The chilling tale of The Exorcist unfolded in 1973, marking the release of what is often hailed as one of the scariest horror movies ever made. One of the pioneering films to explore the theme of demonic possession, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist left an indelible mark on the genre. The original film, a timeless classic, has significantly influenced many horror directors with its well-crafted characters and spine-tingling jump scares. Furthermore, it was the first horror movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, reflecting its high cinematic quality.
Viewing the films in the order they were released for ‘The Exorcist’ series might result in overlooking essential character details and chilling backstory information that significantly contribute to the overall storyline progression.
How To Watch The Exorcist Movies In Chronological Order
There Are Three Sequels & Two Prequels
Watching The Exorcist series could be more engaging if you follow the sequence of events in the story itself, but it’s equally interesting to watch the movies as they were initially released. This method allows viewers to mimic the experience people had when these films premiered, creating a sense of shared history. Ultimately, whether you choose to view the franchise based on its chronology or release date, it’s straightforward to organize them according to your preferred viewing order.
The Exorcist Timeline In Release Order:
| Movie | Date Of Release |
|---|---|
| The Exorcist | December 26, 1973 |
| Exorcist II: The Heretic | June 17, 1977 |
| The Exorcist III | August 17, 1990 |
| Exorcist: The Beginning | August 20, 2004 |
| Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist | May 20, 2005 |
| The Exorcist: Believer | October 6, 2023 |
The Exorcist Timeline In Timeline Order:
| Movie | Story Timeline |
|---|---|
| Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist | 1947 |
| Exorcist: The Beginning | 1949 |
| The Exorcist | 1973 |
| Exorcist II: The Heretic | 1977 |
| The Exorcist III | 1990 |
| The Exorcist: Believer | 2023 |
Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist (2005)
Takes Place In 1947
The movie “Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist” should be watched first in the “Exorcist” series timeline, as it’s set in 1947, making it the earliest event. Although it was released after the other films, there were two sequels that came out one year apart and share similar stories. The second movie, “Exorcist: The Beginning,” is actually set two years later than “Dominion.” In this film, Father Lankester Merrin (played by Stellan Skarsgård), who is still dealing with the aftermath of World War II, encounters a church that is believed to be cursed.
When Cheche (Billy Crawford) appears to be under a supernatural influence, topics such as religion, spirituality, and conviction become relevant. The film “Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist” leans towards the dramatic, but it’s an engaging watch for viewers who wish to understand Father Merrin’s emotions when he encounters Regan in the original movie, and sees that this evil predicament is repeating itself.
Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)
Takes Place In 1949
In the movie “Exorcist: The Beginning,” which is slightly less impressive than its counterpart “Dominion” when it comes to prequels in the “Exorcist” series, you should watch this film after the initial storyline. This installment maintains a consistent theme of demonic possession and offers a twist that won’t come as a surprise if you’ve seen the other prequel. The focus of this movie revolves around an archaeologist named Bession (portrayed by Patrick O’Kane), who appears to be under the influence of a malevolent spirit, raising the need for an exorcism.
It’s intriguing to delve deeper into the backstory of Father Merrin, as portrayed by Stellan Skarsgård, especially considering his untimely demise in the movie “The Exorcist.” Interestingly, fear exacerbates his heart problems, and this sets the stage for our encounter with him in the 1973 film. Generally, prequels might not be essential viewing, but “Exorcist: The Beginning,” although it’s not highly rated within the “Exorcist” series, provides a more somber and weighty portrayal of Father Merrin’s life.
The Exorcist (1973)
Takes Place In 1973
In the sequence of events within the “Exorcist” series, it is recommended to watch the first film, “The Exorcist,” third as its two predecessors establish the chilling circumstances surrounding Regan. Positioned centrally in the franchise’s timeline, this movie unfolds in Georgetown, D.C., contrasting significantly with the prequels’ East African setting. This underscores that the malevolent demon Pazuzu has a global presence. Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), after encountering a statue of Pazuzu in Iraq, is shocked and appalled by Regan’s terrifying condition upon his arrival in the United States, meeting her for the first time.
This 1973 film, titled “The Exorcist,” features a chilling portrayal of Pazuzu, one of the first and most terrifying movie demons. The story revolves around a young character, Regan, who is played by Linda Blair. Her captivating performance earned her an Academy Award nomination, making “The Exorcist” not only a pioneer in horror cinema but also a film whose impact cannot be overstated.
Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
Takes Place In 1977
After watching the original, “The Exorcist,” it’s recommended to proceed with its sequel, titled “The Exorcist II: The Heretic.” In this continuation of the story, Regan, once again portrayed by Linda Blair, is living a normal life under the care of Sharon Spencer (Kitty Winn). Although the film centers around the demonic entity, as Father Lamont (Richard Burton) seeks to understand Regan’s experience, it also delves into the question of whether individuals can truly move past traumatic events. It’s intriguing to listen to Regan describe her inability to recall what transpired during that fateful period.
Upon its debut, the movie “The Exorcist II: The Heretic” was met with such intense dislike that changes were made to it right after the opening weekend. However, it does have some positive aspects. When Dr. Tuskin (Louise Fletcher) puts Regan under hypnosis in the film, it is revealed that Father Merrin saw Regan as someone with psychic abilities who could assist others. This revelation adds a significant depth to the storyline of “The Exorcist,” even though the sequel doesn’t enjoy the same level of adoration as the original movie.
The Exorcist III (1990)
Takes Place In 1990
In terms of the sequence of events in the “Exorcist” series, “The Exorcist III” is the next film to watch, taking place 15 years after Regan’s exorcism. You can watch it following either “The Exorcist” or “The Exorcist II: The Heretic”, though the series isn’t strictly linear as the third film essentially disregards the second one. Interestingly, John Carpenter initially intended to direct “The Exorcist III”, but the position ended up going to William Peter Blatty, who had also penned the script for the original movie based on his own novel.
In The Exorcist III, the story revolves around James Venamun, otherwise known as The Gemini Killer (portrayed by Brad Dourif). Interestingly, this character passed away years prior but held a belief that the demon responsible for tormenting Regan was aiding him. This chilling connection ties this third film to the original tale. Furthermore, Lieutenant William F. Kinderman makes an appearance in both the initial Exorcist and the third film, with George C. Scott stepping into the role previously held by Lee J. Cobb. This character acts as a recurring reminder that the unusual occurrences happening around cannot be fully comprehended or explained by anyone.
The Exorcist: Believer (2023)
Takes Place In 2023
In the movie The Exorcist: Believer, the story resumes many decades after Regan’s possession, focusing on her mother Chris MacNeil (played by Ellen Burstyn). A chilling event unfolds when two young girls mysteriously vanish into the forest. Upon their return, it is revealed that they have been taken over by a demon, sending shockwaves of fear through the families. As a result, the desperate parents reach out to Chris, who has since become a writer and devoted herself to helping individuals cope with experiences related to demonic possessions.
In the narrative of “The Exorcist,” we learn that Chris and Regan have fallen out due to the mother’s book becoming extremely popular, forcing Regan into seclusion to avoid media attention. Despite longing for a normal existence post-traumatic childhood events, Chris has developed an unhealthy fixation on demonic possession. This film attempted to infuse a moral lesson into the storyline concerning the parents being forced to decide which girl to save and which to sacrifice, but it was met with unfavorable criticism upon release.
The Future Of The Exorcist Franchise
A New Reboot Is Rumored For 2026
Originally planned as the first installment of a trilogy, “The Exorcist: Believer” unfortunately failed to impress at the box office and garnered underwhelming reviews. Consequently, David Gordon Green’s proposed trilogy was canceled, wrapping up his involvement with the franchise after just one film. Despite terminating Green’s trilogy, the studio has no intentions of concluding the “Exorcist” franchise altogether. Not long after it was made clear that Green’s movies concluded at a single entry, news broke that a reboot was underway, with a new creative mind taking charge.
Mike Flanagan, known for directing notable Stephen King films (“Gerald’s Game,” “Doctor Sleep”) and exceptional Netflix miniseries (“The Haunting of Hill House,” “Midnight Mass”), has agreed to pen, helm, and produce the upcoming “Exorcist” film. It’s worth noting that this is a reboot rather than a sequel, as announced by the studio. Flanagan himself stated his intention to create something distinct from what has been previously produced (according to The Hollywood Reporter).
We’re not exactly making things simple for ourselves, (smiles) but I’ve always believed that jumping into a franchise or an established property requires a unique twist unless there’s something fresh to offer. I pursued ‘The Exorcist’ with great determination because I thought I had a fresh perspective to contribute.
This chance allows me to create something unique and innovative in our franchise, something that acknowledges its past but doesn’t rely on nostalgia. To be honest, it’s an opportunity for me to craft the most terrifying film I’ve ever produced. I’m aware of the high expectations; no one feels more daunted than I do.
I see this as a chance to make a movie that’s new and different for our franchise, while still respecting its history. At the same time, it’s an opportunity for me to scare people more than ever before. I understand that there are high expectations, and I feel just as nervous as anyone else about meeting them.
Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist reboot is scheduled to come out on March 13, 2026.
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2025-04-30 00:09