The Conjuring universe just got bigger with the release of The Conjuring: Last Rites, the ninth entry in Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema’s chilling supernatural saga. Hitting theaters on September 4, the film is already reigniting excitement among horror fans who love a good ghost story brought to life on the big screen.
With its ongoing box office momentum, Last Rites exceeded expectations with a $65 million opening, which wouldn’t be surprising given the franchise’s track record of spine-tingling hits that have scared audiences for over a decade.
But this new release isn’t just making waves for its own success; it’s also sparking fresh interest in other terrifying movies outside the Conjuringverse. From haunted houses to demonic possessions, horror lovers are diving back into films that have left their own eerie marks in the genre.
So, if you’re ready to keep the scares going, here’s how you can watch The Grudge, The Possession, Veronica, and more unsettling tales that promise to keep you looking over your shoulder.
1. The Grudge (2004)
Released in 2004, The Grudge is a horror mystery that cemented itself as one of the most unsettling supernatural films of its era. Directed by Takashi Shimizu, the film is an American remake of his own Japanese classic Ju-On: The Grudge. The story follows Karen Davis, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a nurse who relocates to Tokyo and becomes entangled in a terrifying curse.
The curse is born from a spirit of rage, one that dooms anyone who encounters it to a violent and inevitable death. If you are into horror that keeps you on your toes, then there is no better movie to watch. With its chilling atmosphere, disturbing visuals, and relentless sense of dread, the film became a must-watch for fans of supernatural horror.
| Name | Director | Production House | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes score | Box office |
| The Grudge | Takashi Shimizu | Ghost House Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and Fellah Pictures | 5.9 | 41% | $187,281,115 |
Produced by Ghost House Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures, The Grudge performed impressively at the box office, raking in over $187 million worldwide against a modest $10 million budget. Although it did not win major awards, its impact was undeniable, as it sparked sequels, spin-offs, and even a reboot in 2020. Its lasting influence proves why it remains a go-to film for horror lovers who crave stories that linger long after the credits roll.
The Grudge is currently available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S.
2. The Possession (2012)
You know a horror movie is good when it does not have to rely solely on jump scares. The Possession, released in 2012, is a supernatural horror that leans more on atmosphere and mystery than cheap thrills. Directed by Ole Bornedal, the film follows a young girl named Em (Natasha Calis) who discovers a strange antique box at a yard sale.
As time passes, she becomes dangerously attached to the box and begins to exhibit disturbing behavior. Her father, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, soon realizes the object contains a malevolent spirit. Inspired by the infamous “Dybbuk box” that once surfaced on eBay, the film delivers a chilling twist on folklore and the terror of cursed objects. If you enjoy horror that thrives on mystery and a creeping sense of dread, this one delivers.
| Name | Director | Production House | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes score | Box office |
| The Possession | Ole Bornedal | Ghost House Pictures, North Box Productions, and also involved director Ole Bornedal | 5.9 | 40% | $85,446,075 |
Produced by Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures and distributed by Lionsgate, The Possession earned more than $85 million worldwide against a $14 million budget, making it a box office success despite its lukewarm critical reception.
Alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Natasha Calis, the cast also includes Kyra Sedgwick as Em’s mother and Madison Davenport as her sister, both of whom add emotional weight to the family’s unraveling. While it holds a modest 5.9 rating on IMDb and a 40% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film still found an audience that appreciated its dark setup, eerie atmosphere, and unique inspiration from real-life lore.
The Possession is currently available to stream on FuboTV in the U.S.
3. Veronica (2017)
Veronica, released in 2017, is a Spanish supernatural horror film that proves the Ouija board can still deliver real scares when used the right way. Directed by Paco Plaza, the movie follows teenager Verónica, played by Sandra Escacena.
One afternoon, she and her friends decide to use an Ouija board during a solar eclipse to reach her late father. But instead of getting the comfort she hoped for, something sinister answers back. From that moment, Verónica starts to lose control as a dark force slowly begins to target her and her younger siblings. If you enjoy horror that mixes family drama with an unstoppable supernatural presence, this one will keep you glued to the screen.
| Name | Director | Production House | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes score | Box office |
| Veronica | Paco Plaza | Ghost House Pictures, North Box Productions, and also involved director Ole Bornedal | 6.2 | 86% | $6,123,089 |
It is loosely based on the real-life “Vallecas case,” a haunting that shook Madrid in the early 1990s. Alongside Sandra Escacena, the cast includes Claudia Placer and Bruna González as Verónica’s younger sisters, Iván Chavero as her little brother, and Ana Torrent as their mother.
Critics praised the film’s eerie atmosphere, and it still holds an approval rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. Escacena’s breakout performance was especially noted for grounding the terror with real emotion. Looking for a non-Conjuring film that gets under your skin? Veronica is the one to watch.
Veronica is currently available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
4. Oculus (2013)
Oculus, released in 2013, is another must-watch if you enjoy the kind of supernatural tension seen in The Conjuring. Directed by Mike Flanagan, the film centers on a cursed mirror that has been tied to more than 40 mysterious deaths over the years. The story follows siblings Kaylie (Karen Gillan) and Tim (Brenton Thwaites), who reunite as adults to confront the mirror that destroyed their family years earlier.
What sets Oculus apart is how it mixes traditional scares with psychological horror, blurring the line between reality and illusion. Yes, it has its share of jump scares, but it is the slow-burning thrill and tragic backstory that make it such a gripping watch.
| Name | Director | Production House | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes score | Box office |
| Oculus (2013) | Mike Flanagan | Intrepid Pictures and MICA Entertainment | 6.5 | 75% | $44,459,951 |
The film was produced by Blumhouse Productions, the same studio behind Paranormal Activity and Insidious, which explains its polished yet chilling style. It also stars Katee Sackhoff as the siblings’ mother and Rory Cochrane as their father, both of whom play central roles in the family’s unraveling.
Oculus earned positive reviews from critics and went on to gross over $44 million worldwide against a $5 million budget. With its mix of psychological tension and supernatural horror, this is one film that keeps you guessing and uneasy long after the credits roll.
Oculus is currently available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S.
5. Insidious (2010)
Insidious, released in 2010, is another horror hit that grew into a full franchise much like The Conjuring. Directed by James Wan, the film follows a family that has just moved into a new home, only to discover their son Dalton has mysteriously fallen into a coma.
What seems like a medical issue soon reveals itself to be something far darker, as Dalton’s spirit is trapped in a frightening realm known as “The Further.” With demonic entities trying to break through, his parents, played by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, turn to a paranormal expert, Elise Rainier, played by Lin Shaye, for help. If you want a horror film that will have you looking over your shoulder while still leaving you eager for more, Insidious is an excellent start to a new franchise.
| Name | Director | Production House | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes score | Box office |
| Insidious (2010) | James Wan | Blumhouse Productions, Alliance Films, and Haunted Movies | 6.6 | 6.8% | $100,106,454 |
Produced by Blumhouse Productions, the same studio behind Paranormal Activity and Oculus, the film brought in over $99 million worldwide on a budget of just $1.5 million. While the first movie holds a 6.8 rating on IMDb and a 66% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it was strong enough to launch sequels and prequels that turned it into a modern horror staple.
And here’s the fun connection: James Wan also directed The Conjuring movies, so Insidious carries that same personal touch of dread and style fans already love. With Patrick Wilson and Lin Shaye returning in key roles across the series, Insidious carved out its own space while still feeling like part of the larger supernatural horror family.
Insidious is currently available to stream on HBO Max in the U.S.
6. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose, released in 2005, is often considered one of the most unique horror movies ever made because it blends supernatural terror with courtroom drama. Directed by Scott Derrickson, the film follows the story of Father Moore, a priest accused of negligent homicide after performing an exorcism on a young woman named Emily Rose.
What makes the movie so powerful is the way it leaves you questioning what really happened. Was Emily suffering from a terrifying demonic possession, or was she a victim of schizophrenia and other medical conditions? The movie never gives you a clear answer, which makes the experience even more unsettling.
| Name | Director | Production House | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes score | Box office |
| The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) | Scott Derrickson | Screen Gems, Lakeshore Entertainment, and Firm Films. | 6.7 | 45% | $145,166,804 |
The story was loosely inspired by the real-life case of Anneliese Michel, a German woman who died after undergoing exorcisms in the 1970s, which led to the prosecution of the priests involved. While fictionalized, the film respects the weight of that true story and builds an atmosphere where both faith and science collide.
The cast deserves major credit for making the drama believable and emotionally heavy. Jennifer Carpenter gives an unforgettable performance as Emily, bringing raw intensity to her possession scenes, while Tom Wilkinson as Father Moore and Laura Linney as defense attorney Erin Bruner anchor the courtroom moments with strong, heartfelt acting. The result is a horror film that frightens you, challenges your beliefs, and lingers long after it ends.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose is currently available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
7. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
While many of the horror films on this list stand outside the Conjuringverse, it is impossible to talk about The Conjuring: Last Rites without looking back at the movie that came before it. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, released in 2021, is the third mainline Conjuring film and serves as the direct prequel to the latest entry. Directed by Michael Chaves, the film once again brings Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, back into the spotlight as they take on one of their most unsettling cases yet.
| Name | Director | Production House | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes score | Box office |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | Michael Chaves | Ghost House Pictures, North Box Productions, and also involved director Ole Bornedal | 6.3 | 56% | $206,444,123 |
This time, the Warrens move beyond haunted homes and find themselves at the center of a chilling courtroom drama. The story follows Arne Cheyenne Johnson, played by Ruairi O’Connor, who stabbed his landlord but claimed he was possessed during the act. Inspired by a real-life case, the film explores the clash between the justice system and the supernatural as the Warrens fight to uncover the truth. The supporting cast includes Sarah Catherine Hook as Debbie Glatzel and John Noble as Kastner, a retired priest with a dark history.
While it’s part of the beloved franchise, the film didn’t land as strongly with critics. With a mere 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3 on IMDb, it is not the strongest Conjuring entry. Still, it offers enough eerie moments and scares to keep fans engaged and paved the way for Last Rites.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is currently available to stream on HBO Max in the U.S.
Are you excited for the latest addition to the Conjuring franchise? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop your favorite horror movie in the comments and join the spooky conversation!
