The Conjuring Universe Is Officially Summoning Another Prequel Film

Talk about a jump scare! Just when we thought we'd said our final goodbyes to Ed and Lorraine Warren with The Conjuring: Last Rites, Warner Bros. is already bringing us back to their terrifying world with a brand-new prequel.

TL;DR

• A new Conjuring prequel film is in development, focusing on Ed and Lorraine Warren's early paranormal investigations.
• This surprise comes after The Conjuring: Last Rites, previously billed as the finale, shattered box office records with $487 million globally.
• Award-winning short film director Rodrigue Huart is reportedly in talks to direct, with veteran franchise writers Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg on board for the script.

The Warrens Are Back and Ready to Haunt Our Screens Once More

Well, well, well. Remember all that talk about The Conjuring: Last Rites being the definitive end for our favorite paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren? Turns out, the spirits of the box office had other plans! In a move that's less "last rites" and more "new beginnings," Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are officially developing a brand-new prequel film set in the ever-expanding Conjuring Universe.

This news probably isn't a huge shocker if you've been following the money. Last Rites, which hit theaters on September 5, 2025, wasn't just a hit; it was a phenomenon. Despite being marketed as the grand finale for Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson's iconic portrayal of the Warrens, the film raked in a monstrous $487 million worldwide. That makes it the highest-grossing film in the entire franchise's history and, frankly, impossible for the studio to ignore. When an "ending" performs that well, it's really just a prompt for an encore!

The Unstoppable Power of a Horror Box Office Phenomenon

Let's be real: horror franchises are notoriously hard to kill, especially when they're making bank. The Conjuring universe, with its nine films including popular spinoffs like Annabelle and The Nun, has already cemented its legacy as the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time, pulling in a combined total of over $2.7 billion. And what's even better for the studios? These films are often made on relatively low budgets, leading to "bloody-good profit margins," as one source put it.

When Last Rites blew past expectations, it sent a clear message: audiences are still hungry for more Ed and Lorraine. Director Michael Chaves, who helmed Last Rites, even alluded to this. While he initially told outlets like ComicBook.com and The Hollywood Reporter that the franchise was "absolutely the end," he later told /Film, "I think the motto is always like, let the audience ask for more. And [...] I guess by the results they probably have!" He wasn't wrong!

The Director's Evolving Perspective on the Franchise's Future

"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 (speaking to /Film)

Who's Stepping Behind the Camera for This New Chapter in Terror?

So, who's going to be conjuring up these early scares? Short film director Rodrigue Huart is reportedly in talks to direct the new prequel. This would be a huge step for Huart, marking his first major studio feature. He's no stranger to the horror world, though; his short film Transylvanie won a jury prize at SXSW in 2024, and his other works, Trigger and Real, premiered at Fantasia 2024, exploring found-footage horror with a digital twist.

Huart's also been busy outside of shorts, writing and directing Suffer Little Children, a remake of the 1976 Spanish horror classic Who Can Kill a Child? for Paramount. It seems his talent for terror has been noticed!

As for the script, franchise veterans Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg are reportedly on board to pen the screenplay. These two know their way around a haunting, having co-written The Nun II (2023) and The Conjuring: Last Rites, along with two other main Conjuring films. So, expect the familiar blend of dread and jump scares you've come to love.

Behind the scenes, the OGs are still involved. James Wan, who created this terrifying universe, will be back to help produce the new film through his company, Atomic Monster. Peter Safran, a consistent producer on every installment, is also involved, ensuring the franchise's continuity. Walter Hamada, an executive producer since the beginning, also maintains his association, which might have influenced Huart's selection.

Exploring the Younger Lives of Ed and Lorraine Warren

Since this new film is a prequel, focusing on the "early years" of the Warrens, it's highly unlikely we'll see Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their beloved roles. While their performances in Last Rites were a huge draw, this new chapter will likely call for fresh faces to step into the shoes of a younger Ed and Lorraine. We've seen glimpses of younger versions before, with Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith playing them in Last Rites, but a full feature would require a more central casting.

This presents both an exciting opportunity and a significant challenge. Fans adored Farmiga and Wilson's chemistry and portrayal, so casting new actors who can capture that same magic will be crucial. The success of this prequel could very well hinge on whether audiences connect with these new interpretations. It's a delicate balance: honoring the established characters while bringing a new, youthful energy to their formative years as demonologists.

The original The Conjuring kicked things off in 1971, while Last Rites took us to 1986. Spinoffs have already delved into earlier decades, like The Nun in 1952 and Annabelle: Creation in 1958. A Warren-focused prequel could land anywhere in the '60s or even earlier, opening up a whole new era of fashion, culture, and, of course, terrifying paranormal activity.

The Conjuring Universe Isn't Just Sticking to the Big Screen

The big screen prequel isn't the only thing brewing in the Conjuring cosmos! The franchise is also expanding its reach to television. HBO (which is now HBO Max once again) is developing a television series that will continue the story established in the feature films. While plot details are under wraps, Nancy Won (known for her work on Supernatural and Jessica Jones) has been hired as the show's writer, executive producer, and showrunner.

This two-pronged approach—a prequel film exploring the past and a TV series continuing the future—shows just how much Warner Bros. plans to milk this incredibly successful franchise. It means fans will have even more opportunities to dive into the Warrens' world and the many terrifying cases they investigated.

What This Expansion Means for the Future of Horror

This prequel move is a fascinating decision. On one hand, it's a smart financial play, capitalizing on the massive success of Last Rites. On the other, it's a creative gamble. Can new actors truly embody the roles that Farmiga and Wilson made iconic? Will audiences embrace a fresh take on the Warrens without the original stars?

However, going the prequel route also offers a chance for a creative refresh. The younger Ed and Lorraine would be at a different stage in their lives and careers, potentially offering new perspectives and challenges. Exploring their early cases could add significant depth to the characters we already know, showing how they became the seasoned investigators we first met in 2013's The Conjuring. Since horror films are relatively inexpensive to produce, it's a low-risk, high-reward strategy for Warner Bros. Even if a prequel doesn't hit the dizzying heights of Last Rites, it's almost guaranteed to turn a profit.

So, get ready, horror fans. The Conjuring Universe is far from over. It's just taking us back to where it all began, promising more spine-tingling origin tales and demonic encounters for years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Conjuring Prequel When will the new Conjuring prequel be released? A release date for the prequel film has not yet been announced. Details are still in early development, with director and writers reportedly in talks. Will Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson be in the prequel? It's highly unlikely. The prequel is expected to focus on Ed and Lorraine Warren's "early years," meaning new, younger actors will most probably be cast in the roles. Where can I watch The Conjuring: Last Rites? The Conjuring: Last Rites is currently available to rent or purchase on all major Video On Demand (VOD) platforms. A streaming release date on HBO Max is anticipated, most likely in late November (as of October 30, 2025). Is there also a Conjuring TV series in development? Yes! HBO (HBO Max) is developing a television series that will continue the story of the feature films. Nancy Won is attached as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Sources

• Variety
• The InSneider
• Deadline
• Bloody-Disgusting
• People
• The Hollywood Reporter
• ComicBook.com
• /Film
• MovieWeb
• FandomWire
• Zoom TV Digital
• scifinow.co.uk
• Evolve Media