‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ advance shows sell out ahead of India release
The Conjuring: Last Rites advance shows in India sold out instantly, with record-breaking demand positioning it as one of the biggest Hollywood horror openings in the country.
Hollywood’s iconic horror franchise The Conjuring is back with its latest installment, The Conjuring: Last Rites, and Indian audiences have already made it a hot property. Paid previews and advance shows scheduled for September 4 sold out within hours, signaling one of the strongest openings ever for a Hollywood horror film in the country.
Industry trackers note that the demand has been overwhelming, with multiplex chains across metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru reporting near-full occupancy for advance screenings. Single screens in tier-2 cities also witnessed unusually high demand, showcasing the franchise’s widespread appeal across demographics. Analysts predict that Last Rites could outpace recent Bollywood releases in terms of first-day ticket sales, highlighting the growing dominance of international franchises in the Indian market.
The Conjuring franchise has long held a cult-like following in India, thanks to its blend of supernatural chills and grounded storytelling inspired by real-life paranormal cases investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren. Last Rites, directed by Michael Chaves, is being marketed as the concluding chapter of the Warrens’ saga, raising anticipation among fans who have followed the films since 2013. The promise of closure—and possibly the scariest installment yet—has only fueled ticket demand.
Social media has amplified the buzz, with hashtags like #ConjuringLastRites and #ScariestChapterEver trending across platforms. Early reactions from global premieres describe the film as “unrelenting” and “emotionally intense,” suggesting audiences should brace for a darker, more visceral experience. Fans in India, many of whom have grown up watching The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Nun spinoffs, are eager to witness how the story ends.
What makes the sold-out previews even more significant is the timing. With big Bollywood titles like Baaghi 4 and The Bengal Files competing at the box office, Last Rites is proving that horror, once considered niche, has now become a mainstream draw in India. The film’s advance collections are reportedly higher than both domestic competitors combined for preview shows, underscoring its strong foothold.
For Hollywood studios, this serves as yet another reminder of India’s evolving movie market, where younger audiences are willing to spend big for global spectacles. If the opening weekend matches its early buzz, The Conjuring: Last Rites could cement itself as one of the highest-grossing horror films ever released in India.
