Occult and horror movies with biblical themes took a foothold in the public’s mind with smash hits like The Omen and Rosemary’s Baby. The subject of angels and demons is always central to the plot of these kinds of movies, even if none of those supernatural entities actually show up on screen. Angels in these movies either take the part of loyal servants of the throne of heaven, or conflicted characters that can’t reconcile their role in the celestial hierarchy.RELATED: Best Valentine’s Day Movies For The Cynical RomanticThe term “fallen angel” comes from the old story about former angel Lucifer getting literally tossed out of heaven after challenging god’s authority. Known most often as Satan, this entity was fallen before it was cool, and makes at least a cameo in almost every occult movie in some form. A few other angels have followed his lead into film history.
8 Satan — Constantine (2005)
This movie is part of the DC comic book universe, for those who are interested in those franchises. It’s based on a series called John Constantine, Hellblazer, which has been in circulation since 1988, first under DC Comics and then Vertigo.
In the film adaptation, there are a few angels and demons that make an appearance, and other supernatural entities drop Satan’s name a few times before he actually shows up. Peter Stormare plays the ultimate fallen angel as both sinister and comical, the ultimate wildcard in the final battle between heaven and hell.
7 Clarence — It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
On the other end of the spectrum from the ultimate evil, here’s the pure-of-heart angel that could only appear in a classic black and white movie. Clarence isn’t fallen in the sense that he’s a rebel, but he literally falls out of heaven or is thrown out rather carelessly, depending on how the scene looks to the viewer.
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Clarence has an important mission. He has to save George Bailey, which is ironic because the story is set in motion when George saves him first. It’s not a river that Clarence has to pull George from, but rather a mire of isolation and despair. Should he succeed, he can return to heaven and finally be awarded a set of wings.
6 Charlie — All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)
Angels don’t have to be human, as any pet owner will tell you, and only a dog lover really understands the meaning of this title. After Charlie goes to doggie heaven, even though he’s been a bad dog, he uses his charm and trickery to sneak out again and return to earth, even though this means he can never return.
Things change for Charlie when he meets a little girl who can speak to animals, and even though his immediate reaction is to use her to run a scam, they form a bond and he has a change of heart. Not to give it all away, there is a way for Charlie to get back into Doggie Heaven, and he finds it.
5 The Man — End Of Days (1999)
Here’s Satan again, but he’s listed simply as “The Man” in the credits. End of Days isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite occult film, but it’s an interesting example of how this genre, and the closely related apocalypse-themed movies, were popular in the closing years of the 20th century.
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The portrayal of the ultimate fallen angel by the ironically named actor Gabriel Byrne is one of the stellar points of this otherwise mediocre film. In a plot that uses so many tropes it could be a satire, Satan has come to New York looking for his son, part of his ultimate plan to trigger the apocalypse, and sets a lot of things on fire in the process. The usual stuff.
4 Bartleby & Loki — Dogma (1999)
Why can’t the biblical Apocalypse be funny? In another movie populated by quite a few angels, demons, and other supernatural beings, it’s fair to let this dynamic duo share an entry. They aren’t the main characters or antagonists, but their actions drove the plot, most of which is inspired by a loose interpretation of, well, religious dogma.
Both Loki and Bartleby are fallen angels, and they’re trying to exploit a loophole that will let them return to heaven. The trouble with that, however, is that it creates a paradox that proves god wrong, and should they succeed, the universe ends.
3 Gabriel — The Prophecy (1995)
Lucifer appears here, too, this time played by Viggo Mortensen. However, he’s overshadowed by Christopher Walken in one of his most chilling and memorable roles. The Angel Gabriel often appears in movies about the occult, especially the end of the world, and this might be his most memorable appearance.
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Usually the loyal right hand of God, this time it’s Gabriel who’s gone rogue, and he’s looking for a wayward soul hidden somewhere on earth. The only thing standing between this fallen angel and the proverbial Apocalypse button is detective Thomas Dagget and his schoolteacher sidekick, Katherine.
2 Chance — Being There (1979)
It’s never exactly clear who or what Chance is, but he seems like a mix between Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life and another likable idiot, Forrest Gump. Initially, he’s deeply sympathetic, a simple and vulnerable old man who starts the movie by leaving the only home he has ever known.
By the time the story comes to a close, Chance, now known as Chauncey and played to perfection by Peter Sellers, has fallen all the way up the social ladder from humble gardener and is poised to be the next President. The plot is designed so that the audience is asking themselves about his identity the whole time, and although that question is never really answered, there’s a strong hint at the end he has supernatural origins.
1 Mister Frost (1990)
The titular character in this film is the pseudonym of the first fallen angel in yet another interpretation. This is one of Jeff Goldblum’s best performances, and when it comes to suspense, Mister Frost doesn’t get enough attention.
At first, this seems like a basic crime thriller, starting with a serial killer who gets caught via a flippant confession. After two years in confinement, Mister Frost breaks his silence to Dr. Sarah Day, the resident psychiatrist, and reveals he is Satan. Obviously, she doesn’t believe him, and neither does the audience. By the end of the movie, however, this is a full-on occult horror film, and everyone who’s watching is a believer.
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