Is The Conjuring: Last Rites the End of the Conjuring Universe? The Franchise’s Future, Explained

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As a cinephile, I’ve been left trembling in my seat by The Conjuring movies for more than a decade now! Warner Bros. has truly outdone themselves, crafting a captivating cinematic universe that stands shoulder to shoulder with the mighty superhero franchises in terms of grandeur and box office success.

Each installment in this chilling series offers its own standalone tale, yet they all share a distinctive formula: a haunting blend of supernatural terror and a gothic ambiance that keeps you on edge. The characters are loosely based on real-life paranormal investigators, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the spine-tingling stories.

With each new addition to the series, the Conjuring universe continues to grow, unleashing fresh horrors upon the Warrens and interweaving demons, cursed objects, and tormented families into one of Warner Bros.’ most financially successful properties.

In a noteworthy development, the weekend release of “The Conjuring: Last Rites” has Warner Bros. promoting it as the final installment of the series. However, given the enduring popularity of horror franchises such as “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th,” where iconic characters tend to make a comeback, viewers might be in for more “Conjuring” movies down the line.

The “End” of The Conjuring Might Be the Beginning

In “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” the story appears to mark the final chapter of the Warrens’ journey, but it doesn’t necessarily signal the conclusive end of the series. Instead, the film subtly suggests that the narrative will carry on and develop further. The closing scenes, where Lorraine Warren discusses the legacy of her and her husband’s work, hinting at passing their knowledge to the next generation, which includes Judy (their daughter) and Tony (her fiancé), seem more like a roadmap for the franchise’s future progression rather than a goodbye.

If Warner Bros. Discovery intends to continue the universe’s existence, focusing on Judy and Tony could potentially be a strategy. Given their established roles within the narrative, this shift might enable the creators to explore new avenues while maintaining a sense of familiarity. This approach mirrors how horror icons like Jason continue to terrorize different characters, yet The Conjuring now has an opportunity to undergo a transformation by introducing a new generation of characters.

There are numerous other avenues for this franchise to persist, even without Ed and Lorraine. In fact, spinoffs have been instrumental in the series’ success since its inception, with movies like “The Nun” serving as excellent examples. Although these films received a mix of positive and negative feedback from both critics and audiences, “The Nun (2018)” and “The Nun II (2023)” were significant box office triumphs for the studio, generating more than $500 million combined. The chilling character Valak, who features prominently in these films, has played a pivotal role in their success and is now one of the horror genre’s most iconic villains.

The franchise can continue even without Ed and Lorraine, with spinoffs being important since the beginning. For example, movies like “The Nun” show this. Though they received mixed reviews, “The Nun (2018)” and “The Nun II (2023)” were financial successes, making over $500 million together. The character Valak from these films is now a well-known horror villain.

Since the success of this franchise, it’s possible that Valak could reappear in future stories. This could happen either as a standalone Nun 3 film or a cameo in another movie. Given the popularity of iconic horror characters like Freddy, Jason, and Michael Myers, it seems likely that Valak will make a comeback at some point. Even though The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It might be the last film for the Warrens, there’s a good chance that this demon character will return in another form.

Additionally unexplored realms within the universe of “The Conjuring” exist, offering much more to delve into. The enigmatic character known as The Crooked Man, hinted at in “The Conjuring 2,” has been the subject of rumors for years, suggesting a potential spin-off film. However, due to development hurdles, this movie remains stalled. Despite these setbacks, “The Conjuring 2” is considered one of the most successful films in the franchise, and reintroducing an old character from that story could serve as a means to revitalize the series and provide another heart-pounding horror experience.

Additionally, Annabelle is significantly important within the series of supernatural entities, often regarded as its core. The possessed doll has already starred in three separate films, with “Annabelle: Creation” being a rare instance where a prequel outshines its original counterpart. Given that spooky dolls consistently capture the attention of horror enthusiasts, it appears highly likely that another “Annabelle” movie will materialize.

It’s possible that the less recognized horror movie “The Curse of La Llorona” might have a role in the upcoming installments of the franchise. Contrary to expectations, it wasn’t promoted as connected to the world of the Warrens, but a character named Father Perez, who had previously appeared in “Annabelle”, was present in the film. Despite receiving negative reviews, the movie managed to make money at the box office, suggesting that Warner Bros. Discovery might be considering a sequel that links more closely with the main storyline. Additionally, other cursed objects housed in the Warrens’ infamous room of horrors could potentially be the focus of standalone films, expanding the franchise without repeatedly using the same group of villains.

Box Office Success Means the Franchise Isn’t Going Anywhere

Essentially, it’s highly unlikely that the universe of “The Conjuring” will conclude with “Last Rites.” Here’s why: its financial success. The latest installment in the series smashed box office records, earning more during its opening weekend than any horror film ever has, surpassing “It: Chapter One.” This demonstrates that the franchise remains incredibly profitable in Hollywood. Horror is known for being a dependable genre, with productions typically having low budgets but generating substantial profits. In this regard, “The Conjuring” stands out as one of the top gems within the genre.

Warner Bros. Discovery has every justification to continue the franchise, possibly through sequels, spinoffs, or television series on HBO Max. It’s possible that fans might bid farewell to Ed and Lorraine (though their departure is yet undecided). In fact, Last Rites could mark a new direction for the franchise, with the main storyline expanding beyond its original characters while still providing the chilling experiences viewers anticipate.

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2025-09-09 19:43