What's Happening?
Warner Bros. Pictures' latest horror film, 'The Conjuring: Last Rites,' has achieved significant box office success, earning $83 million domestically during its opening weekend. This marks the third-highest domestic opening for a horror movie, following 'It' and 'It: Chapter Two.' The film also set a record for the largest international opening for a horror movie, with $104 million in earnings outside North America. The success of 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' has contributed to the horror genre surpassing $1 billion in domestic box office earnings for 2025, according to Comscore data. The film's performance highlights the enduring appeal of horror movies, particularly in a theater setting.
Why It's Important?
The success of 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' underscores the continued popularity and profitability of the horror genre in the film industry. With the genre surpassing $1 billion in domestic box office earnings this year, it demonstrates the strong demand for horror films among audiences. This trend is beneficial for studios like Warner Bros., which have invested heavily in horror franchises. The film's performance also indicates a robust market for horror sequels, with upcoming releases such as 'Black Phone 2' and 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' expected to further boost box office numbers. The communal experience of watching horror films in theaters remains a significant draw for audiences.
What's Next?
The success of 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' is likely to encourage studios to continue investing in horror films and sequels. Upcoming releases like 'Black Phone 2' and 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' are anticipated to contribute to the genre's box office earnings. Additionally, the film's success may lead to further expansion of the 'Conjuring' universe, with potential new installments or spin-offs. Studios may also explore innovative marketing strategies to capitalize on the genre's popularity and attract audiences to theaters.
