The Conjuring: Last Rites has made a remarkable debut, surpassing all expectations and achieving the title of the biggest global opening in history for a horror film. The ninth installment in the acclaimed Warner Bros. and New Line paranormal franchise grossed an impressive $194 million worldwide during its opening weekend, exceeding the already substantial estimated figure of $187 million from the previous Sunday.
This phenomenal ticket sales performance has eclipsed the previous all-time horror benchmark set by the 2017 blockbuster, It, which garnered $190 million upon its release. Additionally, The Conjuring: Last Rites has set a new record at the international box office, raking in $110 million during its opening weekend. Before this record-setting event, the largest overseas debut for a horror film was held by It: Chapter Two, which earned $92 million in 2019.
In terms of domestic box office performance, The Conjuring: Last Rites earned $84 million, making it the third-highest opening for the horror genre. This places it behind two other Warner Bros. titles: It, which achieved $123 million, and It: Chapter Two, which earned $91 million. The estimates released on Sunday highlighted that this film registered the best domestic, international, and global launch for the Conjuring series.
Directed by franchise veteran Michael Chaves, The Conjuring: Last Rites features the return of fan-favorite stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren, dedicated paranormal investigators on a mission to rid a family’s home of a malevolent demon. The film is produced by James Wan, the creator of the franchise, along with Peter Safran, ensuring that the legacy of this successful horror series continues to thrive.
The Conjuring universe is not just a one-off success; it encompasses several sequels and spin-offs, including popular titles like The Nun and Annabelle. With a staggering total gross of over $2.3 billion, this franchise has firmly established itself as the highest-grossing horror franchise in history. As The Conjuring: Last Rites continues to break records and captivate audiences, it further solidifies the franchise's position in cinematic history.
