Hold On, They're Making Another Conjuring? A Prequel Is Coming!

Just when we thought paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were hanging up their crucifixes for good, Warner Bros. and New Line are bringing us back to their terrifying early days with a brand-new Conjuring prequel movie!

TL;DR: Quick Bites

• The Conjuring: Last Rites scared up a massive $487 million globally, becoming the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
• A new Conjuring prequel, set to explore the early years of Ed and Lorraine Warren, is officially in development.
• Short film director Rodrigue Huart is in talks to helm the project, with franchise veterans Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing returning to write the script.

Well, well, well. It turns out "final chapter" can mean a lot of things in Hollywood, especially when you've got a horror franchise that keeps breaking box office records. We all heard that The Conjuring: Last Rites, which hit theaters on September 5, 2025, was going to be the grand finale for Ed and Lorraine Warren on the big screen. Heck, even director Michael Chaves seemed pretty convinced, reportedly telling outlets like ComicBook.com and The Hollywood Reporter that "It is done. This is the final chapter. There's no other 'Conjuring' Movies. It is absolutely the end."

But much like a stubborn poltergeist, the Conjuring universe just won't stay buried. Thanks to the monumental success of Last Rites, which pulled in an astonishing $487 million worldwide (making it the franchise's biggest hit yet!), Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are wasting no time in diving back into the supernatural. And honestly, can you blame them? The entire Conjuring universe, across nine films including popular spinoffs like Annabelle and The Nun, has collectively grossed an incredible $2.7 billion, solidifying its place as the highest-grossing horror franchise in history. These movies are often made on relatively modest budgets, which translates to some seriously bloody-good profit margins.

Wait, Wasn't Last Rites The Definitive End of the Warrens' Big Screen Story?

Yeah, we thought so too! The marketing for The Conjuring: Last Rites strongly suggested it was the emotional and supernatural farewell for Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson's beloved portrayals of Ed and Lorraine Warren. And fans, myself included, really turned out for what we believed was the final bow, helping the film achieve its record-breaking global haul. It was a huge event in the horror community, celebrated with TikTok videos and heartfelt tributes to the stars.

But as Michael Chaves himself hinted in an interview with /Film, perhaps with a mischievous grin, "I think the motto is always like, let the audience ask for more. And [...] I guess by the results they probably have!" He even mentioned being inspired by Logan, a movie that felt like a definitive end but still saw its characters continue in different ways. Clearly, the audience screamed for more, and Warner Bros. listened.

"I think the motto is always like, let the audience ask for more. And [...] I guess by the results they probably have!"

— Michael Chaves, Director of The Conjuring: Last Rites, to /Film

This massive financial success made it pretty much impossible for the studio to put the franchise on ice, at least on the big screen. So, buckle up, because the Warrens are coming back, just maybe not exactly how you'd expect.

Meet the Talented Team Behind the Upcoming Spine-Tingling Prequel

While details are still being finalized, some key players are already lining up to bring this new chapter to life. According to reports from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and other outlets, a Conjuring prequel film is officially in the works, and it's got some intriguing talent attached.

The Director: Rodrigue Huart In a move that signals the studio is looking for fresh blood and a new perspective, short film director Rodrigue Huart is reportedly in talks to direct. Huart might not have any feature-length credits to his name yet, but he's already made waves in the horror world. His short film Transylvanie won a jury prize at SXSW in 2024, and he also helmed Trigger and Real, which premiered at Fantasia in 2024. He's also busy writing and directing Suffer Little Children, a remake of the 1976 Spanish horror film Who Can Kill a Child? for Paramount. This guy clearly knows how to deliver the scares, and it'll be exciting to see his unique blend of found-footage terror and digital storytelling (as noted by GeekTyrant) in the Conjuring universe.

It’s worth noting that Walter Hamada, who has been deeply involved as an executive producer on every film in The Conjuring Universe, has also partnered with Huart on Suffer Little Children. This pre-existing relationship could have played a significant role in bringing Huart into the fold for this major studio project.

The Writers: Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg Fear not, franchise veterans are still on board for the script! Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg, who co-wrote two previous entries in the universe—2023’s The Nun II and the recent hit The Conjuring: Last Rites—are attached to pen the screenplay. This means the new prequel will likely maintain the established tone and lore while exploring new ground.

The Masterminds: James Wan and Peter Safran The original architect of this terrifying universe, James Wan, created the occult-tilted property, and Peter Safran has served as a producer on every single installment. While Wan's involvement in this specific prequel isn't explicitly detailed, his influence, along with Safran's consistent oversight, ensures the franchise remains true to its chilling roots.

Stepping Back in Time: What to Expect from the Prequel Plot

So, what exactly will this new Conjuring movie be about? The word on the street is that this next cinematic entry is expected to "go back to the beginning" and "focus on the early years of the ghost hunting couple." This is a fascinating creative decision, as it opens up a whole new era of the Warrens' extensive case files to explore.

This also means we’re likely going to see some fresh faces stepping into the iconic roles of Ed and Lorraine. While Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson brilliantly concluded their story arc in Last Rites, a prequel exploring their early careers means we'll need younger actors to portray them. Fans will remember Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith, who played young Lorraine and Ed respectively in Last Rites, so it’s possible they could reprise their roles, though it's currently "unclear." Recasting these beloved characters will undoubtedly be a challenge, as the chemistry between Farmiga and Wilson was a cornerstone of the main series' success.

The timeline of the Conjuring universe is already pretty expansive, with the original The Conjuring set in 1971 and Last Rites in 1986. The various spinoffs jump around even more, with The Nun in 1952, its sequel in 1956, and Annabelle: Creation in 1958. A Warren-focused prequel could potentially fill in the gaps, perhaps taking us into the groovy, yet ghostly, 1960s, offering a whole new aesthetic and era for hauntings.

Beyond the Big Screen: The Conjuring Universe Expands to Television as Well

If a big-screen prequel wasn't enough to satisfy your craving for paranormal investigations, hold onto your holy water, because the Conjuring universe is also expanding to the small screen! An HBO television series is currently in development, and it’s said to "continue the story established in the feature films."

Plot details for the series have been kept under wraps, keeping us all on the edge of our seats. However, we do know that Nancy Won, who has an impressive resume including writing credits on Supernatural, Jessica Jones, and Little Fires Everywhere, has been hired as the show's writer, executive producer, and showrunner. James Wan is on board as a producer through Atomic Monster, with Peter Safran also serving as an executive producer. Additionally, Peter Cameron and Cameron Squires (known for their work on Agatha All Along and WandaVision) are attached as scriptwriters, signaling a strong creative team for this television endeavor.

This small-screen expansion suggests Warner Bros. has really big plans for the franchise, envisioning a multi-platform universe similar to what we see with superhero properties. It'll be interesting to see how the TV series picks up the narrative after Last Rites, especially if the prequel films are going further back in time.

Is Warner Bros. Gambling with the Warrens' Beloved Legacy and Fan Loyalty?

While the prospect of more Conjuring stories is exciting, Warner Bros. and New Line are walking a bit of a tightrope here. As MovieWeb pointed out, part of Last Rites' massive success was precisely because it was billed as the final film starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson. Fans showed up in droves to see their beloved duo off, leading to a massive surge in interest and box office revenue.

Recasting Ed and Lorraine Warren for a prequel, while necessary for the "early years" concept, comes with a significant risk. Farmiga and Wilson had incredible chemistry and truly embodied the real-life paranormal investigators for 12 years across multiple films. They became the heart and soul of the franchise, and their performances were a huge draw. If the new actors portraying the younger Warrens don't capture that same magic and chemistry, there could be backlash from fans, potentially impacting the film's box office performance.

The future of the main Conjuring film series could very well hinge on the success of this prequel and the audience's willingness to accept new faces in such iconic roles. Warner Bros. will need to be incredibly careful with their casting choices to ensure that the new Ed and Lorraine resonate with viewers and add depth to the existing universe. It's a calculated risk, but given the franchise's consistent profitability and its relatively low production costs, it's one the studio seems more than willing to take.

It's clear that the world of the Warrens is far from over. Whether through new theatrical prequels or an HBO series, audiences will continue to be terrified by the dark cases investigated by these legendary figures. Let's just hope these new ventures honor the legacy while delivering fresh, bone-chilling scares.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Conjuring Universe

When is the Conjuring prequel movie expected to be released? As of now, no official release date has been set for the Conjuring prequel film. It's still early in development, with a director and writers attached but no finalized deals or production start. Will Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return for the new Conjuring prequel? It's highly unlikely. Since the prequel will focus on the "early years" of Ed and Lorraine Warren, new, younger actors are expected to take over the lead roles. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson concluded their main story arc in The Conjuring: Last Rites. What is the Conjuring HBO series about? The HBO series is in development and will "continue the story established in the feature films." Plot details are currently being kept under wraps. Nancy Won is attached as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Where can I watch The Conjuring: Last Rites? The Conjuring: Last Rites is currently available to rent or purchase on various Video-On-Demand (VOD) platforms. While an exact streaming release date on HBO Max (or Max) hasn't been officially announced, it is expected to arrive on the platform in late November 2025. Sources

• Variety: ‘Conjuring’ Prequel Movie in the Works After ‘Last Rites’ Breaks Franchise Box Office Records
• MovieWeb: They're Making That Conjuring Prequel Movie Everyone Said They Weren't Making
• GeekTyrant: CONJURING Prequel Film in the Works with Rising Horror Filmmaker Rodrigue Huart
• FandomWire: New Conjuring Movie Is Happening After Last Rites Director Confirmed Franchise Ended
• Inverse: The Decade's Biggest Horror Franchise Isn't As Dead As We Thought
• Zoom TV Digital: The Conjuring Prequel Has Been Officially Announced! Ed and Lorraine Warren Are Set to Return for Another Spine-Tingling Origin Tale.
• ComicBook.com: New Conjuring Movie Is Happening After Last Rites Director Confirmed Franchise Ended
• Reel360: The Conjuring prequel set up at New Line
• Geek Culture: ‘The Conjuring’ Comes Back From The Grave With Prequel Film