Tag: ellen burstyn

  • Best Football Movies To Watch On Super Bowl Sunday

    Best Football Movies of All Time.
    Best Football Movies of All Time.

    “Are you ready for some Football?”

    Super Bowl LX is scheduled for Sunday, February 8th and it promises to be an unforgettable game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.

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    However,  if you still need your football fix, Moviefone has compiled a list of 30 of the best football movies of all time for you to watch after the game.

    These football movies cover what happens both on and off the field, and best of all, every movie here is streaming right now, so you can get started watching any of them immediately.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Tyriq Withers Talks ‘HIM’ Digital Release and Working with Marlon Wayans


    30. ‘The Blind Side‘ (2009)

    (L to R) Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock in 'The Blind Side.' Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L to R) Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock in ‘The Blind Side.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    The story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman (Sandra Bullock) and her family

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    29. ‘American Underdog‘ (2021)

    American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player – but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife, Brenda (Anna Paquin) and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates that Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion that he already is.

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    28. ‘Radio‘ (2003)

    High school football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) befriends Radio (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a mentally-challenged man who becomes a student at TL Hanna High School in Anderson South Carolina. Their friendship extends over several decades where Radio transforms from a shy tormented man into an inspiration to his community.

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    27. ‘Gridiron Gang‘ (2006)

    Under the leadership of their counselor (Dwayne Johnson), teenagers at a juvenile detention center gain selfesteem by playing football together.

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    26. ‘All the Right Moves‘ (1983)

    Sensitive study of a headstrong high school football star (Tom Cruise) who dreams of getting out of his small Western Pennsylvania steel town with a football scholarship. His equally ambitious coach (Craig T. Nelson) aims at a college position resulting in a clash which could crush the players dreams.

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    25. ‘The Underdoggs‘ (2024)

    (L to R) Snoop Dogg as Jaycen "2 J's" Jennings and Mike Epps as Kareem in director Charles Stone III's 'The Underdoggs,' an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Jacob Kemp. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings and Mike Epps as Kareem in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Jacob Kemp. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Jaycen ‘Two Js’ Jennings (Snoop Dogg) is a washed-up former pro football star who has hit rock bottom. When he is sentenced to do community service coaching the Underdoggs, an unruly pee-wee football team in his hometown, he sees it mostly as an opportunity to rebuild his public image. But in the process, he may just turn his life around and rediscover his love of the game.

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    24. ‘The Longest Yard‘ (2005)

    Pro quarterback Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) and former college champion and coach Nate Scarboro (Burt Reynolds) are doing time in the same prison and are asked to put together a team of inmates to take on the guards. Crewe enlists the help of Scarboro to coach the inmates to victory in a football game fixed to turn out quite another way.

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    23. ‘The Program‘ (1993)

    Several players from different backgrounds try to cope with the pressures of playing football at a major university. Each deals with the pressure differently some turn to drinking others to drugs and some to studying.

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    22. ‘The Best of Times‘ (1986)

    A smalltown loser (Robin Williams) determines to have one more shot at the big time by winning a football game.

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    21. ‘Varsity Blues‘ (1999)

    In small-town Texas, high school football is a religion, 17-year-old schoolboys carry the hopes of an entire community onto the gridiron every Friday night. When star quarterback Lance Harbor (Paul Walker) suffers an injury, the Coyotes are forced to regroup under the questionable leadership of John Moxon (James Van Der Beek), a second-string quarterback with a slightly irreverent approach to the game.

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    20. ‘The Longest Yard‘ (1974)

    Burt Reynolds in 1974's 'The Longest Yard.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Burt Reynolds in 1974’s ‘The Longest Yard.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    A football player-turned-convict (Burt Reynolds) organizes a team of inmates to play against a team of prison guards. His dilemma is that the warden (Eddie Albert) asks him to throw the game in return for an early release but he is also concerned about the inmates lack of self-esteem.

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    19. ‘The Waterboy‘ (1998)

    Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler) is a water boy for a struggling college football team. The coach (Henry Winkler) discovers Boucher’s hidden rage makes him a tackling machine whose bone-crushing power might vault his team into the playoffs.

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    18. ‘Jerry Maguire‘ (1996)

    Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) used to be a typical sports agent willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients plus a nice commission for himself. Then one day he suddenly has second thoughts about what he’s really doing. When he voices these doubts he ends up losing his job and all of his clients save Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.) an egomaniacal football player.

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    17. ‘Invincible‘ (2006)

    Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale’s beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.

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    16. ‘Leatherheads‘ (2008)

    A light hearted comedy about the beginnings of Professional American Football. When a decorated war hero (George Clooney) and college all star (John Krasinski) is tempted into playing professional football. Everyone see the chance to make some big money, but when a reporter digs up some dirt on the war hero… everyone could lose out.

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    15. ‘HIM‘ (2025)

    Marlon Wayans is Isaiah (back, pointing) and Tyriq Withers is Cam (foreground) in 'HIM', directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Marlon Wayans is Isaiah (back, pointing) and Tyriq Withers is Cam (foreground) in ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    After suffering a potentially career-ending brain trauma, Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) receives a lifeline when his hero, legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife. But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker.

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    14. ‘Necessary Roughness‘ (1991)

    When the Texas Southern Armadillos football team is disqualified for cheating and poor grades, the University is forced to pick from a team that actually goes to school. Will they even win a single game?

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    13. ‘North Dallas Forty‘ (1979)

    A semi-fictional account of life as a professional football player. Loosely based on the Dallas Cowboys team of the early 1970s.

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    12. ‘80 for Brady‘ (2023)

    Inspired by the true story of four best friends (Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno and Sally Field) living life to the fullest when they take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Tom Brady play.

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    11. ‘Draft Day‘ (2014)

    At the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner) has the opportunity to rebuild his team when he trades for the number one pick. He must decide what he’s willing to sacrifice on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with NFL dreams.

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    10. ‘The Replacements‘ (2000)

    Keanu Reeves in 'The Replacements'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    Keanu Reeves in ‘The Replacements’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Maverick old-guard coach Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) is hired in the wake of a players’ strike to help the Washington Sentinels advance to the playoffs. But that impossible dream hinges on whether his replacements can hunker down and do the job, including washed up Quarterback Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves). So, McGinty dusts off his secret dossier of ex-players who never got a chance (or screwed up the one they were given) and knits together a bad-dream team of guys who just may give the Sentinels their title shot.

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    9. ‘Brian’s Song‘ (1971)

    Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.

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    8. ‘Heaven Can Wait‘ (1978)

    Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty) is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the Super Bowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn’t ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently-murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant—the murderers—are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Super Bowl.

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    7. ‘Wildcats‘ (1986)

    Molly (Goldie Hawn) is a high school track coach who knows just as much about football as anyone else on the planet. When a football coach’s position becomes vacant, she applies for the job, despite snickers from fellow staff members and her former husband.

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    6. ‘We Are Marshall‘ (2006)

    When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team’s new coach (Matthew McConaughey) and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.

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    5. ‘The Last Boy Scout‘ (1991)

    (L to R) Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans in 'The Last Boy Scout'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans in ‘The Last Boy Scout’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    When the girl (Halle Berry) that detective Joe Hallenback (Bruce Willis) is protecting gets murdered, the boyfriend (Damon Wayans) of the murdered girl attempts to investigate and solve the case. What they discover is that there is deep seated corruption going on between a crooked politician and the owner of a pro football team.

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    4. ‘Rudy‘ (1993)

    Rudy (Sean Austin) grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of five people and has set his sights upon joining the team.

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    3. ‘Friday Night Lights‘ (2004)

    A small, turbulent town in Texas obsesses over their high school football team to an unhealthy degree. When the star tailback, Boobie Miles (Derek Luke), is seriously injured during the first game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town’s dormant social problems begin to flare up. It is left to the inspiring abilities of new coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) to instill in the other team members — and, by proxy, the town itself — a sense of self-respect and honor.

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    2. ‘Remember the Titans‘ (2000)

    After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) – tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.

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    1. ‘Any Given Sunday‘ (1999)

    (L to R) Jamie Foxx, Al Pacino and Denis Quaid in 'Any Given Sunday'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Jamie Foxx, Al Pacino and Denis Quaid in ‘Any Given Sunday’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    A star quarterback (Dennis Quaid) gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer (Jamie Foxx) is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the ageing coach (Al Pacino) to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president (Cameron Diaz) adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove herself in a male dominated world.

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  • Scarlett Johansson to Star in Next ‘Exorcist’ Movie

    (Left) Scarlett Johansson arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Heather Swift / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right)

    Preview:

    • Scarlett Johansson will star in the next ‘Exorcist’ movie.
    • Mike Flanagan is writing and directing the film.
    • It’ll be an all-new approach.

    Start making the pea soup! There is movement on the new ‘Exorcist’ movie as Deadline brings news that Scarlett Johansson has made a deal to star.

    The new effort comes courtesy of Universal alongside horror veteran companies Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, who hired ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’Mike Flanagan to direct with plans to take the franchise in yet another new direction.

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    Here’s what Flanagan had to say about the new casting:

    “Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn’t be happier to have her join this ‘Exorcist’ film.”

    Related Article: Horror Maestro Mike Flanagan in Talks For the Next ‘Exorcist’ Movie

    What’s the story of the new ‘Exorcist’ movie?

    (L to R) Executive Producer/Director Mike Flanagan, Executive Producer/Director Michael Fimognari in 'The Fall of the House of Usher.' Photo: Eike Schroter/Netflix © 2023.
    (L to R) Executive Producer/Director Mike Flanagan, Executive Producer/Director Michael Fimognari in ‘The Fall of the House of Usher.’ Photo: Eike Schroter/Netflix © 2023.

    This is where things get interesting.

    Flanagan, when he was first announced as making the new ‘Exorcist’ effort, seemed likely to be tackling ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver,’ the follow-up to David Gordon Green’s ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ which arrived in 2023.

    Yet after ‘Believer’ underperformed at the box office and was bedeviled by critics, Green backed away to focus on other projects.

    Now, whatever Flanagan has cooking plot-wise would appear to be a completely new take on the story of possession and terror.

    And how Johansson might fit into that? We’ll have to wait and see.

    Where else can we see Scarlett Johansson?

    Scarlett Johansson as skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett in 'Jurassic World Rebirth', directed by Gareth Edwards. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Scarlett Johansson as skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, directed by Gareth Edwards. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Johansson has had a successful summer –– she anchored ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ which despite its own critical issues, still earned nearly $869 million worldwide.

    She also made her movie directorial debut with this year’s ‘Eleanor the Great,’ which starred June Squibb.

    Next up, Johansson will be seen in James Gray’s ‘Paper Tiger’ opposite Miles Teller and Adam Driver. She also has a variety of other projects in development or making their way towards production, including her potential role as Mother Gothel in the live-action ‘Tangled’ for Disney.

    When will the new ‘Exorcist’ movie be on screens?

    There are no details yet on when this one might be in theaters, but Deadline reports that with scheduling worked out, it’s likely to be the next movie Johansson makes, so if it shoots next year, 2027 is not out of the realms of possibility.

    Katherine (Olivia O'Neill) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’:

    Buy ‘The Exorcist’ On Amazon

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  • Mike Flanagan to Direct ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’

    Executive Producer/Director Mike Flanagan, Executive Producer/Director Michael Fimognari in 'The Fall of the House of Usher.'
    (L to R) Executive Producer/Director Mike Flanagan, Executive Producer/Director Michael Fimognari in ‘The Fall of the House of Usher.’ Photo: Eike Schroter/Netflix © 2023.

    Preview:

    • Mike Flanagan is in talks to make ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’.
    • David Gordon Green kicked off the new trilogy with ‘The Exorcist: Believer’.
    • Universal is hoping for a fresh creative voice after ‘Believer’ underperformed.

    It was seemingly going so well for Universal and Blumhouse on their collaboration for revivals of classic horror properties. Off the back of a mostly successful three-film run via ‘Halloween’, the studio dived into another, splashing $400 million for the rights to ‘The Exorcist’ with the plan for ‘Halloween’ trilogy filmmaker David Gordon Green to crank out three more movies, and wait for the cash to come rolling in.

    Except… It hasn’t quite worked out that way. Green was certainly enthusiastic about his next stab at a big horror property, but then ‘The Exorcist: Believer’, which featured a new story of possession, but also boasted connective tissue via the 1973 movie’s star Ellen Burstyn reprising her role of Chris MacNeil, stumbled.

    That movie received fairly scathing reviews, was largely snubbed by audiences, and took in just $136 million worldwide. The potential trilogy’s forward movement grinding to a halt, Green announced he was going off to work on other movies (and the fourth season of HBO series ‘The Righteous Gemstones’), and Blumhouse/Universal found themselves hanging the “Director Wanted” sign.

    Now, according to reporter Jeff Sneider, the companies have their answer. Mike Flanagan, known for movies such as ‘Oculus’ and ‘Doctor Sleep’ and creator of giant Netflix horror hits including ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, ‘Midnight Mass’ and last year’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ is in talks to take on at least the next movie, and possibly two (though no one is confirming the two-movie plan just yet.

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    What was the story of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ followed what happened 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 Burstyn’s Chris MacNeil, who has been forever altered by what happened to her daughter fifty years ago.

    Related Article: Where to Watch ‘The Exorcist: Believer’

    What could happen in ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’

    Jennifer Nettles in 'The Exorcist: Believer'.
    Jennifer Nettles in ‘The Exorcist: Believer’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Given that (spoiler alert for ‘Believer’!) the first movie ended with one of the girls dragged to Hell by a demon when the father of the other made a tragic choice, there’s plenty of scope for her parents to go to terrible lengths to try and get her back.

    Green had said he’d mapped out an idea for the movies going forward, but with Flanagan now likely to make the next one (and reportedly being given creative freedom), there could well be a pivot into more of an anthology idea. But we’ll have to wait and see.

    When will ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’ be in theaters?

    While the movie, back when Green was still aboard, was dated for April 18th, 2025, the change in filmmaker has led to a delay. Universal has yet to confirm a new date, obviously waiting to see whether Flanagan takes the job.

    Bruce Greenwood as Roderick Usher, Executive Producer/Director Mike Flanagan in 'The Fall of the House of Usher.'
    (L to R) Bruce Greenwood as Roderick Usher, Executive Producer/Director Mike Flanagan in ‘The Fall of the House of Usher.’ Photo: Eike Schroter/Netflix © 2023.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’:

    Buy ‘The Exorcist’ On Amazon

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  • Where You Can Watch ‘The Exorcist: Believer’

    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    The cult horror classic makes its return with a brand new chapter in ‘The Exorcist: Believer.’ Helmed by director David Gordon Green (‘Halloween Kills’), the film follows two families connected by their daughters’ mysterious disappearance in the woods.

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    Where Can I Watch ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    Tony (Norbert Leo Butz), Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) and Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Tony (Norbert Leo Butz), Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) and Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    The film premiered in the United States on October 6, 2023, kicking off the horror season. Originally, ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ was set to be released on October 13, but shifted its date to avoid competing with ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,’ which became a mega box office hit, grossing over $92 million during the opening weekend.

    Producer and Blumhouse founder Jason Blum acknowledged this on his X (formerly Twitter) account by quoting a Taylor Swift song, “Look what you made me do. The Exorcist: Believer moves to 10/6/23.”

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ Movie Showtimes

    ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ became available on PVOD on October 24, 2023, only 18 days after its theatrical release. The reason may be due to the film’s poor reception with both critics and audiences alike, with 22% critics score and 59% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

    For those who missed the movie on the big screen or just prefer to watch horror flicks at home, ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ is available digitally on services such as Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, and Vudu. You can rent the film for $19.99 or purchase it for $29.99.

    ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ has a total runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes.

    Buy ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ On Amazon

    When Will ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ Be Available To Stream?

    Director David Gordon Green on the set of 'The Exorcist: Believer.'
    Director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘The Exorcist: Believer.’

    The movie was released by Universal Pictures, and the film will be streaming on its streaming platform Peacock on December 1, 2023. For other films in ‘The Exorcist’ franchise, you can find it streaming on platforms such as Peacock, Prime Video, Max, or Hulu.

    Where to Watch: ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ Online

    Related Article: ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ Sees David Gordon Green Following Up Another Classic Horror

    A Brand New Chapter To A Classic Horror

    Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ is technically a reboot, as it introduces brand new characters and stories. However, the movie very much exists within ‘The Exorcist’ world as director David Gordon Green brings Ellen Burstyn into the film to reprise her role as Chris MacNeil – Regan’s mother in the 1970 original.

    Fans were delighted to learn about Burstyn’s return, as the trailer shows her speaking with a possessed Katherine, “We’ve met before. But I’m not talking to you now”. Katherine’s demonic voice responds with, “Are you looking for Regan?” alluding to her daughter’s brush with demonic possession and exorcism.

    Much like horror icon Jamie Lee Curtis’ return to the latest ‘Halloween’ franchise (also helmed by David Gordon Green), fans may be expecting Burstyn’s appearance in the film to have the same effect. However, her role is not as significant as the trailer makes it out to be. Instead, the story focuses on the two families – Victor (Leslie Odom Jr.) and his daughter Angela (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine’s (Olivia Marcum) parents.

    The film also explores other cultures’ ideas of exorcism, taking it beyond the Catholic church.

    Watch the official trailers for ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ below:

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    The official synopsis for ‘The Exorcist: Believer’:

    “Since the death of his pregnant wife in a Haitian earthquake 12 years ago, Victor Fielding (Tony winner and Oscar nominee Leslie Odom, Jr.; ‘One Night in Miami,’ ‘Hamilton‘) has raised their daughter, Angela (Lidya Jewett, ‘Hidden Figures‘) on his own. But when Angela and her friend Katherine (newcomer Olivia Marcum) disappear in the woods, only to return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, it unleashes a chain of events that will force Victor to confront the nadir of evil and, in his terror and desperation, seek out the only person alive who has witnessed anything like it before: Chris MacNeil.”

    Who Is In The Cast of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    The movie stars Lesie Odom Jr as Victor Fielding, Lidya Jewett as Angela Fielding, Olivia Marcum as Katherine, Jennifer Nettles as Miranda, Norbert Leo Butz as Tony, Ann Dowd as Ann, and Ellen Burstyn reprises her role as Chris MacNeil.

    Katherine (Olivia O'Neill) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Exorcist: Believer’:

    To watch our exclusive interview with director David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum, please click on the video player below:

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Exorcist: Believer’

    Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    In theaters on October 6th, ‘The Exorcist: Believer‘ represents David Gordon Green revisiting the world of another classic horror title, in this case 1973’s ‘The Exorcist’.

    Can it replicate the success (hit and miss as it was) of Green’s ‘Halloween’ trilogy? On the evidence of this, not really.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Since the death of his pregnant wife in a Haitian earthquake 13 years ago, Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.) has raised their daughter, Angela (Lidya Jewett) on his own.

    But when Angela and her friend Katherine (Olivia Marcum), disappear in the woods, only to return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, it unleashes a chain of events that will force Victor to confront the nadir of evil and, in his terror and desperation, seek out the only person alive who has witnessed anything like it before: Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn).

    Who else is in ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    Tony (Norbert Leo Butz), Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) and Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Tony (Norbert Leo Butz), Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) and Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    The cast for the new horror also includes Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Ann Dowd, Raphael Sbarge, E.J. Bonilla and Antoni Corone.

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    What works about ‘The Exorcist: Believer?

    Director David Gordon Green on the set of 'The Exorcist: Believer.'
    Director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘The Exorcist: Believer.’

    Clearly deciding that because his first ‘Halloween’ movie was a hit with audiences and critics (and ignoring the response to the other two), David Gordon Green returns to the horror beat by planning a sequel-skipping follow-up to another legendary horror title.

    Unlike John Carpenter’s franchise, which had at its core Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode, something that Green hitched his own wagon to, this time he’s only really using Ellen Burstyn’s Chris MacNeil (the mother of Linda Blair’s possessed Regan in the 1970s original) as window dressing.

    Instead, the focus here is on two new families –– Odom Jr’s Victor and the parents of Katherine. And opening up the concept for a linked possession does offer a few decent ideas.

    What also works –– at least until it really doesn’t –– is exploring other cultures’ ideas of exorcism, widening the world of ritual and belief beyond the Catholic church.

    Related Article: ‘Halloween’ Director David Gordon Green on Resurrecting an Iconic Franchise

    Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr., background) and Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett) with additional cast members in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr., background) and Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett) with additional cast members in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Odom Jr. adds another decent role to his cinematic resume, even if he is saddled with a very seen-it-before single dad role, all comedy bonding and then concern.

    Green has also stacked his cast with some great performers in both the lead and supporting roles, the two youngsters who end up vessels for demonic creatures working with the special effects team to convince you that they’re suffering at the hands of some terrible entity.

    The likes of Ann Dowd (in particular) and Raphael Sbarge do good work with their parts even when the writing lets them down. They’re given moments to shine and some shading in between the scares, and they really put the work in to sell these side characters. Ditto Norbert Leo Butz as Katherine’s concerned dad.

    Finally, Green has the courage of his convictions with regards to the outcome, but we’ll say no more about that.

    What are the problems with ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    (from left) Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia Marcum) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (from left) Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia Marcum) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Possibly the biggest issue with the new movie is that, unlike William Friedkin’s, it exists in a world where we’ve had enough possession stories to fill at least one level of Hell. Even just earlier this year, we had Russell Crowe puttering around on a Vespa before doing battle with the forces of evil in ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’.

    The existence of those other films is not a fault of this latest stab at ‘The Exorcist’ but the choice to make it –– and to attempt to follow what is still regarded as the best –– can entirely be laid at the feet of Green and his team.

    So, this needed to be truly great to stand out. Unfortunately, it’s mostly middling. Despite the performances from most of the cast, it’s clear that Green and co. were mostly on a nostalgia trip, bringing back Burstyn for little more than a glorified cameo, reduced primarily to offering exposition.

    This is also very much in the Blumhouse mold, the difference between this movie and Friedkin’s stark. Where the original is cold and calculated, this is all eager jump scares and frenetic pacing, images thrown at the screen in an attempt to keep us unnerved.

    Yet the effect by the end is more enervating than unnerving, the bag of tricks becoming clear. Yes, it might seem unfair to compare this with one of the greatest horror movies of all time, but when you opt to shoot “a new chapter”, you already invited that.

    Katherine (Olivia O'Neill) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    What ‘The Exorcist’ does with a few lashings of pea-soup, a quick neck twist and some levitation, the new movie cannot challenge, even with a healthy respect for physical effects augmented by judicious use of digital trickery.

    Likewise, the demonic figure at the center of the story is in no way as compelling as in the original, possibly because our attention is split between the two victims. And an obvious attempt to channel the personal connection of the first film (more than once) comes across as crass more than emotional.

    And beyond the script letting the ensemble down in key moments, it starts to unravel as a whole, cliches creeping in to possess the movie long before the credits roll.

    Is this likely to make your head spin with excitement? Unless you know almost nothing about the original, probably not. While Friedkin’s rightly lauded original might be considered slow by today’s audiences raised on a diet of endless jump moments and quicker editing, Green’s version will try the patience in other ways.

    Proof, surely (even with Green’s confirmed plans that this should kick off another trilogy) that the co-writer/director might be better off going back to fully original work.

    One to see only if the power of curiosity compels you.

    ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

    'The Exorcist: Believer' opens in theaters on October 13th.
    ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ opens in theaters on October 13th.

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  • Astronaut Natalie Portman Unravels on Earth in New ‘Lucy in the Sky’ Trailer

    Astronaut Natalie Portman Unravels on Earth in New ‘Lucy in the Sky’ Trailer

    Fox Searchlight

    Famous Beatles tune “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” gets a literal interpretation in the new trailer for “Lucy in the Sky,” a film following an astronaut who has a transcendent experience in space, and is desperate to go on another mission — at any cost.

    A haunting piano rendition of the title song plays as we see Lucy Cola (Natalie Portman) float among the stars, gazing out in awe at the Earth beneath her. She’s haunted by thoughts of her life below, and the disconnection she feels from it (including her husband, played by Dan Stevens); when she’s back on the ground, she immediately throws herself into training to return to space again.

    But there are plenty of obstacles in her way, including an affair with a fellow astronaut (Jon Hamm), competition from new NASA recruits (Zazie Beetz), and skepticism from her superiors (Nick Offerman, Ellen Burstyn). As Lucy explains it, though, space is the “only place where anything makes sense,” and she becomes obsessed with making her way back, as her world — and her grasp on reality — begins to unravel.

    The thriller marks the feature directorial debut of Noah Hawley (FX series “Legion”), and his surreal stamp is all over the chilling trailer. Lucy may be descending into madness, but it’s sure to be an entertaining — and unexpected — ride.

    Lucy in the Sky” will make its world debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.