The Exorcist Franchise Timeline
"The power of Christ compels you."
Based on William Peter Blatty's novel, this franchise redefined horror by grounding it in theological terror. Upon its release in 1973, it became a cultural phenomenon: audiences reportedly fainted, vomited, and fled theaters, while religious groups protested outside cinemas.
It legitimized the horror genre, becoming the first of its kind to be nominated for Best Picture.
The film's impact was amplified by its score; the haunting, repetitive piano notes of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" transformed an obscure progressive rock track into the universal anthem of evil, instantly recognizable decades later.
Warning: Contains plot details for all released films.
The Blatty Continuity (The Holy Trinity)
The films directly associated with the original author William Peter Blatty. These are widely considered the thematic core of the saga.
The Exorcist
Key Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Jason Miller, Linda Blair
The Premise: In Georgetown, actress Chris MacNeil's 12-year-old daughter, Regan, begins exhibiting violent, blasphemous behavior. The film meticulously documents the failure of modern science; Regan endures brutal medical procedures (including a harrowing carotid angiography) before doctors admit defeat. Chris turns to Father Damien Karras, a psychiatrist-priest losing his faith, and the elderly Father Merrin to perform the Roman Ritual.
Themes & Legacy: Unlike slasher films, The Exorcist is a theological thriller about the silence of God. It introduced subliminal horror techniques, flashing the white-faced demon "Captain Howdy" for split seconds to unsettle the audience. The climax, where Karras invites the demon into his own body to save the girl, frames suicide as an act of Christian martyrdom.
The Exorcist III
Key Cast: George C. Scott, Ed Flanders, Brad Dourif, Jason Miller
The Premise: Ignoring the events of Exorcist II, this film picks up 15 years later. Lieutenant Kinderman (George C. Scott) investigates a series of murders bearing the signature of the "Gemini Killer," who was executed years ago. The trail leads to a catatonic patient in a psychiatric ward who looks exactly like Father Karras. The twist reveals that Karras's body did not die at the bottom of the steps, but was possessed by the soul of the Gemini Killer at the moment of the demon's exit.
Based on Blatty's novel Legion, it is a cerebral, dialogue-heavy thriller. It famously features one of the greatest jump scares in cinema history: a single, static shot of a hospital hallway that lasts for minutes before a figure with giant shears abruptly decapitates a nurse. The film is also noted for its surreal dream sequences involving Fabio and Samuel L. Jackson.
The Divergent Timeline
The first sequel, which took a metaphysical turn and is largely ignored by subsequent entries.
Exorcist II: The Heretic
Key Cast: Linda Blair, Richard Burton, Louise Fletcher, Max von Sydow
The Premise: Four years after the original, Father Lamont is assigned to investigate the death of Father Merrin (posthumously accused of heresy). He finds Regan MacNeil, seemingly recovered, and uses a synchronized hypnosis device called the "Synchronizer" to link their minds. The journey takes them to Africa to face the origins of Pazuzu, retconned here not as a demon, but as a corrupted "Good Locust" spirit.
Themes & Legacy: Director John Boorman openly disliked the first film and attempted to make a metaphysical art film. The result was a psychedelic disaster featuring Ennio Morricone's disco-infused score and James Earl Jones in a locust costume. It was famously jeered by audiences, leading to riots in some theaters.
The Prequel Debacle (2004–2005)
This era represents a chaotic chapter in Hollywood history. Morgan Creek hired acclaimed director Paul Schrader to film a psychological prequel. Upon viewing his completed cut, the studio deemed it "too boring" and refused to release it. They then hired action director Renny Harlin to re-shoot the entire script from scratch with more gore and jump scares. When Harlin's version flopped, the studio eventually released Schrader's original version, resulting in two distinct films born from the same script.
Exorcist: The Beginning
Key Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Izabella Scorupco, James D'Arcy
The Premise: Renny Harlin's "Studio Cut." Set in 1949 Kenya, a younger Father Merrin (Stellan Skarsgård, Andor, MCU) works as an archaeologist excavating a buried Byzantine church. Harlin added a prologue involving the crucifixion of priests by Nazis to explain Merrin's loss of faith. The film focuses on the "infection" of the camp, with hyenas eating people and local tribesmen going mad.
Reception: Harlin's version was criticized for relying on cheap gore, CGI animals, and standard horror tropes. It removed the psychological ambiguity of the original script in favor of loud jump scares and a more physical manifestation of the demon.
Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
Key Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Gabriel Mann, Clara Bellar
The Premise: Paul Schrader's "Original Cut." While it shares the same lead actor (Skarsgård) and setting, the tone is radically different. It portrays Pazuzu not as a monster, but as a "perfect" human tempter, represented by a beautiful young man named Cheche who is healed of his deformities by the possession. Merrin must battle the demon intellectually, debating the nature of evil and God's silence.
Themes: A slow-burn psychological drama. While technically unfinished (some FX are crude due to budget cuts), it is generally regarded by critics as the superior film. It frames the demon as an entity that offers "perfection" in exchange for the soul.
The Legacy Era (2023–Future)
Modern attempts to revive the franchise by ignoring the sequels and connecting directly to the 1973 original.
The Exorcist: Believer
Key Cast: Leslie Odom Jr., Lidya Jewett, Olivia O'Neill, Ann Dowd, Ellen Burstyn
The Premise: Intended as the start of a new trilogy. Two young girls, Angela and Katherine, disappear in the woods and return days later with no memory and signs of synchronized possession—their heartbeats are linked, meaning if one dies, both die. The desperate parents track down Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), who is blinded by the possessed girl in a shocking twist.
Themes & Legacy: The film attempted to modernize the concept by featuring a "multi-faith" exorcism (Catholic, Baptist, Rootwork). However, it was critically panned for its lack of scares and the controversial choice to have Chris MacNeil be a victim rather than a savior. The poor reception led Universal to scrap the planned sequels Deceiver and an untitled third film.
The Exorcist (Untitled Reboot)
Key Cast: Scarlett Johansson
The Future: Following the cancellation of the David Gordon Green trilogy, acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep) was hired to take over the franchise. He has described his take as a "radical new approach" that is not a direct sequel to Believer. Flanagan is known for his ability to blend deep emotional trauma with supernatural horror, often using long monologues to explore character psychology.
Status: Scarlett Johansson has joined the cast. The film was originally eyed for 2026 but has been pushed to March 12, 2027, to accommodate Flanagan's work on a Carrie adaptation.
