Horror Films with Catholic Priests

Description: A classic tale of demonic possession, where two priests, one young and one old, attempt to exorcise a demon from a young girl. Its inclusion in this list is a no-brainer due to its iconic status in horror cinema and its focus on Catholic exorcism.

Fact: The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The scene where Father Karras listens to the demon's voice was recorded in reverse to give it an otherworldly feel.

Description: A dramatized account of the trial of a priest accused of negligent homicide after performing an exorcism that led to the death of a young woman. It's included for its courtroom drama intertwined with horror elements and its basis on the real-life case of Anneliese Michel.

Fact: The film was inspired by the true story of Anneliese Michel, whose exorcism and subsequent death in 1976 caused a legal and ethical debate in Germany.

Description: A skeptical seminary student travels to Italy to study exorcism and encounters real demonic possession, challenging his faith and beliefs. This film is included for its contemporary take on the exorcism theme and its basis in real-life events.

Fact: The film is loosely based on the book "The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist" by Matt Baglio, which recounts the experiences of Father Gary Thomas.

Description: A disillusioned evangelical minister agrees to let a documentary crew film his final exorcism, only to find himself confronting real evil. This film makes the list for its found-footage style and the exploration of faith through a different lens.

Fact: The film was shot in a mockumentary style, giving it a raw, realistic feel, and it was followed by a sequel, "The Last Exorcism Part II."

Description: A young woman becomes possessed by a demon, leading to a Vatican-led exorcism. This film is part of the list for its focus on the Vatican's involvement in exorcism practices.

Fact: The film was produced by Lionsgate and was initially set to be released in 2014 but was delayed.

Description: A documentary-style film about a woman who investigates her mother's involvement in a triple homicide linked to demonic possession. It's included for its modern approach to the exorcism narrative.

Fact: The film ends with a notorious cliffhanger, directing viewers to a website for more information, which was a unique marketing strategy at the time.

Description: A New York police sergeant teams up with a priest to investigate a series of bizarre crimes linked to demonic possession. Its inclusion is due to the blend of police procedural with supernatural horror.

Fact: The film is inspired by the book "Beware the Night" by Ralph Sarchie, a former NYPD sergeant who claimed to have performed exorcisms.

Description: A morgue worker encounters the body of a young woman who was killed during an exorcism, only to find out that the demon within her is still alive. This film is included for its unique setting and the horror of dealing with the aftermath of an exorcism.

Fact: The film was originally titled "The Heretic" during production.

Description: A priest and a novitiate nun investigate the mysterious death of a nun in Romania, uncovering a malevolent force in the form of a demonic nun. It's part of this list for its direct connection to the "Conjuring" universe and its focus on religious horror.

Fact: The character of Valak, the demon nun, was first introduced in "The Conjuring 2" before getting its own standalone film.

Description: Detective Kinderman investigates a series of murders that seem to be connected to the demon Pazuzu from the original "Exorcist." This film is included for its continuation of the original story and its focus on a priest's legacy.

Fact: The film was directed by William Peter Blatty, who wrote the novel "The Exorcist" and the screenplay for the original film.