The Warner Bros. haunted house horror film, which is based on a true story, debuted over the weekend and scared its way to more than $41 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The minions of "Despicable Me 2" dropped to second place with $25 million.
The newest animated Fox movie "Turbo" opened in third place with $21.5 million.
"Grown Ups 2" produced by Adam Sandler and starring Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Salma Hayek held on to the No. 4 spot with $20 million. "Red 2" rounded out the top five with $18.5 million.
1. "The Conjuring," $41.5 million.
2. "Despicable Me 2," $25 million ($35.4 million international).
3. "Turbo," $21.5 million ($22.6 million international).
4. "Grown Ups 2," $20 million.
5. "Red 2," $18.5 million ($7.6 million international).
6. "Pacific Rim," $15.95 million ($34.8 million international).
7. "R.I.P.D.," $12.76 million ($6.8 million).
8. "The Heat," $9.3 million.
9. "World War Z," $5.2 million ($12 million international).
10. "Monsters University," $5 million ($20.7 million international).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.