The Conjuring: Last Rites – Release, True Story, Ending

After nearly a decade of scares, Ed and Lorraine Warren are heading to the big screen one last time. The Conjuring: Last Rites, which hits theaters on September 5, 2025, promises to close the main franchise with a story rooted in the real-life Smurl haunting. Here’s what we know about the film’s release, its true-story origins, and what the finale means for the Conjuring universe.

Release date: September 5, 2025 ·
Director: Michael Chaves ·
Main cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga ·
Franchise installment: 4th main film (final)

Eight key facts at a glance: the title, release date, director, writers, main cast, real‑life inspiration, runtime, and genre.

Is The Conjuring: Last Rites based on a true story?

The Smurl family haunting

The film draws directly from the real‑life case of Janet and Jack Smurl and their family, who lived in a home in West Pittston, Pennsylvania during the 1980s. According to the Gateway Film Center theater synopsis, the Smurls experienced terrifying paranormal disturbances—strange noises, physical attacks, and apparitions—that eventually drew the attention of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Wikipedia film database confirms the film is based on this investigation, making it the fourth main Conjuring film to be anchored in a documented Warren case.

How the Warrens’ final case inspired the film

In the film’s setup, Ed Warren has retired after a heart attack, but the Smurl haunting pulls him back. The Gateway Film Center synopsis places the story five years after The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (set in 1981), meaning The Conjuring: Last Rites takes place in 1986. The official final trailer on YouTube emphasizes this is the Warrens’ “one last terrifying case,” framing the movie as a direct conclusion to their cinematic arc.

The implication: by grounding the finale in a real case the Warrens actually investigated, the film achieves emotional validity—even if the supernatural elements are dramatized.

Will Conjuring 4 be the last movie in the main franchise?

Official confirmation from Warner Bros.

Yes—The Conjuring: Last Rites is marketed as the final main series entry. Wikipedia lists it as the fourth and concluding film in the core Conjuring series. The official teaser explicitly states that Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson “reunite for one last case as Ed and Lorraine Warren,” signaling the end of their involvement in the main storyline.

What this means for the Conjuring universe

Warner Bros. has not announced a Conjuring 5, and all indicators point to Last Rites being the conclusion. However, the larger Conjuring universe—which includes spin‑offs like The Nun (2018, 2023), Annabelle (2014, 2017, 2019), and The Curse of La Llorona (2019)—is expected to continue. The teaser boasts that the franchise has earned “more than $2 billion theatrically” before this film, so the economics favor more spin‑offs. A Box Office Mojo report shows Last Rites itself grossed $499 million worldwide, proving the brand’s lasting pull.

The pattern: a clean end to the original arc, but no cap on the extended universe.

What is the release date of The Conjuring: Last Rites?

Theatrical and IMAX release

The Conjuring: Last Rites opened in U.S. theaters on September 5, 2025. According to Box Office Mojo, the earliest international screenings began on September 3, 2025 in APAC and LATAM markets. The domestic opening weekend pulled in $84 million, a strong number for a horror finale. Rotten Tomatoes lists the film as rated R for “terror and bloody/violent content,” with a runtime of 2 hours 15 minutes.

Where to watch: streaming and digital

Rotten Tomatoes lists a streaming release date of October 7, 2025, likely on HBO Max (now Max) as with previous Warner Bros. titles. No official confirmation from Warner Bros. has been issued about a digital purchase or rental window, but the pattern of previous Conjuring films suggests a 45‑day theatrical window before premium video‑on‑demand.

The trade-off: theatrical viewers get the IMAX experience first; streamers wait about a month.

What happens to Judy in The Conjuring: Last Rites?

Judy Warren’s role in the finale

Judy Warren, the daughter of Ed and Lorraine, steps into the spotlight. According to the Gateway Film Center synopsis, the demonic threat in the Smurl case specifically targets Judy because of her psychic sensitivity—a trait established in earlier films. The plot revolves around the entity trying to exploit her abilities to gain a foothold in the physical world. The official final trailer shows Judy in extreme peril, suggesting her arc reaches a climax that directly ties into the Warrens’ decision to take on one last case.

Why the demon targeted her

In the Conjuring universe, Judy inherited Lorraine’s clairvoyant sensitivity. The official teaser describes the Warrens’ final case as “personal,” implying that the demon chose Judy to force the Warrens out of retirement. The ending of the film reportedly resolves Judy’s arc by either neutralizing the threat or sacrificing her innocence—a common trope in the series, but here framed as the emotional core.

The catch: by making Judy the target, the film raises the stakes above any previous entry—the Warrens are now fighting for their own daughter, not strangers.

Is Conjuring 5 coming after Last Rites?

Future of the main franchise

No. Warner Bros. has not announced a Conjuring 5, and all evidence points to Last Rites being the final mainline film. Wikipedia categorizes it as the fourth and concluding installment. The official teaser and final trailer consistently use “one last case” language.

Potential spin‑offs

While the main series ends, the Conjuring universe will likely expand. The Nun II was released in 2023, and a The Nun 3 is in development (though not officially confirmed). Box Office Mojo reports that Last Rites earned $499 million globally, a number that makes the IP too valuable to abandon. Expect spin‑off announcements within the next year.

Rotten Tomatoes also lists the film as the ninth installment overall in the series, confirming that the universe has plenty of room for standalone tales.

What this means: Warner Bros. has positioned the finale as a capstone while leaving the extended universe active for future spin‑off revenue.

Timeline signal

• 1980s – Ed and Lorraine Warren investigate the Smurl haunting in West Pittston, Pennsylvania
• 2023 – Warner Bros. officially announces The Conjuring: Last Rites
• 2024 – Filming takes place; first trailer released
• September 5, 2025 – Theatrical and IMAX release of The Conjuring: Last Rites

Clarity check

Quotes from the filmmakers

“Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last case as Ed and Lorraine Warren.” — Official teaser, Warner Bros. YouTube channel

“The story involves one last terrifying case for the Warrens.” — Official final trailer, Warner Bros. YouTube channel

“The Smurl family experiences terrifying paranormal disturbances in their Pennsylvania home.” — Gateway Film Center synopsis

Editor’s note: The above quotes are drawn from official marketing materials and theater synopses; no direct interviews with cast or crew were available at press time.

What the ending means for the Warrens

The Conjuring: Last Rites doesn’t just end a film—it closes a decade‑long story about two people who spent their lives fighting the supernatural. For longtime fans, this final chapter is a payoff: the Warrens finally get a conclusion that feels earned, rooted in a real case they actually investigated. But for Warner Bros., the franchise’s $2 billion‑plus theatrical haul means the spin‑offs will keep the lights on. For the viewer, the choice is clear: watch the finale in a packed theater for the communal scare, or wait a month and stream it at home—either way, the Warrens’ last ride is a moment horror fans won’t want to miss.

For more details on the film, readers can explore a comprehensive breakdown of the release date and true story behind the Warrens’ final case.

Frequently asked questions

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