The Conjuring: Last Rites Breaks $83M Opening Weekend Record

The Conjuring: Last Rites, the ninth installment in the Conjuring horror franchise featuring paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, has broken multiple box office records, earning $83 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada and $104 million internationally. This $187 million global debut is the highest for any horror film this year and marks the franchise's most successful opening, surpassing the 2018 spin-off The Nun. Despite mixed reviews criticizing the film for focusing excessively on Ed and Lorraine while neglecting other characters and potential plot elements, the movie has been a major financial success, contributing to the franchise's total earnings exceeding $2.3 billion. The film’s production cost was $55 million, underscoring its profitability. While Last Rites is marketed as the Warrens' final film, plans for expanding the franchise without the lead actors are already underway, though Patrick Wilson expressed uncertainty about continuing the series without him and Vera Farmiga. The franchise's careful management has been likened to Marvel's approach in building an interconnected universe, ensuring continued audience engagement.