The Films About Exorcisms & Possessions subgenre resides primarily in the Horror genre and also features other films subgenres such as Psychological & Medical Horror Films, Cosmic Horror Films, Films About The Paranormal, Hauntings & Ghosts, Films About The Devil, Demons & Hell, Psychological Thriller Films and Found Footage Films. Themes of the subgenre often include Films About Demonic Possession, Films About Ouija Boards, Films About Seances and Films About Ghosts Possessing People.
The 1970’s saw the beginnings of this subgenre take hold with The Exorcist (1973). This film is not only the top film of this subgenre but also considered the scariest horror film of all time. The Exorcist was so popular that it spawned prequels with Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) and Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist (2005) and sequels including Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) and The Exorcist III (1990). The film also inspired inferior knockoffs including Beyond the Door (1974) and The Night Child (1975). The other classic subgenre film of this decade was primarily about a Haunted House but also featured Possession with The Amityville Horror (1979).
In the 1980’s, another Horror franchise would be born with The Evil Dead (1981). The Evil Dead franchise focused on Demonic Possession and Cosmic Horror elements and produced two sequels in Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992) and a remake with Evil Dead (2013). The 1980’s would feature other classic and notable subgenre films with Possession (1981), Amityville II: The Possession (1982), Witchboard (1986) and Bad Dreams (1988).
The 1990’s would be a down year for Exorcism and Possession films with only Army of Darkness and The Exorcist III becoming classic films of the subgenre. The only other notable subgenre film of the decade included The Resurrected (1991).
In the 2000’s, the downtrend for the subgenre would continue with only a few quality films of the decade. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) and Requiem (2006) were standout films of the 2000’s with both films based on the real-life Exorcism case of Anneliese Michel. The decade would also feature a remake of the 1970’s classic Amityville Horror film with The Amityville Horror (2005). Other notable films of the decade included Reincarnation (2005) and Possessed (2009).
The Golden Age of Exorcism and Possession Films would begin in the 2010’s as new subgenre franchises were launched, and classic films of the subgenre were released. The Conjuring (2013) would launch the most popular Horror franchise about Exorcisms & Possessions since The Exorcist (1973) with a multitude of films including Annabelle (2014), The Conjuring 2 (2016), Annabelle: Creation (2017), The Nun (2018), The Curse of La Llorona (2019), Annabelle Comes Home (2019) and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021). Sinister (2012) would also launch a franchise around Demonic Possession with a sequel entitled Sinister 2 (2015). And World Cinema Horror would release prominent Films About Exorcisms & Possessions with The Priests (2015), The Wailing (2016), Verónica (2017) and Luz (2019). Other classic and notable subgenre films of the decade included The Last Exorcism (2010), The Rite (2011), The Possession (2012), Hellbenders (2013), Deliver Us from Evil (2014), The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014), Ouija (2014), The Vatican Tapes (2015) and Saint Maud (2019).
The 2020’s have only featured a few films of the subgenre to date with notable and classic films such as The Cleansing Hour (2020), The Medium (2021) and Agnes (2021).
Our list of Films About Exorcisms & Possessions includes over 80+ films from 1972 – 2022. Most films in this collection also feature other subgenres including Films About the Paranormal, Hauntings and Ghosts, Films About The Devil, Demons And Hell and other Horror subgenres. For our list of the Top Films About Exorcisms & Possessions You Haven’t Seen, we had to exclude the following films from our list (but are still worth checking out!): Possession (1981), Retribution (1987), The Resurrected (1991), The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), The Rite (2011), The Possession (2012), Deliver Us from Evil (2014), Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016), Verónica (2017), Luz (2019) and Saint Maud (2019).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Exorcism & Possession Films You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#10
The Night Child
Plot: A young girl is possessed by the spirit of a dead murderess child when she wears a gifted medallion.
KBZ’s Take: Also known as, Together Forever, this Italian film is an obvious rip-off of The Exorcist (1973)…but it’s one of the better rip-offs. While the film is very tame compared to The Exorcist (there’s very little gore or killing) it does exude some of the same creepiness found in another similar film, The Omen (1976). You can give a listen here to the great score for the film which echoes many of the 1970’s era “child possession / child is the devil” films. Recommended for completists and fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XMHVaJ
#9
Hellbenders
Plot: The Order of Hellbound Saints (Brooklyn Parish) battle demonic forces.
KBZ’s Take: Oh, what could have been with this film. Starting off as a crazy, raunchy, bloody and demonic possession version of Ghostbusters (1984), Hellbenders balances the horror and comedy to great effect. However, the film runs out of steam by the third act which (while bloody and gory in its finale), can’t hold up to the much better first two acts of the film. There is definitely something special here (in the first parts of the film) so it’s at least worth watching for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VG9Szc
#8
The Priests
Plot: Two Korean priests perform an exorcism on a girl in a coma.
KBZ’s Take: This film takes patience to get through as the first two acts are very…. very…. slow. However, your patience will be rewarded if you can make it to the final act which has some of the best ‘exorcism’ sequences in the subgenre. In fact, it’s a film worth watching just to see the final act which rises above most other films of its ilk. Highly recommended for fans of the subgenre (and just be patient…it will be worth it in the end).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OUw3iP
Plot: A reverend who has been performing fake exorcisms has his next exorcism with a family of religious fanatics.
KBZ’s Take: For the most part of this film, you can guess where the film is headed but its still worth the ride. Utilizing a Found Footage format, the film does a great job of showing you how Reverend Marcus performs his ‘fake’ exorcisms and the tricks of his trade. While you will see the third act coming a mile away (with the family of religious fanatics), stick with the film to the end and you won’t be disappointed. Recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Fte8gp
#6
Requiem
Plot: Michaela, an epileptic, enrolls in college and goes off her medication. Soon she’s hearing voices and a local pastor believes she is possessed by demons.
KBZ’s Take: Both this film and The Exorcism of Emily Rose are based on the real-life Exorcism case of Anneliese Michel. While The Emily Rose film focuses more on the legal aftermath of the exorcism, Requiem focuses more of the medical condition of Michaela / Anneliese. Requiem has some horror elements but is much more of a medical drama and the growing frustration of Michaela with her sickness. Both films are worth watching, especially if you watch Requiem as a sort of prequel to the Emily Rose film.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VF4koE
Plot: A retired priest is asked by his friend to perform an exorcism on his possessed daughter.
KBZ’s Take: Where to begin with this film? First, even the most hardened horror fans will have a tough time making it through this film. There are some hardcore ‘torture porn’ elements in the film that are very difficult to watch. Second, the writers and director were obviously influenced by both The Exorcist (1973) and Evil Dead II (1987). There are elements of both films in this film – some elements work, and some don’t. But when they do work, they are great. Finally, there are only 3 lead actors in this film, and it’s mostly confined to a house. However, Juli Fàbregas (as Menéndez) and Ximena Romo (as Raquel) both deliver amazing performances which make this film worth a watch. Recommended for completists and hard-core fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/81281882
Plot: Two millennial entrepreneurs stage fake exorcism on social media until one of their girlfriends becomes possessed by a demon.
KBZ’s Take: One of the more original films of the subgenre, this film ultimately asks, “What would a demon do in the age of social media?”. The film starts off as a horror comedy hybrid as the two entrepreneurs plan and perform their fake exorcisms. But the film turns on the horror and gore spigot in the final act with an ending, that we must admit, was very unique for the entire subgenre. It’s a lesser-known film of the subgenre that is definitely worth watching for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VMBS4n
Plot: Priests are called in from the Vatican to perform an exorcism on a demon more powerful than they could ever imagine.
KBZ’s Take: This film received negative reviews as it was unjustly compared to The Exorcist (1973) – like most films of the subgenre ultimately are. However, this is one of the better films of the entire subgenre based on the performance of Olivia Taylor Dudley as the possessed woman. Most Exorcism and Possession films live or die by the sequences of possession, and this film delivers them based on Dudley’s performance. A very underrated film that is highly recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3UrrPR3
#2
The Wailing
Plot: A stranger arrives in a village and a mysterious sickness starts spreading. A policeman is drawn into the incident to solve the mystery and save his daughter.
KBZ’s Take: This is one great film with a unique take on possession and demons. While the film starts off more like a Detective & Whodunnit subgenre film, it quickly builds understated suspense and foreboding for what is happening in the village. It also has one of the best representations of a ‘demon’ in any subgenre film. It’s one of the better K-Horror Films that came at the tail end of the K-Horror craze (which started to heat up in 2005). It’s a film that you shouldn’t miss and is highly recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3ETtEjR
Plot: A woman’s mother struggles with dementia but the family starts thinking something more sinister is at play.
KBZ’s Take: One of the forgotten films of the Found Footage Film craze in the 2010’s. This film came at the tail end of the Found Footage era as burnout happened within that subgenre. However, it’s not only one of the best films of the Found Footage subgenre, but also one of the best Possession films you will ever see. The Found Footage format strengthens the scenes of the odd behavior of their dementia-riddled mother (and growing concern of the family). We’re fairly certain this film might not have been as effective if shot in a traditional format. This film is also infamous for it’s “Mine Scene” towards the end which is a film experience you won’t soon forget. In fact, it’s still one of the only horror sequences that still gives us chills to this day. Add this film to the top of your queue and keep a light on – you’ll need it.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VoGZrH
