Quick Read
- The Conjuring: Last Rites has surpassed $489.6 million at the global box office, outgrossing the lowest-earning Shrek film.
- The film is on track to beat the global earnings of War for the Planet of the Apes and other genre classics.
- A prequel to The Conjuring franchise has been greenlit, with new director Rodrigue Huart and returning screenwriters.
- HBO is developing a Conjuring universe television series with Nancy Won as showrunner.
- The franchise has earned $2.7 billion worldwide across nine films.
Record-Breaking Box Office: A Franchise Reinvented
When The Conjuring: Last Rites hit theaters in September 2025, few could have predicted the scale of its success. More than two months since its release, the supernatural thriller continues to hold strong in the domestic top 20, a rare feat for a horror sequel. According to Box Office Mojo, the film has amassed an impressive $176.9 million in North America and $312.7 million internationally, pushing its worldwide total to an eye-watering $489.69 million as of its 56th day in cinemas.
What does this mean in the context of modern cinema? For starters, Last Rites has outperformed the lowest-grossing entry in DreamWorks’ beloved Shrek franchise—an animated juggernaut that once seemed untouchable. The original Shrek pulled in $488.9 million globally, a figure now surpassed by the latest Conjuring installment. For a film made on a modest budget, earning nearly nine times its cost, this is a resounding victory for Warner Bros. and New Line.
But the numbers don’t exist in a vacuum. They signal something deeper: horror audiences are not only loyal, they’re hungry for stories that blend scares with a sense of real-life mystery. As Koimoi points out, the film is now on the cusp of overtaking the global haul of War for the Planet of the Apes ($490.7 million), and is poised to leapfrog other genre classics like Jaws and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
The Conjuring Universe: A New Chapter Beckons
With Last Rites promoted as the final chapter in the saga of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, fans might have braced for a ghostly farewell. Yet, the box office surge has done the opposite—it’s reignited the franchise. Warner Bros. and New Line have officially greenlit a prequel, entrusting rising director Rodrigue Huart (winner of SXSW’s jury prize for Transylvanie) with the helm. The screenplay will be crafted by Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg, whose previous work includes The Nun II and Last Rites.
The prequel, as reported by Variety, will explore the early years of the Warrens. This is a significant shift: new actors will step into the shoes of Ed and Lorraine, as Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson’s characters concluded their arc in Last Rites. The story aims to peel back the origins of the couple’s fascination with the occult, offering audiences a fresh perspective on their transformation from ordinary people to legendary investigators.
Franchise creator James Wan remains a guiding force, with Peter Safran continuing as producer—a continuity that fans and industry watchers alike see as crucial to maintaining the series’ distinct atmosphere.
From Screen to Stream: Expanding Into Television
The Conjuring universe isn’t stopping at the silver screen. HBO is developing a television series that will pick up where the feature films left off, diving deeper into the eerie world the Warrens inhabit. Nancy Won, a writer and producer with a track record for genre storytelling, has been tapped as executive producer and showrunner. While plot specifics are tightly guarded, the move signals a broader strategy: bringing the franchise’s suspenseful storytelling to new platforms and audiences.
Across nine films—including spinoffs like Annabelle and The Nun—the Conjuring universe has become the highest-grossing horror franchise in history, raking in $2.7 billion worldwide. The secret? Smart budgeting and a deep understanding of what scares—and captivates—viewers. Most installments are made with modest investments, yet deliver high returns.
Why Does This Franchise Endure?
What sets The Conjuring apart in a crowded horror market? Some point to the blend of fact and fiction—stories ‘based on true events’ that invite audiences to question what’s real. Others highlight the chemistry between the leads, and the evolving mythology that keeps each installment fresh. The numbers speak volumes, but it’s the audience’s appetite for more—prequels, spinoffs, TV series—that truly defines the franchise’s legacy.
As Koimoi and Indian Broadcasting World both note, the future of The Conjuring is anything but settled. Whether in theaters or on streaming platforms, the Warrens’ world continues to haunt, intrigue, and entertain millions.
The Conjuring: Last Rites proves that even in a genre defined by its tropes, innovation and careful stewardship can turn a modestly budgeted horror film into a global phenomenon. The franchise’s relentless expansion—through prequels, spinoffs, and television—reflects both its economic savvy and its ability to tap into the universal fascination with the unknown. For audiences and industry insiders alike, the message is clear: the age of the Conjuring is far from over.