One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job.
Release date: December 26, 1973 (USA)
Director: William Friedkin
Music by: Jack Nitzsche
Box office: $441.3 million
Adapted from: The Exorcist
Awards: Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay),