The 'Scariest Movie of All Time' Arrives on Max Ahead of Halloween Season

One of the most iconic horror films ever made is heading to Max, just in time for the Halloween season. The Exorcist is set to drop on Max on Sept. 1.

The horror classic is based on the novel of the same name written by William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the screenplay for the film. Directed by the late William Friedkin, The Exorcistcenters around the demonic possession of 12-year-old Regan MacNeil. First believing her daughter was just experiencing a medical problem of some sort, Chris MacNeil takes her to be tested by medical professionals, though they find nothing physically wrong with her. In a last ditch effort to save her daughter, the mother seeks out two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism, to vanquish the demon before it's too late.

Considered by many as one of the scariest films ever made, The Exorcist is a towering giant in the horror genre. It spawned multiple sequels and numerous knock-offs, though many believe it's still the standard-bearer when it comes to exorcism movies. So much of the film has permeated popular culture, such as the off-putting 360 degree Reagan head-spin that still stands as one of the most iconic moments in cinema history, or "the power of Christ compels you" line that spawned countless parodies. The Exorcist will forever be etched in the history of horror filmmaking, and rightfully so. The Exorcist stars Linda Blair as Regan, Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, Jason Miller as Father Damien Karras, Max von Sydow as Father Lankester Merrin, Lee J. Cobb as Lt. Bill Kinderman, and William O'Malley as Father Joseph Kevin Dyer.

The Exorcist is Being Revived Again

When Blumhouse acquired the rights to The Exorcist, they had big plans for the future of the franchise. The initial goal was to make a trilogy, starting with The Exorcist: Believer directed by David Gordon Green. Fresh off completing the successful resurrection of Michael Myers in the Halloween reboot trilogy, Green seemed poised to become the new go-to guy for popular horror IP. However, the reaction to The Exorcist: Believer was less than stellar. The film received mixed reviews at best, and wasn't the box office smash hit that Blumhouse was hoping for. This led to a major change in the direction of the franchise, which no longer involved Green.

The planned trilogy has now been abandoned in favor of bringing in horror auteur, Mike Flanagan, to helm a fresh new take on The Exorcist. Flanagan is known for excellent horror shows such as The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, as well as the horror films Doctor Sleep and Hush. The film is still in the early stages of production, but is slated to release in theaters on March 13, 2026.