"The Conjuring 4" Becomes Second Most Profitable Horror Film in History — But Critics Are Furious

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The fourth installment of the franchise raked in $187 million over its opening weekend! This marks the best performance in the series' history and ranks second among all horror films, trailing only behind "It" ($190 million).

But alongside the box office triumph came chilly reviews from critics: runtime too long, weak script, lack of genuinely scary scenes, and an overall sense of déjà vu.

The film opened in the US with $83 million — only trailing behind two "It" movies, reports Variety. With a $55 million budget, this result makes "The Conjuring: Last Rites" one of Warner Bros.' biggest wins of the year. It's the studio's seventh consecutive box office hit.
Actors Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson in coats standing against a black background looking at the camera
Scene from "The Conjuring: Last Rites"
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What critics and audiences are saying

  • On Rotten Tomatoes, the film sits at just 55% fresh, while IMDb gives it 6.5 out of 10.
  • The horror relies too heavily on jump scares and familiar tricks without offering fresh ideas.
  • Variety writes that the series finale feels more like family drama than genuine horror.
  • Deep Focus Review highlights the emotional scenes between Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga's characters but admits scary moments are few and far between.
  • Boston Movie News called the plot "shockingly clumsy" and the direction "uninspired."
  • Among positive reviews, Collider and Screen Realm believe the film works as a "final farewell" to the Warrens.
Audience opinion on social media is split too. Some complain the horror has devolved into predictable soap opera drama and lost the atmosphere of the earlier films. Others admit: sure, there are fewer scares, but the emotional conclusion to the Warrens' story feels worthy.
"The Conjuring: Last Rites" trailer

What the film's about

The plot follows Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) taking on a new case: a family moves into their dream home, but the house turns out to be possessed. Demonic activity turns the characters' lives into a nightmare, and the paranormal investigators face a trial that could be their last.

Yes, the new "Conjuring" has plenty of criticism — some complain about predictable tricks, others about the dragged-out plot. But the box office numbers speak for themselves: audiences keep showing up. That means the film definitely doesn't leave people indifferent. So maybe don't rely too heavily on other people's opinions — better to watch the horror yourself and decide whether "The Conjuring: Last Rites" became the finale this franchise deserved. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com covered why critics are unhappy with the series "The Paper," which takes place in "The Office" universe.