Horror films are an interesting genre to be a fan of. Audiences find a thrill when the hairs on their neck stand up in anticipation. They are intrigued by the storyline of a famed serial killer who goes after everyday mundane people. There are a number of films that have been titled the best horror films to ever be created. There are whole fanbases dedicated to Jason from Friday the 13th and Chucky.
Just like any other genre, horror comes in sub-categories and you can decide which one suits you best. IMDb has its own list dedicated to the top-rated religious horror movies to ever be created. While there are some film classics that aren't surprising, there are some hidden gems.
The Ninth Gate (6.7)
Kicking off the list is the 1999 film, The Ninth Gate. The Roman Polanski film starred Johnny Depp as protagonist Dean Corso. Corso is a rare book dealer who cons people into selling him rare editions for cheap to then resells them to private collectors. He is visited by a wealthy book collector named Borsi Balkan (Frank Langella) who claims to have a copy of The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows by Aristide Torchia.
The book is rumored to have been adapted from a book written by the Devil himself and has instructions on how to summon him and gain immortality. Corso travels the world, finding the original missing books and witnessing bizarre events taking place as detailed in the book.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (6.7)
Exorcism is a common theme in religious horror films, including the 2005 film The Exorcism of Emily Rose. The film's storyline revolves around the murder case of a 19-year-old named Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter). Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) is a lawyer who is representing her father, Father Richard Moore (Tom Wilkinson), who is accused of Emily's negligent homicide.
In flashbacks, Emily starts to experience delusions and spasms and is originally treated for epilepsy and with antipsychotics. When it fails, her parents take her to Father Moore who diagnoses her with being possessed with a demon. The exorcism is unsuccessful and results in her death. Bruner must now find evidence to prove Father Moore not guilty.
The Witch (6.9)
In 2015, The Witch received positive reviews generating $40 million at the box office with only a $4 million budget. Set in the 1630s, William and his family are banished from their New England town due to a religious dispute. They build a home near a secluded forest. One day Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) is playing with her baby brother Samuel. He is kidnapped by witches and killed to make a potion.
Their mother Katherine (Kate Dickie) is distraught and starts to believe that Thomasin is to blame. More death and witchcraft ensues and Thomasin is always at the center of it. By the end of the film, audiences discover that getting Thomasin alone was part of the witches' plan.
Constantine (7)
One of Keanu Reeves recognizable, but shortlived roles was as John Constantine in the 2005 film, Constantine. The film was based on the comic book character John Constantine, an occult detective who has the ability to communicate with half-demons and half-angels. He seeks exemption from Hell and in order to do so, exorcises demons back to where they belong to gain entry into Heaven.
In the film, the Spear of Destiny is discovered while Constantine becomes concerned that demons are trying to break through to Earth during an exorcism. Detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) asks for his help in solving her twin sister's apparent suicide. Constantine realizes there are much more celestial powers at play and someone wants to release Hell on Earth.
Fallen (7)
Denzel Washington took the lead role of Detective John Hobbes in the 1998 film, Fallen. Hobbes visits a serial killer he put in jail on death row. The killer acts strangely before his death. Sometime later, a new string of murders occurs in the same manner and Hobbes assumes it's a copycat. During his investigation, he meets a woman names Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz) who explains that her father committed suicide for being accused of similar murders.
Hobbes discovers that these murders aren't a copycat, but a fallen angel. Azazel inhabits bodies to carry out grim murders. Hobbes gets caught in the crossfire of Azazel's plan and must stop him by any means necessary.
The Wicker Man (7.5)
While The Wicker Man was remade in 2006, it didn't receive as much praise as the 1973 original film. Police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) travels to the remote island Summerisle after receiving an anonymous letter to investigate the disappearance of a girl named Rowan Morrison (Geraldine Cowper). Upon arriving, he finds islanders worshipping pagan Celtic gods.
In his investigation, many refuse to acknowledge that Rowan ever existed. He learns that the islanders believe that their harvest is due to the pleasing of the gods. He soon discovers the real reason for his journey and that he was their fool all along.
The Conjuring (7.5)
The Conjuring became a classic horror film when it premiered back in 2013. It originally had a $20 million budget and made over $319 million at the box office. The film developed into a franchise and was originally based on the haunting cases of (fraudulent) paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
In 1971, the Perron family moves to a new home in Rhode Island. Within the first few nights, bizarre events occur at 3:07 a.m. Their youngest daughter, Sadie, is found dead in the backyard. After the family has encounters with spirits, they call demonologists Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga). The Warrens discover the house was once owned by a witch named Bathsheba Sherman, who sacrificed her baby to the Devil and later killed herself. The Warrens gather evidence to receive permission from the Vatican for an exorcism as the occurrences get violent.
The Omen (7.5)
Nothing can beat horror films from back in the day and The Omen is one of them. The Omen is the most recognized film involving the antichrist storyline. American diplomat Robert Thorn makes the decision to secretly adopt a young baby boy after the death of his own infant without telling his wife Katherine (Lee Remmick). This child is named Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephens).
When Damien is 5-years-old, mysterious events take place. Damien refuses to enter a church and his nanny commits suicide. Katherine starts to become scared of Damien. Robert soon realizes that Damien isn't an ordinary child and investigates his birth. He discovers that Damien's arrival into the Thorn family was planned in order for them to raise the future antichrist.
Rosemary's Baby (8)
The 1968 film, Rosemary's Baby is another classic horror film that always ranks high in the must-watch list. The film was based on the novel, of the same name, by Ira Levin. The film's story revolves around a married couple, Guy (John Cassavetes) and Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), as they move into their new apartment. They are warned about the building's connection to murders.
They soon decide to conceive a child, but Rosemary has an unexplainable dream of being raped by a demon. She wakes up with scratches and finds herself pregnant. The Castevets, their neighbors, urger her to seek alternative prenatal treatment. Rosemary starts to experience bizarre symptoms and discovers her pregnancy was planned for something far more demonic.
The Exorcist (8)
Taking the number one spot on the IMDb list is the cult classic horror film, The Exorcist. While the film was praised for its storyline when it originally premiered audiences recalled having bizarre medical and psychological responses to watching the film. The film also became one of the first to discuss the often criticized Roman Catholic Church procedure of exorcism.
The 12-year old daughter of actress Chris Macneil (Ellen Burstyn) starts behaving erratically after playing with a Ouija board. Regan (Linda Blair) starts to display unbelievable strength, crude language, and violent acts. She soon has to be restrained, but it doesn't stop the people around her from being killed. Doctors recommend the help of Father Damien Karras, who believes Regan is possessed and needs an exorcism. The classic head-spinning scene, dialogue, and storyline have been highly praised as one of the horror genre's most significant works.