Just when horror fans thought they were finally ready to say goodbye, ‘The Conjuring’ universe has found a way to rattle the doors one more time. Although ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ was set as a final farewell to Ed and Lorraine Warren, the franchise is now going backwards in time with a prequel titled ‘The Conjuring: First Communion’, which is now officially scheduled to be released in theaters on September 10, 2027.
The move is contradictory on paper. Last Rites was promoted as the final chapter, with director Michael Chaves even saying that the story was closed. However, success is a strange thing that closes and opens sealed coffins. As ‘Last Rites’ became the biggest earner in the franchise and one of the most successful horror movies ever produced, it is no wonder that Warner Bros. and New Line saw an opportunity too good to resist.
After A Record-Breaking “Finale,” The Conjuring Finds New Life With ‘First Communion’
Instead of de-emotionalizing the emotional burden of ‘Last Rites’, ‘First Communion’ changes the emphasis. The prequel is said to follow a younger Ed and Lorraine Warren, with tales that are set long before viewers were introduced to Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s iconic characters. Although it is not yet confirmed that either of the actors will reappear in any form, ‘Last Rites’ already presented younger versions of the paranormal investigators
Related: Why ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Isn’t The End After All
This provides a clear narrative transition. This creative pivot allows the franchise to have its cake and eat it, too. The main Warren plot can be put on hold, and the mythology can be developed in a different way. With Rodrigue Huart stepping in as director and writers Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg shaping the script, First Communion seems designed to feel familiar without being repetitive. That balance is essential for longtime fans. Nobody desires a re-enactment, but few are ready to walk away from the universe entirely.
Why ‘The Conjuring’ Is Moving Backward Instead Of Saying Goodbye
The Conjuring series is not just about surviving, jump scares, and haunted houses. It’s also about consistency. The franchise has achieved what is hard to find in contemporary horror: audience trust across nine movies. The audience knows the tone, the emotional hits, and when to tighten their fists. That trustworthiness made ‘Last Rites’ fly at the box office. It showcased that the fans’ appetite for this world has not diminished.
In case you missed it: Why ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Isn’t The End After All
The future of the franchise is already being foreshadowed by producer Peter Safran as not being limited to theaters. An HBO series is in development, with Nancy Won attached as writer and showrunner, signaling a broader expansion into serialized storytelling. It is yet to be seen whether ‘First Communion’ will be a launchpad for new characters or just a continuation of the Warrens legacy. However, the intent is obvious. This universe still has stories to tell.
