The Conjuring: Last Rites Box Office Smashes Records with $187 Million Global Debut

The Conjuring: Last Rites has taken the box office by storm, delivering a record-breaking opening weekend that has solidified its place as a horror juggernaut.

According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed $83 million domestically (44.4%) and $104 million internationally (55.6%), totaling an astonishing $187 million worldwide.

Major trade publications report that the film, with a production budget of $55 million, is already profitable, marking a triumphant milestone for Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.

Below, we explore the The Conjuring: Last Rites' box office success, analyze the reasons behind its profitability, and break down the numbers in a detailed table.

Highlights:

• Opening Weekend: The Conjuring: Last Rites earned $83 million domestically and $104 million internationally, totaling $187 million worldwide.

• Profitability: With a $55 million budget, the film is already profitable, needing $140 million globally to break even.

• Record-Breaking: Second-biggest global horror opening ever, behind only It (2017) at $190 million.

• Franchise Milestone: Biggest opening in The Conjuring Universe, surpassing The Nun’s $53.8 million debut.

• Warner Bros. Streak: Marks the studio’s seventh consecutive film to open above $40 million in 2025.

What Drove the Massive Opening Weekend Numbers?

The The Conjuring: Last Rites box office performance shattered expectations, with a global debut of $187 million making it the second-largest horror opening ever, just behind It’s $190 million in 2017.

Domestically, the film’s $83 million haul from 3,802 theaters, including premium IMAX and large-format screens, marked the third-biggest horror opening in U.S. history, trailing only It ($123 million) and It: Chapter Two ($91 million).

Internationally, its $104 million across 66 markets set a new record for the biggest overseas horror debut, surpassing It: Chapter Two’s $92 million. The film’s $8.5 million in Thursday previews alone broke records for the Conjuring franchise and 2025 horror films, signaling strong audience demand from the start.

The film’s September 5, 2025, release capitalized on a relatively quiet box office period, allowing it to dominate as the first major wide release of the month. Its performance in key markets like Germany, the UK, Brazil, and India, where it set a record for Warner Bros.’ biggest opening weekend ever, underscores its global appeal.

Why Is the Film Already Profitable?

With a production budget of $55 million, The Conjuring: Last Rites needed approximately $140 million in global ticket sales to break even, factoring in marketing and distribution costs. Its $187 million opening weekend alone cleared this threshold, ensuring profitability within days of release.

Industry reports note that the Conjuring franchise’s historical reliance on international markets (64% of total box office for prior films) played a significant role, with the international share (55.6%) driving the film’s success.

The use of premium formats like IMAX, which accounted for $14.3 million globally, also boosted revenue, as these screens command higher ticket prices.

The film’s cost-effective production model, a hallmark of the Conjuring series, kept expenses low while delivering high-quality horror.

Directed by Michael Chaves and produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, the film leveraged the franchise’s established brand to minimize marketing costs, relying on fan loyalty and word-of-mouth buzz.

How Did Fan and Franchise Loyalty Contribute?

The Conjuring Universe, now nine films deep, has built a loyal fanbase since 2013, with spinoffs like Annabelle and The Nun cementing its status as the highest-grossing horror franchise.

Last Rites, billed as the final chapter, drew audiences eager to see Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren.

The film’s marketing leaned into its “final ritual” narrative, creating a sense of urgency that boosted pre-sale trends, with late-stage tracking far exceeding initial $35-$40 million domestic projections. Posts on X highlighted the film’s “must-see” status, with fans praising its emotional weight and terrifying visuals.

The franchise’s consistent quality, blending supernatural horror with the Warrens’ dramatized real-life investigations, resonated with audiences.

The R-rating for “bloody/violent content and terror” delivered the intense scares fans expect, while the 135-minute runtime allowed for a deeper exploration of the Warrens’ final case, set in the 1960s with themes of demons and troubled pregnancies.

What Role Did Warner Bros.’ 2025 Momentum Play?

Warner Bros.’ unprecedented streak of seven consecutive films opening above $40 million in 2025, including Superman, A Minecraft Movie, and Final Destination: Bloodlines, created a halo effect for The Conjuring: Last Rites.

The studio’s 2025 global box office lead ($3.77 billion) reflects its ability to deliver crowd-pleasing hits, and Last Rites benefited from this momentum.

Its release in premium formats and strong international performance, particularly in Latin America and Asia, aligned with Warner Bros.’ strategy of maximizing global reach.

The film’s record-breaking debut in 41 overseas markets, including the biggest horror opening ever in 17 countries, underscores the studio’s distribution prowess.

The Conjuring: Last Rites' Box Office Performance In A Nutshell

Can The Conjuring: Last Rites Sustain Its Box Office Reign?

The The Conjuring: Last Rites box office triumph marks a high point for horror in 2025, proving the genre’s enduring appeal. Its profitability stems from a lean budget, global fanbase, strategic release timing, and Warner Bros.’ hot streak.

Some Closing Thoughts:

As the film continues its theatrical run, its international strength and premium format revenue suggest it could approach the franchise’s highest-grossing entries, like The Nun ($365 million globally).

With horror fans buzzing and the Warrens’ saga concluding on a high note, Last Rites is poised to remain a box office force.

Stay tuned for updates on its ongoing performance.