They Fight Demons!

Clifton Collins Jr. and Clancy Brown lead the Hellbenders -- out now on home video -- an elite group of exorcists who invite powerful demons to possess them ... and then drag them to Hell. To make themselves inviting targets, they live in a constant state of debauchery, which makes them a most unusual team of demon fighters. How do they stack up in comparison with other cinematic warriors against evil?

By Peter Martin

The Exorcist

Demon fighters don't look any more traditional than Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow) and Father Karras (Jason Miller), but each man of God must face his own personal demons in addition to the mighty force of evil that has possessed the body of young Regan (Linda Blair).

The Evil Dead

Five friends travel to an isolated cabin in the woods and unwittingly unleash an insane collection of demons who have been locked away, waiting for their next victims. Sam Raimi's seminal horror film still provides a jolt to the senses, and Bruce Campbell may be the most unlikely, and winning, demon fighter ever.

Hellraiser

The Cenobites are formidable foes. Are they angels, demons, or "explorers" of carnal pleasures, as they claim? Clive Barker sets up three different kinds of demon fighters: the nefarious Frank, his complicit lover Julia, and his bewildered yet still strong niece Kristy. It will prove to be a very painful experience for everyone.

Pumpkinhead

Be careful what you wish for. Lance Henriksen angrily seeks revenge after his young son is accidently killed by a group of visiting young people, and summons forth the titular demon. But once you've called upon Pumpkinhead to exact vengeance, he won't stop just because you change your mind, leaving these demon fighters in a very desperate state.

Highway to Hell

Twelve years after AC/DC's song entered the public consciousness, writer Brian Helgeland, who would go on to win an Oscar for L.A. Confidential, conjured up this wild tale of a young man who must rescue his girlfriend after she is captured by the demonic Hell Cop.

Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight

Long in development, this project was eventually refashioned into a spin-off of the HBO series, in which a motley crew of boarding house residents must fight an army of demonic creatures, as well as fellow townspeople after they're possessed by demons. 

Hellboy

Mike Mignola's comic book creation comes roaring to life under the direction of Guillermo del Toro. He is the rare demon who is a good guy, more than willing to use his unearthly powers to fight evil in whatever guise it may take -- including fellow demons.

Constantine

Originally created by Alan Moore and later developed further by Garth Ennis, John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) experienced a troubled youth, during which time he attempted suicide. To avoid eternal damnation, he exorcises demons, but years of battling demons have taken their toll on his body and soul.

The Evil Dead

Christine, an ambitious loan officer (Alison Lohman), turns down an old woman's plea for more time to pay her mortgage and is, in turn, cursed: she will be haunted by a demon and then dragged to Hell. Christine and her boyfriend Clay (Justin Long) make for comically ineffective demon fighters in Sam Raimi's return to horror.

The Conjuring

Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) look like an ordinary married couple, but beneath their everyday appearance, they are experienced and fearless paranormal investigators who are willing to go toe to toe with even the most invasive and mean-spirited demonic forces.