
cnn.com
The Conjuring: Last Rites" Shatters Box Office Expectations
The Conjuring: Last Rites" exceeded expectations with an $83 million opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing opening in the franchise and the third-highest for a horror film in the US, trailing only "It" and "It: Chapter Two".
- What is the significance of "The Conjuring: Last Rites'" $83 million opening weekend?
- The film's performance surpasses industry predictions by $33 million and marks the highest opening for the "Conjuring" franchise, demonstrating the enduring appeal of horror sequels and the profitability of the genre. This success also contributes to the horror genre's overall box office success, exceeding $1 billion domestically in 2025.
- What are the implications of "The Conjuring: Last Rites'" success for the future of horror films and the wider film industry?
- The film's exceptional performance reinforces the profitability and popularity of horror sequels. This success will likely encourage studios to invest further in similar projects, possibly leading to more horror sequels and a continued dominance of this genre at the box office. It further demonstrates a preference for theatrical horror experiences among audiences, despite increased streaming options.
- How does the success of "The Conjuring: Last Rites" compare to other recent horror films, and what factors might contribute to its success?
- The film's opening ranks third among horror films, behind only the two "It" films. Its success can be attributed to the established "Conjuring" franchise, audience demand for communal horror experiences, and a successful marketing campaign capitalizing on the genre's current popularity. The film's strong opening weekend contributes to the overall box office success of the horror genre in 2025, exceeding $1 billion.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a largely positive framing of "The Conjuring: Last Rites"'s box office success, emphasizing its record-breaking opening and exceeding expectations. The inclusion of quotes from industry analysts further reinforces this positive perspective. While the article mentions competing films, the focus remains primarily on the success of "The Conjuring: Last Rites". The headline itself, although factual, contributes to this positive framing by highlighting the film's success.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and factual, using descriptive terms like "record-breaking" and "exceeding expectations." However, the repeated use of positive descriptors like "big," "best opening," and "excellent number" subtly influences the reader's perception, although these are commonly used to describe box office successes. There's no overtly negative or loaded language used.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the success of "The Conjuring: Last Rites" and other horror films, but omits discussion of broader market trends or comparative analyses with other genres. It also doesn't delve into the critical reception of "The Conjuring: Last Rites," focusing solely on its financial performance. This omission might create a skewed perspective, underrepresenting potential counterarguments about the movie's quality.