Scariest Exorcism Movies

Key Takeaways

Exorcism movies still evoke terror despite changing trends in horror.
Unique twists on exorcism tales, like “The Rite,” provide refreshing scares.
Films like “The Conjuring” masterfully blend scares with compelling storytelling.

As a horror enthusiast who has spent countless nights huddled under blankets while watching these chilling masterpieces, I must say that each of these films offers a unique and terrifying take on the exorcism genre. From the classic, bone-chilling tale of Regan in “The Exorcist” to the found-footage documentary style of “The Last Exorcism,” there’s something for everyone who dares to venture into the realm of demonic possession.

Despite losing some popularity in the horror genre over time and undergoing significant transformations, the concept of an exorcism remains just as frighteningly intense. The sub-genre of demonic horror persists in delivering chills and excitement as filmmakers constantly innovate to create original takes on possession narratives.

Even though some old exorcism-themed movies might not scare viewers as much today, there are still many chilling films from past decades and modern times that continue to captivate audiences with their terror. Exorcisms may not appeal to everyone, but they have proven to be an effective tool for creating suspenseful and spine-tingling sequences in film history.

8 The Rite

When Someone Actually Looks For Exorcisms

Released: 28th January, 2011
Starring: Colin O’Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins & Ciaran Hinds
Directed By: Ole Bornedal
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 22%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 40%

Despite receiving unfavorable reviews from critics, the movie titled “The Rite” was a chilling watch that offered a fresh perspective on the exorcism genre. Rather than depicting an individual being tormented and eventually possessed by a malevolent spirit, this film centered around an American’s journey to Italy, where he aimed to learn more about exorcisms, initially skeptical of their authenticity.

As a horror enthusiast, I can’t help but express my awe at how chilling and captivating “The Rite” truly is. This film masterfully reinvents the classic exorcism movie template, making it a timeless piece that still resonates in the genre today. The unparalleled acting prowess of Anthony Hopkins as a seasoned exorcist in this horror flick only adds to its enduring appeal.

7 The Possession

A Box Of Terrors Unleashed Leaving You Gripping Your Seat

Released: 30th August, 2012
Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick & Madison Davenport
Directed By: Ole Bornedal
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 39%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 48%

Rarely does a horror movie originate from a news article, but the chilling tale of a Dybbuk in a 2004 LA Times post served as the foundation for “The Possession“. Intriguingly, when a young girl acquires an enigmatic box at a garage sale, strange occurrences start taking place. As her father begins to notice, he comes to understand that something truly horrifying has been awakened from within the mysterious artifact.

Although expelling a Dybbuk into its container isn’t technically an exorcism, the similarities and traits of possession make the movie “The Possession” essentially an exorcism film. Furthermore, scenes such as opening the box are so scary that “The Possession” leaves an indelible impression as a genuinely terrifying demonic flick that at times seems like a demonic horror game.

6 Deliver Us From Evil

New York Cops Facing Off Against Demonic Mysteries

Released: July 2nd, 2014
Starring: Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez & Olivia Munn
Directed By: Scott Derrickson
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 30%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 42%

Despite receiving less-than-favorable reviews, “Deliver Us From Evil” stands out as one of the scariest exorcism and demon-themed films released in the past ten years. In this movie, Eric Bana plays a police officer who’s investigating a series of mysterious events happening around New York City that seem to be connected to supernatural occurrences.

In Deliver Us From Evil, rather than families settling into a new dwelling, the story unfolds with demons targeting the entire world, causing even police officers to experience fear equal to that of ordinary citizens. The movie is filled with frequent jump scares and genuine perils, creating an overwhelmingly tense ambiance and all the other elements characteristic of a truly terrifying journey. The nail-biting exorcism scene at the climax serves as the perfect conclusion for a film that traverses the length and breadth of a city, revealing a mystery compelling enough to keep viewers hooked.

5 The Exorcism Of Emily Rose

Exorcisms Brought To Court Are Still Filled With Fear

Released: September 9th, 2005
Starring: Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson & Campbell Scott
Directed By: Scott Derrickson
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 45%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 60%

Incorporating exorcisms and demonic attacks into a comprehensive setting can be tricky as it risks making them seem unrealistic, which is why they are usually limited to a single location in movies. Yet, The Exorcism Of Emily Rose daringly keeps the audience on edge while testing the boundaries of these frightening occurrences within a courtroom setting.

Following a minister conducting an approved exorcism on a woman who subsequently passes away, he finds himself standing trial for negligent manslaughter. This courtroom drama serves as the framework, while the bulk of the movie’s runtime delves into the harrowing tale of the exorcism through flashbacks. What makes The Exorcism Of Emily Rose particularly chilling is the juxtaposition of these terrifying recollections against the interwoven narrative of a more tranquil story unfolding during the trial. This unique idea and spine-tingling film is definitely worth delving into.

4 The Wailing

A Remote Korean Village And Utter Terror

Released: May 12th, 2016
Starring: Kwak Do-Won, Hwang Jun-Min & Chun Woo-Hee
Directed By: Na Hong-Jin
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 99%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 81%

Among numerous outstanding foreign movies dealing with exorcisms and demons, “The Wailing” stands out as possibly the finest. A police officer is dispatched to a secluded South Korean village where an unusual affliction has struck the residents, causing them to become possessed. This departure from typical exorcism film narratives makes it quite distinct and even potentially original, blending concepts from vampire or zombie genres into the demonic realm.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but rave about “The Wailing” – a chilling masterwork that delves into the enigma of the being responsible for the plague. The storyline unfolds as a desperate race against time, with the policeman’s own child becoming ensnared in an eerie possession. This film will leave you breathless and on edge throughout its entirety as it expertly blends jump-scare moments with a palpable, impending sense of dread for the entire village.

3 The Exorcist

The Original Masterpiece Is Still A Worthy Scarer Today

Released: December 26th, 1973
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow & Linda Blair
Directed By: William Friedkin
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 78%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 87%

As a gamer, I can attest that while there might have been other demonic horror flicks before it, The Exorcist truly stands out as the first movie to depict an exorcism of a demon. It’s been remade numerous times and spawned sequels galore, but nothing has ever come close to the chilling fear it instilled in viewers back then, watching the heart-wrenching transformation of a young girl into a vessel for a malevolent spirit.

In a fresh rephrasing: The film “The Exorcist” follows Regan, a troubled young girl whose distressing actions cause concern for her actress mother. Meanwhile, a priest grappling with his faith senses he might require assistance from an experienced exorcist. Although some of its initial terrifying elements may have lost their edge after more than five decades, the movie continues to be hauntingly tense and features an unsettling soundtrack. It stands as one of the greatest horror films ever made.

2 The Last Exorcism

Found Footage Documentary-Style Demonic Terror

Released: August 27th, 2010
Starring: Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell & Iris Bahr
Directed By: Daniel Stamm
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 71%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 35%

A minister who’s been performing exorcisms for decades aims to show that these practices are bogus by letting a film crew capture his final-ever exorcism on tape. The found-footage horror genre is not commonly associated with topics like exorcisms, but this project is an exception to the rule, as it seldom explores such themes.

The movie titled “The Last Exorcism” delivers a chilling portrayal of possession, complete with nerve-wracking jumpscares that keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Full of surprises and every kind of horror imaginable, this film offers an exceptionally scary experience that viewers might want to rewatch, but may question whether they’re ready for it again.

1 The Conjuring

The Ultimate Story Of Demonic Terror

Released: July 19th, 2013
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga & Lili Taylor
Directed By: James Wan
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 86%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 83%

The tale of the Warrens, actual-life demonic researchers who spent decades globetrotting, is incredibly captivating. Including tranquil scenes, instances of warmth, and everyday family life that allowed viewers to relate not only to the Warrens but also the vast Perron family, significantly contributed to making The Conjuring a strong contender for one of the greatest horror films ever made.

Apart from being an astonishingly compelling tale and a case that captivates, the entire cast in this production was remarkably brilliant. The inclusion of other Warren cases, such as the Annabelle doll, instantly spawned a vast collection of subsequent films. “The Conjuring” establishes rules for demonic entities and strictly adheres to them, creating terrifying scenes like the clapping game and numerous nighttime jump scares. This film has left an indelible impression on its viewers, ensuring it maintains the level of rewatchability that many horror films fail to achieve. The exorcism scenes in “The Conjuring” serve as a dramatic finale, placing it at the pinnacle of the scariest, and arguably the best, exorcism films ever made.

2024-11-16 16:34