20 Movies That Were Accused of Satanic Messaging

Movies have often sparked controversy and moral outrage, especially when dealing with evil or the supernatural. While many filmmakers use dark themes to create thrilling stories or provoke thought, these choices sometimes upset religious groups who worry the content could encourage harmful practices. Several films have faced strong criticism and been accused of containing or promoting satanic ideas.

‘The Exorcist’ (1973)

William Friedkin’s film is based on William Peter Blatty’s novel about a girl taken over by a demonic force. When it came out, many religious organizations strongly criticized the movie for its disturbing and disrespectful portrayal of religion and evil. Some preachers even warned that the film itself contained evil spirits that could harm viewers. The movie’s production was also plagued by rumors of a curse, with several accidents happening during filming.

‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968)

Directed by Roman Polanski, this psychological horror movie centers on a pregnant woman who becomes convinced her neighbors are part of a dangerous cult. The film sparked controversy, with the Catholic Church criticizing its disturbing content and unsettling conclusion where evil appears to win. Following a tragic real-life event, some conspiracy theorists connected the film’s satanic elements to the death of Sharon Tate. Despite the controversy, it’s still considered a landmark film in religious horror due to its realistic style.

‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001)

When the first Harry Potter movie came out, many religious groups strongly protested it. They worried the depiction of magic would encourage children to explore dangerous practices like witchcraft and the occult. Some schools and libraries even received requests to remove the books and films, fearing they would negatively influence young people. These criticisms continued throughout the entire series’ popularity.

‘The Omen’ (1976)

The movie centers around an American diplomat who, grieving the loss of his son, unknowingly adopts the Antichrist. Many religious viewers were deeply troubled by the film’s portrayal of the biblical apocalypse and the coming of the devil’s son. During production, a series of strange accidents and lightning strikes occurred, leading the cast and crew to believe the film was cursed. This sparked widespread public fear about evil forces operating in today’s world.

‘The Golden Compass’ (2007)

The Catholic League urged people to avoid seeing this fantasy movie, believing it was hostile to religion. They claimed the story led children to doubt religious teachings and promoted the idea that God doesn’t exist. Although the film didn’t directly feature the devil, critics accused it of removing God from the story in a way that echoed satanic beliefs. This controversy had a noticeable negative effect on how well the movie performed in US theaters.

‘Fantasia’ (1940)

The ‘Night on Bald Mountain’ scene in Disney’s Fantasia sparked controversy due to its scary imagery. Many parents and religious organizations believed the depiction of the demon Chernabog and his summoned spirits was too frightening for young viewers. The sequence shows ghostly figures dancing amidst flames before being banished by a church bell. Despite the concerns, it’s still considered one of the most powerful and unsettling moments ever created by Disney animators.

‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)

Stanley Kubrick’s last movie shows a secretive group participating in masked parties and complex ceremonies. Some people who study conspiracy theories think the film exposes actual, powerful groups involved in Satanism. They point to particular symbols and chants in the movie as evidence that Kubrick was revealing secrets about the Illuminati. These ideas became even more popular after the director’s death, which happened just before the film came out.

‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ (1988)

Martin Scorsese’s film, based on a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, sparked widespread outrage and protests. Religious fundamentalists condemned it as blasphemous and even demonic. A particularly controversial scene showing Jesus contemplating a sinful life led to riots at cinemas. The film remains one of the most debated and controversial religious movies ever produced in Hollywood.

‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)

The beloved comedy about three witches who come back to Salem caused controversy when it was first released. Some Christian groups criticized it, believing it made witchcraft seem silly and portrayed spells as harmless entertainment. They worried the film might encourage children to become interested in the occult. However, despite the criticism, it has become a popular Halloween tradition for families worldwide.

‘Angel Heart’ (1987)

This neo-noir horror film features Mickey Rourke as a detective hired to find a vanished singer. It sparked debate due to its disturbing imagery and a surprising connection to Lucifer. Critics on the right were particularly upset by its portrayal of voodoo and the idea of selling one’s soul, and the film’s explicit sexual content fueled further controversy upon its release.

‘The Witch’ (2015)

I was completely captivated by Robert Eggers’ latest film! It’s a historical horror set back in 17th-century New England, and it really dives into the fears of the early Puritan settlers. Honestly, it’s a bit unsettling – the movie actually got a nod from the Satanic Temple, and some religious viewers found the way the witch was portrayed, and the ending, pretty disturbing. But that’s part of what makes it so good! The filmmakers clearly did their research, bringing a real sense of authenticity to the folklore and the darker, supernatural stuff. It felt incredibly grounded, even with all the satanic elements, which made it all the more frightening.

‘Labyrinth’ (1986)

This fantasy musical stars David Bowie as the Goblin King and has become the subject of unusual conspiracy theories. Some people believe the film secretly contains images meant to control minds or depict satanic abuse, interpreting scenes like the masquerade ball and the baby’s kidnapping as symbolic representations of dark rituals. Despite the movie’s generally lighthearted tone, these theories continue to circulate online.

‘The Devil’s Advocate’ (1997)

I was absolutely captivated by this movie starring Keanu Reeves! He plays a lawyer who takes a job at what seems like a dream firm, but it quickly becomes clear that the charming boss is actually… the Devil! What really struck me was how much the film made you think. It wasn’t just about good versus evil; it was filled with intense conversations questioning God and surprisingly portraying the Devil as someone who actually cared about humanity. It definitely ruffled some feathers with religious groups, who felt it painted evil in too flattering a light and blurred the lines between right and wrong. The ending, with this powerful speech directly challenging everything I thought I knew about religion, was just unforgettable.

‘Mother!’ (2017)

I was completely blown away – and disturbed – by Darren Aronofsky’s film. It’s a really challenging story about a poet and his wife, and the way he portrays their lives, with strangers suddenly appearing, felt like a strange, modern-day fable. He weaves in these huge biblical stories, like the creation of the world and the end times, but does it in a way that’s really shocking and unsettling. Honestly, some of the scenes, especially those involving a baby, were incredibly graphic and left a lot of people feeling like they were witnessing something truly evil. It sparked so much debate – people were walking out, arguing about what Aronofsky was trying to say, and it’s a film that’s stayed with me ever since.

‘Suspiria’ (1977)

Dario Argento’s horror film follows an American ballet student who stumbles upon a secret group of witches. While visually stunning, the film’s graphic violence and focus on the occult were criticized for potentially making evil seem appealing. The story portrays a world where powerful, ancient dark forces operate right in the heart of respected organizations, and the film aims to disturb viewers on a deeply instinctive level through its intense atmosphere.

‘Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny’ (2006)

This funny movie stars Jack Black and Kyle Gass as they search for a guitar pick crafted from one of Satan’s teeth. The story builds to a rock competition against the devil, which some viewers considered disrespectful. Religious critics felt the film trivialized serious topics like hell and demons, and despite its comedic tone, it still faced accusations of showcasing satanic themes.

‘Antichrist’ (2009)

Lars von Trier’s film is a disturbing and visually intense look at grief, set in a remote cabin. It presents a bleak view of nature, suggesting it’s a force of evil rather than divine beauty. The film’s graphic violence and sexual content sparked controversy, with some calling it hateful towards women. Its challenging religious themes also deeply troubled many viewers and critics.

‘Jennifer’s Body’ (2009)

Megan Fox stars as a cheerleader who is possessed by a demon after a ritual goes wrong. The movie playfully criticizes the music industry and the complexities of teen relationships, but it also includes a disturbing satanic scene. When it was first released, some conservative reviewers objected to the combination of sexual themes and demonic possession. However, the film has since become popular with audiences who appreciate its underlying feminist message, despite the initial controversy.

‘Little Nicky’ (2000)

In the comedy film, Adam Sandler stars as the son of Satan, who tries to prevent his power-hungry brothers from taking over hell. The movie presents a surprisingly relaxed and even understanding view of hell and its demons. However, some religious organizations criticized it for making light of the serious idea of eternal punishment. Many also found the portrayal of the devil as a fairly normal, even relatable, father figure to be controversial.

‘Crossroads’ (1986)

Ralph Macchio plays a guitar student on a quest to find a famous blues musician who supposedly made a deal with the devil. The story centers around this deal and culminates in an intense guitar competition with the musician’s soul on the line. Though not a typical horror movie, the film reinforced the blues tradition of legends about selling one’s soul for musical talent. Some religious groups criticized it for portraying this trade as appealing.

Please tell us in the comments which of these movies you think deserved the controversy.

2025-11-28 16:49