Demons are among the most varied creatures ever depicted on screen in the horror genre, taking on many forms and presentation on its storytelling, from a simple possession tale to even world-ending doom. Of course, there are many more outstanding horror movies that revolve around demonic creatures, and this list barely just scratches the surface. However, what is here will definitely not disappoint.
Now, it’s time to take a look at the top 25 Best Horror Movies About Demons, Ranked From Good to Best.
25. Smile (2022)
After witnessing one of her patients take her own life in front of her, Dr. Rose Cotter begins experiencing and seeing many bizarre goings that make her question her sanity. And after investigating the incident, she discovers that this titular incident may span longer than she expects.
Smile is one of the recent films on the list and it proves itself to be an instant classic as it delivers a gripping and terrifying premise that will undoubtedly delight any horror movie fan. It’s a film filled with so many eerie moments and provides a devilishly satisfying conclusion that you won’t forget anytime soon.
24. Night of the Demons 2 (1994)
Set six years after the events of the first film, a new group of teenagers visits the infamous Hull House on Halloween, only to then have the house’s spirits follow them on their way home.
While this sequel may not set the world on fire with its greatness, it is nonetheless a highly entertaining cheesy horror flick. With a whacky cast of characters that include Sister Gloria (Jennifer Rhodes) and Terri (Christine Taylor). And a surprisingly bold direction that strays away from its predecessor's spooky setting. This sequel proved itself just as worthy of a cheesy horror flick as its predecessor.
23. Insidious (2010)
A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.
Insidious is one of James Wan's modern horror classics, delivering a nail-biting horror that's soaking with atmosphere and well-put scares that will sure to stick to your mind for days. And with the talent of Lin Shaye as the film's captivating psychic Elise Rainier being on display, need I say more?
22. The Amityville Horror (1979)
The movie follows the Lutz family after moving into a large house that was the site of a grisly mass murder a year prior. Not soon after, the family is haunted by supernatural entities.
Despite being 44 years old, The Amityville Horror still provides some genuinely unsettling moments that will never fail to give you thrills and chills. It’s a classic haunted house tale that checks in all of the genre’s staples or rather inspires films that came after it, along with being backed by strong performances from James Brolin and Margot Kidder as the Lutz couple.
Though its authenticity as being based on real events may be debatable and it may have a myriad of unbearable sequels that barely even qualify as films, 1979’s Amityville Horror still remains one of the best in the genre.
21. Krampus (2015)
A boy who has a bad Christmas accidentally summons a festive demon to his family home.
Who knew Christmas could be this scary? Well, that's definitely what Krampus aims to achieve, and it achieves this flawlessly and then some. Combining many scary elements with some humor, and you've got yourself one engaging flick. Christmas or not, Krampus is a worthy horror film.
20. The Last Exorcism (2010)
A troubled evangelical minister agrees to let his last exorcism be filmed by a documentary crew.
The Exorcism genre had been a dime a dozen, offering little to no distinctions with each movie released. However, The Last Exorcism delivers a refreshing twist to the familiar setup. It's a film that straddles the line between horror and comedy as it tries to subvert your expectation of the genre.
This is a brilliant found footage film that's worthy of your time.
19. Night of Demons (1988)
Ten teenagers party at an abandoned funeral parlor on Halloween night. When an evil force awakens, demonic spirits keep them from leaving and turn their gathering into a living Hell.
1988’s Night of Demons is a film that aims to provide endless thrills and chills. Featuring a quirky cast of amorous teenagers in a spooky but cheesy situation filled with many bizarre moments, like the infamous lipstick scene and tons and tons of bloody and creative kills.
If you’re looking for a dumb but fun horror film, then Night of Demons might just satisfy your craving.
18. The Conjuring (2013)
Based on a real-life case that Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated, the couple helps a family terrorized by a dark presence in their own home.
Considered as a modern classic by many, The Conjuring will take you on a haunting journey filled with many unforgettable scares that’ll result in many sleepless nights, and this is further made terrifying with the film’s masterful approach to building its suspense.
Though its sequels and spin-offs may never be able to reach the same heights as its predecessor set, The Conjuring still remains as one of the genre’s finest.
17. Hellraiser (2022)
This reboot to the Hellraiser franchise follows Riley (Odessa A'zion) as she attempts to save her brother from the grasps of the cenobites after she accidentally summons and gives him to the grotesque entities.
The Hellraiser franchise was once one of the greatest demon films of all time, however, its many sequels, unfortunately, dragged the Hellraiser name to the ground with its many loosely relevant stories that barely even feature the iconic cenobites. This reboot however aims to resurrect the franchise with many bold and creative ideas, resulting in a highly competent film that does the franchise justice.
16. Drag Me to Hell (2009)
A loan officer who evicts an old woman from her home finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse. Desperate, she turns to a seer to try and save her soul, while evil forces work to push her to a breaking point.
One of the many Sam Raimi films on the list, Drag Me to Hell is one bizarre adventure that packs in so much zaniness and scare that by the end of the film not only will you be rolling on the floor from laughter but also from its scares. It’s got what you expect from a Sam Raimi film and that’s pure entertainment.
15. As Above So Below (2014)
A group of explorers venture into the catacombs to find one of history's greatest treasures only to discover the terrifying secrets that lie beneath the streets of Paris.No other film will make you feel and experience claustrophobia the way As Above So Below does. It’s a film that perfectly captures what makes horror films so terrifying in the first place, making you want to not look at what it displays as you’re glued to your seat.
Along with providing a film that’s soaking in atmosphere, As Above So Below remains to be one of the best found footage films out there. And it’s definitely a worthy film to watch even if you may not be a fan of the genre.
14. Army of Darkness (1992)
Serving as a direct sequel to Evil Dead 2, Ash is transported to medieval times, along with his trusted chainsaw and boomstick as he tries to fight off the deadites and other evil entities.
While Army of Darkness may have strayed away from its horror roots, the film still manages to entertain. Delivering a medieval story with some bloody deadites goodness interspersed with all the action. This is also the film where Bruce Campbell really gets to go wild with his character Ash, delivering many iconic and quotable lines that every horror fan knows by now.
13. The Exorcist III (1990)
Following Police Lt. Kinderman (George C. Scott) as he tries to solve a sadistic murder case that seems to tie back to the Gemini killer who was executed 15 years before.
After the disastrous sequel, Heretic, it was up to Exorcist III to keep the franchise afloat and it succeeds in it by taking the franchise in a whole new direction. Providing a gripping mystery backed by strong performances by Brad Dourif and George C. Scott and a slew of memorable scares that won't fail to make your skin tingle.
12. Noroi: The Curse (2005)
The film focuses on Masafumi Kobayashi, a paranormal researcher who disappeared during investigating for his documentary titled The Curse.
Disturbing, immersive, and terrifying. Noroi: The Curse is a film that will give you nightmares due to its many over-the-top mysteries that pile on each other culminating in a deeply engrossing finale that’ll leave even the most die-hard horror fans, disturbed.
Its found footage presentation also makes its many scares all the more terrifying and personal as it forces you to watch many of what the characters in the film are discovering.
11. Demons 2 (1986)
A group of tenants and visitors are trapped in a 10-story high-rise apartment building infested with demons who proceed to hunt the dwindling humans down.
With a horror so brutal and flashy, you might think Demons 2 is a satire of the genre, but it's not. Although it may not be as distinct from its predecessor, with it featuring almost a shot-for-shot retelling of the first film's story, a large cast of characters to root for, and an ever-enthralling setting that oozes with style again, is it really a bad thing? As they say, if it's not broken, don't fix it.
10. Demons (1985)
A group of random people is invited to a screening of a mysterious movie, only to find themselves trapped in the theater with ravenous demons.
Lamberto Bava's Demons adds a stylish flair to the sub-genre, bringing with it dozens of grisly kills and more red herrings than you can count. And with a claustrophobic but mesmerizing setting and awesome scenes that include the main characters fighting the Demons using a motorcycle inside a theater, and you've got one hell of a flick that's worth every minute of your time.
9. The VVitch (2016)
Set in 1630 New England, a family find themselves in distress after their youngest son disappears and their daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) is believed to be a witch who took her brother.
An incredibly fresh approach to the genre is what made A24's The VVitch an instant classic. With an incredible atmosphere that'll sure to keep you immersed and anxious, the film succeeds at everything that it tries to do, add in the stellar performances by its cast and you've got yourself one of the best demonic horror films of all time.
8. Rec (2007)
The film follows a Spanish late-night television reporter, Ángela Vidal, with her cameraman Pablo as they attempt to survive an apartment building crawling with zombies.
Though it may look like another zombie film on the surface, Rec is actually a surprising demonic possession horror film and a terrifying one at that. Delivering a gripping and unique take on the genre as it places its horrors in a claustrophobic single setting, making the entire film not only immersive due to its found footage presentation, but also engaging.
7. The Evil Dead (1981)
Not long after arriving at a cabin in the woods, a group of friends is suddenly attacked by a mysterious entity that roams the woods.
Prepare to be scared with The Evil Dead. A film that not only kickstarted the franchise but as well as the genre’s popularity. Delivering a bloody and splatter-worthy flick that holds many eerie scenes with its deadites.
Though it may not be the most polished film in the franchise nor on the list, it is by no means a slouch. And it’s one horror film that every single horror should experience at least once.
6. Hellraiser (1987)
A woman discovers the newly resurrected, partially formed, body of her brother-in-law. She starts killing for him to revitalize his body so he can escape the demonic beings that are pursuing him after he escaped their sadistic underworld.
Hellraiser introduced the horror genre into a different kind of terror, one that is sexual, sadistic, and despicable. It's a blood-soaked horror film that delights in many disturbing visuals, making it a film like no other.
It's also the film that introduced us to the concept of the cenobites, the creatures that are demons to some and angels to others, and with an incredible performance by Doug Bradley who plays the ever so iconic Pinhead. Hellraiser will sink its hooks into you.
5. Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
Kirsty is brought to an institution after the horrible events of the first film, where the occult-obsessive head doctor resurrects Julia and unleashes the Cenobites and their demonic underworld.
Hellraiser II will take you to a world like no other. A visually abstract and ambitious world that builds upon what its predecessor had established. Along with a bigger focus on the film's creepy stalkers, cenobites, and the end product is an engaging sequel that manages to outshine its original.
4. Evil Dead (2013)
The movie follows a group of friends in a remote cabin in the woods, trying to help their friend Mia (Jane Levy) stop her drug addiction. But what soon transpired in the woods is something they never expect.
Dark, horrific, and devilishly brutal, this remake of the original Evil Dead reinvents the horror-comedy franchise by pushing the envelope. And the result is one incredibly nasty horror film filled with so many hard-to-watch brutal scenes that'll sure to keep your heart pumping.
While most remakes tend to be bland and forget what makes their original great in the first place, 2013's Evil Dead is nothing short of amazing.
3. Hereditary (2018)
When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter's family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. The more they discover, the more they find themselves trying to outrun the sinister fate they seem to have inherited.
Ari Aster’s modern classic is an unforgettable horror film that boasts strong themes that’ll sure to pull on your heartstrings, as well as make you petrified with all its horror, from a shocking and unexpected death of a character to many unsettling moments, some of which are some of the scariest that the genre has ever seen.
Hereditary is an innovative horror film that not only elevated the genre but opened the floodgates for so many more experimental horror films.
2. The Exorcist (1973)
Young Regan (Linda Blair) finds herself terrorized by evil spirits who control her body, and with no other choice, her mother (Ellen Burstyn) asks for two priests' help who performs an exorcism. What soon follows is nightmare-inducing events.
What is there to say about The Exorcist that hasn't been said already? It's a magnificent possession film that helped paved the way for the genre and still strongly holds up to this day. With iconic and disturbing scenes aplenty and a gripping story to boot. The Exorcist remains a masterclass in horror.
1. Evil Dead 2 (1987)
Ash Williams returns to the dreaded cabin in the woods along with his girlfriend Linda only to be terrorized by the deadites. Now Ash must do everything it takes to survive until dawn.
Before Army of Darkness took the franchise in a comedic route, Evil Dead II first arrived and expertly combines horror with comedy. Delivering a more evil and deader film that'll cover your screen with buckets of blood.
With so many genuinely hilarious moments interspersed with all the bloody horror, along with following a strong cast of characters. Evil Dead II remains one of the genre's best.
