The best movies featuring Baal and demonic entities
Delve into the shadowy world of demonic cinema. This curated list explores films that feature Baal, a prominent figure in demonology, and other sinister entities.



From ancient deities to modern-day possessions, the cinematic exploration of demonic entities has always captivated and terrified audiences. Baal, a name steeped in history and religious lore, often appears as a malevolent force in horror and thriller genres. These films delve into the terrifying realms of possession, occult practices, and the struggle between good and evil.
The Exorcist, a classic of the genre, set a high bar for demonic possession movies, influencing countless films that followed. While not explicitly focused on Baal, its depiction of a demon tormenting a young girl established many tropes still used today. Films like The Omen explore the rise of an antichrist figure, tapping into similar anxieties about the corruption of innocence and the return of ancient evils. Other movies, such as Hellraiser, explore demons through a different lens, with grotesque and terrifying cenobites.
The list also includes movies that deal more directly with the occult and witchcraft, such as The Witch, which portrays a family's descent into paranoia and madness amidst accusations of witchcraft in 17th-century New England. Whether you're drawn to tales of exorcism, prophecies of doom, or the psychological unraveling caused by demonic influence, these movies offer a chilling exploration of the dark side.
12. The Last Exorcism (2010)
A found-footage horror film, The Last Exorcism follows a disillusioned evangelical minister who decides to expose the fraudulence of exorcisms. However, when he attempts to debunk a case in rural Louisiana, he encounters something truly sinister. While not directly about Baal, the film deals with demonic possession and the dangers of tampering with dark forces. The film's found-footage style adds to its sense of realism and immediacy.

11. The Prophecy (1995)
This film involves a war in Heaven between angels, some of whom have turned against God. While not directly about Baal, The Prophecy touches on themes of rebellion, fallen angels, and the struggle between good and evil. The film features a strong cast, including Christopher Walken as the fallen angel Gabriel, and explores a dark and violent interpretation of biblical mythology. Walken's portrayal of Gabriel is considered one of the most memorable and chilling performances in the horror genre.

10. The Blackcoat's Daughter (2017)
Also known as February, this film tells the story of two girls at a Catholic boarding school who are left behind during winter break, and the strange events that unfold. A dark and atmospheric horror film, The Blackcoat's Daughter slowly reveals its secrets, creating a sense of dread and unease. While the film doesn't explicitly feature Baal, it involves demonic possession and Satanic themes, exploring the vulnerability of faith and the presence of evil. Kiernan Shipka, known for her role in Mad Men, delivers a compelling performance as one of the central characters.

9. Saint Maud (2020)
Saint Maud is a psychological horror film about a young, deeply religious nurse who becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her terminally ill patient. As Maud's faith intensifies, she experiences increasingly disturbing visions and believes she is receiving divine messages. While not directly about Baal, the film explores themes of religious extremism, fanaticism, and the potential for delusion, which can be associated with ancient pagan deities in certain contexts. The film's unsettling atmosphere is enhanced by its use of sound design and its claustrophobic cinematography.

8. Baal (1982)
Directed by Alan Clarke, Baal is an adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's early play. While Brecht's Baal is a critique of society through the lens of a debauched, amoral poet, the connection to the ancient deity Baal is thematic, representing primal, destructive forces and rejection of societal norms. Starring Peter Firth, this made-for-tv movie captures the raw energy and rebellious spirit of Brecht's work. One thing to note: Clarke's direction is known for its gritty realism and unflinching portrayal of its characters.

7. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
This installment in The Conjuring franchise takes Ed and Lorraine Warren into a case where demonic possession is used as a legal defense in a murder trial. While the film is part of a larger series about demonic entities, it indirectly touches upon themes of demonic influence and the battle against evil forces, which may relate to Baal depending on interpretations. The film is loosely based on the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed demonic possession as his defense against murder charges.

6. The Devil's Rain (1975)
The Devil's Rain is a 1975 horror film starring Ernest Borgnine as a Satanic high priest who melts people into grotesque, waxy figures. The film involves a family who possesses a book coveted by the priest, leading to a battle between good and evil. Though campy and over-the-top, the film has gained a cult following for its memorable special effects and its cast, which also includes William Shatner and John Travolta in an early role. Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan, served as a technical advisor on the film, adding a degree of authenticity (or at least notoriety) to its depiction of Satanic rituals.

5. The Ritual (2017)
A group of friends on a hiking trip in Sweden find themselves stalked by an ancient, malevolent entity in The Ritual. As they venture deeper into the forest, they encounter bizarre symbols, disturbing rituals, and a growing sense of dread. The film effectively blends psychological horror with creature feature elements, creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere. While the creature is not explicitly Baal, its pagan origins and the themes of ancient worship connect to the query. The film was shot in Romania, not Sweden, to achieve the desired look and feel of the dense, ancient forest.

4. Hellraiser (1987)
Clive Barker's directorial debut is a gruesome and imaginative horror masterpiece. Hellraiser introduces us to the Cenobites, extra-dimensional beings who are summoned through a puzzle box and offer extreme sensations of pleasure and pain. The film is known for its graphic violence, its surreal imagery, and its exploration of the darker aspects of human desire. Though not directly about Baal, the Cenobites and their leader, Pinhead, represent a kind of demonic force that is both terrifying and strangely alluring. The film's practical effects were groundbreaking for their time, and the Cenobites' distinctive look has made them horror icons.

3. The Witch (2016)
A chilling period piece that delves into the paranoia and religious extremism of 17th-century New England. The film follows a Puritan family who are ostracized from their community and forced to live on the edge of a dark, foreboding forest. As misfortune and tragedy befall them, they begin to suspect that a witch is at work, preying on their fears and testing their faith. The Witch is not a jump-scare horror film; it's a slow-burn descent into madness, fueled by superstition and the unknown. Anya Taylor-Joy delivers a star-making performance. One interesting detail is that the dialogue is largely based on historical texts and accounts from the period, adding to the film's authenticity and unsettling atmosphere.

2. The Omen (1976)
A classic of the demonic horror subgenre, The Omen tells the story of an American diplomat who unknowingly adopts the Antichrist. As Damien grows, a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths occur around him, leading his father to uncover a terrifying truth. The film is brilliantly paced, building suspense with each unsettling event, and features a truly chilling performance by Harvey Stephens as Damien. Jerry Goldsmith's Oscar-winning score is iconic, perfectly complementing the film's ominous atmosphere. Fun fact: Several accidents occurred during the filming, leading to rumors of a curse associated with the movie, adding to its mystique and legacy.

1. The Exorcist (1973)
Considered by many to be the scariest movie ever made, The Exorcist isn't just a horror film; it's a cultural phenomenon. The story of a young girl possessed by a demonic entity, Pazuzu, and the two priests who attempt to save her, is disturbing, thought-provoking, and unforgettable. The film's impact is heightened by its groundbreaking special effects (for its time) and the incredibly committed performances, particularly from Linda Blair and Max von Sydow. It spawned numerous sequels and imitations, but none have ever quite captured the same raw, visceral power. Did you know that the set for Regan's bedroom was kept at sub-zero temperatures to create the visible breath of the actors? This added to the chilling atmosphere and the actors' discomfort, contributing to the film's overall sense of realism and horror. The Exorcist remains a landmark achievement in horror cinema.
