Hollywood’s iconic horror franchise The Conjuring has struck gold once again in India. The latest installment, “The Conjuring: Last Rites”, is off to a spine-chillingly strong start, with early estimates suggesting a ₹15 crore opening on Day 1—a figure rarely achieved by horror films in the Indian market.
The film’s advance bookings have been record-breaking, with multiplexes in metros as well as Tier-2 cities reporting near full-house shows for the opening weekend. Trade experts believe the movie is poised to outperform Tiger Shroff’s action film Baaghi 4, which also released this week, setting up a head-to-head box office clash.
Internationally, The Conjuring: Last Rites is expected to gross over USD 100 million in its opening weekend, reinforcing the franchise’s status as one of the most successful horror series in cinema history. In India, the film’s success could make it the highest-grossing Hollywood horror release ever, surpassing previous records set by titles like It and earlier Conjuring films.
Film trade analysts attribute the buzz to the franchise’s loyal fanbase, strategic release timing, and effective marketing, which emphasized both scares and storyline continuity. Horror has traditionally been considered a niche genre in India, but the massive opening of Last Rites indicates changing audience preferences and growing appetite for international content.
If momentum continues, the movie could not only cement its place as the biggest horror opener in India but also expand the scope for future Hollywood horror releases in the country.
