The Exorcist (1973): cast, story & where to watch
1973 · Film · ★ 7.7
Released in 1973, The Exorcist is a horror film directed by William Friedkin, running about 122 minutes. “Something almost beyond comprehension is happening to a girl on this street, in this house… and a man has been sent for as a last resort. This man is The Exorcist.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Twelve year old Regan MacNeil begins to adapt an explicit new personality as strange events befall the local area of Georgetown. Her mother becomes torn between science and superstition in a desperate bid to save her daughter, and ultimately turns to her last hope: Father Damien Karras, a troubled priest struggling with his own faith.
Who’s in it. The Exorcist stars Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil, Max von Sydow as Father Lankester Merrin and Lee J. Cobb as Lt. Bill Kinderman, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.7/10, The Exorcist has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $441.4M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on YouTube TV and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Exorcist page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Exorcist tend to enjoy Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, The Shining and Alien.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Exorcist (1973)?
- In US, The Exorcist is available to stream on YouTube TV, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Exorcist worth watching?
- The Exorcist holds an audience score of 7.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy horror. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Exorcist?
- The Exorcist stars Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb and Jack MacGowran.
- When was The Exorcist released?
- The Exorcist was released in 1973, with a runtime of about 122 minutes.