The Conjuring is released in UK cinemas today (2nd August). It's been a surprise summer box office hit in the US, but will the British respond in the same way?

Vera Farmiga
Vera Farmiga at the premiere of Bates Motel held at Soho House in L.A.

The Conjuring had a brilliant opening weekend, gaining $41.5 million and warding off big-budget films such as R.I.P.D., Despicable Me 2 and Turbo. Since then the film has known no bounds: as of 31st July, The Conjuring had made over $92 million. A significant sum considering it was released in the US only two weeks ago. 

Warner Brother's haunted house horror, which stars Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel); Lili Taylor (Hemlock Grove); Patrick Wilson (Prometheus) and Ron Livingston (The Time Traveller's Wife), follows two paranormal investigators (Taylor and Livingston) as they attempt to help The Warrens exorcise an evil spirit which resides in their manor house. 

Patrick Wilson
Patrick Wilson at the premiere of Young Adult, at the Ziegfield Theater, New York. 

Its success seems to have come as a surprise for the film's production company, Warner Brothers, too. They certainly took a risk in releasing the horror at the height of the summer season. Indeed, it seems the film was initially intended for release this winter. However, the film's studio tests proved so positive they decided on an early release.

Warner Brother's Jeff Goldstein (the executive president of theatrical distribution), speaking shortly after the film's opening weekend, said: "it was really a bold choice, no question about it. With three other movies against us this week with high price tags and high expectations associated with them, this result is even more impressive."

Watch The Conjuring Movie Trailer:

The Conjuring is in US and UK cinemas now. 

Lili Taylor
Lili Taylor at a fundraiser for The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers held at Astor Center, New York.