The Conjuring: Last Rites has officially opened in cinemas and is already causing a stir at the box office. The fourth and possibly final installment in the widely successful horror franchise brought in an impressive $8.5 million during its Thursday night previews in North America. This massive haul has now set a new record for R-rated horror movies in the post-pandemic era, overtaking Nope, which previously held the title with $6.7 million.
Starring the franchise’s stalwart duo Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film also features Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy. Released on September 5, The Conjuring: Last Rites continues the legacy of supernatural investigations and demonic terror that has made the series a fan-favorite.
While critics have been lukewarm, giving the movie a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, audiences have reacted much more positively. The film currently holds a 79% audience score, suggesting that longtime fans of the franchise are responding well to the story and performances.
According to box office projections and industry trackers like Luiz Fernando, the film is on pace to earn between $65 million and $70 million during its three-day opening weekend in North America. This would not only make it the biggest opening for any Conjuring movie but also the top debut for a horror film in 2025 — surpassing the earlier frontrunner, Final Destination: Bloodlines.
With its $8.5 million preview, The Conjuring: Last Rites also lands as the second-highest preview gross for any horror film in the post-COVID era, only behind Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s $13 million. Historically, it ranks fourth all-time in horror preview earnings, just behind IT ($13.5M), Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ($13M), and IT: Chapter Two ($10.5M).
If the opening weekend projections hold true, The Conjuring: Last Rites could close out the main franchise on a high note, both commercially and with fans — a rare feat for a horror series four films deep.
