The Conjuring: Last Rites Previews Shatter Franchise Record Ahead of Final Chapter Release

Lead Thursday night previews for The Conjuring: Last Rites generated an unprecedented $7-8 million across North America, marking the highest preview haul in the series and positioning the final installment for a $40 million-plus opening weekend.

Nut Graf As the concluding entry in the billion-dollar Conjuring universe, Last Rites reunites Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Ed and Lorraine Warren for one last real-life paranormal investigation. The preview performance underscores both fan anticipation for the franchise finale and Warner Bros.’ confidence in delivering a high-impact theatrical exclusive ahead of an eventual streaming rollout.

Box Office Preview Highlights

  • Record-setting Thursday previews: $7 million-$8 million, surpassing prior franchise bests from The Nun and Final Destination Bloodlines.
  • Projected domestic opening weekend: over $40 million, making it the strongest horror debut of the year.

Release and Distribution The Conjuring: Last Rites opened exclusively in theaters and IMAX® on September 5, 2025 in North America, following a September 3 launch in international markets. The film will enter major streaming platforms in the coming months under Warner Bros.’ home-media strategy.

Final Installment Context This ninth and closing chapter, directed by Michael Chaves and produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, dramatizes the infamous Smurl haunting investigation of the 1980s. The Warrens tackle their most prolonged and harrowing case yet, bringing full circle a saga that has grossed over $2 billion worldwide since 2013.

Audience Experience Early attendee reports praise the intense atmosphere and emotional stakes as hallmark strengths, with franchise staples-including jump scares and period detail-amplified by an extended 135-minute runtime. The combination of veteran leads and a high-budget theatrical presentation aims to deliver a memorable send-off for Ed and Lorraine Warren.

What’s Next Box office tallies for Friday through Monday will confirm whether Last Rites can sustain its record-breaking preview momentum into a blockbuster weekend debut. Success may pave the way for future expansions in the broader Conjuring universe beyond the Warrens’ narrative.