This weekend’s box office was dominated by a powerhouse horror debut, as Warner Bros.’ The Conjuring: Last Rites scared up massive numbers to easily claim first place. Meanwhile, Disney’s filmed version of Hamilton found an audience in its theatrical bow, while holdovers like Weapons and Freakier Friday continued to show steady legs. Sony’s Caught Stealing rounded out the top five in its sophomore frame.

The Conjuring: Last Rites Scares Up Massive Opening

The ninth entry in the ever-expanding Conjuring Universe, The Conjuring: Last Rites opened to a franchise-best $83 million. The debut marks one of the strongest horror openings of recent years and reinforces the staying power of the supernatural saga. With strong audience turnout over the weekend and limited direct competition, the film is well-positioned for a profitable run.

Read our review of The Conjuring: Last Rites here.

Hamilton Sings Its Way Into Second

Hamilton

Disney’s filmed version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway juggernaut Hamilton debuted with $10 million. While nowhere near the heights of the stage sensation’s popularity, the release drew musical lovers and curious first-timers alike. As the musical has yet to see a theatrical release. This was a historic moment for many fans. The studio is likely banking on steady play in the weeks ahead, as word-of-mouth could help carry it beyond the opening debut.

Weapons Still Hitting Its Mark

In its fifth weekend, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Weapons earned $5.4 million, good enough for third place. The thriller has quietly become one of the summer’s leggiest performers, with word-of-mouth driving it to a strong cumulative total. While it has now slipped from the top spot, its performance remains a clear win for the studio.

Freakier Friday Continues to Hold

Disney’s Freakier Friday claimed fourth place with $3.8 million in its fifth week. The body-swap comedy has displayed solid staying power, benefiting from family audiences and repeat viewers. While it hasn’t broken out into blockbuster territory, its endurance has made it a reliable performer in the late-summer slate.

Read our review of Freakier Friday here.

Caught Stealing Hangs On in Fifth

Sony’s Caught Stealing rounded out the top five with $3.2 million in its second weekend. The mid-budget crime drama dropped but managed to hold a spot among the top earners. With mixed reviews but a decent core audience, the film will likely play out modestly over the next couple of weeks.

Read our review of Caught Stealing here.

Next Weekend Preview

Two notable releases arrive next weekend, looking to challenge The Conjuring: Last Rites for box office dominance.

Focus Features’ Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is expected to draw in loyal fans of the franchise. Early tracking suggests an opening between $15 million and $20 million, with a likely debut around $18 million. The period drama should appeal strongly to its built-in audience, though its ceiling may be limited by its niche appeal.

Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk is eyeing a smaller but still notable start. Industry projections place it in the $6 million to $11 million range, with a predicted debut of about $6.2 million. As a darker, more adult-skewing release, its word-of-mouth could play a key role in determining its staying power.

With The Conjuring: Last Rites coming off such a strong debut, the key question will be how much it drops in its second weekend; and whether either newcomer can carve out a significant slice of the market.

As always, we’ll find out next week.

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