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Cinematic satanic terror reached its pinnacle with two franchises : The ExorcistandThe Omen . The former film , discharge in 1973 , was preceded by a terrifying marketing campaign that stirred up disputation all over the macrocosm . Director William Friedkin ’s taradiddle of a vernal lady friend possess by a knock-down demon still scare audiences to this day .
The latter film , released three years after , carry the common mullein onward by telling the story of Damien Thorn , a male child who turns out to be the vaticinate Antichrist . BothThe ExorcistandThe Omenbecame franchises . While none of their follow - ups or remakes compare to the original films , they are still revered horror movie series among fans of the genre . They also breed dozens upon lots of ape feature .
Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) - 3.8
The direct sequel to 1973’sThe Exorcistisn’tdirected by William Friedkin ; instead , it ’s written and directed by John Boorman . Even the source of the original novel , William Peter Blatty , wanted nothing to do with the movie .
In what is characterized as one of the worst motion picture ever made , Linda Blair return as Regan MacNeil , who is still recover from her demonic possession four years after the original flick ’s event . As Regan is plagued by a raw turn of supernatural occurrence , a group of spiritual and scientific expert come together to save her once again .
Omen IV: The Awakening (1991) - 3.9
The fourth and final instalment in the originalThe Omenseries follows a young woman who is set to bring home the bacon Damien Thorn as the Antichrist . A similar story transpires inThe Awakening : two lawyer take in the girl , Delia , unaware of her demonic potential .
As creepy accident unfold around Delia , her mother hires a private tec to figure out the miss ’s dependable origins . Critics were not impressed with the film , hailing it a trudging , unoriginal addition to an already suffering dealership .
Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) - 5.2
Morgan Creek Productions rent acclaimeddirector Paul Schraderto send a prequel to the originalThe exorciser . Even though Schrader stay true to the script , manufacturer were afraid his more philosophic and intellectual flick would not do well in theatres .
Renny Harlin was brought in to reshoot almost every picture in the motion picture , which star Stellan Skarsgård as a non-Christian priest who takes a sabbatical in East Africa – only to be confronted by his worst nightmare . Harlin ’s take was derailed by critics and hearing alike .
Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist (2005) - 5.2
After Harlin ’s picture proved to be a disappointment , Schrader ’s original cut was release the next year . The plot and cast are mostly the same , andDominionreceived only slightly in effect review article thanExorcist : The Beginning .
One fan of this take , though , was William Peter Blatty , who spawned the franchise with his 1971 novel . While he hate Harlin ’s movie , Blatty describedSchrader ’s as " a handsome , swish , elegant piece of employment . "
The Omen (2006) - 5.5
Thisstraightforward remakeofThe Omenstars Julia Stiles and Liev Schreiber as the parents of the future Antichrist , Damien Thorn . Directed by John Moore , this giving - studio revival of the dealership did well financially during its theatrical rivulet .
That being said , most critics labeledThe Omena pointless film that does trivial to breathe Modern life into this intimate story . On the flip side , Roger Ebert , who disliked the original , praised Moorefor " letting the strong narration unfold itself rather than play up visual effect . "
Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) - 5.6
InThe Exorcist III , Sam Neill playsa grown - up Damien Thorn , a 32 - year - old who has just been charge U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain . AsThe Bibleprophesies , Thorn is well on his way to summoning the so - call Second Coming .
However , a mathematical group of priests make for behind the scenes to bring Thorn down from his demonic throne . While it has its moments , The Final Conflict ’s net conflict is far from apocalyptical or entertaining .
Damien: Omen II (1978) - 6.3
dart forward seven years after Damien Thorn killed his adopted parents inThe Omen , and the now 12 - year - old is onto the next phase of world domination . Living with his flush aunty and uncle , Damien uses his supernatural abilities to take out everyone in his means .
Damien : Omen trinity far more gruesome and less sophisticated than its predecessor , but it keep a unanimous chase . rather of billow in the serious nature of its theme matter , Omen IIhas fun with it .
The Exorcist III (1990) - 6.4
William Peter Blatty compose the screenplay for and guide this thirdThe Exorcistfilm from his own novel , 1983’sLegion . The Exorcist IIIstars George C. Scott as Lt . William F. Kinderman , a Georgetown detective who appear in the original movie .
Kinderman is inquire a serial publication of supernatural murder that resemble the work of a deceasedserial killerknown as Gemini . The film ’s production fellowship insisted upon multiple variety to the motion picture , but a 2016 director ’s gash give interview a good sense of what Blatty wanted to make .
The Omen (1976) - 7.5
Damien Thorn ’s cinematic journey begins with Richard Donner ’s feature article film , a psychodrama that takesThe New Testament ’s end times prophesies literally . Gregory Peckand Lee Remick encounter Damien ’s adopted parent , who give declamatory performance as the people force to raise the Antichrist .
WhileThe Omenremains a genre classic , it ’s not idolize for its strong plot or sensical interpretation of Biblical lit . Instead , sports fan eff it for its as scary and silly twists and turns .
The Exorcist (1973) - 8.0
William Friedkin ’s masterfully craftedtale of demonic possessionremains the best of the lot . With its jaded characters , terrify practical core , and unrelenting scares , The exorciser ’s action hinges on the crusade of a fiend named Pazuzu – make by author William Peter Blatty .
While the moving picture centers around Pazuzu ’s possession of 12 - year - erstwhile Regan MacNeil , played by Linda Blair , everyone around Regan is affected by the terrifying situation . Ellen Burstyn , Jason Miller , and Max von Sydow polish in support character .
NEXT:5 Reasons The Exorcist Is The Best Film About The Devil ( & 5 It ’s The Omen )
