The Exorcist is a Religious Horror media franchise that started with the 1971 novel, The Exorcist, by William Peter Blatty. He later wrote a screenplay for the 1973 film adaptation directed by William Friedkin, which became successful and spawned many sequels and even a TV show.
List of media:
Film- The Exorcist (1973): The first film, based on William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name. Followed by several sequels and prequels that all contradict and ignore one another.
- Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977): The first sequel, following Regan four years after her possession.
- The Exorcist III (1990): The second sequel, following Lt. Kinderman fifteen years after Regan's possession. Based on Blatty's own Exorcist sequel novel, Legion.
- Exorcist: The Beginning (2004): A direct prequel to the first film, following Father Merrin several decades before Regan's possession.
- Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist (2005): An alternate prequel to the first film (completed before The Beginning but released after it, due to
Executive Meddling) also following Father Merrin during a similar era. - The Exorcist: Believer (2023): The first of a planned sequel trilogy that directly follows the original film, but (reportedly) won't outright ignore or contradict the middle installments. Notable for being the first entry in the series since III to feature a cast member from the first film (Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil) reprising their role.
- The Exorcist: Deceiver (2025)
Literature
- The Exorcist (1971): The original novel by William Peter Blatty. Adapted into 1973 film.
- Legion (1983): The sequel to the first novel. Adapted into 1990 film The Exorcist III.
- Exorcist: The Beginning (2004): A novelization of the film of the same name.
Live-Action TV
- The Exorcist (2016-2017): A television series that serves as a stealth sequel to the original film, following two priests in a procedural format as they investigate cases of demonic possession.
