Horror Dominates Box Office as 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' Sets New Records
'The Conjuring: Last Rites' achieved record-breaking box office success, securing the largest international horror opening and ranking as the third-highest domestic horror debut, boosting the genre's overall revenue.
Overview
- 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' made history with the largest international horror opening, earning $104 million outside North American theaters, setting a new record for the genre.
- Domestically, the film secured $83 million in its opening weekend across 3,802 theaters, making it the third-highest grossing horror movie debut overall.
- The movie's success marks the largest opening weekend in the 'Conjuring' franchise's history and represents Warner Bros. Pictures' eighth No. 1 debut this year.
- The horror genre has surpassed the $1 billion mark in 2025, following its achievement in 2023, largely driven by the strong performance of 'The Conjuring: Last Rites'.
- Despite mixed critical reviews (55% on Rotten Tomatoes), the film's box office triumph continues the franchise's legacy, with future horror sequels expected to further boost revenue in 2025.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story as a triumphant success for the horror genre and 'The Conjuring: Last Rites.' They emphasize record-breaking box office numbers and the genre's enduring popularity, using enthusiastic language and analyst commentary to highlight its exceptional financial performance and market dominance, while downplaying critical reception.
"After a longer-than-expected wait, the fictionalized versions of Ed and Lorraine Warren have financially gone out with a bang."
Gizmodo"The horror sequel raked in $83 million domestically in 3,802 theaters, making it the third-highest domestic opening for a horror movie, behind “It” and “It: Chapter Two.”"
Fortune"Its opening weekend tipped the genre over $1 billion in earnings for this year’s domestic box office."
Chicago Tribune"Its opening weekend tipped the genre over $1 billion in earnings for this year’s domestic box office."
Associated PressArticles (5)
Center (4)
FAQ
'The Conjuring: Last Rites' earned $187 million globally during its opening weekend, with $83 million domestically and a record $104 million internationally, making it the second-biggest global opening for a horror film behind only 2017's 'It'.
'The Conjuring: Last Rites' set the largest international horror opening record with $104 million internationally, and it's the third-highest domestic horror debut ever. It also represents the biggest opening weekend in the 'Conjuring' franchise history.
The success of 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' helped the horror genre surpass the $1 billion mark in box office revenue in 2025, continuing the momentum from 2023 and marking a strong year for horror films.
Despite mixed critical reviews with a 55% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 'B' CinemaScore, 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' achieved a box office triumph, continuing the franchise's legacy of commercial success.
The film stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprising their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who attempt to exorcise a demon from a family's home.
History
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