After an unexpectedly prolonged period of anticipation, audiences have finally witnessed the grand return of the fictionalized portrayals of Ed and Lorraine Warren on the silver screen—and the result has been nothing short of spectacular in financial terms. According to a detailed report from *The Hollywood Reporter*, the latest installment in the horror franchise, *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, stormed into theaters this past weekend with astonishing box office performance, generating an impressive $187 million in global receipts. Of this figure, a remarkable $83 million was earned from domestic theaters alone, not only securing the film the distinction of being the most lucrative debut of any previous *Conjuring* title but also placing it among the top three largest opening weekends for any horror feature in cinematic history. These earnings soared past the initial, considerably conservative projections issued by Warner Bros. executives and widely held expectations among industry analysts. International audiences proved equally enthusiastic, contributing an additional $104 million to the film’s earnings and thereby positioning it as the second most successful international launch ever achieved by a Hollywood-produced horror motion picture.\n\nThe narrative of *Last Rites* continues the on-screen saga of the Warrens, once again embodied by returning stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, whose portrayals have become indelibly associated with the franchise. This time, the couple delves into the infamous Smurl haunting, lending the film both a sense of haunting intimacy and an aura of foreboding. The marketing campaign that preceded the film’s release leaned heavily on the suggestion that this cinematic journey marks “the final case” for the Warrens as paranormal investigators, effectively positioning the movie as a ceremonial conclusion to the characters’ long-standing presence within the series. Yet, although these beloved characters may be bidding farewell in this storyline, the broader *Conjuring* universe is far from finished. In fact, Warner Bros. has already confirmed that a spin-off television series set within the same paranormal framework is currently in active development for streaming on HBO Max, ensuring that the franchise continues to evolve in new formats. Critical reception to *Last Rites* has been varied, though balanced—falling squarely in line with the franchise’s overall trend of eliciting mixed, yet commercially resilient, reviews.\n\nBeyond the supernatural spectacle of *The Conjuring*, Warner Bros.’ genre subsidiary New Line Cinema has another success still playing strongly in theaters. Its horror-thriller *Weapons* has demonstrated impressive staying power, now in its fifth week of release yet continuing to generate notable revenue. This past weekend alone, it garnered an additional $10 million across both domestic and international markets—$5.4 million originating from U.S. theaters and $4.6 million from overseas audiences—bringing its cumulative worldwide earnings to a staggering $250 million. Earlier in the week, the studio announced the film’s upcoming rollout on digital platforms, scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, well in advance of its planned physical home media release on October 14. However, no official premiere date for its eventual arrival on HBO Max has yet been revealed.\n\nLooking ahead, genre fans can expect a crowded theatrical calendar in the near future. The forthcoming slate includes *The Long Walk*, set to arrive on September 12, followed by both *Him* and *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey* debuting on September 19, and finally *The Strangers: Chapter 2*, which will open later in the month on September 26. Together, these releases promise to continue feeding the growing appetite for diverse forms of horror and genre storytelling throughout the remainder of the season.\n\nFor those eager to keep their cinematic radars attuned to a broader spectrum of pop culture, additional updates are available regarding highly anticipated projects within several major franchises. Fans can discover release schedules and production updates concerning *Marvel* films and series, the ongoing expansion of *Star Wars*, the ever-evolving *Star Trek* universe, the forthcoming directions of DC’s film and television properties, as well as the imaginative future awaiting *Doctor Who*. In short, while *Last Rites* represents the closing of one chapter, the horizon for genre storytelling in film and television remains as expansive and electrifying as ever.
Sourse: https://gizmodo.com/the-conjuring-last-rites-summons-a-franchise-best-box-office-2000655105
