The Conjuring: Last Rites has officially exorcised any doubts about horror's box office dominance in 2025. The final installment featuring paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren didn't just succeed—it absolutely demolished expectations with a record-breaking $83 million domestic opening weekend.

Breaking Records and Raising Hell

This supernatural thriller achieved the third-largest opening for a horror film in box office history, trailing only the two "It" movies. Internationally, the film pulled in an additional $104 million, bringing its global debut to $187 million—the second-biggest worldwide horror opening ever.

Tracking services predicted a modest $50-60 million opening, but pent-up audience demand and strong word-of-mouth sent ticket sales "into the stratosphere". As Variety noted, "The Conjuring: Last Rites has resurrected the box office".

A Frightful Farewell Done Right

Director Michael Chaves delivers what critics are calling the franchise's most emotionally resonant entry. Unlike previous sequels, this film delves into the psychological toll on the Warren family, particularly their daughter, Judy, introducing the unsettling possibility that she may be cursed.

"Last Rites stands out as the most heartwarming installment, with its emphasis on faith and divinity," wrote Deadline's reviewer, who praised the film's ability to interweave genuine scares with character development. The film draws inspiration from the alleged haunting of the Smurl family in Pennsylvania from 1974 to 1989.

Critical Reception and Fan Response

While reviews have been mixed—Rotten Tomatoes shows varied critic scores—audiences are responding enthusiastically. Forbes called it "salvation with style and scares," describing it as "one of the stronger entries in the franchise". Reddit users reported being so engrossed that some viewers "didn't even touch their popcorn".

The film successfully returns to the atmospheric pleasures of James Wan's original, with standout sequences including a wedding dress scene with an infinity mirror that ranks among the franchise's most stunning scares.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga deliver powerfully emotional performances in what's billed as their final outing as the Warrens, though this weekend's massive success makes future installments seem inevitable.

For a franchise supposedly concluding its run, The Conjuring: Last Rites proves there's still plenty of supernatural life left in this haunted house.