The power of faith and horror continues to mesmerize moviegoers as “The Conjuring: Last Rites” made a stunning debut, grossing an impressive $34.5 million across its opening Friday and preview screenings. This remarkable figure was achieved in 3,802 locations, surpassing the earnings of the horror franchise’s 2018 spinoff, “The Nun,” which earned $22 million. With this achievement, “Last Rites” has secured the title of the biggest opening day gross in franchise history.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is on track to exceed pre-weekend industry projections, with estimates suggesting a $50 million debut. This would not only surpass “The Nun’s” opening weekend of $53 million but also position it as the largest domestic opening for a horror film in 2025. Additionally, it has the potential to become the seventh-biggest opening weekend of the year, possibly surpassing “Thunderbolts” which stands at $74 million, depending on its performance through Saturday.
Despite being the fourth mainline entry in the series—and the ninth when including spin-offs—the “Conjuring” franchise remains a powerful draw for audiences. The film features the beloved return of stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, who portray the real-life occult investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Directed by Michael Chaves, who previously helmed “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” in 2021 and the 2023 spinoff “The Nun II,” “Last Rites” continues to captivate horror enthusiasts.
This weekend marks another significant achievement for Warner Bros., which has now celebrated seven consecutive openings exceeding $40 million. Although reviews for “Last Rites” have been mediocre and audience feedback slightly more positive—with a franchise-low “B” grade from Cinema Score—these factors have not deterred its strong box office start. With a production budget of $55 million, “Last Rites” is off to a fantastic beginning.
In a surprising twist, Disney is also making waves this weekend with the theatrical release of the filmed version of the Broadway sensation “Hamilton.” The film opened in 1,825 theaters and earned $3.9 million across Friday and preview screenings. It is projected to land in second place with a three-day opening around $9 million. This is particularly noteworthy given that “Hamilton” has been available for viewing on Disney+ for nearly five years.
Taking third place is another Warner Bros. horror title, “Weapons,” which earned an additional $1.5 million on Friday, marking a decline of only 47% from its previous daily total. Now in its fifth weekend of release, this R-rated original has amassed over $140 million in North America. Meanwhile, Disney's “Freakier Friday” holds the fourth position, earning $960,000 on Friday, down 46% from last week. In its fifth weekend, the comedy sequel has reached $85 million domestically and is poised to surpass “Snow White” at $87 million to become the 15th-highest-grossing North American release of the year.
In fifth place, Sony Pictures’ “Caught Stealing” is projected to earn $3.2 million in its second weekend, reflecting a 58% drop from its debut. This disappointing hold is not what the mid-budget neo-noir was hoping for after a lackluster opening. The film is now aiming for a total of just $14.9 million domestically through its second weekend. Additionally, the Salvation Poem Project released the PG-rated Christian film “Light of the World” in 2,075 locations, with initial estimates showing around $700,000 for Friday and previews, positioning it for an eighth-place opening.
