Best Satanic Horror Films
Satan has been one of horror's most reliable antagonists since the genre began. This list collects films where the Devil, devil worship, satanic panic, infernal bargains, or direct satanic iconography drives the horror. We've excluded generic occult or witchcraft films unless Satan specifically shows up or is explicitly invoked. The result is a list that ranges from theological dread (The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby) through folk-horror diabolism (The Witch, Häxan) to modern satanic panic (Late Night with the Devil, Kill List).
20 films· Updated 1 Jun 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between satanic horror and occult horror?
Occult horror is a broad category that includes witchcraft, pagan ritual, cursed objects, and dark magic. Satanic horror specifically involves the Devil, Satan worship, demonic theology, or infernal bargains. Hereditary is both — it's occult in its methods but explicitly satanic in its endgame. The Witch is explicitly about Satan's temptation. A film like Midsommar is occult but not satanic (it's pagan).
Is The Exorcist really the scariest one?
It depends on what scares you. The Exorcist is the most confrontational — it puts satanic possession in a child's bedroom and dares you to watch. Rosemary's Baby is more insidious — the horror is that everyone around you is in on it. Hereditary builds slowly and then detonates. The Witch is the quietest — the Devil's presence is felt more than seen.
Where should I start?
Rosemary's Baby (1968) if you want paranoid, psychological satanic horror. The Exorcist (1973) if you want direct confrontation with demonic evil. Hereditary (2018) if you want a modern film that earns its satanic reveal. The Witch (2015) if you want period folk horror with genuine theological weight.