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“Last Rites,” the fourth main entry in “The Conjuring” series — and the ninth in its spooky cinematic universe — closes out the saga of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Director Michael Chaves takes an intimate approach with this instalment, rooted in the demonic Smurl Haunting of the ’70s and ’80s in an unlucky Pennsylvania town. Solid performances by the reliable Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine should make for a story focused less on ghostly spectacle and more on the pair’s bond and the toll of their work.

What’s the buzz: Early reactions have been mixed, but that’s nothing new for this saga — or any creepshow enterprise, for that matter. Is “Last Rites” a fitting farewell or at this point is the franchise more fatiguing than intriguing?

Why I’m excited: I’m tempted to drive a stake through the conniving and conjuring heart of this series, but I’ve been reviewing “Conjuring” films since 2013 and I’m curious to see the supposed conclusion … at least until the never-ending story rises from the grave to haunt us once again.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (Sept. 12)

It’s somehow been 41 years since “This Is Spinal Tap” first rocked theatres and made us think fondly of Uriah Heep, Jethro Tull and amps turned up to 11. That yawning gap is likewise top of mind for the hapless heavy metal has-beens played by Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. They’re once again under the mockumentary lens of Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner, who also directs). The Tap members are reluctantly contemplating a reunion concert to be played in New Orleans, but first they need to lick old wounds and find a drummer who won’t die on them.

What’s the buzz: A sequel arriving four decades later could hardly be described as a hasty cash grab. Tap fans seem eager to “smell the glove” once more, judging from the generally positive reaction to the trailer, which includes cameos by Paul McCartney, Elton John and Questlove.

Why I’m excited: Every rock fan — and rock band — loves these guys. But is this really the end, or will the Tap be more like the Who, endlessly retiring then returning for another payday?

Him (Sept. 19)

Shrouded in mystery, genres collide on the gridiron in this creepy sports story directed by Justin Tipping (TV’s “Black Monday” and “Dear White People”) and produced by Jordan Peele (of “Get Out” and “N�DZ��” fame). Marlon Wayans (“Scary Movie”) takes a dramatic turn as Isaiah White, a once-great quarterback mentoring a grievously injured up-and-comer, played by Tyriq Withers from this summer’s remake of “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Under White’s cultish coaching in an isolated training compound, ambition spirals into obsession. As he ominously puts it: “You have to ask yourself, what am I willing to sacrifice?”

What’s the buzz: Early word praises Wayans’s performance. The psychological terror of “Him” looks very much on brand for Peele’s production company Monkeypaw and his taste for stories that find horror in everyday life.

Why I’m excited: Peele’s sci-fi shocker “N�DZ��” was my top film of 2022, so I’m optimistic about his presence in the crowded horror landscape of early autumn ’25.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (Sept. 19)

An auteur of intimate dramas, Kogonada (“Columbus”) levels up with this romantic road-trip fantasy starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell. The two play strangers on an otherworldly odyssey, travelling via magical doorways to relive their pasts in pursuit of a better future. Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Kevin Kline round out the main cast in this starry feature that adds a surreal, introspective twist to the rom-com formula.

What’s the buzz: The A-list cast and trippy visuals, along with director Kogonada’s steady hand balancing the film’s fantasy and feels, make it seem like a potential Oscars candidate — but why is it skipping the fall film festivals?

Why I’m excited: I loved “Columbus” and Kogonada’s followup, “After Yang,” both of which worked on a smaller scale. I’m eager to see him painting on a bigger canvas. His thoughtful touch and flair for visuals promise to elevate “Beautiful Journey” above the standard Hollywood rom-com road trips.

One Battle After Another (Sept. 26)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest joint, a comic action thriller, brings together Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall and Teyana Taylor for the story of ex-revolutionaries racing to save a kidnapped daughter (Chase Infiniti) from a white supremacist (Sean Penn). The $175-million price tag on this project, a modern take on Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland,” is a major step up from Anderson’s usual indie budget: his last film, the excellent “Licorice Pizza” from 2022, cost a relatively paltry $40 million to produce.

What’s the buzz: Penn’s villain is apparently quite terrifying — the actor’s already being tipped for an Oscar — and trailers suggest the film has much chaotic energy going for it. Some online natterers fear the many overlapping narratives and a bladder-testing runtime (150 minutes) will be a bit much.

Why I’m excited: It’s always a good year when you get a new PTA movie, and this one somehow combines urban warfare and dysfunctional family dynamics. What’s not to like about that? Viva la revolución!