The Conjuring: Last Rites Smashes Records with Historic Box Office Debut
Twelve years, nine films, and countless nightmares later, The Conjuring Universe continues to dominate the horror landscape. Far from showing signs of slowing down, the series has just delivered its biggest success yet with The Conjuring: Last Rites. Marketed as the final chapter featuring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film debuted this past weekend to record-shattering numbers at the global box office.
Domestically, Last Rites earned an astonishing $83 million, the strongest opening for any entry in the franchise. Globally, the film launched with a staggering $194 million, making it the single biggest worldwide opening weekend ever for a horror film. That figure even surpasses IT (2017), which previously held the crown with $190 million. For Warner Bros., who have overseen the entire Conjuring saga, the milestone further cements their dominance in the theatrical horror market.
Breaking Records and Making History
The record-breaking start places The Conjuring: Last Rites among the highest openings in the history of the horror genre. Only IT and IT: Chapter Two have earned more domestically in their opening weekends. In terms of global numbers, Last Rites now stands alone at the top of the mountain.
The momentum also continues Warner Bros.’ extraordinary year in horror. Other recent successes such as Sinners, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and Weapons have already solidified 2025 as a banner year for the studio, but Last Rites outpaced them all. Given the strength of its debut, industry analysts predict it will easily become the highest-grossing horror release of the year, with Ryan Coogler’s Sinners currently holding the top spot at $366.6 million.
Within the franchise itself, Last Rites obliterated previous benchmarks. The spin-off The Nun (2018) had held the record with $53.8 million on its opening weekend. The fact that the latest film almost doubled that figure is a testament to both the enduring appeal of the Warrens and the appetite for supernatural terror on the big screen.
A Fitting Farewell
Critical response has been largely positive, with reviewers praising the film’s mixture of emotional closure and spine-chilling scares. Writing for Bloody Disgusting, Meagan Navarro observed:
“The Conjuring: Last Rites is suitably nightmarish where it counts, bringing memorable chills that linger and spilling more blood than usual in a Conjuring film. But it’s more affecting for the way it wears its heart on its sleeves. It’s a fitting, heartfelt end to one of horror’s biggest modern franchises.”
The film is loosely inspired by the infamous Smurl Family Haunting, a case from the 1970s and 1980s in which a Pennsylvania family claimed to have been terrorised by demonic forces. Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated the case in real life, and the adaptation provides a suitably ominous foundation for the Warrens’ last cinematic outing.
The Legacy of The Conjuring Universe
When James Wan’s The Conjuring premiered in 2013, few could have predicted the cultural juggernaut it would become. Combining classic haunted house frights with richly drawn characters, the film struck a chord with audiences worldwide. Its success led to a string of sequels and spin-offs including The Conjuring 2, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun, Annabelle and The Curse of La Llorona. Together, these films have created the highest-grossing horror franchise in cinema history.
A large part of the series’ success lies in the on-screen partnership of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, whose portrayals of Ed and Lorraine Warren brought depth and warmth to a genre not always known for its emotional resonance. Their presence has anchored the series through its twists and turns, and Last Rites delivers a conclusion that honours their characters while leaving the door open for future stories within the broader universe.
Director Michael Chaves, who previously helmed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II, once again proves his skill at blending supernatural spectacle with human drama. Meanwhile, James Wan remains a guiding hand as producer, ensuring the franchise maintains the consistent tone that fans have come to expect.
What Comes Next
Although marketed as the Warrens’ final case, Warner Bros. is unlikely to leave such a profitable franchise behind entirely. Spin-offs and prequels remain possibilities, and the Conjuring brand continues to resonate strongly with audiences. Still, Last Rites functions as an effective send-off for the central storyline, allowing Wilson and Farmiga to bow out on a high note.
With its record-breaking launch and emotional resonance, The Conjuring: Last Rites proves that audiences are far from fatigued with the supernatural saga. Instead, it confirms that when it comes to horror, few names carry as much weight as The Conjuring.
