Los Angeles, Sept 7: Warner Bros. and New Line’s The Conjuring: Last Rites has delivered a historic box office debut, becoming the biggest global opener ever for a horror film.
The ninth installment in the blockbuster paranormal franchise raked in $194 million worldwide in its first weekend, surpassing Sunday’s earlier estimate of $187 million. With this, it has overtaken the previous horror record set by 2017’s It ($190 million).
Record-breaking numbers
- Global debut: $194 million (new all-time horror record)
- International debut: $110 million (biggest overseas start for a horror film, beating It: Chapter Two’s $92 million)
- Domestic debut (U.S. & Canada): $84 million (third-highest for the genre after It at $123M and It: Chapter Two at $91M)
Franchise momentum
Directed by Michael Chaves, the film stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprising their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, the Conjuring universe (including Annabelle and The Nun spinoffs) has now grossed over $2.3 billion, cementing its status as the highest-grossing horror franchise in history.
With a budget of $55 million, the latest entry is already a major commercial win.
Warner Bros.’ hot streak
The success marks Warner Bros.’ seventh straight film to open above $40 million, following recent hits like A Minecraft Movie, Sinners, Final Destination: Bloodlines, F1: The Movie (Apple), Superman, and Weapons. This comes after the studio faced setbacks with underperformers such as Joker: Folie à Deux, Mickey 17, and The Alto Knights.