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September 2025
The haunted halls of The Conjuring universe are back to send chills down spines and this time, they’re shaking up the Indian box office too. The Conjuring: Last Rites, the latest chapter in the globally loved horror saga, has stunned trade watchers by collecting nearly ₹70 crore in just 8 days across India. With this, the film has raced past several Bollywood big-budget releases, proving once again that when horror is delivered with skill, it knows no language barrier.
The Story & The Screams
Directed by Michael Chaves, Last Rites reunites fans with the iconic paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren, played once again by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson. True to its roots, the film draws inspiration from real-life supernatural cases but keeps the finer details hushed, letting the suspense simmer until it hits the screen.
What sets Last Rites apart is its refusal to take the easy route of loud jump scares. Instead, it lingers in the imagination with unsettling silences, eerie atmospherics, and a psychological edge that leaves viewers uneasy long after walking out of the theatre. Many critics and fans are already calling it the best installment since the original Conjuring of 2013.
Box Office Thunder in India
Numbers speak louder than screams here. With ₹70 crore already in its kitty, the film has left behind flashy Hindi releases like Baaghi 4 (₹45 crore) and The Bengal Files. Its dominance is especially clear in metro cities and multiplexes, where horror audiences tend to show up in strong numbers.
Trade experts credit the stellar response to a mix of word-of-mouth buzz and the loyal fan following of the Conjuring franchise. Horror may not always be a mainstream draw in India, but Last Rites is proving to be an exception, a film people are watching, talking about, and recommending relentlessly.
What Audiences Are Saying
Step onto social media and it’s clear: the movie has taken over timelines. From X (formerly Twitter) to Instagram, the reactions have ranged from “scariest movie of the year” to heartfelt praise for Vera Farmiga, who continues to shine as the emotional core of the franchise.
Young audiences, especially Gen Z, are flocking to cinemas in packs, treating the movie less like a solo viewing and more like a group thrill ride. That collective experience screaming together, covering eyes at the same moments, and laughing nervously afterward is adding to the buzz bigger than any marketing campaign could.
A Lesson for Bollywood
The film’s runaway success in India brings with it a sharp reminder for Bollywood. Despite huge budgets, star power, and heavy promotions, many Hindi films are struggling to capture audience attention. Meanwhile, a Hollywood horror release has swooped in and stolen the spotlight.
Industry analysts believe it’s time Bollywood seriously widens its toolkit. Audiences have tasted a variety of genres streaming on OTT from psychological thrillers to sci-fi adventures — and they now expect the same freshness on the big screen. Romance, action, and family drama can’t do all the heavy lifting forever.
Parting Thoughts
The Conjuring: Last Rites is more than just another horror entry. Its ₹70 crore victory in just 8 days shows how Indian audiences are opening up to well-made international films and, most importantly, to horror as a mainstream genre. For fans, the message is simple: if you want goosebumps and a reason to grab onto your seat in fear, this movie delivers in spades. And for Bollywood? This box office scarefest rings louder than a ghostly knock at midnight. It’s high time to break from formula and embrace new, daring genres that match what today’s audiences are craving.
