The Conjuring franchise has been terrifying audiences for more than ten years, starting with James Wan’s original film that premiered in 2013. Viewers have enjoyed several sequels centered on Ed and Lorraine Warren, portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, along with a variety of spinoffs and prequels.
Fast forward to 2025, and The Conjuring – Last Rites was marketed as the final installment of the franchise. The title itself indicated this, presenting it as the “Last” film and chapter in the saga of the Warren family. The conclusion of Last Rites provided Ed and Lorraine with a joyful resolution, serving as a fitting closure for this Universe.
That’s why Michael Chaves, the director of Last Rites, has stated in interviews, “It is done. This is the final chapter. There’s no other Conjuring movies. It is absolutely the end.”
Given the clarity and finality of his statements, one might reasonably conclude that the franchise has come to a close. However, this is far from the truth; the story is far from over.
Get Ready, As More Installments of The Conjuring Series Are On The Way !
Contrary to Chaves’ claims, there are already indications that additional Conjuring films are in the works. It has been reported that New Line is currently in the initial phases of developing a new type of Conjuring prequel.
This project will stand apart from other prequel series in this universe, such as Annabelle, although specific storylines or character information remains undisclosed. Despite Chaves’ assertions, there are clear signs that more Conjuring films are on the horizon.
Reports indicate that New Line is in the early stages of creating a fresh Conjuring prequel. This upcoming project will differentiate itself from other prequel series within this universe, like Annabelle, although details regarding the plot or characters have yet to be revealed.
The franchise has the potential to benefit from a prequel that delves into various demons or supernatural entities. Last Rites has set the stage for numerous possibilities in this regard. The Conjuring mirror and the new, yet-to-be-named demon present one intriguing path for a prequel.
Additionally, the studio might contemplate exploring the backstory of the Axe Man from the fourth film. In addition to the potential for prequels, it’s important to highlight that The Conjuring Universe may extend it’s narrative beyond the conclusion of Last Rites.
Judy Warren and her husband are positioned to take on the leading roles in upcoming installments. Furthermore, many of the franchise’s key cast members have shown varying degrees of enthusiasm about returning for additional films.
Judy’s journey as a paranormal investigator offers the franchise a wealth of years and cases to explore in the future. Moreover, given that Ed and Lorraine had a significantly longer life in reality than the point at which Last Rites concludes their narratives, Wilson and Farmiga could also make appearances in some form moving forward.
The different possibilities for continuing the franchise and the whispers about the studio progressing with certain plans should not be unexpected, regardless of Chaves’ comments.
Earlier this year, New Line head Richard Brenner indicated that Last Rites was not the conclusion of the franchise, but merely the conclusion of “Phase One”, implying that a Phase Two is on the horizon.
The specifics of what Phase Two of the Conjuring Universe entails remain unclear. However, it is clear that New Line is determined not to let this intellectual property fade away. They may even consider continuing the franchise without James Wan.
As reports suggest that there is a pay dispute between the two parties concerning his future role in the franchise he originally created. Additional Conjuring films are definitely in the pipeline, but there’s even more to anticipate.
An HBO Max series is also in development. This will likely be included in Phase Two of the franchise, ensuring the intellectual property remains vibrant while New Line and Warner Bros. determine the future direction of films within this universe.
The Conjuring – Last Rites Achieved Such Success That The Universe Must Continue
Although there was initially a plan for Last Rites to conclude the entire Conjuring Universe, the film’s success ensured that this would not be the case. Regardless of whether a new installment arrives in two years or a decade, audiences have demonstrated through their spending that there remains significant interest in this franchise.
Last Rites shattered Box Office expectations, achieving a remarkable $84 million opening weekend in the domestic market for the series, marking it as one of the top three performances for a horror film in history.
Following this impressive start, the film demonstrated exceptional staying power, accumulating a staggering total of $494 million globally as of this writing, setting a new record for the Conjuring franchise.
| Year | The Conjuring Universe | Worldwide Box Office |
| 2013 | The Conjuring | $320 Million |
| 2014 | Annabelle | $257 Million |
| 2016 | The Conjuring 2 | $322 Million |
| 2017 | Annabelle – Creation | $306 Million |
| 2018 | The Nun | $366 Million |
| 2019 | Annabelle Comes Home | $ 231 Million |
| 2021 | The Conjuring – The Devil Made Me Do It | $206 Million |
| 2023 | The Nun 2 | $269 Million |
| 2025 | The Conjuring – Last Rites | $494 Million |
The notion that New Line and Warner Bros. would allow a $2.2 billion horror franchise to fade away seemed unbelievable prior to the release of Last Rites.
However, after it’s performance boosted the series’ total to $2.7 billion, it became clear that it was only a matter of time before the studios discovered a way to keep the franchise alive.
As long as viewers continue to demonstrate their enthusiasm for experiencing this world in theaters, New Line and WB will persist in producing additional The Conjuring films. The nearly $500 million earnings from Last Rites ensure that we will keep witnessing more installments in this Universe, regardless of the approach taken.