The Exorcist

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The Exorcist

R

1973

2h 2m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

178 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job.

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Critics Consensus

The Exorcist rides its supernatural theme to magical effect, with remarkable special effects and an eerie atmosphere, resulting in one of the scariest films of all time.

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

Dec 12, 2024

5/5

It remains genuinely unnerving to this day -- ridiculous in places, faintly despicable in others, but gorgeous to look at and possessed with a sense of absolute, ruthless gravity.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

Oct 6, 2023

Perhaps the most influential American horror movie ever made, The Exorcist was a Rorschach test when it came out. Fifty years later, it still sticks with us.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Sep 30, 2023

The scariest movie ever made...

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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 18, 2025

10/10

Some of the themes and scenes from this movie are still genuinely disturbing nearly 50 years after it’s release. It deals with a lot of conscience and subconscious fears about life, reality, and little girls.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Jul 9, 2024

5/5

The macabre, obscene demonstrations of manifest evil still retain their power to startle and nauseate, particularly Linda Blair's "head-turning" antics as the possessed child.

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James Baldwin

The Devil Finds Work

May 1, 2024

The mindless and hysterical banality of the evil presented in The Exorcist is the most terrifying thing about the film. The Americans should certainly know more about evil than that; if they pretend otherwise, they are lying.

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Ari

Jun 20, 2026

Classic for a reason

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Brandon N

Oct 19, 2025

Well paced and expertly built. Not just a horror film, but a story of faith, humanity, the will of man, and mental anguish.

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Hayley

Oct 19, 2025

I loved it! Please release this more often so I can take my dad!!!! The theatre was packed! Scariest movie of all time!

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Steven M

Oct 31, 2024

Still freaks you out decades later.

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Bryan D

Oct 31, 2024

The Exorcist is a timeless horror film that still captivates and scares today after 50 years , recommend highly.

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Gabriel W

Oct 27, 2024

Best Horror movie of all time!!

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William Friedkin

Director

Ellen Burstyn

Chris MacNeil

Linda Blair

Regan Teresa MacNeil

Max von Sydow

Father Lankester Merrin

Lee J. Cobb

Lieutenant William Kinderman

Kitty Winn

Sharon Spencer

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10%

13%

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Synopsis

One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job.

Director: William Friedkin
Producer: William Peter Blatty
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Hoya Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 26, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $441.4M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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