It’s been a killer time to be anExorcistfan with modern horror iconMike Flanaganannounced as the franchise director last month. While horror fans are still waiting for plot details for the next sequel in this historic spooky franchise, Flanagan’s version will be a “radical new take” on theExorcistbrand. Now, Flanagan’sExorcisthas a terrifyingrelease date of August 23, 2025.
Coming via Universal Pictures, this isn’t the first timeExorcisthas tried to take over Friday the 13th. The last film,David Gordon Green’sTheExorcist: Believer’s original release date was October 13 last year before Taylor Swift made them move up their date a week.Believerwas set to be the beginning of a new trilogy not too dissimilar to Universal and Blumhouse’sHalloweenfilms. However,very poor critical reception and disappointing box office returns stopped the legacy sequel’s story in its tracks. Green was also originally intended to direct both follow-up nightmares, but this haunting chain of events is what lead toFlanaganjoining the reworked next installment.
A Match Made in Horror Heaven
The Exorcistis a franchise that has seen a lot of ups and downs in the last five decades.The original film directed by the late-great William Friedkin is still considered one the scariest films ever made while its first sequel,The Hereticis widely considered as one the worst second parts of a horror series. However, Flanagan is the perfect filmmaker to take up the demonic mantle because his resume is one of the most unique of the current genre. Films likeOculusand TV shows like Netflix’sHaunting of Hill House/Bly Manorhave shown that no one can tell a traumatizing ghost story quite like Flanagan. Then, at the same time, films like the underratedOuija: Origin of EvilandDoctor Sleephave shown the director’s great ability to work his devilish magic within the restrictions of an established franchise . That’s why it’ll be incredibly exciting to see what Flangan has instore forExorcist. The director also has his next Stephen King adaptation,The Life of Chuck, which will bedebuting at The Toronto Film Festivallater this year.
Whilehorrorfans wait for Flanagan’sExorcist, you can rent the original film on all major VOD platforms whileTheExorcist: Believeris currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Flanagan has previously expressed his excitement joining the franchise saying, “The Exorcistis one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifying within its universe.Reuniting with my friends atBlumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting."
The Exorcist: Believer
When two girls disappear into the woods and return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, the father of one girl seeks out Chris MacNeil, who’s been forever altered by what happened to her daughter fifty years ago.
Watch on Prime Video
