The Conjuring: Last Rites dominated the global box office during its September 5 opening weekend, raking in a staggering $194 million and officially becoming the highest-grossing horror movie debut of all time.
A Franchise Milestone for the Warrens
The fourth installment in the main Conjuring series—and the ninth overall entry in the cinematic universe—far exceeded Warner Bros.’ initial projections. Domestic audiences contributed $84 million to the total, marking the strongest domestic opening in the franchise’s history. Meanwhile, international markets added another $110 million to the tally, as confirmed by Variety. The film, which sees Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, has solidified its place in cinema history.
Toppling the Competition
With its $194 million global haul, Last Rites has officially surpassed the $190 million opening weekend record previously held by 2017’s It. Since its inception in 2013, the Conjuring universe has now amassed a total of $2.3 billion in earnings, firmly securing its position as the highest-grossing horror franchise ever produced.
Warner Bros.’ Unprecedented Winning Streak
Despite receiving mixed feedback from critics, the film’s financial success serves as the latest chapter in Warner Bros.’ historic box office run. The Conjuring: Last Rites marks the seventh consecutive WB release to exceed $40 million during its opening weekend—a feat of consistency never before seen in the industry. This streak, which began with Minecraft in April, faces its next test later this month with the release of One Battle After Another.
Dominating the Horror Genre
The studio’s grip on the horror genre remains absolute. Currently, the three biggest horror movie openings in United States history—The Conjuring: Last Rites, It, and It: Chapter Two—were all produced and distributed by Warner Bros., highlighting the studio’s unparalleled ability to draw massive audiences to theaters.
