5. The Exorcist (1973)
Directed by William Friedkin
Starring Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran, Jason Miller
When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
Mark Kermode’s favourite movie of all time has only come in at number five on our list, but that shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing.
What is there to say about The Exorcist that hasn’t been said already? Fantastic performances, chilling atmosphere and a beautiful story of a priest who has lost his faith, The Exorcist is a horror movie like no other and really highlights what is done wrong with many modern possession movies.
And – THAT FACE.
Like every other movie on this list (bar one), The Exorcist had several sequels with only the second movie, The Exorcist Part II: The Heretic being worthy of note – just for how barmy it is! Don’t believe us? Watch the trailer below:
Originally published October 31, 2014. Updated October 24, 2022.
