The Exorcist (1973)

Kernel Score: 88% · 8,503 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Horror

Released: 1973-12-26

Runtime: 122 minutes

Is The Exorcist worth watching?

Must-watch. The reference point for possession horror: a family drama first, then a very frightening one. It's slow to start and shocking when it arrives, and it still works on audiences today.

Watch it if you

  • want horror built on dread, not jump scares
  • like serious, adult-oriented horror
  • care about horror history

Skip it if you

  • dislike disturbing imagery or religious horror
  • get easily frightened

Best for: Solo night in

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch The Exorcist

  • Stream: HBO Max
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

When a mysterious entity possesses a young girl, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.

The Exorcist parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that this landmark religious horror film about the demonic possession of a young girl is intensely disturbing and macabre.

  • Violence & scariness: Strong — The film is defined by supernatural horror, demonic possession of a child, and macabre, unsettling imagery that reviews call shocking and eerie.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like The Exorcist

If you liked The Exorcist, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • The Omen (1976) — 84%: Another 1970s supernatural horror with religious dread.
  • Rosemary's Baby (1968) — 88%: 1960s classic about evil entering ordinary life.
  • The Conjuring (2013) — 90%: Modern haunted-house story with real tension.
  • The Innocents (1961) — 84%: Slow, creepy ghost story from the classic era.
  • The Wailing (2016) — 83%: Dark, eerie possession story with a slow build.
  • The Shining (1980) — 95%: Atmospheric horror about a family unravelling.

Director

William Friedkin

Cast

  • Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil
  • Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil
  • Jason Miller as Father Damien Karras
  • Max von Sydow as Father Lankester Merrin
  • Lee J. Cobb as Lt. Bill Kinderman
  • William O'Malley as Father Joseph Kevin Dyer
  • Kitty Winn as Sharon Spencer
  • Barton Heyman as Dr. Klein
  • Peter Masterson as Dr. Barringer
  • Jack MacGowran as Burke Dennings

The Exorcist FAQ

Is The Exorcist worth watching?

Must-watch. The reference point for possession horror: a family drama first, then a very frightening one. It's slow to start and shocking when it arrives, and it still works on audiences today.

Where can I watch The Exorcist?

In the US you can stream The Exorcist on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is The Exorcist OK for kids?

The Exorcist is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this landmark religious horror film about the demonic possession of a young girl is intensely disturbing and macabre.

What movies are like The Exorcist?

If you liked The Exorcist, try The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, The Conjuring and The Innocents.