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The Ultimate Guide to the Exorcist Movies
Everett Collection / Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Spooky season is upon us, and it’s the perfect time to revisit all of your favorite horror-film series. One of the best horror films of all time is, of course, the classic film “The Exorcist.” The film, which was adapted from the novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty, is the story of a demonic possession of a young girl and her mother’s determination to save her with the help of two Catholic priests.
“The Exorcist” went on to become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring several exorcism-focused films and becoming a staple for horror-movie lovers. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1974 and was the first horror movie to be nominated for best picture. The film ended up winning the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay and best sound. With its success, “The Exorcist” became a full movie series and is being rebooted this year. The film “The Exorcist: Believer” is a direct sequel to the 1973 film and premieres in theaters on Oct. 6.
Ahead of the new film, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about the Exorcist movies.
How Many Exorcist Movies Are There?
There are currently five films in the Exorcist series. The series so far includes the original trilogy that came out in 1973, 1977, and 1990 and the two prequel films that came out in 2004 and 2005. The series will be rebooted this year with the release of “The Exorcist: Believer,” a direct sequel to the 1973 film.
The Exorcist Movies in Order
- “The Exorcist” (1973)
- “Exorcist II: The Heretic” (1977)
- “The Exorcist III” (1990)
- “Exorcist: The Beginning” (2004)
- “Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist” (2005)
- “The Exorcist: Believer” (2023)
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Exorcist" (1973)
The first film in the trilogy follows 12-year-old Regan MacNeil, whose behavior becomes erratic and violent after she’s possessed by the evil demon Pazuzu. Rachel’s mother, Chris, reaches out to priests, who perform an exorcism on Regan in order to extract Pazuzu and save her life.
Warner Bros. / Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Exorcist II: The Heretic" (1977)
The sequel follows Regan four years after her possession in “The Exorcist,” where she is living a fairly normal life in New York while being monitored by Dr. Gene Tusking, a specialist who works with troubled children. Dr. Tusking invents a device that is used to hypnotize Regan and link her mind with one of the priests who helped save her in the previous film. Through the device, they find out that the demon is still a part of Regan and wants to return to wreak more chaos.
©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Exorcist III" (1990)
Fifteen years after the events of the first Exorcist film, Lieutenant Kinderman investigates a string of murders that take place in Georgetown that are similar to those of the Gemini Killer, who was seemingly eradicated 17 years prior. In a psychiatric hospital in the city, a mysterious inmate emerges and claims he would be able to help the lieutenant solve the murders, which may have something to do with the demon that possessed Regan years prior.
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Exorcist: The Beginning" (2004)
“Exorcist: The Beginning” is a prequel in the Exorcism series. The film follows the story of Father Merrin, one of the priests who helped save Regan MacNeil. Merrin struggles with his faith after the events of World War II. He heads to a Kenyan village to excavate a fifth-century church to locate an ancient relic. Meanwhile, evil forces threaten the village and force Merrin to reevaluate his fate.
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist" (2005)
“Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist” is the alternative prequel to “The Exorcist” and has the same premise as “Exorcist: The Beginning.” Before filming “Exorcist: The Beginning,” John Frankenheimer was set to direct the prequel. However, Frankenheimer withdrew from the movie and was replaced with director Paul Schrader, who directed “Exorcist: The Beginning.”
Warner Bros. / Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Exorcist: Believer" (2023)
“The Exorcist: Believer” is a direct sequel to “The Exorcist.” The film follows Victor Fielding, who is raising his daughter, Angela, on his own. After Angela and her friend Katherine go missing in a forest and return three days later, an evil is unleashed that forces Victor to seek out Chris MacNeil, the only person who witnessed the horrors previously with her daughter, Regan.