As the fall season begins, horror fans are in for a thrilling treat with the release of The Conjuring: Last Rites. This latest installment in the beloved franchise has jolted the box office back to life, raking in an impressive $8.5 million during its Thursday previews. This figure marks a new franchise record and signifies another triumph for the Warner Bros. film empire.
The Conjuring: Last Rites not only outperformed previous entries in its own series but also set the bar high for the horror genre in 2023. The film surpassed Sony’s 28 Years Later, which earned $5.8 million in previews, establishing itself as the biggest horror film preview gross of the year thus far.
This installment brings back fan-favorite actors Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, who reprise their roles as real-life paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren. While this marks their final appearance in the franchise, it does not signify the end of The Conjuring Universe. Last Rites is being marketed as the ninth and final chapter of Phase One, which has earned a staggering $2.3 billion in global ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise in box office history.
Following the conclusion of Phase One, fans can expect a new chapter in The Conjuring Universe. Directed by the talented Michael Chaves, Last Rites is a sequel to The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and is based on the infamous Smurl haunting case in Pennsylvania. The film also features performances from Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, with production led by James Wan and Peter Safran of Atomic Monster and DC Studios.
As for its box office performance, The Conjuring: Last Rites is projected to make a domestic debut that could reach or even exceed $50 million. However, New Line and Warner Bros. are taking a more conservative approach, estimating an opening closer to $35 million. For context, the first Conjuring film debuted to $41 million back in 2013, a record that no subsequent title has managed to break, though many industry insiders believe Last Rites could change that.
On the international front, the film is set to launch in over 60 markets, with an estimated opening weekend of $50 million against a net production budget of $55 million, excluding marketing costs. This broad international release is anticipated to significantly bolster the film's total earnings.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is shaping up to be a major player in the horror genre this fall, with its record-breaking previews and strong fan expectations. As it aims to solidify its place in The Conjuring Universe, audiences can look forward to a thrilling cinematic experience that promises to leave them on the edge of their seats.
