The Exorcist: Believer comes to theaters on Friday, October 6, making it a perfect Spooky Season treat. Based on characters by William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist: Believer is directed by David Gordon Green with screenplay by David Gordon Green and Peter Sattler and screen story by David Gordon Green, Scott Teems, and Danny McBride.
In the film, Olivia O’Neill and Lidya Jewett star as two girls who disappear into the woods and return three days later with no memory of what happened. When the girls start behaving disturbingly, the father of one girl (Leslie Odom Jr.) seeks the help of Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), from The Exorcist (1973), who has direct experience with demonic possession because of what happened to her daughter Regan (Linda Blair) fifty years ago. Ann Dowd, Jennifer Nettles, and Raphael Sbarge also have key roles in the movie.
While in early previews, The Exorcist: Believer has been received with mixed reviews. The theme of demonic possession and exorcism has always been met with harsh criticism and yet it remains a niche in horror that will continue to expand. After you check out The Exorcist: Believer in theaters, here are 8 films to watch next.
Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)
Who’s in it: Stellan Skarsgård, Izabella Scorupco, James D’Arcy, Remy Sweeney, Julian Wadham, Andrew French, Ralph Brown, Ben Cross, David Bradley
Synopsis: “Years before Father Lankester Merrin helped save Regan MacNeil’s soul, he first encounters the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. This is the tale of Father Merrin’s initial battle with Pazuzu and the rediscovery of his faith.”
Where to watch: Hulu, Peacock
Incarnate (2016)
Who’s in it: Aaron Eckhart, Carice van Houten, Catalina Sandino Moreno, David Mazouz, Keir O’Donnell, Matt Nable, Emily Jackson, Paul Vincent O’Connor
Synopsis: “A scientist with the ability to enter the subconscious minds of the possessed must save a young boy from the grips of a demon with powers never seen before, while facing the horrors of his past.”
Where to watch: Netflix
Prey for the Devil (2022)
Who’s in it: Jacqueline Byers, Debora Zhecheva, Christian Navarro, Posy Taylor, Colin Salmon, Nicholas Ralph, Ben Cross, Virginia Madsen
Synopsis: “A nun prepares to perform an exorcism and comes face to face with a demonic force with mysterious ties to her past.”
Where to watch: Starz
The Cleansing Hour (2019)
Who’s in it: Ryan Guzman, Kyle Gallner, Alix Angelis, Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, Emma Holzer, Joanna David
Synopsis: “Another successful “exorcism” streamed online – or so it seems. Can the “exorcist”, producer and their team bring the ratings up? Ratings skyrocket, when a real demon gets involved.”
Where to watch: AMC+
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
Who’s in it: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi O’Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook, Julian Hilliard, John Noble, Eugenie Bondurant, Shannon Kook, Ronnie Gene Blevins
Synopsis: “The Warrens investigate a murder that may be linked to a demonic possession.”
Where to watch: Max
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Who’s in it: Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Campbell Scott, Jennifer Carpenter, Colm Feore, Joshua Close, Kenneth Welsh
Synopsis: “A lawyer takes on a negligent homicide case involving a priest who performed an exorcism on a young girl.”
Where to watch: Hulu, Peacock, Pluto TV
The Possession (2012)
Who’s in it: Natasha Calis, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Madison Davenport, Matisyahu, Grant Show, Rob LaBelle, Nana Gbewonyo, Anna Hagan, Brenda Crichlow, Jay Brazeau, Iris Quinn
Synopsis: “A young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, unaware that inside the collectible lives a malicious ancient spirit. The girl’s father teams with his ex-wife to find a way to end the curse upon their child.”
Where to watch: AMC+, Hulu, Peacock, Pluto TV
The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)
Who’s in it: Jill Larson, Anne Ramsay, Michelle Ang, Brett Gentile, Jeremy DeCarlos, Ryan Cutrona, Tonya Bludsworth, Anne Bedian
Synopsis: “An elderly woman battling Alzheimer’s disease agrees to let a film crew document her condition, but what they discover is something far more sinister going on.”
Where to watch: AMC+, Prime Video, Screambox, Tubi
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Amber Dover is a multimedia journalist with over a decade writing about pop culture. Cat mom with a deep love of horror, you can follow Amber at @Glambergirlblog on Instagram and Twitter.