Entertainment Desk: Warner Bros. and New Line’s “The Conjuring: Last Rites” has blown past expectations with a staggering $194 million worldwide opening, making it the biggest global debut in horror film history—surpassing the previous record of $190 million set by 2017’s It.
The ninth installment in the acclaimed Conjuring franchise also sets a new milestone with a record-breaking $110 million international launch, outpacing the previous horror overseas debut held by It: Chapter Two ($92 million in 2019). Domestically, it earned $84 million, positioning it as the third-biggest opening for the genre after It ($123 million) and It: Chapter Two ($91 million).
Directed by franchise veteran Michael Chaves, “Last Rites” reunites stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, two paranormal investigators facing their most sinister case yet. Original creator James Wan and producer Peter Safran returned to guide the film. The Conjuring universe—which includes “The Nun” and “Annabelle” spinoffs—remains the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time with over $2.3 billion in worldwide revenue.
With a production budget of $55 million, the movie is already a commercial win for Warner Bros., marking their seventh consecutive film to debut above $40 million.
