Based on a real story or not, exorcism films are always a solid choice if you want some genuinely creepy and disturbing film to watch. There’s a reason why this sub-genre has always remained strong through the years even with its many iterations.

And these Top 25 films about Exorcism deliver many thrills, chills, and many thrilling possessions that you deserve to see.

25. The Exorcism of God (2021)

Starting off the list is the Exorcism of God which follows Peter Williams as he battles his own demons in Mexico as a result of a botched exorcism    

Although The Exorcist of God may not provide some new ideas to the table, what it offers is a rather entertaining film about possession. The film will also take you by surprise with its many shocking imageries that will surely stick in your head.

24. The Unborn (2009)

Odette Yustman's character, Casey Beldon, learns that her family is subject to a curse that dates back to Nazi Germany and is the result of an evil spirit that can take over anyone's body trying to fully enter this planet.

Why not give The Unborn a shot if you're familiar with the genre? It makes for interesting viewing since it's stuffed with unexpected, make-you-jump-out-of-your-seat moments. And even though The Unborn may not be well-acclaimed, fans of the genre should still give it a look.

23. The Nun (2018)

The Vatican sends a priest with a troubled past and a novice who is about to take her final vows to Romania to look into the death of a young nun and to fight a demonic nun.

While this spin-off may fall short of The Nun's first foray into the Conjuring universe in terms of fun and suspense, it still managed to deliver a few decent shocks from the iconic Valak that will have you on the edge of your seat.

It also introduced Vera Farmiga’s real-life sister Taissa Farmiga in a role that’s unconnected to her character, who did a great job playing Sister Irene. If you want to watch a film with an endless amount of scares then don’t miss out on The Nun.

22. The Rite (2011)

After struggling to accept the reality of either God or the Devil, Michael Kovac attends a Vatican exorcism school. Then Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) tries to persuade him that maybe the two are real after all.

One of Anthony Hopkins’ forgotten films is an underappreciated romp at a slow-burn horror something that’s reminiscent of classic supernatural horror films. It contains many genre staples, which might make it recognizable and entertaining to genre enthusiasts.

21. The Devil Inside (2012)

In this found-footage horror movie The Devil Inside, a woman who is on a quest to learn what happened to her mother—who is reported to have killed three people during her own exorcism—becomes involved in a series of unauthorized exorcisms.

Why not give The Devil Inside a shot if you enjoy your exorcism movies with a hint of shock? For a found-footage exorcism movie, it has a few very unexpectedly frightening moments that you won't see coming, which increases the effectiveness of its scares.

Its ending (or lack thereof) may be a little controversial, but it doesn't stop it from being enjoyable.

20. Scary Movie 2 (2001)

Let’s go with a bit more light-heartedness with Scary Movie 2. It follows four teens who are tricked into visiting a haunted house for a school project by Professor Oldman (Tim Curry), and what transpires next is a weird supernatural adventure that they will never forget.

This film is chockfull of references to the genre from the Haunting, Poltergeist, The Exorcists, and more—that any horror movie enthusiast would squeal with pleasure and burst into laughter at the movie's many hilarious jokes.

The movie also includes the iconic Tim Curry into the chaotic mix which makes the movie even more deserving of your time.

19. Stigmata (1999)

When Frankie Paige (Patricia Arquette) becomes afflicted by stigmata, a priest is sent to investigate her case, which may have severe ramifications for his faith and for the Catholic Church itself.

Although it may seem like Stigmata is just a product of its time, when you actually watch the film, it offers more than just angst as within the film lies a surprisingly interesting watch with a pretty unique concept. Along with the fairly eerie mood the film provides, it also features an amazing soundtrack.

18. The Possession (2012)

Unaware that an evil old soul resides inside the curio, a little girl purchases an antique box at a yard sale. To find a solution to their daughter's curse, the girl's father teams up with his ex-wife.

The Possession may sometimes be a little slow, but once it gets going, it won't let you go. There are numerous great scares in it that will give you goosebumps all over your body. It also has The Walking Dead actor Dean Morgan who does an excellent job as the sympathetic father.  Give this one a try if you can endure slow-burning flicks.

17. Shake Rattle & Roll XI (2009)

In this long-running Filipino horror anthology franchise, we follow three different stories: a killer Dress, a group of friends hunted down by a creature in the woods, and a nurse possessed by the devil.

This long-running franchise's eleventh installment is not only regarded as one of the best and most refreshing entry, but it also featured Diablo, one of the most beautifully directed segments ever. It’s got many spectacular imageries along with a superb performance by its actors. 

This segment and the entire entry proved that the Shake Rattle & Roll franchise is still able to provide an awesome thrilling viewing experience.

16. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

In the most recent Conjuring movie, Ed and Loraine are assigned to another case involving a murder suspect who claims demonic possession as his defense. The Warrens are then forced to conduct a supernatural investigation that is unlike anything they have ever done before.

The slow and dramatic fright buildup, the numerous likable characters, and the well-known plots are all hallmarks of the franchise, making this sequel a no-brainer for fans of the franchise. Although the claim that this is "based on a factual story" may be questioned, this is nevertheless a fun romp into supernatural terror.

15. The Amityville Horror (2005)

In this remake of the classic film, George Lutz (Ryan Reynolds) and Melissa George (Kathy Lutz) are tormented by supernatural forces after moving to a house where a horrific mass murder occurred the previous year.

Horror movie remakes are often hit or miss, but this remake of one of the most iconic haunted house stories pulls off an underrated but worthwhile experience. It offered a slew of updates to the infamous story to create a familiar yet unique story filled with frightful surprises.

It also features tons of great actors such as Melissa George, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Ryan Reynolds as the friendly but intimidating possessed father, who does such a great job with what they were given.

14. Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist (2005)

Years before Father Lankester Merrin helped save Regan MacNeil's soul, he first encounters the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. Merrin's initial battle with Pazuzu leads to the rediscovery of his faith.

This prequel to the legendary Exorcist may not be as groundbreaking as its original, but it is nonetheless a compelling movie that will get under your skin thanks to its incredible atmosphere. There was also another Prequel to the Exorcist called The Beginning however if you could only pick one of the two then definitely make sure to watch Dominion instead.

13. Constantine (2005)

A policewoman needs the aid of the supernatural exorcist and demonologist John Constantine to show that her sister's death was not a suicide but rather something more.

There was Constantine before it became common to turn comic novels into movies. A movie that combines the supernatural heroes genre with the horror genre to produce a delightful film full of absurdity that will keep you interested from start to finish.

It's a movie chock full of entertaining moments with some humor peppered in to make the movie more compelling.

12. Deliver Us From Evil (2014)

Ralph Sarchie, a police officer in New York, is looking into a series of crimes. To battle the possessions plaguing their city, he teams up with an unconventional priest who has been trained in exorcism techniques.

What separates Deliver Us From Evil is its rather unique concept of a cop investigating a strange event that later leads to exorcism. The film does have a few chilling moments that actually took me by surprise, although I don’t recommend watching the trailer at all as it actually spoiled it.

11. Oujia: Origin of Evil (2016)

In 1967 Los Angeles, when a widowed mother Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser) adds a new trick to support her séance hoax business, she unintentionally draws real evil into her house and possesses her youngest daughter Doris (Lulu Wilson).

Nobody really expected this prequel to be one of the most disappointing supernatural horror films to be this good. Although it might not be the most inventive movie on the list, it is undoubtedly entertaining and has several scenes that will make you uneasy. It’s also set in a lovely time period where everything and every shot felt like it was made in the past, making the film such an immersive experience. 

Oujia: Origin of Evil is not just a simple cash grab but a film that’s made with love by someone who understands the genre.

10. Rec 2 (2009)

A doctor and a SWAT team enter a building that has been quarantined after a virus transformed its occupants into a pack of ravenous monsters.

Although the original Rec movie may always be associated with the found-footage and zombie sub-genre, this solid sequel actually combines those two with some supernatural elements to create a bombastic zombie exorcism movie that's worth every second of your time.

The supernatural theme from the original movie's ending was further explored in this follow-up, which offers a lot of explanations for its mystery. The movie's already claustrophobic atmosphere has been amplified, making it even more gripping to watch.

9. The Amityville Horror (1979)

A movie based on the real-life experiences of the Lutz Family, who purchase a new home at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, a house where a mass murder had taken place the previous year.

Of course, the original haunted home movie deserves to be on the list as well. The Amityville Horror existed long before The Conjuring or almost all of the films on the list. It's a  strange but ominous movie that takes its time to create an eerie atmosphere that will make you feel uneasy.

And although it may seem outdated by today’s standards, it’s still a film that’s a must-watch for every horror fan and someone looking for a solid exorcism film. 

8. Amityville II: The Possession (1982)

A prequel to The Amityville Horror, it follows a dysfunctional family who moves into a new house, which proves to be satanic, resulting in the demonic possession of their teenage son.    

The Amityville franchise has had dozens of sequels and spin-offs yet only a few remain to be decent and what makes this follow-up even special is that it’s vastly superior to its original. It contains a ton of vivid imagery that will stick in your mind, particularly the pretty graphic exorcism sequence.

And while it may not adhere to the backstory that the previous film had established or even the actual story of the murders, this freedom really improved the movie because they were able to incorporate many creative concepts and scares, making it a worthy sequel to a classic.

7. The Exorcist III (1990)

When a police lieutenant questions the patients of a psychiatric ward as part of his investigation into a string of murders that bear all the signs of the deceased Gemini serial murderer, he uncovers more than he bargained for.

The original Exorcist film is a masterclass of the genre, and whilst this sequel may seem unnecessary at first especially considering that the first sequel was regarded as one of the worst,  it came as a surprise when it not only is such an amazing film but also manages to distinguish out from the others from the genre.

Instead of copying what made the original such an effective film, this sequel instead took a completely different approach and offered up a murder mystery plot with some supernatural in between, In addition, it contains some of the most shocking scares in the genre, such as the hallway scene and the climactic third act.

6. The Last Exorcism (2010)

In The Last Exorcism, a documentary crew and a troubled minister as he casts out a small girl in his final exorcism.

There have been many exorcism films throughout the years, some even featuring the same plot but with a different presentation; Daniel Stamm's film, however, is a unique beast. What initially appeared to be just another exorcism movie ends up being a brilliant film that defied many expectations.

Not only is its presentation made for engaging viewing, but it also has a lot of mysteries that keep you riveted to your seat as you wait for all the revelations. If you don’t mind watching a found footage-style film then definitely don’t miss out on this forgotten gem.

5. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Ed and Lorraine Warren travel to North London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house terrorized by a supernatural spirit.

The first Conjuring film was a refreshing take on the supernatural sub-genre and the follow-up manages to be just as entertaining while also featuring some memorable scares and characters that will undoubtedly make an impression on you.

It also introduced us to the iconic Valak whose presence lingered throughout the entire movie and contributed to the film's truly spine-chilling atmosphere. This is the film that cemented the Conjuring franchise as a classic.

4. The Conjuring (2013)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

This is the film that resurrected the otherwise dying and stale supernatural sub-genre, and it did so with the use of an intriguing yet mysterious plot packed with startling moments like the hand clap and the closet scene. The actors' strong performances also contributed to the movie's success.

Although the idea of it being based on a real-life story may still be questionable, there's no doubting that this is an incredible movie that is worth every minute of your time,

3. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

A lawyer takes on a case of negligent homicide involving a priest who exorcised a young girl.

From the film’s very first minutes, it will take a hold of you and later subverts many of your expectations. Emily Rose’s exorcism is not like any other film on the list, it brings a unique spin on the familiar sub-genre that will make you question what you’re seeing.

The film is also so drenched in atmosphere that it is hauntingly disturbing to watch. It is also made much better by the excellent performances of its numerous actors, most notably Jennifer Carpenter, who plays the sympathetic Emily.

2. The Wailing (2016)

Suspicion leads to hysteria when rural villagers link a series of brutal murders to the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Kunimura Jun).

Let me introduce you to this one-of-a-kind exorcism film from Asia called The Wailing. It’s a mysterious slow burn that takes its time to make you care about its many characters and make you feel unnerved through its masterfully done atmosphere. 

If you don’t mind watching your film with a subtitle, then make sure to give this film a watch!

1. The Exorcist (1973)

When a 12-year-old girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her.

It may 49 years old but The Exorcist still proves to be the best film about exorcism due to its engaging storytelling, following multiple characters as they get wrapped into a supernatural event. Many films have tried to replicate its success and scare yet none could ever come close to it. It’s a movie that helped defined not only the supernatural sub-genre but the horror genre as a whole. And many of its scares are still quite effective even to this day, which gives testament to how brilliant this film actually is. 

Due to its originality and memorability, it’s easy to see why this beloved classic is the best in the genre. 

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