Twelve years. Nine films. Nearly $2.5 billion worldwide. The Conjuring Universe was already the most successful horror franchise of all time — but this past weekend proved there’s still plenty of life (and death) left in the series.

Billed as the final big-screen chapter for Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring: Last Rites stormed into theaters with a monstrous $84 million domestic debut, the biggest opening of the entire franchise.

Globally, the film ripped open an even scarier number: $194 million, officially dethroning IT (2017) as the highest worldwide opening for a horror movie in cinematic history. No fatigue here — just pure box office possession.

The Numbers That Matter

• Domestic Box Office: $84M (franchise record, 3rd highest U.S. horror debut ever)

• Global Box Office: $194M (new all-time record for a horror opening weekend)

• Previous Franchise Record: The Nun with $53.8M — completely obliterated by Last Rites

Only IT and IT: Chapter Two opened bigger domestically, making Warner Bros. the undisputed ruler of modern horror box office. In fact, every major horror hit of 2025 so far — Sinners, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Weapons, and now Last Rites — all wear the WB stamp of death.

With its massive start, The Conjuring: Last Rites is already on track to eclipse Sinners ($366.6M worldwide) to become the highest grossing horror movie of 2025.

The Final Haunting

Directed by Michael Chaves and inspired by the infamous Smurl Family Haunting, Last Rites promises both brutality and emotion. As Bloody Disgusting’s Meagan Navarro wrote:

“Suitably nightmarish where it counts… spilling more blood than usual in a Conjuring film. But it’s more affecting for the way it wears its heart on its sleeve. A fitting, heartfelt end to one of horror’s biggest modern franchises.”

The Warren files may be closing, but if the opening weekend is any sign — horror fans aren’t ready to let go just yet.