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Quizzes > Movies

The Exorcist quiz: How Well Do You Know the Movie?

Quick, free Exorcist trivia quiz. Instant results and answers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Vlad RukiterUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Exorcist trivia quiz on dark blue background

This The Exorcist quiz helps you check your memory of the classic horror film and spot what you might have missed on your last watch. Tackle story beats, characters, and eerie details, then keep the frights going with our scary movie quiz or test your knowledge beyond Earth with Alien trivia.

Who directed the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist?
Stanley Kubrick
William Friedkin
Tobe Hooper
Dario Argento
William Friedkin directed The Exorcist, bringing his intense visual style to the film. His direction helped create the movie's unsettling atmosphere and groundbreaking special effects. He was known for other acclaimed works like The French Connection.
In what year was The Exorcist first released in theaters?
1971
1977
1975
1973
The Exorcist premiered in December 1973 and became one of the highest-grossing films of that year. Its release generated both critical acclaim and controversy due to intense visuals. The film's shocking content contributed to its lasting legacy.
What is the name of the young girl who becomes possessed in The Exorcist?
Carrie White
Regan MacNeil
Dana MacAllister
Ellen Ripley
Regan MacNeil is the character who becomes possessed by a demonic force. Her transformation drives the gripping central conflict of the film. Linda Blair portrayed Regan with both vulnerability and chilling intensity.
Which actress played the role of Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist?
Linda Blair
Jodie Foster
Heather O'Rourke
Sigourney Weaver
Linda Blair played the role of Regan MacNeil at just 12 years old. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and remains iconic in horror cinema. Blair's portrayal blended innocence with disturbing possessed behavior.
What is the name of Regan's mother in the film?
Mary MacNeil
Ellen MacNeill
Chris MacNeil
Jamie MacNeil
Chris MacNeil is the name of Regan's mother, portrayed by Ellen Burstyn. She is a successful actress dealing with her daughter's terrifying possession. The character's emotional struggle anchors much of the film's dramatic weight.
Which ancient demon's name is invoked as the possessing entity in The Exorcist?
Asmodeus
Azazel
Beelzebub
Pazuzu
Pazuzu is the Assyrian demon whose spirit inhabits Regan. In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Pazuzu was the king of the wind demons. The novel and film adapted this name to heighten the story's supernatural credibility.
What MPAA rating did The Exorcist originally receive upon its release?
X
PG
PG-13
R
The Exorcist was originally rated R by the MPAA due to intense horror visuals, language, and disturbing themes. This rating reflected the film's mature content that shocked audiences in 1973. Later home releases included an unrated director's cut.
The Exorcist is based on a novel by which author?
Stephen King
Clive Barker
Peter Straub
William Peter Blatty
The film was adapted from William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel of the same name. Blatty also wrote the screenplay, earning an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. His own experiences and research into exorcism informed the story's authenticity.
Which actor portrayed Father Lankester Merrin in The Exorcist?
Max von Sydow
Christopher Lee
Jason Miller
Peter Cushing
Max von Sydow played Father Lankester Merrin, the experienced exorcist priest. His performance lent gravitas and authority to the film's climactic scenes. Von Sydow was already renowned for his work with Ingmar Bergman.
Which instrumental piece by Mike Oldfield is famously associated with The Exorcist's opening credits?
Moonlight Shadow
Tubular Bells
Incantations
Ommadawn
Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells' became indelibly linked to The Exorcist after its use in the opening titles. The haunting piano theme perfectly sets the film's eerie tone. The track's popularity soared following the movie's release.
In which country does the prologue of The Exorcist take place?
Egypt
Iran
Turkey
Iraq
The prologue is set in Iraq during an archaeological dig that uncovers a mysterious relic. This sequence establishes the ancient origins of the demon Pazuzu. The location ties the story to real Mesopotamian mythology.
What profession did Father Damien Karras hold in addition to being a priest?
Medical Doctor
Engineer
Lawyer
Psychiatrist
Father Damien Karras was a trained psychiatrist before he became a Jesuit priest. His medical and psychological background is central to his initial skepticism. This dual expertise creates tension between science and faith.
Which actress received an Academy Award nomination for her supporting role in The Exorcist?
Linda Blair
Max von Sydow
Jason Miller
Ellen Burstyn
Linda Blair earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her portrayal of Regan MacNeil. Her unsettling performance at such a young age was widely praised. Blair's nomination highlighted the film's dramatic impact.
In which Washington, D.C. neighborhood does Chris MacNeil live with her daughter?
Capitol Hill
Adams Morgan
Georgetown
Dupont Circle
Chris MacNeil and Regan reside in Georgetown, an upscale D.C. neighborhood. Several exteriors, including the house and streets, were filmed on location there. Georgetown's historic architecture added authenticity to the setting.
Which Academy Award did The Exorcist win in 1974?
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Original Score
William Peter Blatty won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on The Exorcist. The film also won Best Sound, but Adapted Screenplay was its major writing award. The nomination and win cemented its critical credentials.
The story of The Exorcist was partly inspired by the real-life 1949 case of which individual?
Emma Schmidt
Roland Doe
Anneliese Michel
Michael Taylor
William Peter Blatty researched a 1949 exorcism case involving a boy pseudonymously called "Roland Doe." Church records and diary entries from that event informed the novel's authenticity. The real case remains one of the most documented exorcism claims.
Who was the special makeup effects artist responsible for The Exorcist's groundbreaking prosthetics?
Dick Smith
Tom Savini
Stan Winston
Rick Baker
Dick Smith created the pioneering makeup and prosthetics for The Exorcist, earning him widespread acclaim. His techniques allowed for realistic facial contortions and the infamous head-turn. Smith is often called "The Godfather of Makeup."
What common household food item was used to simulate Regan's projectile vomiting?
Tomato soup
Chocolate pudding
Spinach puree
Pea soup
The filmmakers used condensed pea soup mixed with other ingredients to create Regan's iconic vomit. Its green color and consistency provided the shocking visual effect. This choice has become a famous piece of horror cinema trivia.
Which studio distributed The Exorcist upon its release?
Warner Bros.
20th Century Fox
Paramount Pictures
Universal Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures handled the distribution of The Exorcist. Their marketing campaign emphasized both the film's horror and controversial status. As a result, the movie achieved unprecedented box office success.
Who was the cinematographer responsible for capturing The Exorcist's eerie visuals?
Dean Cundey
Vilmos Zsigmond
Owen Roizman
Gordon Willis
Owen Roizman served as the director of photography on The Exorcist, crafting its stark, atmospheric look. His lighting choices and shot compositions intensified the film's sense of dread. Roizman would later receive multiple Oscar nominations for his work.
Approximately how many days did principal photography for The Exorcist take?
40 days
30 days
75 days
55 days
Principal photography on The Exorcist spanned roughly 55 days. The shoot included both studio work in New York and on-location filming in Washington, D.C. Production delays and special effects needs influenced the schedule.
During the exorcism scenes, what language do the priests use for their prayers and rituals?
Greek
Hebrew
Latin
Aramaic
The priests in The Exorcist chant in Latin, the traditional liturgical language of the Roman Catholic Church. Latin's solemn cadence adds to the ritual's authenticity and drama. This choice underscores the clash of ancient faith against modern skepticism.
What was the approximate production budget for The Exorcist?
$3 million
$12 million
$40 million
$25 million
The Exorcist was produced with a budget of around $12 million, making it one of the most expensive films of its time. The investment funded elaborate sets, makeup effects, and high-profile talent. Its eventual box office returns made it extremely profitable.
How many Academy Award nominations did The Exorcist receive?
15 nominations
20 nominations
5 nominations
10 nominations
The Exorcist received ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and acting nods for Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, and Jason Miller. It won two Oscars and became a major awards contender.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Iconic Characters -

    After completing the quiz, you'll confidently name main figures like Regan MacNeil and Father Merrin, understanding their roles in The Exorcist's spine-chilling narrative.

  2. Recall Memorable Scenes -

    You'll be able to pinpoint and describe key moments - from the spinning head to the infamous staircase - to showcase your mastery of classic horror trivia.

  3. Analyze Plot Details -

    Test your grasp of narrative developments by dissecting supernatural events and story arcs within The Exorcist trivia questions.

  4. Understand Production Trivia -

    Dive into behind-the-scenes facts, learning about the film's release history, director influences, and groundbreaking effects that shaped horror movie lore.

  5. Evaluate Your Horror Movie Knowledge -

    Measure how well your expertise stacks up against fellow fans, using this Exorcist quiz to highlight strengths and uncover areas for further exploration.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Adaptation from Novel to Screen -

    The Exorcist trivia often starts with William Peter Blatty's 1971 best”selling novel, which filmmaker William Friedkin adapted in 1973. Key changes include the expanded role of Father Karras and trimmed dialogue; remember "Blatty to Big Screen" as a simple mnemonic. Reviewing the adaptation process on official film institute sites reveals how fidelity and creative liberty shaped this classic horror trivia staple.

  2. Iconic Cinematography & Directing Choices -

    Friedkin's decision to shoot almost entirely on location in Georgetown gave the film its unsettling realism, a fact highlighted in American Film Institute archives. The infamous 360° "spider walk" shot was improvised; think "Real Streets, Real Screams" to recall its on-site authenticity. Film school case studies commend how practical effects and tight framing amplify suspense in the exorcist movie trivia lore.

  3. Revolutionary Sound Design & Score -

    Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells theme became synonymous with the film's eerie atmosphere, a detail emphasized in audio engineering journals. Sound designers layered Linda Blair's raspy breaths with dubbed demonic voices, creating a chilling auditory tapestry - remember "Tubular Terror" when revisiting exorcist trivia questions on sound. University publications on film scoring spotlight how strategic silence and dissonance heighten fear.

  4. Box Office Records & Cultural Impact -

    The Exorcist grossed over $441 million worldwide, making it the highest-earning R-rated film of its era; Box Office Mojo confirms this milestone. Recognized by AFI's 100 Years…100 Thrills, it set benchmarks for mainstream horror - use "$441M = Massive Mayhem" to memorize its success. Cultural studies journals cite its influence on subsequent films and the birth of modern classic horror trivia discussions.

  5. Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes & Challenges -

    From Linda Blair's rigorous makeup sessions to the cast's reported paranormal experiences, exorcist movie trivia brims with on-set lore documented by the Margaret Herrick Library. The D.R.A.M.A. checklist - Dialogue dubbing, Recording techniques, Actor prosthetics, Makeup marathons, Angle improvisations - helps students recall key production hurdles. Exploring director commentaries and scholarly interviews reveals how these challenges shaped the final cut.

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