Summary
- Classic demonic possession movies continue to be popular, showcasing a timeless terror that still haunts audiences today.
- Unique takes on demonic possession, like those in Luz and The Possession, offer fresh and exciting spins on the genre formula.
- The best demonic movies, from classics like The Exorcist to modern hits like The Conjuring, are essential for any horror fan's viewing list.
Demonic possession has captured the imaginations of filmmakers for decades, and the best demonic movies have terrified audiences for just as long. Movies about demonic possession have been scaring viewers as far back as the silent era in the early 20th century, with The Student of Prague one of the earliest efforts in 1913. Possession still feature heavily in modern horror, there remains a huge audience for demonic movies. Dipping into the realm of the dark spirits is just as exciting as it is intimidating, and there are a plethora of the best demon movies to choose from.
The best demonic movies are often the ones that take unique approaches to the formula. However, classic takes on demonic possession still continue to do serious business at the box office in modern times. New or old, whether it's Evil Dead Rise or The Exorcist, possession movies can be found on some of the biggest streaming platforms available to subscribers and some are even available for free for more casual viewers. The cream of the crop should be considered essential viewing for any horror fan.
The 10 Most Malevolent Demonic Possessions In Movies
From Pazuzu in The Exorcist to Valek in The Conjuring, here are 10 of the most twisted demonic possessions portrayed in horror movie history.25 Luz (2018)
A Demon Hunts A Woman Who Conjured It As A Child
Luz (2018)
- Director
- Tilman Singer
- Release Date
- February 20, 2018
- Cast
- Luana Velis , Jan Bluthardt , Julia Riedler , Nadja Stübiger , Johannes Benecke , Lilli Lorenz
- Runtime
- 70 minutes
Tilman Singer's 2018 directorial debut Luz follows the titular cab driver as she finds herself being mysteriously questioned in a police station after a car crash. That leads to a night filled with supernatural terror. It's soon revealed that a demon is hunting Luz after she recklessly conjured it in her youth while staying at a religious school. It possesses new bodies as it attempts to get closer to her, and it all starts when the demon possesses a doctor attempting to hypnotize her. The horrors only get worse from there.
The German horror movie is a hypnotic mind-bender that takes a fresh approach to the subgenre.
The German horror movie is a hypnotic mind-bender that takes a fresh approach to the subgenre. Luz is most notable for its unconventional narrative structure, and as it was shot on 16mm film, the movie is grainy and adds to the dread. Between the non-linear way Luz unfolds, the gritty-looking aesthetic, and the intentionally slow pace, Luz is a tense and exhausting demonic possession movie. Critics loved the movie, giving it an 87% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
24 The Possession (2012)
A Demonic Movie Based On The Dybbuk Box
The Possession (2012)
The Possession is a Horror film released in 2012 and written by Juliet Snowden and Stiles White. The supernaturally-themed movie was directed by Ole Bornedal and stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick. The plot sees a family and their young daughter become victims to a strange force that seems tied to an old box.
The vast majority of the best demonic possession movies stem from Christian beliefs or practices, particularly within Catholicism. However, The Possession takes a slightly different approach and centers around a dybbuk box from Jewish mythology. After a young girl comes into possession of the box, she's slowly taken over by the malicious spirit residing within it, as it preys upon the drama of her family life instigated by the difficult relationship between her parents. The story is based on a 2004 New York Times article (via Shock Till You Drop).
Jeffrey Dean Morgan leads the movie with a much more vulnerable character than he's generally used to.
The use of Jewish folklore makes The Possession feel truly unique when it comes to demonic possession movies, and it has some of the most terrifying jump scares in the genre. Jeffrey Dean Morgan leads the movie with a much more vulnerable character than he's generally used to. His performance, along with some flourishes from producers, Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert, helped it become one of the more standout PG-13 horror movies of recent years.