falls under her dark influence. In one chilling scene, their son Caleb convulses violently on his bed, while the younger siblings accuse their older sister Thomasin of being the witch. Rather than relying on cheap jump scares, the film steadily builds an atmosphere steeped in witchcraft, black magic, and creeping evil, with exceptional performances that make it one of the most haunting horror dramas in recent memory.
