Summary
- Supernatural introduced various creatures capable of possessing human bodies, including demons, angels, ghosts, Leviathans, and more.
- While angels require permission from their hosts, demons and Leviathans can possess humans without consent, and Leviathans can shapeshift their host bodies.
- Other creatures, such as the Akrida, Khan worms, and Bisaan, also possess human bodies, causing harm or undergoing transformation in the process.
Supernatural introduced a wide range of monsters and creatures with supernatural powers, but only a handful were capable of possessing human bodies. Over the course of the 15 seasons of Supernatural, Sam and Dean Winchester came face to face with plenty of threats not normally found in the natural world. From blood-sucking vampires to legendary deities, the boys got to know these threats intimately.
In fact, there were several times when Sam and Dean Winchester were inhabited by some of these creatures, or they needed to face off against other possessed humans. There were dozens that had very similar forms to humans, and even some that took the shape, form, and memories of other humans, but didn't possess the body, like ghouls. And some other creatures, like The Shadow, and God Chuck, were seen to possess angels, but they never possessed a human onscreen, which may suggest they couldn't be held by a mortal form. Each creature below has been seen inhabiting a human host and taking control of the body.
11 Demon
Dark Shadow Possession
One of the very first creatures to be seen possessing humans is the demon. Demons take control of a human host in order to walk in the mortal realm. While not possessing a human vessel, demons appear as black smoke which is unable to interact the physical world. They can also take control of a human body against human will. Demons can be exorcised from human hosts and, usually, the humans that they inhabit will make a full recovery, unless the demon takes heavy damage to their body while in control.
10 Angel
Possession With Permission
In Supernatural, angel possession is different from demons, but they can also be very similar. Angels tend to utilize a host form to go about their business on Earth, with little thought for their host body. Unlike demons, angels are required to get permission from a potential host, which means they must persuade and convince a human before they can take control of their body. Angels are generally much more powerful than most other creatures, but their ability to possess a human does rely on continued consent, and some strong-willed humans have been able to reject their angel inhabitants while possessed.
9 Ghosts
A Rare Ghost Ability
Ghosts exist as the remnants of a human life with unfinished business. Over time, ghosts can learn to control and interact with the living world on a limited basis. For many, it requires a long period of practice or an intense outburst of emotions. One of the most difficult and rare abilities a ghost can manifest is to possess a human body, as done by Bobby, to communicate with the boys. While in this form, they can roam outside any bounds they may be trapped in while in their ghost form. More often than not, though, ghosts are unable to possess the living.
8 Leviathan
Ancient Evil
Leviathans are among the oldest creatures created by God. They were the first race of monsters, created before angels, humans, and even the soul. However, when they showed a tendency to destroy beyond anything God had anticipated, they were trapped outside of reality in Purgatory to protect his other creations. Leviathans possess humans in a similar way to how demons do, but they also completely change the bodies they possess. They can shapeshift while in a human body, and they can even possess bodies that are already being controlled and expel the previous resident.
7 Akrida
Insect Body Snatchers
The Akrida appeared in The Winchesters series and proved to be a formidable threat to John, Mary, and their friends. These creatures are not from Earth, and in their natural form, they look like large insects with stingers. While they are in possession of a human vessel, however, they slowly burn through their host, resulting in death after prolonged exposure. The timeline for how quickly this happens is not clear though, as the radio host, Rockin' Roxy, was able to hold one human form for several months.
6 Khan Worm
In Need Of A Shell
Khan worms were created by Eve, and in their original forms, they were fairly delicate. Fortunately, they possess the ability to take control of a host body and access their memories. There was also a later version of these creatures created which did not gain as much control over their human host. The new versions caused their hosts to drink excessive amounts of liquid and become incredibly aggressive.
5 Dr. Eleanor Visyak
Unknown Creature From Another Dimension
In Supernatural season 6, Eleanor Visyak was introduced as an ex-girlfriend of Bobby's. However, it is revealed that she was actually a member of another race of creatures exiled to Purgatory. She had escaped into the human world through a portal opened by H.P. Lovecraft. Little is known about her species, but it is established that they are able to possess human bodies, as the form she took after entering the human world was one of Lovecraft's maids. Once possessed, the body ages incredibly slowly, with Visyak claiming to be at least 900 years old.
4 Reapers
Death's Allies
Reapers are servants of Death who assist the deceased in moving into the world of the dead. While Reapers are capable of appearing in their own form, this form is generally not observable by humans. They have been known to possess humans as well, and while they possess humans, they exist in the world of the living and are thus visible to others. This power rarely serves them in their original mission, however, so it appears they rarely use it.
3 Soul Eaters
Empty The Vessel And Move In
Soul Eaters are another type of creature which doesn't usually exist in the same dimension as Earth. The creatures live in nests and trap souls in order to feed on them. In addition to feeding upon human souls, the Soul Eaters are also able to possess human bodies. In order to do this, the Soul Eaters need to first remove the soul from the body, and then they occupy the now empty body taking control of the vessel for themselves.
2 Bisaan
Possession To Reproduce
Bisaan are ancient cicada spirits from Malaysia who take possession of human bodies to breed and create more of their kind. They enter the host body through the mouth, and over a short period of time, they begin to change the host body. The host's skin pales, their teeth become sharp pointed daggers, and their eyes glow green. In addition, after a little more time, the genitalia of the host disappear. Then, in a mysterious mating ritual, they come together to create new Bisaan larvae which then gestate for 27 years before hatching and finding their own hosts.
