The top three films in the ranking we could read are The Exorcist (1973), Possession (1981), and Hereditary (2018). The list is attributed to Collider and is titled as a 35-film ranking, but the copy available for this guide shows only its first 25 entries. This guide therefore covers those 25 films and does not present a complete 35-film order. The ordering also reflects one publication’s ranking, not a consensus among critics or an objective measure of quality.
The top three
1. The Exorcist (1973)
William Friedkin directed this 1973 film, which stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, and Linda Blair. Its premise is a mysterious entity taking possession of a young girl. It is the clearest example of the subgenre at the top of the list, and it is the entry where the connection to explicit possession is most direct.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Jennifer's Body | $13.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Gothic Horror Stories: Frightful Tales of the Supernatural (Arcturus Gilded Classics) | $22.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Possession: Sinister Season | $2.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
The Exorcist | Buy on Amazon | |
| 5 |
|
Magic The Gathering - Oni Possession - Duel Decks: Divine vs Demonic | $35.96 | Buy on Amazon |
2. Possession (1981)
The ranking places this 1981 film second. The entry gives only the title and year, so check its plot before assuming how its supernatural threat works, particularly whether a character is taken over bodily.
3. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is the third entry and the most recent of the top three. As with Possession, the ranking gives no synopsis, so verify the plot before you decide how closely it fits the possession category.
#1 Best Overall
- Factory sealed DVD
Entries 4 to 25
The following films complete the ranking as far as it could be read, in the order the source gives them.
- The Evil Dead (1981)
- Paranormal Activity (2007)
- The Witch (2015)
- The Conjuring (2013)
- The Wailing (2016)
- The Amityville Horror (1979)
- Black Sunday (1960)
- Pulse (2001)
- Prince of Darkness (1987)
- Insidious (2010)
- Ju-on: The Grudge (2002)
- Drag Me to Hell (2009)
- Sinister (2012)
- The Exorcist III (1990)
- Evil Dead II (1987)
- Jennifer’s Body (2009)
- House (1977)
- Demons (1985)
- Fallen (1998)
- The Medium (2021)
- Noroi (2005)
- The Last Exorcism (2010)
Possession or broader supernatural horror?
Many films on any list of this kind sit near the possession category without being strictly about it. Before you treat a title as a possession film, check it against these questions:
- Is a person taken over? An explicit possession story shows a character’s body or behavior controlled by an entity.
- Is there an exorcism or ritual? Exorcism-centred films are a narrower group than films with a demonic presence.
- Is the threat attached to a place, object, or curse? Haunting, cursed-object, and curse stories can be frightening without a possession plot.
- How is it shot? Found-footage films and conventionally shot films often present the same threat in very different ways.
- Is it a sequel or franchise entry? Several titles here belong to series, so a later instalment may focus on a different threat from the original.
Applying these tests to the list shows the range it covers. Some titles are built around possession and exorcism, while others are mainly haunting or curse films. Reading a synopsis before you start will tell you which kind of film you are about to watch.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Finding and watching these films
- Physical copies: To look for a home-video edition of The Exorcist, search for “The Exorcist (1973) Blu-ray”. Check the region code, edition, and current availability before buying, because this guide does not verify any particular release or price.
- Streaming: Availability changes often and is not verified here. Check your service’s current catalogue for each title.
- Ratings: Review scores change over time, so check them on the live pages of the review sites you use rather than relying on figures printed in any article.
If you want the most direct possession story, begin with The Exorcist. If you prefer films where the threat is less bodily, start with the entries in the list that you can confirm are haunting or curse stories.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A single individual card from the Magic: the Gathering (MTG) trading and collectible card game (TCG/CCG).
- This is of Uncommon rarity.
- From the Duel Decks: Divine vs Demonic set.
Rank #4
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
