The Conjuring: Last Rites Scares Up $187 Million in Historic Box Office Debut

The Conjuring: Last Rites has stormed into cinemas worldwide with a box office performance few expected, proving that this horror franchise still has the power to terrify audiences and dominate the charts. During its opening weekend, the film amassed an astonishing $187 million globally, instantly securing its place as the second-largest worldwide debut ever for a horror film. The only title still ahead of it remains 2017’s It, which narrowly leads with $190 million. For Warner Bros., which has already seen strong box office returns this year, this performance is a reminder of how much fuel is still left in the Conjuring engine.

Domestically, the film brought in a robust $83 million, but its international draw was even more impressive: $104 million overseas.

That figure makes it the biggest international opening weekend ever for a horror movie. Add to that a record-breaking IMAX debut for a September release – $14.3 million – and Last Rites has cemented itself as one of the year’s most significant theatrical events. Clearly, audiences around the world remain invested in Ed and Lorraine Warren’s paranormal battles.

Directed by Michael Chaves, a familiar hand in the franchise, and produced by horror heavyweights James Wan and Peter Safran, the movie is billed as the climactic chapter of the saga. Whether it truly represents the end is another matter. Fans have noted that Hollywood rarely shuts the coffin lid completely on a profitable franchise, especially one that has already generated more than $2.3 billion globally across all spinoffs and sequels. The so-called Conjuring Universe has expanded since its 2013 debut with The Conjuring, spawning hits like Annabelle, The Nun, and their respective sequels, each weaving into the larger mythos of the Warrens’ cases.

Critical reception, as often happens with mainstream horror, has been mixed. IGN gave the film a 6/10, criticizing its decision to keep Ed and Lorraine Warren sidelined for stretches of the story. Yet, audience reactions tell a more varied tale. Many viewers found the conclusion satisfying, calling it one of the best franchise entries since the original film. Others felt it was serviceable rather than groundbreaking, with some arguing that its success reflects a larger audience hunger for straightforward entertainment without political preaching or studio agendas. In that sense, Last Rites has become more than a movie – it’s a cultural moment where fans rally for traditional scares and escapism in theaters.

Regardless of whether this is truly the last outing, the numbers leave little doubt: horror, once considered a niche genre, has become one of the most bankable forms of global cinema. The Conjuring: Last Rites may be marketed as a finale, but the appetite for this universe suggests that sequels or spinoffs are not only possible but likely. As horror continues to perform on par with superhero spectacles, Hollywood’s message is clear – scares sell.

Elsewhere at the box office, Zach Cregger’s Weapons has pushed its global total to $251.5 million after five weeks, while Disney’s Freakier Friday has reached $142.9 million. But it’s Last Rites that has stolen the conversation, reminding audiences and studios alike that the Warrens’ shadowy world still has life – and death – left in it.