12 Best Occult Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Occult Movies

Occult films may be emotionally draining, exposing your deepest fears and vulnerabilities, and forcing you to reexamine your beliefs in God, life, and the human condition in profoundly unpleasant and provocative ways. Psychic and mystic films, which generally explore the darker aspects of human faith and satanic beliefs, are sometimes included in the horror genre because of their use of the occult theme.

It’s not uncommon to see occult-themed movies paired with the Christian faith, which depicts the strange rituals of an ancient time. This list of the greatest occult films ever made is examined in this article. If you’re lucky, Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime may have a few of these excellent occult films available for streaming. Horror films with occult themes are included.

12. The Ninth Gate (1999)

The Ninth Gate (1999)

It’s not a terrific picture, but it’s a decent occult thriller. Due to the film’s similarity to Polanski’s earlier horror classic, ‘Rosemary’s Baby,’ it is usually compared to the picture, but critics didn’t seem to like it. The film’s dark mood and intriguing notions have been lauded by many as one of Polanski’s best efforts. While trying to locate the key to bringing Satan to life, a book salesman encounters a slew of strange happenings that complicate his search. His many explorations of the supernatural have not convinced Polanski to believe in the supernatural.

11. The House of the Devil (2009)

A homage to slasher and horror films from the 1970s and 1980, in which a haunted house is visited by an outsider who is eventually possessed by demons, ‘The House of the Devil’ is more than that. College girl is hired to babysit in mysterious, remote mansion where odd happenings begin to stalk her. She finds up fighting for her life defending herself from the brutalities of evil spirits in the house’s basement. Filmmaking techniques and tactics from the 1970s and 1980s are used in the picture, which creates an atmosphere that is evocative of the early horror masterpieces.

10. Starry Eyes (2014)

Starry Eyes (2014)

“Starry Eyes” is about an ambitious Hollywood actress who gets caught up in a secret cult of devil worshipers in her quest for fame and money. To a large extent, the film centers on Sarah’s mental and physical metamorphosis as she witnesses Hollywood’s gruesome truths and fails in her attempts to save herself from the evil spirits of a world she chose to be a part of herself. The soundtrack is fantastic, and the film never loses its concentration, delivering the story with a tremendous amount of intensity and ferocity. In my opinion, ‘Starry Eyes’ is the best horror film of this decade.

9. A Dark Song (2016)

If you’re looking for a fresh take on the horror genre, this indie film is a great place to start. Occultists undertake rituals to grant the wishes of middle-aged lady and occultist, who take a risk in order to do so Fantastically well-done, the picture explores themes of faith, love, human tragedy, and transcends the usual bounds of genre filmmaking in its depiction of a really horrible atmosphere. The claustrophobic atmosphere perfectly paints the entire tone of the picture, which is emotionally devastating and thought-provoking.

8. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Stanley Kubrick. Is there ever a subject in

The late Stanley Kubrick. Is there anything this man hasn’t tackled in the world of film? With his final film, ‘Eyes Wide Shut,’ he really pushed the boundaries of cinema. After learning that his wife harbors fantasies about a man she previously met, a man embarks on a fascinating and terrifying adventure into the shadowy recesses of a secret society. It becomes clear to Bill as he travels throughout the estate that what he’s actually seeing are the weird visions of his own psyche. ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ is a true work of art because Kubrick expertly peels back the secret layers that lie behind the surface of our civilized existence.

7. The Wicker Man (1973)

No, this isn’t the ridiculous Nicolas Cage remake. The original Robin Hardy-directed 1973 version is a slam dunk. What begins as an investigation into the disappearance of a young child ends up as an investigation into the mysterious rituals and practices that take place on the island. The film’s core focus is on examining significant Christian concepts and juxtaposing them with the old Celtic polytheistic beliefs. For years, the film was regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made, but it wasn’t a tremendous hit when it was released.

6. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Rosemary's Baby

When a pregnant woman moves into a new apartment with her husband, she begins to notice unusual things happening around her, including strange noises and apparitions. As unsettling details about the woman’s husband and the destiny of her child are revealed, the film gradually peels away the layers of its characters. In this adaptation of Ira Levin’s novel, director Roman Polanski shows off his mastery of the medium by delivering an intensely visceral film experience that will linger in your mind for a long time. It’s a dark, harsh, visceral, and profoundly honest piece of work.

5. Evil Dead (1981)

To this day, it is considered one of the finest horror films ever created thanks to its cult following around the world, making it a beloved classic. “Evil Dead” depicts a group of college students who take a trip to a distant cabin in the woods for a vacation. After one of them discovers an audio tape, strange things begin to happen, and the group begins to experience demonic possession. The picture has a distinct look and feel due to its raw, B-grade aesthetic. Even though it wasn’t a tremendous hit in the box office at the time, it’s gained a devoted following among horror enthusiasts over the years.

4. The Exorcist (1973)

The Exorcist (1973)

‘The Exorcist’ is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest horror films ever created. The film’s style, visual aesthetics, thematic heft, and sheer strength of atmosphere made it a standard-bearer for horror films. As her mother seeks the help of a priest to exorcise her daughter’s demonic spirits, a 12-year-old girl begins experiencing unusual occurrences and finally becomes angry and destructive. As seen in the film’s opening sequence in Iraq, Pazuzu appears to be the demon that possesses the girl, and the priests battle to exorcise his evil spirits from the girl’s soul.

3. The Omen (1976)

One of the most terrifying movies I’ve ever seen is ‘The Omen.’ Because of its underlying conceptual aspects, not because of what it depicts. After the death of their first child, a couple decides to adopt a child. There are some unusual links made between the boy and a sequence of mysterious incidents that occur. When his father travels to Israel to learn more about the Antichrist, he discovers some startling information regarding his son’s true identity. The atmosphere and emotional impact of ‘The Omen’ will leave you unable to sleep for the rest of your life.

2. Witchfinder General (1968)

Witchfinder General - 1968

An English lawyer in the 17th century goes on an epic witch hunt, as told in Michael Reeves’ classic British horror film, based on Ronald Bassett’s novel of the same name. Both Matthew Hopkins and his sidekick John Stearne embark on a trek across villages in search of witches they can exterminate with their barbaric torture methods. The picture was extensively restricted by the British Board of Film Censors because of its graphic violence and gore. As one of the best horror films ever made, it is today considered a classic of British cinema.

1. The Holy Mountain (1973)

It’s difficult to put into words what it was like to watch ‘The Holy Mountain.’ Although this Jodorowsky masterwork is undoubtedly the finest occult film of all time, it is reasonable to claim. The film tells the story of a man, who resembles Jesus Christ, and a dwarf’s trek to the Holy Mountain, where they seek to discover the true meaning of faith, existence, and life through their spiritual journey. It is a picture that explores profound spiritual concepts and Jodorowsky’s visionary aesthetic and approach to filmmaking will be instantly recognizable. To me, it’s a fantastic illustration of an auteur at his or her best, because it stimulates, intrigues, and even repulses you, but nonetheless manages to get inside your head.