The Warrens return for the final time in the fourth installment, titled ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites,’ set to hit cinemas next year
2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year! We’ve already got a Superman reboot, a Mission: Impossible flick, and Captain America’s next Marvel mission. Plus, Brad Pitt’s hitting the gas in an F1 movie produced by Lewis Hamilton, and there’s a Jurassic World sequel stomping its way to theaters.
But wait, it’s not all franchise flicks—there are some exciting originals too! From the twisted mind of Parasite director Bong Joon-ho comes Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson, and David Ayer reunites Jason Statham and Sylvester Stallone (with Stallone on the script, this could get wild). Guy Ritchie’s got a new flick with Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill, and the horror hounds aren’t left out – a new Conjuring movie chills theaters in September 2025.
Speaking of chills, 2025’s horror calendar is stacked. M3gan is back for a killer sequel, there’s a follow-up to the post-apocalyptic nightmare of 28 Days Later, Saw’s slicing its way to an eleventh installment, and Christian Bale takes on the role of Frankenstein’s monster in a Maggie Gyllenhaal-directed flick. Buckle up, because there’s even a “bloody” Final Destination movie on the horizon, and now Warner Bros has announced that the fourth installment in the Conjuring franchise will hit the theaters in 2025.
Here’s the bittersweet part for Conjuring fans: this will be the final chapter for Ed and Lorraine Warren. But fear not—the wider Conjuring universe, with its spin-offs, will likely keep the scares coming. So, grab your popcorn (or maybe a barf bag), because 2025 is shaping up—also—to be a year of epic thrills and bone-chilling chills. Here’s what we know (including rumors!) about The Conjuring 4.
The Conjuring: Last Rites will be released in cinemas on September 5, 2025, barring any production delays. According to The Hollywood Reporter in February 2024, the movie was set to start filming this summer in Atlanta, but we’ve no word since whether that is still the plan. Now that it’s got a release date, we’d assume that filming will start soon in order to hit that September release date. However, Warner Bros has yet to confirm when production will get underway.
James Wan laid the foundation for the franchise, directing its first two installments before handing over the reins to Michael Chaves for The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II. According to reports from THR and IMDb, Chaves is set to return as director for the climactic chapter featuring Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Though not yet officially confirmed, according to IMDb, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are expected to reprise their iconic roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren in the upcoming installment. After all, it wouldn’t be a Conjuring film without them!
Predicting other returning characters is trickier, especially given the limited crossover in the third film from the broader Conjuring universe.
Similar to its predecessors, the fourth installment will delve into a fresh paranormal case, promising a predominantly new cast alongside (some of) the familiar leads.
P.S. For those eager to catch the Warrens before The Conjuring 4, keep an eye out during The Nun 2’s credit scene for a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come.
While the plot details remain under wraps, here are some possibilities (rumors):
Following the events of the third film concluding in November 1981 with Arne Johnson’s trial, The Conjuring 4 is poised to explore events post that timeline.
The Warrens’ extensive real-life case files offer tantalizing prospects, potentially revisiting haunted locales. In 1986, the Warrens investigated a double helping of haunted houses with the Snedeker house and the Smurl Haunting. The former has already loosely inspired the movie The Haunting in Connecticut, and both revolved around houses supposedly infested by demons – back to haunted house formula after the third part steered away from it?
If they are to avoid that trope, there’s a case that’s yet to be covered from the Warrens’ case files that holds a lot of promise: the legend of the White Lady at the Union Cemetery in Easton, Connecticut.
While the Warrens didn’t directly investigate the phenomenon, they have claimed to have a video of the White Lady in action and have written a book about it.
It’s said that the spirit appears in a delicate white nightgown or wedding dress and moves through the cemetery, with reports that drivers have even seen her outside of the cemetery, causing them to swerve.
The Conjuring 4 has yet to start filming so we’ll be waiting a while for footage. Maybe we’ll get a spooky surprise this Halloween, since filming does start this summer.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Digital Spy
The CinemaCon 2024, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) in the US, wrapped up successfully after four days brimming with thrilling announcements, captivating presentations, dynamic demonstrations, and insightful discussions. Hosted at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, this event provided an unparalleled platform for industry leaders to convene and delve into the ever-changing landscape of cinema.
Movie enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement over the forthcoming slate of movie announcements from industry giants such as Disney, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Universal & Focus Features, and Paramount, all featuring a surprising array of star power during their presentations.
While some studios chose a more reserved approach, others went all out, unveiling explosive action sequences, beloved characters, and intriguing new projects. Here’s a glimpse at some of the hottest trailers and announcements that have us eagerly anticipating a trip to the cinema:
Walt Disney Studios kicked off their presentation at CinemaCon 2024 with a captivating 13-minute exclusive footage reel from Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, showcasing the film’s expansive and visually stunning world. This was followed by an exciting 9-minute preview of Deadpool & Wolverine and an extended 35-minute sneak peek of Pixar’s highly anticipated Inside Out 2. Attendees were also treated to two exclusive clips from Fede Álvarez’s upcoming film, Alien: Romulus.
In addition to these sneak peeks of previously announced tentpole films, Disney Studios unveiled a lineup of top titles slated for release from late 2024 to early 2025. Among these announcements are Moana 2 set to debut on November 26, 2024, Mufasa: The Lion King premiering on December 19, 2024, and Captain America: Brave New World hitting theaters on February 13, 2025.
Warner Bros. electrified CinemaCon 2024 with an extended sneak peek at Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, setting the stage for an epic cinematic experience. Following this, the panel reached its pinnacle with the debut of the highly anticipated first official trailer for Joker 2: Folie à Deux. As expected, the film promises to delve deep into the toxic yet captivating relationship between Arthur and Harley, interspersed with dreamy dance and song sequences.
The audience was also treated to further revelations, including insights into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, set to premiere on September 5,2024, and The Watchers, directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and releasing on June 13, 2024. Additionally, attendees were thrilled by the unveiling of the first trailer for Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi adventure Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, slated to hit theaters on January 30, 2025.
Lionsgate made waves at CinemaCon this year with a plethora of exciting announcements. Among them was the confirmation of the sequel Now You See Me 3, featuring the original cast, and a thrilling remake of the horror classic The Blair Witch Project, helmed by Jason Blum. Additionally, they unveiled plans for a live-action adaptation of ‘Naruto’, a film based on the classic board game ‘Monopoly’, and an adaptation of the beloved video game ‘The Sims’.
The presentation also provided a sneak peek into this year’s upcoming blockbusters, including The Crow, Borderlands, The Strangers: Chapter 1, and Never Let Go.
Looking ahead to the first half of the 2025 slate, Lionsgate teased audiences with Guy Ritchie’s next film, In the Grey, slated for release on January 16, 2025. The film stars Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal as two extraction specialists tasked with rescuing a negotiator from a perilous situation. Also on the horizon are John Wick Presents: Ballerina, hitting theaters on June 5, 2025, and the eagerly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic Michael, scheduled for release on April 16, 2025.
Universal made a splash at CinemaCon with several exciting announcements. They revealed that the sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s is set for release in fall 2025, following the mixed yet highly successful reception of the first installment, which grossed nearly 300 million dollars worldwide. This success naturally paves the way for the studio to expand on this franchise.
Furthermore, Universal showcased new projects such as Despicable Me 4, The Wolf Man, the disaster film Twisters, and Wicked, featuring Ariana Grande. The audience was also treated to a glimpse of Robert Egger’s adaptation of Nosferatu, which left a lasting impression with its initial images. Additionally, attendees were captivated by the debut trailer for the remake Speak No Evil, starring James McAvoy.
Paramount Pictures started with a major announcement: a crossover event featuring Transformers meeting G.I. Joe in an upcoming film. Additionally, the audience was treated to the first trailer for Transformers One.
The studio also unveiled plans for two new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 and an R-rated live-action adaptation titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. A new ‘Star Trek’ film is on the horizon for release next year, and Glen Powell is set to star in Edgar Wright’s remake of ‘The Running Man.’ Additionally, fans can anticipate a new installment in the ‘Scary Movie’ franchise currently in development. A final trailer for IF starring Ryan Reynolds was also showcased.
Fans of the blue hedgehog were delighted with the unveiling of the first teaser trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 during the event. However, the teaser for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2, featuring Paul Mescal facing off against attacking wildlife like a rhino and vicious baboons, along with Pedro Pascal, was exclusively presented at the colosseum stage in Caesars Palace, according to Variety.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Kino Check, discussingfilm.com, Variety
