Shock waves hit the fall box office: an EXCLUSIVE report shows Thursday previews for The Conjuring: Last Rites reached $8.5M, putting the film on track for a $65M+ opening weekend. That preview figure is a franchise record, and it vaults the R‑rated finale into possible September history. This matters because a strong Saturday hold could convert a frontloaded start into a major studio win — or reveal horror’s usual steep drop. My take: Warners just scored a marketing and timing triumph, but can word‑of‑mouth sustain it? Will Saturday tell the real story?
What The $8.5M Previews Reveal About This Sept Horror Surge
- Warner Bros/New Line: Exclusive Thursday previews hit $8.5M, projecting $65M+ opening (Sept. 5–7).
- Preview Audience: 60% gave a “definite recommend”; 18–34 made up 69% of preview crowds.
- Franchise Power: Conjuring universe totals roughly $2.3B worldwide; previous biggest opening $53.8M.
- Immediate Impact: Could be September’s top opening and the year’s best horror bow.
- Next Step: Saturday hold/drop will decide whether projections stick or tumble.
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The surprise is scale: a horror finale is normally frontloaded, but beating tracking by tens of millions signals crossover appeal. If Last Rites holds after a massive preview night, it shoves September back into mainstream conversation, lifts Warner Bros.’ studio streak and reshapes how studios program R‑rated finales this autumn. For moviegoers, it means more late‑season tentpoles and theaters busy through Labor Day — but for analysts, Saturday’s percentage drop will decide profit margins and sequel calculus. Who benefits if the hold is strong?
How Fans And Early Scores Explain The $8.5M Surge — Watch The Trailer Reaction
Industry polling and exit numbers explain the frenzy: early tracking shows 60% “definite recommend,” young adults dominated previews, and Latino audiences were notably strong. That mix explains why studios are bullish on a $65M+ start despite critical ambivalence. Below is the official trailer that helped fuel awareness and social chatter around the release.
Below is the official trailer that helped fuel awareness and social chatter around the release.
Which Box‑Office Patterns Make A $65M+ Opening Plausible This Weekend
Three patterns line up: big preview nights, franchise momentum, and demo concentration. The Conjuring brand already amassed huge global receipts, so high preview numbers convert more reliably into big first‑weekend grosses than an original horror title. But horror is also the most frontloaded genre — meaning the opening is likely the film’s financial anchor unless word‑of‑mouth stays exceptional. Watch the Saturday-to-Sunday hold and demographic splits for the full story.
3 Numbers That Decide If Warner Bros. Keeps Its 2025 Box‑Office Streak
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday Previews | $8.5M | Franchise preview record; strong early demand |
| Projected 3‑day Opening | $65M+ | Could be September’s top opening; revenue boost |
| Franchise Total | $2.3B | Proven IP cushioning against weak reviews |
Strong previews point to a frontloaded weekend; Saturday hold will determine long‑term revenue.
What This Franchise Record Means For You, Studios, And Fall Movies In 2025
If Last Rites finishes near the projection, expect studios to schedule more horror finales in early September, marketers to prioritize preview events, and chains to lean into late‑summer horror promotions. For you, that means fuller theaters and buzzy opening nights — and possibly more sequels or spin‑offs greenlit faster. But if Saturday collapses, the story flips: massive preview noise, steep drop, and a cautionary memo for over‑reliance on brand and marketing. Which headline will Sept. 7 give us?
Sources
- https://deadline.com/2025/09/box-office-conjuring-the-last-rites-1236508461/
- https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/conjuring-last-rites-box-office-previews-highest-franchise-1236508296/
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/conjuring-last-rites-box-office-record-previews-1236362035/
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.