Warner Bros. extended a remarkable box office run this weekend as The Conjuring: Last Rites opened to an estimated $83 million in North America and $187 million worldwide, pushing the studio’s streak to seven consecutive domestic openings above $40 million and marking its eighth No. 1 debut of 2025. The ninth entry in the horror franchise also delivered the third-largest domestic opening ever for a horror film and set series records internationally with an estimated $104 million overseas.
Industry trackers credited premium formats for helping fuel demand: IMAX grosses reached about $14.3 million worldwide, including $9.4 million in North America, while premium large formats accounted for a sizable share of ticket sales. Friday-through-Sunday estimates included $34.6 million on Friday (with $8.5 million in Thursday previews), $30.3 million on Saturday, and $18.1 million on Sunday.
The film’s launch underscores a broader 2025 surge for scary movies at the multiplex. Domestic horror ticket sales have crossed $1 billion year-to-date, and Last Rites arrives on the heels of other strong genre performers on the same slate. Over the frame, Disney’s Hamilton began in second place with roughly $10 million and Warner’s Weapons added about $5.4 million, lifting overall weekend business to its highest level since early August.
Analysts say the streak reflects a release slate that has found audiences across original and franchise fare, with horror serving as a consistent driver through late summer into early fall. Box office data firms tallied Last Rites playing at 3,802 theaters domestically with a per-screen average above $21,000, easily outpacing expectations that hovered around $50 million earlier in the week. In key overseas territories, Mexico led at an estimated $13.3 million, followed by the UK and Brazil, contributing to what trackers described as the franchise’s strongest international start to date.
