Warner Bros Plans Conjuring Prequel After Record $194M Last Rites Opening

Following the record-breaking success of The Conjuring: Last Rites, which set a new global opening weekend record for a horror film with $194 million, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are developing a prequel to The Conjuring franchise. Despite Last Rites being marketed as the final film in the series, the studio aims to explore earlier cases from the Warrens' files with new characters and storylines, allowing creative expansion without relying on Ed and Lorraine Warren as primary characters. However, franchise creator and producer James Wan, who directed the first two films, is in a pay dispute with Warner Bros. and may not return to the franchise, potentially stepping away from producing duties on the upcoming prequel. Wan has emphasized that the core appeal of the franchise lies in the family dynamic portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, suggesting that future stories should maintain that focus if they are to resonate with fans. The Conjuring franchise remains the highest-grossing horror series of all time, with total earnings exceeding $2 billion worldwide, and the studio is also considering further spin-offs and television projects. Fan reactions to the continuation of the franchise have been mixed but generally positive, appreciating the blend of gothic atmosphere and practical effects that define the series.