The Conjuring: Last Rites sets a franchise record with highest opening ever

The Conjuring: Last Rites opened with numbers that stood out right away. Variety reported 34.5 million dollars collected between Friday and the earlier previews, spread across 3,802 theaters in the United States. That figure passed the 22 million day one total of The Nun back in 2018. With that, the film now holds the biggest opening day in the history of the franchise.

Industry estimates suggested a weekend total starting around 50 million dollars, maybe more. If the pace holds, the movie could overtake the 53 million of The Nun and secure the best franchise debut so far. Projections even placed it close to the top ten of the year, with a possible run at the seventh spot now held by Thunderbolts*, which opened with 74.3 million in May. Extra screenings in IMAX and premium formats added another push to the total.

The Conjuring: Last Rites | Image via Warner Bros.

The strength of the franchise

The numbers underline how durable this series has become. The Conjuring: Last Rites is the fourth core chapter, the ninth if the spin-offs are included, and still manages to pull in a crowd. Cast continuity has helped shape that. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson once again returned as Lorraine and Ed Warren, a pair of names now deeply tied to the brand. Michael Chaves directed, the same filmmaker behind The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It in 2021 and The Nun II in 2023.

This sort of repetition may explain part of the appeal. Familiar faces, a consistent directing hand, and a formula that viewers recognize. It gives the sense that each entry connects back to the earlier ones without needing major changes.

Continuity of style in The Conjuring: Last Rites

The approach remains steady. The Conjuring: Last Rites uses everyday spaces, corridors, or houses, then bends them into places of tension. Quick shocks appear, but there are also long moments of silence that stretch. Trade reviews noted how the formula has been repeated and pointed to limited innovation. Even with that, the numbers show that audiences still respond.

It is a structure that has been refined for over a decade. A mix of atmosphere and sudden scares that has become the signature of the series. That pattern continues to prove effective at the box office.

Competition during the weekend

The release calendar had more titles arriving at the same time. Hamilton, the filmed Broadway musical, was shown in 1,825 theaters and earned 3.9 million dollars on Friday. Industry tracking suggested a three-day finish close to 9 million. Weapons, another Warner Bros. title, added 1.5 million and has now crossed 140 million in North America after five weeks.

Freakier Friday collected 960,000 dollars on Friday and has reached 85 million domestic, edging toward the 87 million of Snow White. Caught Stealing faced an estimated 58 percent decline compared with its debut and may end its second weekend with about 14.9 million in total. Light of the World, a PG-rated animated release, opened in 2,075 theaters and picked up roughly 700,000 dollars in previews and Friday shows.

Taken together, these films offered variety, but The Conjuring: Last Rites was the clear leader.

Critical response

The initial response from audiences was mixed. CinemaScore surveys showed a B grade, the lowest rating for the series so far. Critics in trade outlets described the film with average or negative notes. Those reactions did not slow the commercial performance, as records continued to fall during opening day.

The production carried a reported budget of 55 million dollars. With the opening already passing that halfway point, the studio moved quickly toward covering its investment. For Warner Bros., the film also marked the seventh consecutive 2025 release to launch above 40 million dollars.

Expectations ahead

Final weekend numbers will confirm whether The Conjuring: Last Rites passes the benchmark of The Nun and becomes the largest opening in the franchise. If confirmed, the film will stand as one of the strongest horror debuts of 2025.

The early performance points to the continuing strength of the brand. While no follow-up has been announced, the franchise remains in a position of commercial viability. The figures from this first frame support that.

Conclusion

The Conjuring: Last Rites entered theaters with high expectations and delivered a record day one. Even with reviews leaning average and an audience score lower than usual, the release proved capable of setting new marks. The results highlight how horror continues to draw large crowds, and how this franchise, in particular, has turned consistency into one of its greatest assets.