Do you believe in the Devil? Believers in God certainly do and so do those who have experienced real-life occurrences of demonic possession!
The first and best movie in the Exorcist franchise, 1971’s The Exorcist, was adapted from William Peter Blatty’s horror novel of the same name. His book was inspired by a 1949 case of an exorcism he had heard about while at university, information about which can be found here. This case and the accounts of many other cases like it are proof of the existence of both God and Satan to those who believe in the Afterlife and the existence of Heaven and Hell.
Several sequels followed The Exorcist but they failed to match the power of William Friedkin’s original movie. The most recent movie in the franchise, The Exorcist: Believer, is better than most of the follow-ups, but unlike the first in the franchise, it will never be regarded as a horror classic.
Below, we list all of The Exorcist movies that have been released so far. Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
The Exorcist
US Release Date: December 26, 1973
Worldwide Box Office: $428.2 million
Director: William Friedkin
Metascore: 82
Main Cast:
Ellen Burstyn (Chris MacNeil), Max von Sydow (Father Merrin), Linda Blair (Regan), Lee J. Cobb (Lt. Kinderman), Jason Miller (Father Karras)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
When a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
Frightening Fact:
Bodyguards were hired to protect Linda Blair from religious zealots who believed the film glorified the Devil.
Exorcist II: The Heretic
US Release Date: June 17, 1977
Worldwide Box Office: $30.7 million
Directors: John Boorman, Rospo Pallenberg
Metascore: 39
Main Cast:
Linda Blair (Regan), Richard Burton (Father Lamont), Louise Fletcher (Dr. Gene Tuskin), Max von Sydow (Father Merrin), Ned Beatty (Edwards)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
A teenage girl once possessed by a demon finds that it still lurks within her. Meanwhile, a priest investigates the death of the girl’s exorcist.
Frightening Fact:
This film, along with The Exorcist and The Exorcist III, were among serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s favourite films.
The Exorcist III
US Release Date: August 17, 1990
Worldwide Box Office: $44 million
Director: William Peter Blatty
Metascore: 48
Main Cast:
George C. Scott (Kinderman), Ed Flanders (Father Dyer), Brad Dourif (The Gemini Killer), Jason Miller (Patient X), Nicol Williamson (Father Morning)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
A police lieutenant uncovers more than he bargained for as his investigation of a series of murders, which have all the hallmarks of the deceased Gemini serial killer, leads him to question the patients of a psychiatric ward.
Frightening Fact:
The Gemini Killer, played by Brad Dourif in the film, was inspired by real-life serial killer, The Zodiac.
Exorcist: The Beginning
US Release Date: August 20, 2004
Worldwide Box Office: $78.1 million
Director: Renny Harlin
Metascore: 30
Main Cast:
Stellan Skarsgård (Father Merrin), Izabella Scorupco (Sarah), James D’Arcy (Father Francis), Remy Sweeney (Joseph), Ben Cross (Semelier)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
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.
Frightening Fact:
Original director Paul Schrader was replaced by Renny Harlin. At the start of the reshoot, Harlin was involved in an accident and broke his leg. Another case of a horror movie curse?
Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
US Release Date: May 20, 2005
Worldwide Box Office: $251,495
Director: Paul Schrader
Metascore: 55
Main Cast:
Stellan Skarsgård (Father Merrin), Gabriel Mann (Father Francis), Clara Bellar (Rachel Lesno), Billy Crawford (Cheche), Ralph Brown (Sergeant Major)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
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.
Frightening Fact:
Billy Crawford was called for an audition when the casting staff saw the cover of his album “Ride,” in which his eyes resembled those of a demon.
The Exorcist: Believer
US Release Date: October 6, 2023
Worldwide Box Office: $132 million
Director: David Gordon Green
Metascore: 39
Main Cast:
Ellen Burstyn (Chris MacNeil), Leslie Odom Jr. (Victor Fielding), Olivia O’Neill (Kathryn), Raphael Sbarge (Pastor), Ann Dowd (Paula)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
When two girls disappear into the woods and return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, the father of one girl seeks out Chris MacNeil, who’s been forever altered by what happened to her daughter fifty years ago.
Frightening Fact:
Film critic Ed Whitfield posted this on Twitter and Facebook : “William Friedkin once said to me, ‘Ed, the guy who made those new Halloween sequels is about to make one to my movie, the Exorcist. That’s right, my signature film is about to be extended by the man who made Pineapple Express. I don’t want to be around when that happens. But if there’s a spirit world, and I can come back, I plan to possess David Gordon Green and make his life a living hell.'”
Let us know your favourite movie in the Exorcist franchise below.