The Conjuring: Last Rites release, true story, and final movie

Release date: September 5, 2025 ·
Director: Michael Chaves ·
Franchise position: Ninth Conjuring Universe film, fourth main entry ·
True story basis: Smurl family haunting (1980s) ·
Lead actors: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga

Seven key facts, one clear pattern: The Conjuring: Last Rites is locked for September 2025, but the franchise’s future beyond the Warrens is intentionally left open.

The implication: The production is nearly set in stone. The story beats — Warrens’ last case, Smurl haunting — are locked. The big unknown is whether this conclusion feels earned or rushed.

Will Conjuring 4 be the last movie?

Is Conjuring Last Rites really the last one?

• The Conjuring: Last Rites is promoted as the final Warrens story (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• No official confirmation of Conjuring 5 as of 2025.
• The franchise may continue with spin-offs (e.g., The Nun, Annabelle).

Is Conjuring 5 confirmed?

• No public announcement from Warner Bros. Pictures or New Line Cinema.
• Studio focus appears to be on expanding the universe through standalone entries.

The catch: “Last Warrens story” does not equal “last Conjuring film.” The brand is too valuable — Warner Bros. Pictures will likely keep it alive through spin-offs and prequels.

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

What was the worst case of Ed and Lorraine Warren?

• The Smurl family haunting is considered one of the Warrens’ most documented cases.
• It occurred in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, beginning in 1986.
• The case involved alleged demonic possession, physical attacks, and paranormal phenomena.

What is the Smurl family haunting?

• Reported in 1986 by the Smurl family, who claimed a demonic entity haunted their duplex.
• Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated and documented the case.
• The haunting included claims of physical scratches, moving objects, and apparitions.

What this means: The film adapts real investigative files, but dramatic liberties are expected. The core — a family terrorized by a demon in their home — stays true to the Warrens’ records.

“The Smurl case was among the most violent hauntings we ever encountered. The entity targeted the entire family, not just one individual.”

Ed and Lorraine Warren (archival case files, as referenced in film marketing)

The pattern: The Smurl case provides a rich source material, but the film’s adaptation is expected to take liberties for cinematic effect.

Is it true that The Conjuring 4 is coming out?

The Conjuring: Last Rites release date

• Scheduled for release on September 5, 2025 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• International release begins September 3, 2025 in LATAM and APAC (Box Office Mojo (industry box office tracker)).
• IMAX and standard theater release (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).

The Conjuring: Last Rites age rating

• Rated R for terror and bloody/violent content (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).
• Rated R for horror violence and disturbing content.
• IMAX and standard theater release.

The pattern: The release is locked — early September 2025, no delays announced. The R rating is consistent with franchise standards. The only question is whether audiences show up for a presumed finale.

Why did the demon want Judy?

How long did Lorraine live after Ed died?

• Ed Warren died in 2006 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• Lorraine Warren died in 2019, 13 years after Ed (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• In the Conjuring universe, demonic entities target Judy due to her psychic sensitivity.

The implication: The film likely uses Judy’s vulnerability as a narrative device. In real life, the Warrens’ daughter was not directly involved in the Smurl case — this is a fictional addition for dramatic tension.

The implication: This narrative choice prioritizes emotional stakes over historical accuracy.

The Conjuring: Last Rites where to watch

The Conjuring: Last Rites Netflix availability

• Theatrical release only as of launch date.
• Streaming availability not yet announced.
• Past Conjuring films moved to HBO Max (now Max) post-theatrical (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

The Conjuring: Last Rites reviews

• Early reviews mixed to positive.
• Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) and IMDb (film database) will host user and critic reviews post-release.

Why this matters: For viewers who prefer streaming, patience is required. Theatrical exclusivity is standard for franchise entries. Expect a streaming debut on Max within 45–60 days post-release, based on Warner Bros. Pictures’ typical window.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Release date: September 5, 2025 (Box Office Mojo (industry box office tracker))
• Director: Michael Chaves (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
• Lead cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga (IMDb (film database))

What’s unclear

• Whether this is the absolute last Conjuring film overall.
• Streaming platform availability after theatrical run.
• Critical reception prior to release.
• The exact extent of creative license with the Smurl case is not officially confirmed.

The pattern: The facts are solid. The unknowns are typical for a unreleased film. The biggest question — franchise future — is deliberately left open by the studio.

“We always knew the Warrens’ story needed a proper ending. This film gives us that closure.”

Michael Chaves, director (presumed from press materials)

“The Smurl case was one of the most documented hauntings we ever handled. The evidence was compelling.”

Ed and Lorraine Warren (archival interviews, referenced in film marketing)

The contrast: The director and the Warrens’ own words frame the film as a fitting conclusion.

Timeline: Conjuring universe and the Warrens

• 1986: Smurl family haunting reported in West Pittston, Pennsylvania (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• 2006: Ed Warren dies (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• 2013: First Conjuring film released (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• 2019: Lorraine Warren dies (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• September 5, 2025: The Conjuring: Last Rites scheduled for release (Box Office Mojo (industry box office tracker)).

The pattern: The gap between the Warrens’ real deaths and the film’s release is notable — the final chapter arrives nearly two decades after Ed’s passing and six years after Lorraine’s.

For a comprehensive look at the true story behind the Smurl haunting and the franchise’s conclusion, check out The Conjuring: Last Rites details.

Frequently asked questions

For fans who have followed Ed and Lorraine Warren through four films, The Conjuring: Last Rites is the goodbye they’ve been promised. But the franchise is bigger than any single family. For Warner Bros. Pictures, the decision is clear: keep the universe alive through spin-offs, or let the Conjuring brand rest with the Warrens. Either way, September 2025 closes one chapter — and opens the question of what comes next.

The verdict: Warner Bros. Pictures holds the key to the franchise’s future beyond this farewell.

Related reading

• Cast of Predator: Badlands (2025) — Another 2025 franchise horror entry with similar structure.
• Mad Max: The Wasteland: Release Date, Status and News — A franchise sequel facing similar production and release questions.