The Real Events Behind The Conjuring 2
The Conjuring 2 is a 2016 supernatural horror film directed by James Wan and produced by New Line Cinema, part of Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie is based on the Enfield Poltergeist case from 1977 in London, where the Hodgson family reported violent disturbances in their council house. The Warrens, Ed and Lorraine, investigated the case, and their files later inspired the film. The screenplay was written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, and the film is presented as a sequel to The Conjuring, which itself was based on other cases from the Warrens' archives.
The real Enfield case involved claims of furniture moving, objects being thrown, and voices coming from a 11-year-old girl named Janet Hodgson. Investigators, including police officers and parapsychologists, documented the events over several months. The Warrens' involvement was brief, but their reports and audio recordings became central to the film's narrative. The movie portrays the Hodgson family, the demonic entity, and the Warrens' investigation, blending documented events with cinematic dramatization.
Production, Budget, and Studio Details
The Conjuring 2 was produced by New Line Cinema in association with RatPac Entertainment and the Safran Company. The film had a reported production budget of approximately $40 million, with additional marketing costs bringing the total investment to over $100 million. Filming took place primarily in Los Angeles, with sets designed to replicate the interior of a 1970s London council house. The production team used practical effects and real-world locations to maintain the grounded horror style established in the first Conjuring film.
Warner Bros. Pictures handled the global distribution of The Conjuring 2, which was released in theaters in June 2016. The film was rated R for horror violence and disturbing images. The studio's marketing campaign emphasized the film's basis on the real Enfield case and the Warrens' files. The Conjuring 2 became part of the broader The Conjuring Universe, which includes spin-offs such as Annabelle: Creation and The Nun, all set within a shared fictional timeline connected to the Warrens' investigations.
Box Office Performance and Financial Impact
The Conjuring 2 grossed over $320 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing horror films of 2016. In the United States and Canada, the film earned approximately $104 million, while international markets contributed the remainder. The opening weekend box office was around $40 million in the U.S., placing it at the top of the charts. The film's profitability was driven by its relatively modest budget and strong audience reception, particularly among fans of supernatural horror.
The financial success of The Conjuring 2 contributed to the expansion of The Conjuring Universe, which now includes multiple sequels and spin-offs. The franchise has generated billions in total box office revenue, making it one of the most profitable horror series in recent film history. The Conjuring 2's performance also reinforced the commercial viability of R-rated horror films in the global market, with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema continuing to develop new entries in the shared universe.