The Conjuring Universe is preparing for its darkest and most emotional chapter yet. The Conjuring: Last Rites is officially set to hit U.S. theaters on September 5, 2025, marking not just the ninth film in the franchise but also the conclusion of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s saga. Directed by The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It helmer Michael Chaves, the film promises to be a chilling swan song for the ghost-hunting couple portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga—both returning to their roles one final time.
A Haunting Based on True Events: The Smurl Family Case
The story of Last Rites is rooted in one of the most controversial cases in paranormal lore: the Smurl family haunting. Set in West Pittston, Pennsylvania during the 1970s and 80s, this real-life case involved chilling reports of foul odors, chilling drafts, shadowy figures, and even physical attacks. The family claimed that four spirits, including a demonic entity, had taken residence in their home.
The Warrens, who were called in during the mid-1980s, described the case as one of the most disturbing they’d ever encountered. Despite heavy skepticism from media and clergy, the Smurl case remained etched in paranormal history, and Last Rites aims to bring its terror to the big screen with the kind of dramatized realism the franchise is known for.
Returning Faces and a New Generation of Horror
Joining Wilson and Farmiga is Mia Tomlinson, playing the grown-up version of Judy Warren, and Ben Hardy as Tony Spera, Judy’s husband and fellow keeper of the Warren legacy. The Smurl family is portrayed by Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan as parents Janet and Jack, while their daughters are brought to life by Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Tilly Walker, and Molly Cartwright.
In a heartfelt twist, the real-life Judy Warren and Tony Spera are slated to appear in cameo roles, offering a rare blend of dramatization and tribute in the film.
Behind the Scenes: Building the Final Chapter
Last Rites was filmed in London from September to November 2024, capturing a dark, atmospheric tone under Chaves’ direction. The screenplay was penned by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and longtime Conjuring writer David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, based on a story crafted in collaboration with franchise creator James Wan.
The music—key to the eerie tension of any Conjuring film—is composed by Benjamin Wallfisch, whose previous scores for Annabelle: Creation and Blade Runner 2049 have been widely praised for their emotional and unsettling impact.
The End of the Warrens, But Not the Universe
The Conjuring: Last Rites is being promoted as the final installment featuring Ed and Lorraine Warren, effectively closing out their arc. However, this is not the end of the Conjuring Universe. Warner Bros. is actively developing a Max streaming series that will expand the mythology of the Warrens’ case files, and other spin-offs are reportedly in the works.
As the franchise transitions to a new era, Last Rites serves not only as a conclusion but as a handoff to the next generation of supernatural storytelling.
With a foundation in real-life terror, a powerful returning cast, and the weight of concluding a decade-spanning franchise, The Conjuring: Last Rites could very well be the most intense entry yet. Expect horrifying new visuals, emotional farewells, and one last descent into darkness when the Warrens take their final bow this fall.
Scary Movies on Netflix
Looking for some spine-tingling entertainment to enjoy this spring? Netflix has added several new horror titles to their streaming lineup for 2025. From classic franchises to innovative new releases, there’s something for every fear factor preference.
Netflix currently features a variety of horror movies including Scream VI, The Watchers, Hereditary, and several international titles like Death Whisperer 2 and Curse of the Seven Seas. These films range from psychological thrillers to supernatural tales, giving viewers plenty of options for their next scary movie night.
Horror fans should also keep an eye out for a new psychological horror film from the director of Train to Busan that recently dropped on the platform. With Netflix continually refreshing their horror selection, now is the perfect time to explore the latest spine-chilling additions.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix has expanded its horror catalog with new titles like Scream VI, The Watchers, and Hereditary for 2025.
- International horror films including Death Whisperer 2 and Curse of the Seven Seas bring global scares to the streaming platform.
- The director of Train to Busan has released a new psychological horror movie exclusively on Netflix.
Current Trends in Horror on Netflix
Netflix continues to expand its horror offerings with a mix of psychological thrillers, supernatural tales, and genre-blending content that appeals to both hardcore horror fans and casual viewers.
Psychological Thrillers and Supernatural Chills
“Hereditary” stands as one of the most discussed psychological horror films currently available on Netflix. This A24 production delves into family trauma and supernatural elements with unsettling precision. The film’s success demonstrates viewers’ growing appetite for horror that explores deeper emotional themes rather than relying solely on jump scares.
Supernatural horror remains a strong draw for Netflix subscribers. “The Watchers” and “Death Whisperer 2” represent the platform’s investment in content featuring otherworldly threats. These films often incorporate cultural folklore and religious elements to create more textured viewing experiences.
Films that blend psychological distress with supernatural elements offer a combination that keeps viewers engaged. This approach allows filmmakers to explore human fears while delivering the supernatural payoffs horror fans expect.
Horror-Comedy Crossovers
“The Dead Don’t Die” exemplifies Netflix’s growing collection of horror-comedy hybrids. These films provide viewers with the adrenaline rush of scary moments balanced by humorous relief.
“Vampires vs. the Bronx” has gained popularity for its blend of social commentary, humor, and supernatural threats. The film follows young people defending their neighborhood from both vampires and gentrification, demonstrating how horror-comedy can address real issues while entertaining.
“We Have a Ghost” and “A Haunted House” further demonstrate the platform’s commitment to offering lighter horror fare. These entries provide accessible starting points for viewers who might normally avoid pure horror films.
The success of these crossover titles has encouraged Netflix to continue developing content that appeals to broader audiences beyond traditional horror fans.
Rising Stars in Horror Filmmaking
New directors are making their mark on Netflix’s horror landscape. These filmmakers often bring fresh perspectives to classic horror tropes, creating innovative viewing experiences that feel both familiar and original.
Robert Eggers, known for his meticulously crafted period horror films, has influenced a new generation of Netflix horror content. His attention to historical detail and atmospheric tension can be seen in several recent additions to the platform.
Stephen King adaptations continue to find a home on Netflix, introducing new viewers to the author’s expansive universe of horror. These films often attract both longtime King readers and viewers simply looking for quality horror content.
International horror films are gaining prominence in Netflix’s catalog, offering American viewers unique cultural perspectives on fear. These global entries expand the language of horror beyond Western traditions.
Must-Watch Horror Titles on Netflix
Netflix offers a rich collection of horror content for fans of the genre, from psychological thrillers to supernatural scares and everything in between. Their library includes critically acclaimed films, adaptations of famous works, and series that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Critically Acclaimed Horror
“His House” stands as one of Netflix’s most highly-rated horror offerings, telling the story of refugees haunted by both real and supernatural trauma. With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it combines social commentary with genuine scares.
“Hereditary” delivers psychological horror at its finest, exploring grief and family trauma through increasingly disturbing events. Many critics consider it one of the best horror films of recent years.
“The Platform” offers a disturbing social allegory set in a vertical prison where food descends from top to bottom. Its shocking commentary on inequality has made it a cult favorite.
“Apostle,” starring Dan Stevens, takes viewers to a remote island where a religious cult harbors dark secrets. The film blends folk horror with graphic violence and supernatural elements.
Stephen King Adaptations
“Gerald’s Game” brings King’s supposedly “unfilmable” novel to life, following a woman handcuffed to a bed after her husband dies during a sex game. Director Mike Flanagan masterfully captures the psychological horror of being trapped with your own thoughts.
“1922” adapts King’s novella about a farmer who murders his wife and faces supernatural consequences. The slow-burn approach creates a haunting atmosphere of guilt and dread.
Several other King adaptations cycle through Netflix regularly, including classics like “The Shining” and newer works, giving fans plenty of options to experience the master of horror’s stories.
Horror Series and Anthologies
“The Haunting of Hill House” reimagines Shirley Jackson’s classic novel as a family drama with ghosts lurking in every shadow. Mike Flanagan’s series expertly balances emotional depth with genuine scares.
“The Fall of the House of Usher” offers another Flanagan masterpiece, adapting Edgar Allan Poe’s works into a modern horror story about a pharmaceutical dynasty facing supernatural revenge.
The “Fear Street” trilogy brings R.L. Stine’s books to life across three films set in different time periods (1994, 1978, and 1666). The connected stories explore a town’s curse through slasher film homages.
“Midnight Mass” delivers slow-burning religious horror centered on an isolated island community experiencing miraculous events with sinister origins. Its exploration of faith and fanaticism creates horror beyond simple jump scares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Netflix offers a wide range of horror content for fans of the genre. These questions address the most popular titles, newest releases, and diverse horror options currently available on the streaming platform.
What are the top-rated horror films available on Netflix right now?
Currently, “Incantation” ranks as one of the highest-rated horror films on Netflix. This Taiwanese found-footage horror movie has gained a reputation for being exceptionally frightening. Other top-rated options include psychological thrillers like “Gerald’s Game” and “The Platform.”
Netflix also features classics like “The Conjuring” and “Sinister” that consistently receive high ratings from viewers. Foreign horror films such as “Veronica” (Spanish) and “Under the Shadow” (Persian) have earned critical acclaim for their unique cultural perspectives on fear.
Which new horror releases on Netflix are receiving the best reviews?
Recent additions to Netflix’s horror library that are earning positive reviews include “Choose or Die” and “No One Gets Out Alive.” Both films have been praised for their innovative storytelling and effective scares.
The platform has also added several independent horror films that critics have embraced. Titles like “His House” explore themes of immigration alongside supernatural elements, earning recognition for their social commentary and genuine frights.
What are some critically acclaimed horror series currently streaming on Netflix?
“The Haunting of Hill House” and its follow-up “The Haunting of Bly Manor” continue to be among Netflix’s most acclaimed horror series. These Mike Flanagan productions blend family drama with sophisticated scares.
“Midnight Mass,” another Flanagan creation, has received widespread critical praise for its exploration of faith and mortality through a horror lens. Other popular series include “Archive 81,” “Brand New Cherry Flavor,” and the Korean zombie thriller “Kingdom.”
Can you list the latest Hindi-dubbed horror movies on Netflix?
Recent Hindi-dubbed horror offerings on Netflix include “Bulbbul,” a period supernatural thriller produced in India. “Ghost Stories,” an anthology of four short films by Indian directors, provides varying styles of horror storytelling.
International horror films like “The Call” (Korean) and “Cadaver” (Norwegian) are also available with Hindi dubbing. Netflix continues to expand its Hindi-dubbed horror catalog to serve the large Hindi-speaking audience worldwide.
What are considered the top three quintessential horror movies on Netflix?
Based on popularity and critical reception, “The Conjuring,” “Hereditary,” and “The Witch” are often cited as essential horror viewing on Netflix. These films represent different styles within the genre but all deliver memorable scares.
“The Conjuring” offers polished supernatural horror with jump scares, while “Hereditary” provides slow-burning psychological dread. “The Witch,” set in 1630s New England, creates an atmosphere of historical terror through its detailed period setting and unsettling imagery.
Are there any horror movies on Netflix that are based in Hollywood?
“Hush,” directed by Mike Flanagan, is set in Hollywood and follows a deaf writer isolated in her home while being stalked by a masked killer. The film uses its setting effectively to create tension.
“Velvet Buzzsaw,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, takes place in the Los Angeles art scene and combines supernatural horror with satire of Hollywood culture. “Starry Eyes” offers another Hollywood-based horror experience, exploring the dark side of fame through body horror and psychological terror.
