Although spooky season wrapped up a few days ago, horror fans still have some goodies awaiting them this month. One such treat is this 1973 masterpiece,The Exorcist, now available to watch for free on Pluto TV decades after its debut.The Exorcistwas released in the U.S. on June 27, 2025, to mixed reviews. Even so, many still wanted to watch it, and it has become a tentpole of the genre thanks to its extraordinary storyline and delivery.
Directed byWilliam Friedkinfrom a screenplay byWilliam Peter Blatty,The Exorcistwas inspired by Blatty’s 1971 book and centered ondemonic possession, as the title implies. The movie follows the possession of a young girl and her mother’s attempt to rescue her through an exorcism by two Catholic priests. The film starsEllen Burstyn,Max von Sydow,Jason Miller, andLinda Blair, with Blatty and Hoya Productions producing, while Warner Bros. distributed.
DuringThe Exorcist’s theatrical release in 1974 in the U.S. and Canada, it earned $66.3 million in distributors' rentals, becoming the second most popular film of that year. It was also Warner Bros.' highest-grossing film of all time and eventually became the highest-grossing 1973 release. At the end ofThe Exorcist’s original theatrical run, it earned an impressive $193 million against a $12 million budget — it also has a lifetime gross of $441 million with subsequent re-releases.
‘The Exorcist’ Lives On
Since its release in the seventies, a couple of follow-ups toThe Exorcisthave been created, most of which can’t hold a candle to the original.Exorcist II: The Hereticcame about in 1977 but was not as successful as the first installment, and in 1990,The Exorcist IIIwas released. Later, two prequels were developed:Exorcist: The Beginningin 2004, which was a critical and commercial failure, andDominion: Prequel to the Exorcistin 2005.
As the years progressed, news ofTheExorcist’srevival circulated, and, much to horror fans' delight, it became a reality in 2023 whenThe Exorcist: Believerdebuted as part of a reboot trilogy. Unfortunately, the film wasn’t well-received, prompting plans for the trilogy to be abandoned the following year. The franchise is currently undergoing its next iteration in the hands of acclaimed horror directorMike Flanagan.
The Exorcistis now streaming for free on Pluto TV.
The Exorcist
When a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.
WATCH ON PLUTO TV
