Best Possession Horror Films
Possession horror takes the most intimate violation imaginable — something else controlling your body — and makes it the source of terror. The subgenre ranges from Catholic exorcism films to secular takes on loss of bodily autonomy. The best entries make you feel the wrongness of a familiar person becoming something else entirely.
20 films· Updated 1 Jun 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best possession horror film?
The Exorcist (1973) remains unmatched. It's not just the best possession film — it's one of the best horror films ever made. For something modern, Hereditary (2018) uses possession as the devastating payoff to a grief story.
Are possession films always religious?
No. Talk to Me (2022) uses a supernatural hand as the possession vector with no religious framework. Hereditary involves a pagan entity. The Evil Dead uses demonic forces unrelated to Christianity. The religious framework is a common tool, not a requirement.