The Conjuring Universe's Future: 7 Shocking Updates On 'Last Rites' And The Confirmed Prequel Movie

The answer is a definitive yes, and the news is more complex—and exciting—than fans might think. As of December 12, 2025, the next main installment, officially titled The Conjuring: Last Rites (often referred to as The Conjuring 4), is fully in the can and has a confirmed theatrical release date. However, while this film is being billed as the final chapter for paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the highly successful Conjuring Universe is far from over, with a brand-new prequel film already confirmed to be in active development at Warner Bros. Pictures.

This news confirms a major pivot for the billion-dollar horror franchise. Last Rites will serve as the emotional sendoff for stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, concluding their decade-long journey as the iconic real-life demonologists. But the box office success of the previous films has ensured that the cinematic universe—which includes spin-offs like Annabelle and The Nun—will continue to expand with new, terrifying stories, starting with an unexpected prequel.

The Final Chapter: Everything We Know About The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)

After a production timeline spanning several years, the fourth main entry in the series, The Conjuring: Last Rites, is ready to conclude the Warrens' primary storyline. This film is set to be the darkest and most poignant entry yet, aiming to provide a satisfying, definitive ending for the characters who launched the entire shared universe.

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Confirmed Release Date and Production Status

• Theatrical Release Date: The Conjuring: Last Rites is officially slated for release on September 5, 2025, perfectly timed to kick off the spooky season.
• Production Wrapped: Principal photography for the film concluded on November 22, 2024.
• Director and Writers: Michael Chaves, who previously directed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II, returned to helm the project. The screenplay was penned by Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing, working from a story developed by franchise creator James Wan.
• The True Story: While specific plot details are under tight wraps, the film is expected to focus on another one of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s final, high-profile cases. Early previews suggest the film will feature "one final exorcism," bringing the Warrens full circle to the demonic possession cases that defined their career.

The conclusion of filming was an emotional moment for the cast and crew. Patrick Wilson, who has played Ed Warren since 2013, expressed his gratitude and emotional attachment to the role, signaling a genuine sense of finality to this particular chapter of the franchise.

Is This Truly the End? The Future of Ed and Lorraine Warren

The marketing for Last Rites has consistently positioned it as the "sendoff" for Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. The question on every fan’s mind is whether this means a permanent farewell to the beloved paranormal investigating couple, or if the door has been left ajar for future appearances.

The Producer's Stance and The Warrens’ Legacy

Franchise producer Peter Safran has been clear that Last Rites is "not a head fake" and is genuinely intended as the conclusion of the main Conjuring film series. However, Safran also noted that the entire Conjuring Universe still has "a lot of fuel left in the tank," suggesting that while the main trilogy is over, the world of the Warrens can continue to be explored through other means.

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This aligns with the structure of the shared universe, which has successfully expanded its topical authority by focusing on the artifacts and entities the Warrens encountered, rather than just the Warrens themselves. The universe has already spun off into highly successful series based on the Annabelle doll and the demonic entity Valak (The Nun), proving its ability to thrive without the central couple.

Patrick Wilson himself has offered an optimistic perspective, stating that he is open to exploring Ed Warren’s story again, should the right opportunity arise. This suggests that while Last Rites is the end of the *main* series, a cameo or a supporting role in a future spin-off is not entirely off the table, keeping the legacy of the Warrens alive within the broader narrative.

The Conjuring Universe Expands: A Confirmed Prequel is Already in Development

Even before the release of the supposed "final" film, the incredible box office performance and global appeal of the franchise have prompted Warner Bros. to greenlight a brand-new, untitled prequel movie. This move ensures that the Conjuring Universe will continue its reign as one of the most profitable horror franchises in history, focusing on earlier, untold stories.

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Shifting Focus to Earlier Entities

Multiple reports confirm that the new prequel is actively moving forward, with an award-winning director reportedly poised to helm the project. This film is expected to delve deep into the lore of a specific demonic entity or a case from the Warrens’ extensive collection of haunted artifacts, much like the successful Annabelle series.

The decision to pursue a prequel without the direct involvement of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in the main roles is a strategic one. It allows the franchise to reset its timeline, explore new characters, and introduce fresh supernatural threats without contradicting the conclusion of the Warrens' story in Last Rites. This opens up a wealth of potential LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) entities for exploration, including:

• The Crooked Man: A previously planned spin-off based on the entity introduced in The Conjuring 2.
• The Ferryman: A minor entity from the Warrens' museum that could be the focus of a standalone story.
• Earlier Annabelle Lore: Exploring the doll's earliest origins before the events of Annabelle: Creation.
• The Amityville Horror: While a sensitive case, the Warrens' involvement could be explored in a non-mainline film.

This expansion strategy, moving beyond the direct Ed and Lorraine Warren cases, is crucial for maintaining the franchise's topical authority and longevity. By drawing on the vast collection of cursed objects and paranormal encounters housed in the Warrens' Occult Museum, the universe can continue indefinitely, with each new film focusing on a different, terrifying object.

Key Entities and the Future Timeline

With The Conjuring: Last Rites set to conclude the main story in September 2025, the focus will immediately shift to the next confirmed prequel. The entire Conjuring Universe now spans over a decade of filmmaking, connecting multiple storylines across decades of the Warrens’ work. The success of the franchise is a testament to the compelling central performances of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, and the masterful world-building established by James Wan.

The confirmed prequel is a clear signal that the franchise will continue to be a powerhouse for Warner Bros. and a staple for horror enthusiasts. While the Warrens may be taking their final bow in Last Rites, the demons, ghosts, and cursed objects they encountered are ready to step into the spotlight, ensuring that the terrifying legacy of The Conjuring will haunt theaters for years to come.

For fans worried about the quality of the new direction, the franchise’s track record of introducing compelling new antagonists like Valak (The Nun) and the Annabelle doll provides strong reassurance. The future of the Conjuring Universe is confirmed, cemented, and ready to deliver the next wave of supernatural horror.