The Best Devil And Demonic Possession Movies On Shudder Right Now
I’m not sure why but this particular subgenre is the one that scares me the most. Demonic possession and the Devil freak me out. I’m not particularly religious, and I tell myself it wouldn’t happen, but there is a little piece of me deep inside that believes. Shudder has some of my all-time favorites. They have silly ones, funny ones, terrifying ones, and the bone-deep scare the shit out of you ones that you invade your dreams late at night. They constantly turn over their library to keep things fresh. Here are the best demonic possession and devil movies on Shudder right now. Check back each week fora new lists. Everything from ghost stories to gross-out movies is represented. To see what we have recommended in the past click here.
Tales From The Crypt: Demon Night
Jada Pinkett-Smith and William Sadler star in this thriller about an odd drifter who possesses the last of seven ancient keys that hold the power to protect humanity from the ultimate evil.
Cast: Billy Zane, Jada Pinkett, William Sadler, John Kassir, Thomas Haden Church
I had a pretty serious crush on Billy Zane back in the day so I freely admit I might have a skewed view of this movie. I loved all the Cryptkeeper’s films and this one is weird, comedic, a little scary, and has a healthy dose of wish fulfillment that plays out in the last act. It’s a guilty pleasure. Watch it when you want so easy enjoyment.
Belzebuth
On the U.S. / Mexico border, special agent Emanuel Ritter leads a police investigation into a series of shocking deaths involving young children. When a priest from the vatican links the ancient demon Belzebuth to the murders, a descent into horror ensues. From director Emilio Portes, BELZEBUTH is a dark, terrifying new work of demonic possession. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL.
Cast: Tobin Bell, Joaquín Cosio, Tate Ellington
This Shudder Exclusive is really inventive. It is the kind of film that takes familiar themes and reinvents them. The acting is really good and the creatures are a ton of fun. There are a lot of cool things to explore so after you fall down the rabbit hole climb out with everything you need to know about EVP, second coming of Christ, and Crucifixion. This is a great one when you want to be scared in a smart way. Shudder’s own Belzebuth is a lock for the best devil movies available.
Lovely Molly
A former addict begins to have strange episodes after moving into her childhood home in this relentlessly disturbing ghost story from BLAIR WITCH PROJECT director Eduardo Sanchez. But where that film relied on off-screen atmosphere to create dread, here Sanchez serves plenty of on-screen scares, resulting in a film that follows in the footsteps of graphic shockers like THE ENTITY. Richly exploring the parallels between psychosis, addiction and demonic possession, LOVELY MOLLY is a gripping look at how the traumas of the past come back to haunt us. Contains strong language, sexual scenes, violence and gore.
Cast: Gretchen Lodge, Johnny Lewis, Alexandra Holden
This film is one of the scariest films in Shudder’s collection. It is gross and hair on the back of your neck terrifying. This film will get inside your brain and take root. Even years later you will remember scenes at odd times. Watch this if you are looking to really be scared. Tigger warning though. It is a lot.
Demons
Horror movie audience members turn into bloodthirsty demons in this essential Euro-horror entry from Lamberto Bava (Mario Bava’s son) and co-writer Dario Argento (SUSPIRIA, OPERA). When a young woman begins to suffer the same symptoms as the possessed subjects of the film, she attacks other patrons, turning them into murderous monsters too. Gruesome gore, a killer 80s punk and heavy metal soundtrack and the film’s vivid giallo-meets-new-wave look turned DEMONS into a cult classic, begetting several sequels including DEMONS 2 and THE CHURCH. Contains strong language, violence and gore.
Cast: Urbano Barberini, Natasha Hovey, Karl Zinny
Bava fans will love this thoroughly enjoyable movie. It is ridiculous, over the top ’80s fun so buckle up, grab some brews and buds and relax for a fun night of horror hilarity.
Satan’s Slaves
When a famous singer dies from a mysterious illness, her family feels her presence linger, and a horrifying saga begins. Rini and her siblings care for their sick mother in the countryside, but after the matriarch passes away, evil entities terrorize and even possess the family. To protect her little brothers, Rini traces back the roots of the evil and learns the horrifying truth. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL.
Cast: Tara Basro, Bront Palarae, Dimas Aditya, Endy Arfian, Nasar Anuz
I can’t believe how good this foreign film is. It presents as a run of the mill possession haunting, but it is actually really well made. There are several scenes that genuinely will freak you out so beware. The ending isn’t perfect, but the first two-thirds of the movie are so good it’s worth it. Satan’s Slaves should be on everyone’s best demonic possession and devil movies on Shudder list.
Let Us Prey
A man brought to a police station possesses everyone’s darkest secrets. He knows what the sheriff’s hiding in his house, what the drunk driver did only hours before and the horrific trauma that haunts a female rookie (THE WOMAN’s Pollyanna McIntosh). As the cops try to figure out who or what he is, they soon realize deadly retribution awaits anyone who stands in his way. Cleverly mixing elements of Stephen King’s STORM OF THE CENTURY and NEEDFUL THINGS with John Carpenter’s ATTACK ON PRECINCT 13, this violent chiller is definitely not for the easily disturbed.
Cast: Liam Cunningham, Pollyanna McIntosh, Bryan Larkin
This is one violent movie. Who the mysterious stranger is and what he wants is only part of the fun. It’s an interesting take on the townfolk that might be the real monsters trope. Enjoy this with friends and be prepared to begin turning on one another.
Inner Demon
In Ursula Dabrowsky’s twist-filled thriller, a teenage girl must fight for survival when she’s kidnapped by an evil psychopath couple with a taste for torment. Samantha soon manages to escape into the woods where she stumbles into a secluded home. But Sam’s story, and her long night of terror, is far from over. This house belongs to someone she’s already met, and there may be another resident living there– one who’s not exactly flesh and blood. Nobody does brutal crime thrillers better than Australia, and this seriously scary story is no exception to that rule.
Cast: Sarah Jeavons, Kerry Ann Reid, Andreas Sobik
I’m a sucker for found footage films and mixed with exorcism is an ideal cocktail for an evening of horror fun. It satirical and doesn’t always get the characterization right, but combining two of my favorite subgenre’s is more than enough for me to recommend it.
Hellraiser
A puzzle box reveals a realm of sadistic monsters led by a being named Pinhead, who torture the depraved man who unlocks it. Escaping Pinhead’s wrath, what remains of Frank hides out in his attic, until a chance encounter leads him to enlist his brother’s wife Julia, with whom he had a passionate affair, to lure victims home so Frank can feed off their blood. Clive Barker’s essential 80s classic offered audiences weary of slashers a thrilling new alternative: a sexually-charged horror-fantasy with a villain more terrifying and goth than Freddy or Jason. Contains violence and gore.
Cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence
Clive Barker’s masterpiece is a classic for a reason. It is fantastic. Pinhead is one of the all-time best horror villains ever. The Cenobites as a collective group of demons is as scary as it gets. You can’t have the best demonic and devil possession movies on Shudder without this one. If you are looking for some nostalgic fun, watch this. It will tear your soul apart.
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I hope we have given you some new movies to consider. Snuggle down and enjoy the Best Christmas Horror Movies on Shudder. Let us know what you enjoyed this weekend. Don’t forget to use the promo code SIGNAL for a whole month free! Catch us back each week with a new Shudder list.
As the Managing Editor for Signal Horizon, I love watching and writing about genre entertainment. I grew up with old-school slashers, but my real passion is television and all things weird and ambiguous. My work can be found here and Travel Weird, where I am the Editor in Chief.