“The Exorcist” (1973) was filmed mainly in Georgetown in Washington, D.C., with key additional locations in New York City and Iraq.

Main Filming Locations

  • Georgetown, Washington, D.C. – The most iconic exterior scenes, including the MacNeil house at 3600 Prospect Street NW and the famous “Exorcist steps” at 36th & Prospect Streets, were shot here.
  • New York City – Many interiors (including the MacNeil house interiors and hospital scenes) were filmed at CECO Studios/Movietone on West 54th Street, plus locations like Bellevue Hospital and Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island.
  • Iraq (Mosul and ancient Hatra) – The archaeological dig and opening Iraq sequences with Father Merrin were filmed in Mosul and at the ancient site of Hatra, south‑west of Mosul.

Notable Spots Fans Visit

  • The MacNeil residence exterior at 3600 Prospect St NW, Georgetown.
  • The “Exorcist steps” running from Prospect Street down toward M Street in Georgetown.
  • Georgetown University environs, including nearby churches and streets used for background and campus-style shots.
  • Former CECO Studios and New York hospital locations that hosted the refrigerated bedroom and medical scenes.

Mini FAQ

  • Was it really filmed in Washington, D.C.?
    Yes. Although interiors were mostly done in New York, the film’s most famous exteriors are genuinely Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
  • Where were the Iraq scenes done?
    They were shot on location in and around Mosul and the ancient city of Hatra in Iraq.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.