The Conjuring: Last Rites opened to a massive global box office, setting a new record for horror films and further fueling Warner Bros.’ historic winning streak. The ninth film in the Conjuring universe—and the fourth in the main series—earned a staggering $194 million worldwide during its opening weekend.
The film, which hit theaters on September 5, pulled in $84 million domestically, marking the biggest U.S. opening in the franchise’s history. Internationally, it added another $110 million, according to Variety, making it the highest global opening for a horror movie ever.
That record-breaking total surpasses 2017’s It, which previously held the title with $190 million, and solidifies Last Rites as a box office juggernaut despite mixed critical reviews. The Conjuring universe—launched in 2013—now boasts over $2.3 billion in lifetime earnings, securing its spot as the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time.
The success of Last Rites also marks the seventh consecutive Warner Bros. release to debut with $40 million or more, a streak that began with Minecraft in April. No studio has ever pulled off such a consistent string of box office hits, making this run not just impressive—but historic.
Whether that streak continues remains to be seen, as WB’s next title, One Battle After Another, hits theaters later this month.
As for horror, the numbers speak volumes: the top three domestic horror openings of all time now belong to The Conjuring: Last Rites, It, and It: Chapter Two—all produced and distributed by Warner Bros.
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