The chilling finale of the beloved horror saga isn’t just arriving in theatres this fall – it’s bringing a terrifyingly tempting snack accessory. Warner Bros. has confirmed that The Conjuring: Last Rites, the fourth and final mainline film featuring paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, will hit North American screens on September 5th (with an international rollout starting September 3rd). And in a macabre marketing twist sure to delight fans, Regal Cinemas will offer an Annabelle popcorn bucket starting August 20th, with Marcus Theatres already listing it online for $44.99.

Why the Annabelle Popcorn Bucket is Horror Merch Genius

This move taps directly into the passionate fanbase cultivated over a decade of Conjuring Universe films. The Annabelle doll, first introduced in The Conjuring (2013) and spawning its own successful trilogy, remains one of the franchise’s most iconic and unsettling figures. Offering a functional, albeit creepy, collectible like a popcorn bucket leverages the cultural phenomenon of unique cinema merchandise – think Dune’s sandworm popcorn holder or M3GAN‘s doll replica. It transforms the simple act of buying snacks into a tangible, shareable piece of the moviegoing experience, perfectly timed for the franchise’s grand send-off. Expect social media to light up with images of fans clutching the doll-shaped bucket come opening weekend.

What Haunts the Warrens in Their Final Case?

Rated R for “bloody/violent content and terror,” The Conjuring: Last Rites pulls Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga back into the fray as Ed and Lorraine Warren. Set in 1986, five years after the events of The Devil Made Me Do It, the Warrens are semi-retired, partly due to Ed’s fragile health following his heart attack. Their university lectures are dwindling. However, they are drawn back for one final, infamous case: the Smurl family haunting. Based on one of the most publicized investigations from the Warrens’ real-life files, the film centers on Janet (Rebecca Calder) and Jack Smurl (Elliot Cowan) and their daughters. After moving into a duplex in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, the family reported escalating supernatural horrors, including strange odors, disembodied voices, and even alleged ghostly assaults. Their appearances on shows like Larry King Live and Entertainment Tonight brought massive attention but also fueled skepticism. The case was previously detailed in the book The Haunted: One Family’s Nightmare (1986) and a 1991 TV movie (Entertainment Weekly, August 2024; New England Society of Psychic Research archives).

Director Michael Chaves (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun II) returns, working from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (The Conjuring 2) alongside Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing (The Autopsy of Jane Doe). Franchise stalwarts James Wan and Peter Safran produce. The cast also features Shannon Kook as Drew, Steve Coulter as Father Gordon, Mia Tomlinson as adult Judy Warren, Ben Hardy as Tony Spera (Judy’s real-life husband), and John Brotherton reprising Officer Brad Hamilton.

As the lights dim this September, The Conjuring: Last Rites promises a final, terrifying chapter for Ed and Lorraine Warren, blending infamous real-life paranormal lore with the franchise’s signature dread. Whether you’re there for the scares or the sinister snack bucket, this finale aims to leave an indelible mark on horror history. Secure your tickets – and maybe your Annabelle popcorn holder – now.

Must Know

Where can I buy the Annabelle popcorn bucket for The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Regal Cinemas will offer the Annabelle popcorn bucket starting August 20th. Marcus Theatres also lists it for pre-order/purchase on their website for $44.99. Availability at other chains may vary closer to the film’s release.
When is The Conjuring: Last Rites released?
The film premieres in North American theatres on September 5, 2024. International markets will see it slightly earlier, starting from September 3, 2024.
What real case is The Conjuring: Last Rites based on?
The film centers on the Smurl family haunting, one of the most famous and publicized cases investigated by the real Ed and Lorraine Warren. It occurred in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, during the 1970s and 80s, involving disturbing paranormal activity experienced by the Smurl family in their duplex home.
Are Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returning?
Yes, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their iconic roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren for this final mainline installment.
Is this the last Conjuring movie ever?
The Conjuring: Last Rites is billed as the final chapter in the main Conjuring series featuring Ed and Lorraine Warren. However, the broader Conjuring Universe (which includes spin-offs like Annabelle and The Nun) may continue with new stories.
What is the rating for The Conjuring: Last Rites?
The film has received an R rating from the MPAA for “bloody/violent content and terror.”