Entertainment: The Power of Pure Horror

What is the Conjuring: Last Rites Trend?

The trend is the remarkable box office performance of Warner Bros. Pictures' The Conjuring: Last Rites, which has become a standout success in the horror genre. The film's $83 million domestic opening not only surpassed industry expectations but also positioned it as the third-highest opening for a horror movie of all time. This performance highlights a significant and ongoing trend in the film industry: the robust and profitable nature of the horror genre, particularly when it delivers a compelling, pure horror experience in a communal setting like a movie theater.

• The film is the ninth installment in The Conjuring universe. Its opening weekend earnings exceeded the previous franchise record holder, The Nun, which opened with $53.8 million in 2018.

Why It Is a Trending Topic

The remarkable performance of The Conjuring: Last Rites is trending because it underscores several key factors driving the modern box office, particularly within the horror genre.

• Communal Viewing: The film's success is attributed to the shared experience of watching a scary movie in a crowded theater. As senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore stated, "The true horror movie experience in a movie theater... that's why you're seeing this $83 million debut." The desire to be scared with a group of people is a powerful motivator for moviegoers.

• Genre Resilience: While other genres have struggled at the box office, horror has remained a consistent and powerful earner for Hollywood. The Conjuring: Last Rites is the latest example, helping to push the genre past $1 billion in domestic box office earnings for 2025.

Overview: A Banner Year for Scares

The success of The Conjuring: Last Rites is not an isolated incident but rather a culmination of a fantastic year for the horror genre. The film's strong opening comes on the heels of other high-grossing horror films from Warner Bros. Pictures, including Sinners ($278.6 million), Final Destination: Bloodlines ($138.1 million), and Weapons ($143 million). This collective success demonstrates that horror is a dominant force, consistently attracting audiences and generating significant revenue for studios.

Detailed Findings

The film's performance offers some interesting insights into what works at the box office today.

• Warner Bros. Dominance: Warner Bros. has a clear winning formula for horror, as they also released the two films that had higher domestic openings than Last Rites: 2017's It ($123.4 million) and 2019's It: Chapter Two ($91 million). The studio has effectively cornered the market on major theatrical horror events.

• The Power of a Proven Franchise: The ongoing success of The Conjuring universe proves that established horror franchises with a loyal fan base can consistently deliver at the box office. This trend is set to continue, with sequels like Black Phone 2 and Five Nights at Freddy's 2 slated for release this fall.

Key Success Factors of The Conjuring Trend

The triumph of The Conjuring: Last Rites can be attributed to several key factors that studios can replicate.

• Delivering a "Pure" Horror Experience: The film is marketed as an authentic, high-quality horror experience, focusing on genuine scares and suspense rather than gore or comedy.

• Leveraging Theatrical Exclusivity: The horror genre thrives in a theatrical setting. The film’s success demonstrates that audiences will turn out for movies that are best experienced in a communal, immersive environment.

• Building a Cinematic Universe: By creating a connected universe, Warner Bros. has built a loyal following that is invested in the overarching story. This encourages repeat viewings and ensures that new releases are highly anticipated.

Key Takeaway

The Conjuring: Last Rites is a prime example of the enduring power of the horror genre. Its exceptional box office performance confirms that audiences are hungry for authentic, high-quality scares, and they prefer to experience them together in a movie theater. The trend highlights that, in a saturated media landscape, communal and visceral experiences remain a key driver of theatrical success.

Main Trend

The main trend is the resurgence of the theatrical horror event. This is a movement away from horror as a niche genre and toward it becoming a consistent, high-grossing staple of the box office.

Description of the Trend: The Theatrical Horror Renaissance

The theatrical horror renaissance is a cultural and industry phenomenon where audiences are flocking to movie theaters to experience horror films. This trend is driven by the unique communal experience of watching a scary movie with a crowd. The shared reactions—screams, jumps, and nervous laughter—transform a film into a social event. Studios are capitalizing on this by producing high-quality horror films with significant marketing campaigns that position them as must-see events.

Key Characteristics of the Core Trend: Cinematic Scares

The core of this trend is built on the power of the shared viewing experience.

• Communal Fear: The main characteristic is the audience's desire for communal fear. It's a social outing, much like a roller coaster, where people line up to get a thrill in a shared, safe environment.

• Sequel and Franchise Power: This trend is heavily reliant on sequels and established franchises. Familiar characters and stories provide a sense of comfort and a built-in audience, making each new installment a highly anticipated event.

• Consistent Profitability: Horror films are often made on a lower budget than blockbusters, making them exceptionally profitable. Their strong performance, even with a smaller opening than a superhero film, can guarantee a strong return on investment.

Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend

The horror renaissance is supported by several cultural and market signals.

• A Shift in Viewing Habits: In an age of streaming, movies that offer a unique, communal experience are more valuable. Horror films fill this niche perfectly, as their impact is amplified by a live audience.

• The Search for Escapism: In a world with constant real-life anxieties, horror offers a controlled, fictional outlet for fear. It provides a thrilling escape that allows people to confront their fears without genuine danger.

• Social Media Amplification: Reactions to horror films, from jumpscares to funny moments, are highly shareable on social media. This peer-to-peer marketing helps build buzz and encourages others to go to the theater to experience the film themselves.

What Is Consumer Motivation

The motivation behind consumer behavior is driven by a quest for a visceral, unforgettable experience.

• The Thrill of the Scare: Consumers are motivated by the adrenaline rush of being scared. The theatrical environment, with its loud sound design and large screen, enhances this thrill.

• Social Connection: Going to a horror movie is a social event. It's a reason to get together with friends and share a memorable experience.

• The Lure of the Unknown: Even within a franchise, horror films create a sense of mystery and the unknown. Consumers are motivated by the desire to see what new scares the filmmakers have in store.

What is Motivation Beyond the Trend: The Conjuring Legacy

The motivation for this franchise's success extends beyond the current trend and into the realm of brand loyalty and legacy.

• Trust in the Brand: Over eight previous films, The Conjuring universe has built a reputation for quality. Audiences trust that a new installment will deliver on its promise of a good scare.

• An Enduring Story: The franchise's focus on the paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren provides a compelling, true-story-inspired narrative that audiences find fascinating.

• A New Horror Iconography: The franchise has created new horror icons, from Valak to Annabelle, which have become a part of the modern horror lexicon, further motivating fans to return to the theater for each new chapter.

Strategic Forecast

The future of horror is bright and will continue to be a key driver of the theatrical experience.

• Franchise Expansion: Studios will continue to invest in horror franchises and create cinematic universes. This strategy ensures a built-in audience and a steady stream of releases.

• Premium Formats: We can expect more horror films to be released in premium formats like IMAX and Dolby Cinema, which enhance the visual and auditory experience and justify the theatrical ticket price.

• Cross-Generational Appeal: The trend of bringing back legacy horror franchises will continue, appealing to both older generations who remember the originals and younger audiences discovering them for the first time.

Areas of Innovation

This trend implies several key areas for innovation in the film industry.

• Immersive Theatrical Experiences: Studios could innovate by creating more interactive or immersive theatrical events for horror films, such as integrating live elements or sensory effects to enhance the fear.

• AI-Driven Narrative Generation: AI could be used to analyze what elements create the most effective scares, helping filmmakers create more compelling and frightening narratives.

• Digital Universe Expansion: While the theatrical experience is key, brands can innovate by creating interactive digital worlds or games that expand the lore of the film universe, keeping fans engaged between releases.

• Community Building: Studios can foster stronger fan communities through exclusive online content, behind-the-scenes access, and fan-only events to build anticipation for new releases.

• Cross-Platform Storytelling: A horror story could be told across multiple platforms simultaneously, with a theatrical film serving as the main event and a companion podcast, web series, or game providing additional lore.

Summary of Trends

• Core Consumer Trend: The "Social Scare" trend, where the primary motivation for seeing a horror film is the shared, communal experience with friends.

• Core Social Trend: The "Horror Renaissance" trend, which signals a cultural shift that has re-established horror as a dominant and profitable genre in theatrical film.

• Core Strategy: The "Franchise Fortification" strategy, where studios are investing heavily in and expanding proven horror franchises to build long-term, dependable revenue streams.

• Core Industry Trend: The "Event-Based Cinema" trend, where movies are no longer just content but curated events designed to be experienced with an audience, a model in which horror excels.

• Core Consumer Motivation: The "Adrenaline Seeker" motivation, where consumers are primarily driven by the psychological and physiological thrill of fear, which is best delivered in a theatrical setting.

Final Thought: The Scream Is A Shared Experience

The success of The Conjuring: Last Rites proves that in a world of endless on-demand content, the communal experience of going to the movies is more valuable than ever. The film's strong box office haul wasn't just about the scares on screen, but about the shared screams and nervous laughter in the dark. It confirms that for a genre like horror, the theatrical experience is not a luxury, but an essential part of its appeal. As long as audiences want to share in that thrill, horror will continue to be a dominant force at the box office.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/07/business/conjuring-box-office-horror-movies