The power of Christ still compels moviegoers. “ The Conjuring : Last Rites” exorcised an impressive $34.5 million across Friday and preview screenings in 3,802 locations. That’s well ahead of the figure earned by the horror series’ 2018 spinoff “The Nun” ($22 million), giving “Last Rites” the biggest opening day gross in franchise history.

It puts the New Line feature on track to surge far above its pre-weekend industry projections for a $50 million debut, beating “The Nun” ($53 million) for the series’ biggest opening weekend ever. Not only will it be the biggest domestic bow for a horror movie in 2025, but the R-rated “Last Rites” could even rank as the seventh-biggest opening weekend of the year, with a chance at edging out “Thunderbolts*” ($74 million) depending on its play through

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