20 Most Underrated Horror Movies EVER

3. The Exorcist III

The Exorcist III
Fox

There's a prevailing sentiment among many that the only good Exorcist movie is William Friedkin's 1973 original, but that does a huge disservice to the magnificent gem that is The Exorcist III.

The threequel's big problem is that it marks quite a departure from the first two Exorcists, opting for a more hemmed-in, restrained style for the most part. 

For many, it's just too talky, too slow, too quiet - not the parade of barmy set-pieces fans of the first might've come to expect.

But the performances from George C. Scott and Brad Dourif make all the chin-wagging positively hypnotic, and when writer-director William Peter Blatty - who also penned both Exorcist novels - finally lets loose with the more full-throated horror, he absolutely makes the most of it.

Even beyond the film's infamous all-timer jump scare, this is a magnificently mounted, patient companion to Friedkin's original, and the fact it's so often lumped in with all the tawdry sequels and prequels is a crying shame.

 
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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.