12 Excellent Films Featuring the Devil

      Here are 12 iconic films featuring the devil, along with some reflections on what the devil might truly be like.

      Get ready, mortals.

      Let’s begin.

      But First…

      Although Broadcast News doesn’t make this list due to the absence of the devil, it features a brilliant monologue by Albert Brooks’ character, Aaron Altman, who shares his thoughts on how the devil would act in contemporary society.

      “He’ll be appealing. He’ll be kind and accommodating. He’ll secure a position that allows him to influence a devout nation. He won’t commit any overtly evil acts! He won’t intentionally harm anyone… Instead, he will gradually lower our standards in critical areas—just a bit at a time. He will subtly promote style over substance, just a touch at a time. And he’ll assert that we are all essentially salespeople. And he’ll attract all the remarkable women.”

      That seems pretty accurate. Now, here are 12 classic films about the devil.

      The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)

      This early classic about the devil features Walter Huston, who was among the first actors to show that portraying the devil as calm and soft-spoken is scarier than as a violent monster. After all, he’s a fallen angel.

      In this film, adapted from the story by Stephen Vincent Benét, Mr. Scratch orchestrates a trial against statesman Daniel Webster that ultimately serves as a trial for America itself.

      It's cleverly diabolical for how it disguises a history lesson within a supposed fantasy-horror narrative. It became one of the initial horror films to effectively blend chills with social commentary.

      The Story of Mankind (1957)

      A film that heavily borrows from The Devil and Daniel Webster, The Story of Mankind escalates the stakes by putting all of humanity on trial rather than just the American way of life. It boasts a grand production that promised “the greatest star cast ever assembled! 50 big names!”

      Among the ensemble were Ronald Coleman, Hedy Lamarr, Groucho Marx, Peter Lorre, Cesar Romero, and a young Dennis Hopper.

      Like Huston before him, Vincent Price understood that portraying the devil as charming is more impactful than being overtly frightening. His demon character is once again named Mr. Scratch.

      Damn Yankees (1958)

      This classic film is also a quintessential tale of making a deal with the devil.

      Adapted from the popular Broadway musical, the movie depicts Joe (Robert Shafer), a devoted fan of the Washington Senators, who declares he would sell his soul for the team to beat the Yankees. The devil, embodied by the suave Applegate (Ray Walston), strikes a deal that grants him youth and leads the Senators to success.

      The film is particularly famous for Gwen Verdon’s performance of “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets” in the locker room.

      It’s diabolical in how effectively it conveys one of the Ten Commandments: “You shall have no other gods.”

      Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

      This Roman Polanski film, adapted from Ira Levin’s novel, creates an overwhelming sense of unease as it illustrates the infantilization of pregnant Rosemary (Mia Farrow) by those around her.

      Initially, it seems to revolve around straightforward gaslighting, predating its popularization as a term. But then it confronts Rosemary's—and our—fears with a conclusion even more horrifying than we anticipated.

      The film also carries unavoidable darkness, reflecting the tragedies that befell Polanski and Farrow following its release.

      The Exorcist (1973)

      Often regarded as one of the scariest classic films—and perhaps the scariest film related to the devil—The Exorcist masterfully builds character development and mythology. By the time the infamous head-spinning occurs, you are thoroughly engrossed.

      It has haunted many who have watched it, delivering shocks during the film and leaving a lingering darkness long after it concludes.

      It ranks highly among the scariest films of all time.

      The Omen

      Directed by Richard Donner before his acclaimed work on the wholesome Superman, The Omen presents a chilling tale about Damien Thorn, a boy secretly swapped at birth by his father without his mother’s awareness following their son’s death as a newborn.

      As the story unfolds, Damien reveals a sinister influence over those around him as his parents come to the horrific realization that they are raising the Antichrist.

      The film’s notable cast, including Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, adds a chilling gravitas to the narrative.

      Oh God! You Devil (1984)

      Not every film about the devil needs to be frightening.

      The third installment in the Oh God! series, following 1977’s Oh, God and 1980’s Oh God! Book II, features George Burns reprising his role as God while also portraying his adversary, the devil. His objective is to claim the soul of a struggling rock musician.

      It’s diabolical in