It’s been a while since I’ve watched a really good horror movie. At one point it was all I watched. Then I just stopped. I assume it’s because my wife doesn’t like them so I never have a chance.
I had been hearing a lot about a new possession movie called “Late Night With the Devil.” The movie is based in the late 1970’s and takes place on a late night TV show. It’s Halloween night and they’re hoping to bolster their ratings with an interview with a girl who claims to be possessed by the devil. Obviously they don’t believe it until the summons him. That’s the quickest synopsis I can give without giving too much away.
With this being the latest in possession movies, here’s my list of the five greatest movies about possession, EVER! You’ll notice a major theme in this list, too.
5) Annabelle: Creation (2017)
This is part of the Conjurverse. Even though it’s the second movie the the Annabelle series, it is the prequel to it all. The thing that makes this one so creepy is the fact that the doll is “real,” so it’s based on real events. Take that for what you will.
4) Paranormal Activity (2007)
This one brought back the found footage theme made popular by The Blair With Project. Don’t record yourself sleeping! Although this one isn’t based on real events, it feels like it because of the style of filming. If you like jump scares, this one is great!
3) Evil Dead Rise (2023)
It was a toss up between the original and this one. The modern feel is why I went with this. I love the original Evil Dead for so many reasons, but this one does the original justice with all of the gore, scares, and laughs that both of it’s predecessors. This is the Red Band trailer, so be warned!
2) The Ammityville Horror (1979)
Here we go with the based on actual events theme! The whole damn house is possessed. Learn more about it HERE. So many of these older horror movies were so great for their time!
- The Exorcist (1973)
You knew this one was going to be in the #1 spot. After all, it is always the first one that comes to mind when it comes to possessions. But it wasn’t the first movie of it’s kind. It still holds up after 50 years, too. Audience members felt sick, they ran out of theatres because of how freaked out they were. It’s based on ‘actual events,” and there is nothing more terrifying than kids in horror movies!
I want to give two honorable mentions for the possession/demonic movie genre. These two were hard to cut from the top five!
- Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
This was the first to do it. Roman Polanski was brilliant and this movie had a much deeper meaning to it.
2) Ghostbusters (1984)
The cast alone should have helped it make the top five. It’s a classic, but at the end of the day, it’s a comedy.