A Frighteningly Fantastic Start!

‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ has taken the box office by storm, raking in an astonishing $83 million in its debut weekend! This record-breaking opening not only sets a new high for the Warner Bros. and New Line ‘Conjuring’ universe but also trumps 2018’s ‘The Nun,’ which previously held the record with $53.8 million.

The Horror Genre Dominates Yet Again!

With this incredible launch, ‘Last Rites’ becomes the best opening for a horror film this year, surpassing May's ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ which opened at $51.6 million. It now stands as the third-largest horror opening in box office history, only behind the monumental successes of ‘It’ and ‘It: Chapter Two.’

Boosted by Buzz!

Initial predictions estimated the film would debut between $50 million and $60 million, but enthusiasm for cinema—after weeks without a blockbuster—combined with excellent word-of-mouth propelled ticket sales to surprising heights. Despite mixed critical reviews, horror fans flocked to see Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their iconic roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren, battling a demon terrorizing a family.

A Global Phenomenon!

On the international stage, ‘Last Rites’ grossed an impressive $104 million across 66 regions, bringing its global total to a mind-boggling $187 million. This unprecedented success has eclipsed ‘It: Chapter Two’ to secure the title for the largest overseas debut for a horror movie.

A Winning Streak for Warner Bros.

“This is a smash hit,” remarks analyst David A. Gross. Horror enthusiasts are clearly eager for more Warren family thrills. The ‘Conjuring’ universe now boasts nine films and a staggering total of $2.3 billion at the box office, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise ever. With a production budget of just $55 million, this latest installment is set to yield some impressive profits for Warner Bros.

A Record-Breaking Year Continues!

Marking the seventh consecutive release for Warner Bros. to open over $40 million this year, this record streak is a first for Hollywood. Despite earlier disappointments in films like ‘Joker: Folie a Deux’ and ‘Mickey 17,’ the studio has rebounded with a series of successful releases this spring.

Disney’s ‘Hamilton’ Makes Waves!

In a distant second place, Disney's film adaptation of ‘Hamilton’ earned a respectable $10 million in its opening weekend, even after being available on Disney+ since 2020. Though branded as a limited engagement, its future in theaters depends on audience interest.

A Much-Needed Boost!

This weekend signals a vital resurgence for movie theaters after a lackluster summer. While last year’s box office figures comfortably outpace this year’s results by 3.8%, analysts insist ‘Last Rites’ has invigorated the industry spirit. “There is no better way to kick off the fall movie season than with an overperforming film like this,” says Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore.

Holdover Hits!

Among the top contenders, ‘Weapons’ finished third with $5.3 million in its third weekend, now surpassing $143 million domestically. ‘Freakier Friday’ and Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Caught Stealing’ followed closely, earning $3.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

The Show Must Go On!

Despite varied performances, the momentum generated by ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ sets an exciting stage for upcoming releases as the fall movie season takes off.