Of all the different types of horror movies out there, those that focus on demonic possession have proven continually popular over the years. Regardless of whether one believes in the supernatural, the idea of a demonic entity or some kind of spirit entering one's body is a frightening one. This kind of horror works because losing control of oneself is inherently scary, and when it's a demon doing the possessing, chances are their reasons for taking control aren't going to help the person in question.

Demonic possession movies are also notable for being popular throughout the world, with this kind of horror being mixed with various cultures and folklore, which keeps such films interesting and not feeling stale. It also shows that the idea of being possessed is an unsettling one on a global scale, with the following best possession movies - ranked below from worst to best - demonstrating the various ways this kind of supernatural terror has been portrayed in cinema. Possession horror movies and films about exorcisms aren't going out of style anytime soon, and anytime is the perfect time to dive into some of the best ones.

25 'The Last Exorcism' (2010)

Directed by Daniel Stamm

It may be called The Last Exorcism, but this 2010 horror film is far from the last exorcism-related movie, because the formula such films follow is just too reliable. It can't even be called the last of the movies called The Last Exorcism either, seeing as in 2013, it got a sequel with the somewhat amusing title of The Last Exorcism Part II.

It's a solid enough exorcism-themed movie for those who like that kind of thing, and does manage to stand out through also being a found footage horror movie. In the end, two popular sub-genres of horror combine here to make something pretty decent overall.

24 'Noroi: The Curse' (2005)

Directed by Kōji Shiraishi

Kōji Shiraishi is a Japanese director who specializes in making horror movies, and he combined horror with crime to great effect in the underrated and very unsettling A Record of Sweet Murder. 2005's Noroi: The Curse is perhaps his most famous movie, though, and something of a modern J-horror classic (known among the best demon movies ever made).

It's about a mysterious demon called the "kagutaba," and follows a documentary filmmaker as he sets out to explore numerous cases linked to this alleged entity. It's less about delivering a strict plot and more about bombarding the viewer with various unsettling scenes that are shown in a found footage style, ultimately making things feel a little more tangible and effectively skin-crawling.

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23 'The Medium' (2021)

Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun

Though South Korean horror films might not be as popular as J-horror, it's certainly become more recognized in recent years. 2021's The Medium half-qualifies, because it was a Thai and South Korean co-production, but the film is set in Thailand and features Thai dialogue.

It's another possession movie that incorporates a mockumentary/found footage style (they don't all do this, by the way!), following a family that has one member of every generation inherit shaman powers through a spirit that enters their body. Complications arise, however, when a young girl in the family finds herself negatively impacted by such a spirit, leading to everyone else needing to find out how they can rid her body of the negative influence. It uses well-worn tropes in a unique setting and with less well-known mythology behind it, ensuring The Medium still has plenty to offer for horror veterans.

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22 'Fallen' (1998)

Directed by Gregory Hoblit

Fallen is the rare movie about possession that isn't fully definable as one that belongs to the horror genre, with it being more of a particularly dark crime/thriller. It follows a homicide detective who notices a series of killings similar to those committed by a notorious serial murderer... who was shown being executed at the start of the film.

Things take a turn towards the supernatural, but the idea that others might have been possessed by the spirit of a killer isn't played for horror as much as you'd expect. Still, this at least gives Fallen a chance to stand out from the crowd, and it's also worth checking out for the strength of its cast, which includes Denzel Washington, John Goodman, and James Gandolfini.

21 'Demons' (1985)

Directed by Lamberto Bava

The 1980s housed too many iconic horror movies to count, and that can lead to something with a title as generic as Demons potentially slipping under the radar. The film is similarly simple, but in no way can the execution be called generic, because Demons is a blast to watch, making up for a lack of scares by just being super entertaining.

It's an Italian film about various people who get invited to a cinema to watch a strange new horror movie, only for something among them to begin attacking and possessing the viewers one by one. Most of it takes place inside the cinema, and the unique setting is creatively used throughout, making for a no-nonsense and wonderfully over-the-top viewing experience.

20 'House' (1977)

Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi

A cult classic that ranks among 1977's best films, House is a loopy and unpredictable movie like no other out there. At its core, it is a haunted house movie about a group of young people who get possessed by some strange force within said house after they go to stay in it, but it's the style and presentation that makes it distinct.

House has its own strange logic or lack thereof, and ends up feeling more like an absurd/surreal comedy with a few light horror elements, rather than something that'll keep viewers up all night in fright. But there's nothing wrong with that for those who like horror mixed with comedy, and when it comes to films that blend those two genres, few have as much fun doing so as House does.

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19 'Jennifer's Body' (2009)

Directed Karyn Kusama

While Jennifer's Body wasn't exactly a well-reviewed movie when it first came out, viewers in more recent years have been kinder to it, and its critical reputation has improved dramatically. Maybe there was just an inherent negativity on the part of many towards Megan Fox, but she turns in a genuinely good performance here as the titular Jennifer.

It's set in high school, and follows two friends who find themselves at odds after one of them begins behaving quite strangely, showing signs that she's possibly been possessed. It mixes comedy and horror, ultimately prioritizing the former, but still provides a good deal of effective horror scenes and a final act that has some surprising emotional depth to it.

18 'Evil Dead II' (1987)

Directed by Sam Raimi

Upping the mayhem found in the first film, and giving everything a decidedly more comedic spin, Evil Dead II would have to be one of the greatest horror sequels in history. In a way, it also serves as a semi-remake of the 1981 original, beginning by recapping that first film and then subsequently having a narrative with many similar sequences and story beats.

It's as much of a remix as a sequel, and that's one of the things that makes it such a deservedly beloved 1980s comedy/horror movie. Like the first (and the other Evil Dead movies that followed it), it's also a great example of possession horror, given Ash Williams has to continue battling other people who've been taken over by an evil (and sometimes quite mischievous) demonic entity.

17 'The Exorcist III' (1990)

Directed by William Peter Blatty

The third movie in the Exorcist series, The Exorcist III was released 17 years after the iconic original, and 13 years after the less beloved Exorcist II: The Heretic. According to most horror fans, the former is essential and the latter is skippable, but The Exorcist III makes for a surprisingly good follow-up.

It's notable for being directed by William Peter Blatty, who wrote the novel the original film was based on and also adapted it into a screenplay. It's not a direct sequel, but works well as an extension of some of the ideas/themes explored in that first film, and overall makes for a strong threequel that's held in high regard, even though it's not viewed as a movie that quite equals the original.

16 'Sinister' (2012)

Directed by Scott Derrickson

Demonic possession movies have proven particularly popular within the last decade or two, and Sinister reflects that, as one of the best-known of the 2010s. It's not a found footage movie, but follows a true-crime novelist who views "found footage" while trying to piece together the details of a grisly crime that occurred in his house.

His investigation ends up getting him on the wrong side of a demonic entity, and then he and his family end up getting into serious danger. It's a compelling film from director Scott Derrickson, who's since gone on to direct the first Doctor Strange (not a horror movie) and The Black Phone (which is a horror movie, but not one that's heavy on possession elements).