Conjuring Prequel In The Works After Last Rites Smash — But James Wan Could Walk Away
Horror fans just got a twist they weren't expecting. After the runaway success of Last Rites, the Conjuring universe might be growing again — but without its most famous mastermind calling the shots.
Well, that did not take long. The Conjuring: Last Rites just stormed into theaters as the supposed final chapter, and surprise: the studio is already eyeing more. When you set records, the word 'final' starts to look like marketing.
Box office first, because money drives everything
Last Rites opened September 5 and has pulled in $194 million worldwide out of the gate, edging past 2017's It, which launched with $190 million. That makes it the biggest horror opening ever. Not bad for a curtain call.
So... what is Warner Bros. cooking now?
According to Puck News, Warner Bros. is lining up a potential prequel. Nothing officially greenlit yet, but the wheels are turning. The catch: there is some behind-the-scenes friction that could affect what happens next.
Inside baseball: James Wan vs. the studio
Producer James Wan, who directed the first two Conjuring films and helped build this whole thing, is reportedly in a pay dispute with the studio. Per Puck, Wan wants more for his producing work; Warner Bros. is not moving; and he is threatening to walk away from the franchise. That is a big deal if you care about the series actually feeling like The Conjuring and not just another haunted-house widget.
Quick refresher on the Conjuring universe
- The franchise launched in 2013 with The Conjuring, directed by Wan.
- It now spans three direct sequels (including Last Rites) focused on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.
- Several spin-offs spun out from the demons and possessions the Warrens encountered along the way.
- Across 12 years, the series has earned $2.4 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise ever.
What Last Rites is actually about
This chapter pulls from the Smurl haunting: a Pennsylvania couple who said a demon tormented their home for about 15 years through the 1970s and 1980s. It is one of those cases the Warrens became famous for, so the movie keeps the based-on-a-true-nightmare vibe intact.
Where we land
Last Rites is in theaters now. If that prequel moves forward and Wan holds his ground, expect some very public negotiating. Also expect more Conjuring, because $194 million says there is no way this universe stays buried.
If you are already caught up, I put together the best upcoming horror movies still headed our way in 2025. Add a few to the watchlist and plan your next round of jump scares.