One of the biggest reasonshorrorhas become so popular is the fear of the unknown. From the earliest days of literature, demon and ghost stories have ignited the imagination and fear of any who dared partake. This carried over into the world of film, as one of the most prolific subgenres of horror is tales involving possession.
Whether cautionary tales or supposedlybased on true stories, these movies are a dime a dozen. The thing is, there is a reason they are so popular. People love a good possession, and here are some of the most chilling and unnerving the genre has to offer. While slasher movies might have been the dominant form of horror in the 1980s and torture porn was the go-to genre in the 2000s, a recent resurgence in demonic possession movies has taken hold in the late 2000s and 2010s. Here are the scariest movies about demonic possession, ranked.
Update June 03, 2025: This article has been updated with even more great movies about demonic possessions that are worth checking out, and where each title can be streamed.
15The Amityville Horror (2005)
It is rare when aremake stands out above the original, and this is the case with 2005’sThe Amityville Horrorremake. Both films are based on the 1977 true crime novel about the Lutz family’s supposed haunting. The Amityville house gained notoriety when Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his family one night in 1974. DeFeo claimed spirits told him to do so, and thus, the legend of Amityville was born. The film depicts the events of the Lutz family moving into the house where the tragedy took place. George Lutz (played chillingly by Ryan Reynolds) slowly loses his grip on reality until he finally gives into sanity and attempts to follow in Ronald DeFeo’s footsteps.
What’s Great AboutThe Amityville Horror
What makes this film so great is the inclusion of Reynolds. He begins the film as his typical screwball self, but gradually slips into madness and gives an admirably terrifying performance. Typically, a film that claims to be true is a marketing ploy, but the testimony by the Lutz family is divisive. Their haunting tale has many doubters, but let’s say they’re being honest for the sake of the film.Stream on Max
14Noroi: The Curse (2005)
The 2005 found footageJapanese horror pictureNoroi: The Cursetells the chilling tale of a paranormal researcher who seemingly vanishes after exploring the legend of a powerful ancient demon known as “kagutaba”, having investigated a series of possessions and mysterious phenomena before his eerie disappearance. The foreboding and uneasy atmosphere and disturbing footage makes the frightening flick all the more nerve-wracking, as audiences witness creepy clips including a ritual gone awry, demonic disembodied voices and slaughtered animals.
What’s Great AboutNoroi: The Curse
Noroi: The Cursesuperbly captures an unsettling ambiance that instantly puts you on edge, and the constantly building tension and sinister imagery only heighten the viewer’s paranoia. It has since been lauded as one of the greatest found footage films of all time. We won’t deny this as the film’s incredibly terrifying because of how organic and real it feels.Stream on AMC+
13House (1977)
Horror is known for exploring and blending many genres to give the viewers an unforgettable experience, andHousedid exactly that. This 1977 movie has become a cult classic for being one of the most unpredictable,mind-boggling pieces out therethat still has horror fans in a choke-hold. Although, interestingly, the horror element in the movie is quite light, and often it presents itself as a surreal, bizarre comedy even, it will keep people wondering what exactly happened long after the movie is finished.
What’s Great AboutHouse
At its core,Housetells a story of a group of youngsters who move to a strange mansion to live, only to get possessed by an entity living in that house. However, even though it might seem like just any other horror movie, its real charm lies in the strange pattern of logic it follows that gets hard to keep track of even while it keeps you hooked. A masterful blend of horror and comedy,Houseis a must-watch for fans of the genre.Stream on Max
12Paranormal Activity (2009)
Paranormal Activity
From 2009 to 2015, there was a newParanormal Activityfilm almost every year, save for 2013. With so many films, it is easy to dismiss this found-footageparanormal movie seriesas a cash grab that ran out of steam. While this may be the case, fans often forget that the first film was a genuinely chilling experience. Innovating the already dying found footage genre, the entire film is presented as an actually filmed account of a couple who encounter a demonic spirit who possesses… someone.
What’s Great AboutParanormal Activity
The film doesn’t even have studio logos, instead opening with “Paramount Pictures would like to thank the families of Micah Sloate & Katie Featherson and the San Diego Police Department,” further insinuating that this is the real deal. What makes thisParanormal Activitymovie so chilling is the fact the demon is never actually shown. Also, most people have had the fear that something otherworldly happens while they sleep, and this film taps into that fear.Stream on Max
11The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
A film that states right at the beginning the titular character dies doesn’t seem like it would be very suspenseful, butThe Exorcism of Emily Roseis an exception, following the trial of a priest who is accused of aiding in the death of the titular Emily Rose. The priest claims he was attempting to exorcise a demon, and it got the best of her. Most of the film is told in flashbacks and shows Emily as she gradually becomes worse and worse.
Related:The 20 Best Jump Scares in Horror History
What’s Great AboutThe Exorcism of Emily Rose
The movie is very loosely based on the real story of Anneliese Michel, who was supposedly possessed before dying.The Exorcism of Emily Roseis chilling and unnerving, as it never fully states if Emily was actually possessed or just suffering from an undiagnosed disorder. Even though audiences know the outcome, it is still a masterclass in fright and has managed to gain more fans with each passing year. This isone of the best religious horror filmsof all time.
Rent on Apple TV
10Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
Ouija: Origin of Evil
The Ouija Board has been a subject of many horror movies but didn’t become the star of one until 2014’sOuija. That film flopped pretty hard, and many people claim it is so bad it’s good. The prequel released two years later, however, is a different story.Ouija: Origin of Evilis a much better and scarier film by all accounts.
What’s Great AboutOuija: Origin of Evil
Modern horror maestro Mike Flanaganhelmed the project, and his genius shows. A young single mother runs a séance scam with her daughters. When they bring in a Ouija Board as a prop, the youngest daughter becomes possessed. In addition to being a genuinely creepy movie, film buffs will appreciate the fact the movie is shot to appear as if it was released in the ’60s, complete with classic studio logos and film reel cue marks.Stream on Netflix
9Ju-on: The Grudge (2002)
Ju-on, most famously known asThe Grudge,is one of those movies that has made its way into every horror fan’s watch list at some point. Hailed as one of thebest Japanese horrors, the movie follows the happenings in a strange house in Japan and the people who had the misfortune of stumbling into said house. What makes it even more intriguing is the movie is claimed to be adapted from real events, although obviously exaggerated and fictionalized.
What’s Great AboutJu-on: The Grudge
The movie weaves a chilling tale by enhancing subtleties instead of counting on jump scares, which is one of the reasons why it is still so popular even after more than 20 years of its release. In fact, theJu-onfranchise packs quite a few powerful pieces under its umbrella. Even the Netflix seriesJu-on: Origins,released in 2020, is actually pretty interesting in how it adds substance to the universe without appealing to a nostalgia-based entertainment element.Stream on The Roku Channel
8Insidious (2011)
A horror movie doesn’t need an R rating to be scary, and James Wan proved this withInsidious. TheInsidiousfranchisehas proven to be one of the best horror series of the modern age, but the first stands out. The film follows a family who discovers their new home is haunted in the most disturbing ways.
What’s Great AboutInsidious
Unlike most haunted house movies, the family moves as soon as they can. This proves to be fruitless, as the demonic entity has latched on to the youngest son and moves right along with them. The father (Patrick Wilson) must travel into his son’s mind while facing his own past along the way. This movie takes the cliché haunted house story and re-invents it. From smart characters to jump scares in broad daylight,Insidioustakes horror fans' expectations and flips them on their head.Stream on Netflix
7The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring
James Wan once again proves he knows how to do horror withThe Conjuring. Based on real case files of late paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film follows the couple as they investigate the haunting of the Perron family.The Conjuringunderstands what the key ingredient in any great horror film is—atmosphere.
What’s Great AboutThe Conjuring
It doesn’t rely on countless jump scares or relentless gore; it uses atmosphere and the characters to tell a chilling, scary, and supposedly true story. This film spawned a wholeConjuringmovie universe, most of which are fantastic in their own right. This film is the perfect cocktail of fright, with James Wan mixing it all together, and serving you high-concept horror on a silver platter.Stream on Max
