For over a decade, The Conjuring Universe has terrified and thrilled audiences worldwide. Warner Bros. built a $2 billion horror juggernaut around the paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Now, The Conjuring: Last Rites is set to close the main series, reuniting Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson one final time. Horror fans are eager to see if the franchise can go out on a high note both critically and commercially.
Plot and paranormal promise
The Conjuring: Last Rites explores the infamous Smurl haunting of 1986, considered by the Warrens as “the case that ended it all.” Multiple entities plagued the Smurl family home, documented later in the book The Haunted. Director Michael Chaves, returning after The Devil Made Me Do It, helms the supernatural narrative with his signature mix of suspense and jump scares. Fans expect tense atmospheres, eerie visuals, and the familiar interplay between Ed and Lorraine’s investigative prowess.
Box office projections and Warner Bros.’ strategy
Opening over Labor Day weekend, Last Rites is projected to earn between $32–$39 million domestically. Warner Bros. has consistently kept Conjuring budgets under $40 million, allowing solid profits even with modest openings. International ticket sales historically boost these films further, as seen in the 2013 original The Conjuring, which made $319.4 million worldwide. With minimal competition in late August, the timing could work in the film’s favor.
Franchise legacy and audience expectations
While spin-offs like Annabelle and The Nun dominated box office numbers despite mixed reviews, audiences expect a slightly higher standard from the main Conjuring films. Critical acclaim could push the opening toward the higher end of projections. WB’s horror streak this year, with hits like Sinners and Final Destination Bloodlines, shows that audiences are eager for well-made scares, making this a prime moment for a strong finale.
Can it end on a high note?
The Conjuring: Last Rites has everything working in its favor: an iconic cast, a chilling story based on real-life cases, strategic release timing, and a franchise with a loyal fan base. If executed well, it could be a fitting conclusion to the Warren saga and reinforce Warner Bros.’ record-breaking streak in horror cinema. The film hits theaters on September 5, 2025 — a date horror fans are circling on their calendars.
