The Exorcist (1973) Horror

Rated R | Threatrical Dec 26, 1973 (US) | Genres Horror | Runtime 2h 02m
The Exorcist (1973) Horror Poster

The Exorcist Plot Synopsis:

A visiting actress in Washington, D.C., notices dramatic and dangerous changes in the behavior and physical make-up of her 12-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, a young priest at nearby Georgetown University begins to doubt his faith while dealing with his mother's terminal sickness. And, book-ending the story, a frail, elderly priest recognizes the necessity for a show-down with an old demonic enemy.


Synopsis / Plot Summary: When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.

Tagline: The movie you"ve been waiting for...without the wait.

What is the name of the horror movie released on Boxing Day in 1973? The Exorcist opened in movie theaters on Boxing Day of 1973, also called the day when the Devil possessed the box office.

Why Watch The Exorcist

The Exorcist from '73, ever seen it? It’s a classic. This girl, Regan, played by Linda Blair, starts acting super strange, and it turns out she’s possessed. Her mom’s freaked out, obviously, and they end up calling in these priests to try and handle it. The whole thing is set in Georgetown, and it’s got this super spooky vibe.

The way Regan changes and the stuff she does? Totally creepy. Linda Blair was amazing in it – she made the whole possessed thing feel real and super unsettling. And the special effects, for the time, were mind-blowing.

What’s wild about "The Exorcist" is it’s not just your typical horror flick. It’s really intense, and the whole possession thing is done in a way that’s kind of disturbing but really gripping. Plus, the whole battle between good and evil, faith and doubt, is super interesting.

I think it’s a must-watch because it’s not just about scaring you; it’s got this depth to it. It’s a bit heavy, sure, but it’s also super iconic in the horror genre.

So, if you're in the mood for a horror movie that’s got some real chills and a story that sticks with you, "The Exorcist" is the way to go. Just maybe not the best pick for a light, easy watch – it's pretty intense!

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Official Trailer

  • The Exorcist Official Trailer

The Exorcist Movie Information:

Type: Movie
Year: 1973 (more 1973 movies)
MPAA Rating: R
Runtime: 122 minutes /
Genres:  Horror
Sub-Genres:  Demons
Horror Subgenres:  Cult Classic, Exorcisms, Religion
Directors: William Friedkin
Stars: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran … (cast list)
Release Date: Theatrical Release Date Dec 26, 1973
Box Office: $233,005,644
Oscars: 2
Awards: 16
Nominations: 21

What is The Exorcist Streaming On?

The Exorcist is Streaming on Netflix, HBO Max
Language: English, Latin, Greek, French, German, Arabic
Country: United States
Release Dates: Movie Release Dates / The Exorcist Release Dates In Theaters: Dec 26, 1973, Netflix: Feb 01, 2022
Writers: William Peter Blatty
Producers: William Peter Blatty, Noel Marshall, David Salven
Cinematographers: Owen Roizman

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Check out more movies that start with T and movies from 1973. The Exorcist is part of the demon movies sub-genre(s), check out more movies like The Exorcist.

Check out movie quotes for The Exorcist here.

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