When The Conjuring: Last Rites hit theaters in early September 2025, it didn’t just draw audiences it shattered records, becoming the biggest horror premiere of the year. The film opened with a stunning $83 million domestically, a franchise best and the third-highest horror debut ever passing expectations and outperforming major blockbusters like Marvel’s Thunderbolts. What was even more surprising was that the film achieved its R rating not for violence, gore, or cursing but simply because it was too frightening.
Worldwide, Last Rites raked in approximately $187–$194 million over its opening weekend, a new horror film record worldwide. It was well-received across international markets—breaking opening weekend records in Spain, Brazil, and India, and commanding a staggering 83% market share in Indonesia and 91% in the Philippine.
Many fans wondered why the movie was rated R limiting the audience able to see it.
In the opinion of viewer Hazel Stampler, “It’s just so scary. There are no specific scenes that you could take out to get PG-13.”
This unusual rating was amazing material in the press and sparked viewer curiosity. Viewers were curious as to whether it actually did live up to its speculations of being so scary, and word spread quickly. People were leaving theaters warning other friends that they would “jump out of their seats.”
Movie fan Sabrina Lucas ignored the warnings.
“I was warned about this movie by everyone but I had to see for myself. It’s true that movie was the scariest one I have ever seen,” she said.
She also added, “Even thought the movie is so scary, it doesn’t take away from the fact of how interesting the story line is. I 100% believe it is a must watch”
The positive reception also had to do with how The Conjuring honored traditional horror conventions but in a new way. Director James Wan never played it safe, by not using overused tactics, but instead adding atmosphere, quiet, and well-placed jump scares.
Actor Patrick Wilson, who played Ed Warren, was quoted in an interview saying, “James knows the scariest thing isn’t what you see — it’s what you can’t see.”
This approach allowed the film to appeal not only to horror fans but even to mainstream audiences who usually avoid gory films.
