When it comes to supernatural horror movies, The Exorcist (1973) remains one of the most seminal works. Though we have come a long way from the use of jumpscares to induce fear, the movie, which spawned sequels and reboots, has a special place in the hearts of horror fans. Thus, when one looks at Russell Crowe-starrer The Exorcism, one is transported to The Exorcist. Not just because of the horror connection but also because the director of The Exorcism, Joshua John Miller, is the son of late actor Jason Miller, who played the iconic character of Father Damien Karras in The Exorcist. While the possession of the little girl from the old movie is etched in our minds, the new movie sees an actor in the clutches of an evil entity. And, if you are up for some nightmarish fun, the following movies about scary possessions should be on your radar, especially if you liked The Exorcism. We have excluded iconic movies like Bhoot, Raat, The Conjuring, Evil Dead, and The Exorcist to the well curated list of scariest horror movies.
1. Pari – Amazon Prime Video
Headlined by Anushka Sharma, this Indian horror movie delves into themes of demonic possession, dark secrets, and supernatural occurrences. The story revolves around Arnab, a kind-hearted man who encounters Rukhsana, a mysterious and scarred young woman played by Sharma, after a tragic accident. As Arnab takes Rukhsana into his home, he soon discovers that she is not just a victim of unfortunate circ*mstances but is connected to a sinister cult with dark, supernatural undertones. The movie masterfully blends folklore and horror, creating an unsettling atmosphere that keeps you on edge.
2. The Possession (2012) – Amazon Prime Video
This chilling movie, which brings to screen a terrifying demonic possession, is inspired by true events, adding an extra layer of horror to its narrative. The story revolves around a young girl Em Brenek (Natasha Calis), who buys an antique wooden box at a yard sale. Unbeknownst to her and her family, the box contains a malevolent spirit known as a dybbuk, a demon from Jewish folklore that possesses and consumes the soul of its host. Em’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and finally culminates in her being possessed by the demon. To save her life, her father Clyde (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), seeks the help of a Jewish exorcist to perform a ritual to expel the dybbuk from Em’s body. The unsettling scenes and the eerie atmosphere add more horror to the narrative.
3. The Amityville Horror (2005) – Amazon Prime Video
This chilling remake of the 1979 horror classic, reimagines the true story of a family’s terrifying ordeal in the infamous haunted house Amityville. The movie follows the Lutz family — George (Ryan Reynolds), Kathy (Melissa George), and their three children — who move into Amityville. The family, however, is unaware of the house’s dark history: it was the site of a gruesome mass murder committed by Ronald DeFeo Jr., who claimed he was asked to kill his family by demonic voices. Shortly after moving in, the Lutz family begins to experience terrifying occurrences. George, in particular, becomes violent, influenced by the evil forces within the house. As the supernatural events escalate, Kathy seeks help to fight the evil entity threatening her family and husband. The movie captures the essence of the original while offering intense scares and updated special effects.
4. Smile – Netflix
Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), a psychiatrist, begins to experience disturbing occurrences after witnessing a bizarre incident involving one of her patients, who dies while wearing a terrifyingly unnatural smile. These events include visions of people smiling strangely at her, adding to her sense of paranoia and fear. As Rose’s encounters with these smiling apparitions intensify, she learns that she is a target of a sinister entity that spreads trauma and fear to possess the host. Determined to break the chain, Rose frantically tries to uncover the origins of this curse and find a way to stop it before it consumes her. The movie stands out for its innovative use of a simple, everyday gesture — smiling — to create a haunting atmosphere. With its haunting visuals, tense narrative, and unique take on the horror genre, the movie grips you in a chilling tale that leaves a lasting impact.
5. Hereditary – Amazon Prime Video
The movie blends an emotional narrative with elements of occult horror, to create a scary viewing experience. The story follows the Graham family, who are mourning the death of their grandmother, Ellen. Annie Graham (Toni Collette), Ellen’s daughter, is a miniature artist who lives with her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne), their teenage son Peter (Alex Wolff), and young daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro). As the family discovers Ellen’s dark past, they experience a series of horrifying events. Soon, Charlie begins to exhibit strange and unsettling behaviour. Terror heightens when the supernatural occurrences escalate testing familial bonds. The movie is a masterclass in psychological horror and induces enough fear to give viewers sleepless nights after watching it.
6. Talk to Me – Amazon Prime Video
The movie offers a fresh take on possession and the consequences of dabbling with the supernatural. The plot follows a group of friends who discover a new way to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand. The group becomes fascinated with the eerie ability to communicate with the dead and hold séance-like gatherings for the thrill of it. When they grasp the hand and utter the words “Talk to me,” they invite a spirit into their world and experience the otherworldly in a shocking manner. Mia (Sophie Wilde), becomes obsessed with the hand after a devastating personal loss and seeks answers from beyond. However, their playful interaction with the spirits soon turns dangerous.
7. 1920: Evil Returns – Amazon Prime Video
This Indian supernatural horror thriller is a spiritual sequel to the terrifying 2008 release, 1920, and is known for its blend of supernatural elements and Gothic horror. The story centres around Jaidev Verma (Aftab Shivdasani), a poet whose life changes when he meets Smruti (Tia Bajpai), who has lost her memories following an accident. Jaidev lets Smruti stay in his house and the latter starts exhibiting disturbing behaviour – including throwing up blood. When Smruti becomes fully possessed by an evil spirit which seeks to destroy both their lives. Jaidev then learns that he has a past connection with the malevolent force and sets out to save Smruti. The movie does a good job of meeting the expectations set by the first movie while carving its own niche in supernatural storytelling.
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