10 Movies & Shows Like The Exorcist

Description: A masterclass in psychological horror, delving into themes of paranoia, satanic cults, and the corruption of innocence, with a slow-burning tension that escalates into terror.

Fact: The film was shot in the actual Dakota building in New York, which later became infamous as the site of John Lennon's murder. Mia Farrow's pixie haircut in the movie became a major fashion trend.

Description: A chilling exploration of demonic possession and the supernatural, focusing on a child as the vessel of evil, with intense psychological and religious horror elements.

Fact: The film's iconic score by Jerry Goldsmith won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. The movie's release date was deliberately chosen to be 6/6/1976, playing on the 'Number of the Beast' (666).

Description: A supernatural thriller dealing with religious phenomena, possession, and the battle between faith and skepticism, featuring intense physical manifestations of spiritual torment.

Fact: The film's script was inspired by real-life cases of stigmata reported throughout history. The movie's controversial plot led to protests from some religious groups upon its release.

Description: A supernatural horror film centered around a cursed object that brings demonic possession, with strong themes of family protection against evil forces.

Fact: The film is based on a supposedly true story about a haunted dybbuk box that was sold on eBay. The Hebrew chants in the film were authentic exorcism rituals researched by the filmmakers.

Description: A found-footage style horror film that builds tension through subtle supernatural occurrences, focusing on a demonic presence that grows increasingly threatening.

Fact: The original cut was shot in just seven days for $15,

Description: A found-footage style film that explores themes of faith, deception, and genuine supernatural terror, culminating in shocking demonic possession scenes.

Fact: The film's ending was reshot after test screenings, completely changing the original conclusion. Many of the exorcism scenes were improvised by the actors.

Description: A modern take on demonic possession and haunted houses, blending supernatural horror with a strong emphasis on family dynamics and faith-based solutions to evil.

Fact: The film is based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. It spawned an entire cinematic universe of interconnected horror films.

Description: A blend of supernatural horror and psychological thriller elements, featuring disturbing found footage and the theme of evil forces preying on children.

Fact: The super 8 films shown in the movie were created by the director himself. The film's creepy score was partially created using sounds made by the director's young daughter.

Description: A psychological horror film that uses a supernatural entity as a metaphor for grief and mental illness, with intense mother-child dynamics and a creeping sense of dread.

Fact: The Babadook character design was inspired by Lon Chaney's makeup in London After Midnight. The film became an unexpected LGBTQ+ icon, with the Babadook being adopted as a queer symbol.

Description: A disturbing family drama that evolves into supernatural horror, featuring shocking imagery, psychological trauma, and themes of inherited evil and demonic worship.

Fact: The miniature models shown in the film were actually created by the actress Toni Collette's character, adding a meta-layer to the storytelling. The film's most shocking scene was kept secret from test audiences to preserve its impact.