Spectacular Box Office Debut!

Warner Bros. might be celebrating big time as 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' surges to a mind-blowing opening weekend estimate of around $75 million! After an impressive $34.6 million on Friday—including early previews—the film is tracking to surpass previous projections. While estimates fluctuate between a potential $80 million or settling back to the low $70s, one thing is clear: this weekend is a massive win for the franchise.

A Record-Setting Hit!

This record-breaking debut isn't just huge for the franchise; it's the best opening for any horror film this year! With a CinemaScore of B—an improvement over some of its predecessors—'Last Rites' is drawing in substantial audiences, particularly among females (51%) and Hispanic/Latino demographics (43%). Key markets include the West, South Central, and Midwest, with AMC Burbank leading the charge at $85,000.

IP Revival at the Box Office!

What stands out this weekend is the revival of intellectual properties that found themselves on streaming platforms during the pandemic. Alongside 'Last Rites', Disney’s 'Hamilton' is also performing better than anticipated, projected to rake in $9 million to $10 million. A tantalizing hint at the appetite for cinematic adaptations, it poses the question of what could have been if 'Hamilton' had skipped the streaming release.

New Releases Adding to the Mix!

Also making waves this weekend is 'Twinless', starring Dylan O’Brien, which is pulling in around $411,000 after a solid debut on Friday. What’s more, the overall weekend box office for all films is estimated to be about $117.5 million, a dip from last year but still a testament to the ongoing recovery of theater attendance.

Friday Hints at a Record!

Initial numbers on Friday had 'Last Rites' blowing past expectations, indicating an opening weekend that could reach up to $65 million. This is a massive leap from the franchise's previous record of $53.8 million set by 'The Nun' in 2018. If the trends continue, this could rank among the top five September openings ever.

A Massive Franchise with Major Implications!

As one of the highest-grossing horror franchises in history, the Conjuring universe has amassed a staggering $2.3 billion globally. 'Last Rites' is positioned to follow this successful narrative, possibly overtaking 'Final Destination Bloodlines,' which opened to $51 million.

More Updates Coming Your Way!

With the Toronto Film Festival underway, stay tuned for more updates as the box office landscape evolves. The supernatural excitement might just be beginning!