The eagerly awaited trilogy of fresh films was abruptly shelved after the critical and commercial flop of "The Exorcist: Believer." Universal Pictures announced Tuesday that horror maestro Mike Flanagan's reimagined version of "The Exorcist" will haunt theaters on March 13, 2026. Prepare to encounter a devil that defies all your expectations.
The joint venture between Blumhouse and Morgan Creek to produce a trilogy of contemporary "Exorcist" films hit a roadblock due to the lukewarm and divisive reception of last year's "The Exorcist: Believer," helmed by David Gordon Green. Last month, the filmmakers announced a seismic shift, handing over the reins of the franchise to Flanagan.
Flanagan, whose credits boast illustrious titles like "The Haunting of Hill House," "Midnight Mass," "Gerald's Game," "Doctor Sleep," and the recent "The Fall of the House of Usher," has crafted an entirely fresh narrative nightmare. This is not a sequel to any previous "Exorcist" film; rather, it charts a bold new path for the franchise.
The film will be a collaborative effort between Flanagan's long-time producer Trevor Macy (of "The Haunting of Hill House" and "Midnight Mass") for Intrepid Pictures, Flanagan himself for Red Room Pictures, and Jason Blum (of "Five Nights at Freddy's" and "M3GAN") for Blumhouse. This "Exorcist" film marks Flanagan's fourth collaboration with Blumhouse, following his previous hits "Oculus," "Hush," and "Ouija: Origin of Evil," all produced by Macy.
When "The Exorcist," based on William Peter Blatty's blockbuster novel, was released in 1973, it revolutionized culture, becoming the first horror film ever to be nominated for Best Picture. Now, with Flanagan's visionary reimagining, the franchise is poised to cast an even darker shadow over our imaginations.
