The Exorcist
When a mysterious entity possesses a young girl, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.
Directed by William Friedkin · Horror · 122 min · 1973
Trailer
Director
William Friedkin
Studio
Hoya Productions{{Cite web / title=The Exorcist (1973) / url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/54970 / url-status=live / archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142741/https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/54970 / archive-date=February 17, 2019 / access-date=October 27, 2019 / website=AFI Catalog of Feature Films
Release
26 Dec 1973
Runtime
122 min
Genres
Horror
Full Plot
A visiting actress in Washington, D.C., notices dramatic and dangerous changes in the behavior and physical make-up of her 12-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, a young priest at nearby Georgetown University begins to doubt his faith while dealing with his mother's terminal sickness. And, book-ending the story, a frail, elderly priest recognizes the necessity for a show-down with an old demonic enemy.
Cast & Characters
Chris MacNeil
Ellen Burstyn
Father Lankester Merrin
Max von Sydow
Regan MacNeil
Linda Blair
Father / Dr. Damien Karras, SJ
Jason Miller
Sharon Spencer
Kitty Winn
Burke Dennings
Jack MacGowran
Father Joseph Dyer
Father William O'Malley
Dr. Samuel Klein
Barton Heyman
Dr. Barringer
Peter Masterson
Karl
Rudolf Schündler
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $11.0M, The Exorcist has grossed $430.9M worldwide — about 39.2x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
The Exorcist is part of TMDb's "The Exorcist Collection."
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
initially had low expectations for The Exorcist, since it was a horror film without major stars that had gone well over budget.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
The Exorcist holds 8.1/10 on IMDb (495,533 votes), 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of July 30, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.1/10 on IMDb (495,533 votes), 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Exorcist's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
The Exorcist holds a 78% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is The Exorcist's IMDb rating?+
The Exorcist has a 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from 495,533 votes.
What is The Exorcist's Metacritic score?+
The Exorcist has a Metascore of 83/100 on Metacritic.
Is The Exorcist good? What are critics saying?+
The Exorcist holds 8.1/10 on IMDb (495,533 votes), 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83/100 on Metacritic.
How long is The Exorcist?+
The Exorcist has a runtime of 122 min.
Who directed The Exorcist?+
The Exorcist was directed by William Friedkin.
Where can I watch The Exorcist?+
The Exorcist is available to stream, rent, or buy on Philo, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Sky Go, Now TV Cinema, HBO Max, Rakuten TV, Sky Store.
Fan & Critic Buzz
Public reaction to the movie "The Exorcist" is mixed, with some finding it shocking and unsettling due to its slow build-up and eerie atmosphere. Many reviewers praise the film's strong performances, well-made production values, and historical significance as a horror classic. Others express disappointment that the film didn't scare them more, despite being rated "shocking rather than frightening".
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
**Shocking rather than frightening.** Friedkin's The Exorcist is a film that shocks rather than scares. A well made film that achieved notoriety via pea soup. A slow and intelligent film with strong performances - yet also a mostly disappointing one for those who dare to go beyon…
Potential Kermode · 6/10The 4K restoration of The Exorcist is absolutely stunning. Every frame has been enhanced to reveal richer textures, making the eerie details of Regan's demonic possession even more unsettling. The colours in key scenes are now more vivid, adding depth to the already tense atmosph…
griggs79 · 10/10The Exorcist (1973) is one of those horror films that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It sets itself apart with an eerie, slow-building tension rather than relying on cheap scares. The story follows a young girl who begins exhibiting disturbing behavior, leading her…
RalphRahal · 9/10
From the trailer's comments
Rest in peace William Friedkin. Your masterpiece will endure for another 50 years and beyond.
@gregyear201 · 466 likesA movie that puts all the horror movies to shame. Even in the 50th year, it holds such strong relevance
@ParadoxicalSerenity · 1104 likesThis film is not only the greatest horror film of all time … it’s one of the best films ever made. It’s a perfect storm of story, writing, directing, acting, and production … which includes effects. Everyone has a different idea of what’s “scary” but this is a thinking person’s h…
@MrMoFoxy · 1732 likesThis is the best horror movie of all time.
@AdeelofSteel · 2530 likesAlmost 50 years after being released, "The Exorcist" to this day still remains the measuring stick to which all other horror films are compared. That is legendary.
@djfabianfontes · 271 likesRIP the director William Friedkin, one of the most visionary directors from the 70´s.
@arthursouza9641 · 190 likesThey should play this every year in theaters in October!
@maymoon8851 · 602 likesMy favorite movie of all time. RIP William Friedkin 😢
@robfuzz · 34 likes
