All The Exorcist movies & TV shows, ranked

William Peter Blatty’s novel, the Exorcist, creating one of the most iconic but divisive horror franchises in media history. With the first film released in 1973, director William Friedkin’s shocking phenomenon set a high bar for its numerous sequels, prequels, and reboots.

And now, 2018’s Halloween Director David Gordon Green has released his latest horror sequel, Exorcist: Believer, which is meant to lead to another Exorcist trilogy. So with another dark chapter in the books, here’s a list of every movie and TV show in the franchise, ranked from worst to best.

7. Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

After the massive success of the first film, a sequel seemed almost inevitable. Directed by Sir John Boorman (Freedom, Excalibur, heretic Takes a more spiritual approach than its predecessor by using science to uncover Regan’s buried trauma, revealing that she has psychic healing abilities that attract the demon Pazuzu.

Despite its ambitious script, capable cast, acclaimed director, and brilliant score, the sequel disappointed many audiences and has been considered one of the worst films ever made. The story goes in several different directions, and with its strange acting and special effects, this second film has diluted the legacy left by the first film, and to no one’s surprise, it is now widely considered part of the franchise’s canon. has been completely ignored.

6. Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)

The production history of this prequel film is complex. When the original cut was deemed not scary enough for theatrical release, the studio ordered re-shoots, ultimately resulting in a completely different film with a new director.

The original premise shows a young Father Merrin as he first meets Pazuzu while visiting an undiscovered temple in Africa. As per the studio’s demand, the film tries to satisfy fans by retconning elements from the original, only to present another horrifying case of possession with unrealistic CGI.

5. Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist (2005)

director Taxi driver According to writer Paul Schrader, Stellan Skarsgård’s cut of the prequel was better received than the film released in theaters. With several differences in the plot, the film is a slow-burning, psychological horror film that focuses more on Merrin’s struggle with his faith after his experiences in World War II.

Even though this version is considered superior, it did not receive much praise, as it contains the same religious and philosophical insights seen in Friedkin’s film, but lacks the shocking energy that made the latter so popular.

4. The Exorcist: Believer (2023)

After two young girls disappear into the woods, they return three days later possessed by a demon, forcing their parents to seek the help of Chris McNeil. Although it contains several callbacks to the first film, this reboot fails to reach the same horrifying heights of its predecessor, taking a more staid approach to its horror without delivering much of the shock.

It tries to do too much in one movie, adding too many new characters while sidelining Chris after a few scenes. But if there’s anything good about this movie, it’s that it takes its time, and hopefully that buildup will lead to a better sequel.

3. The Exorcist III (1990)

Directed by William Peter Blatty himself, this sequel follows Lieutenant Kinderman as he investigates the satanic murders committed by a serial killer who was killed on the night of Father Karras’ death.

The exorcism shown in the film’s climax may have hurt the film, but overall, it succeeds in presenting a disturbing and suspenseful horror film that features perhaps the greatest horror ever seen in cinema. Fear of jumping. Additionally, Brad Dourif delivers one of the most horrifying and underrated performances in film history as the Gemini Killer.

2. Ojha (2016-2017)

If David Gordon Green’s sequels ever felt unnecessary, it’s probably because this series Moon Knight Showrunner Jeremy Slater. In it, Father Tomas and Marcus are called to exorcize a demon from a young woman named Casey, who is revealed to be the daughter of an adult Regan McNeil (now played by Geena Davis).

This truly horror show succeeds in respecting and expanding on the original story while adding some new things to the franchise. Furthermore, its second season still remained strong as it focused on both priests in completely different occupation cases. Thus, it seems like this series is better off being a reboot, and it’s a shame that it was canceled so soon.

1. Ojha (1973)

Yes, everyone saw this coming, right? With shocking images of a 12-year-old girl vomiting green bile, uttering obscenities that would make Lenny Bruce blush, and being attacked by impaling herself, the original film has deeply ingrained itself in the minds of audiences around the world. Has burnt since.

Meanwhile, the improved, extended cut, released in 2000, stays true to Blatty’s novel by including Regan’s infamous “spider walk”, Merrin’s theory about why the demon decided to possess Regan, and finally Father. Dyer and Lieutenant Kinderman became friends. And the movie isn’t just scary; It’s a thoughtful and well-acted story about finding faith in the darkest of places, and no other possession film has matched it since.