To help you get the most out of it, we’ve put together a comprehensive list detailing each movie the Conjuring Universe has to offer. While some parts are crucial to the main plot surrounding the Warrens, others are simply extensions that help us understand the demonic entities encountered in the movies. So let’s dive into the creepy world of the Conjuring!
The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Order
The simplest order—and the most preferred one by franchise fans—is the chronological order. This viewing sequence not only provides the backstory behind the cursed world of The Conjuring but also sets up the terrifying villains that eventually meet with the Warren family. Here’s a quick spoiler-free breakdown of the Conjuring movies in chronological order:
1. The Nun — 2018
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1952 Although The Nun was released five years after the first Conjuring movie, it takes the first spot chronologically. Set way back in 1952, the movie explores the demonic entity “Valak“, who is supposedly behind the mysterious deaths of two nuns in Romania. To investigate the incident, Sister Irene and Lorraine Warren team up to uncover the demon’s works.
2. Annabelle: Creation — 2017
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1955 Fans of the Conjuring movies know Annabelle, whose appearance at the start of The Conjuring made her a fan favorite with her bone-chilling smile and real-life origin story. Annabelle Creation takes place after The Nun in 1955 California and was the fourth movie in the Conjuring Universe but second chronologically. It follows the story of a doll-maker who is met with an ancient evil in his own house when he opens his home to six orphans and a nun, leading them to fight for their lives.
3. The Nun 2 — 2023
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1956 The Nun 2 jumps forward four years and is set in 1956, taking place after the events of the first film and one year after Annabelle: Creation. The movie serves as a sequel to the worldwide hit, The Nun, and follows Sister Irene and her confrontation with the Demon Nun—Valak—once more.
4. Annabelle — 2014
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1967 With the origin already uncovered in Annabelle: Creation, the 2014 Annabelle levels up the horrors and antics of the demon. Released just one year after the first Conjuring film, Annabelle serves as a spin-off that takes place in 1967 Southern California and tells the story of a young doctor and his wife who bring the doll into their home, only to find out it’s not just any doll.
5. The Conjuring — 2013
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1971 The movie that started it all (chronologically the fifth film), The Conjuring, stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, who play the real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film follows the true story of a haunted Rhode Island farmhouse, where the Warrens arrive to help the Perron Family in 1971, uncovering the mysteries behind the poltergeist activities in their house.
6. Annabelle Comes Home — 2019
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1972 The next film in chronological order is Annabelle Comes Home, set in 1972. It depicts the aftermath of the Warrens acquiring Annabelle and having the doll in their home. In the film, the Warrens leave town for another case, hiring a babysitter for their daughter, Judy. However, things soon take a haunting turn, and Judy, along with her babysitter, must fend off the evil spirits while the couple is away.
7. The Curse of La Llorona — 2019
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1977 The Curse of La Llorona is not directly related to the other Conjuring movies and is based on the Mexican Legend of La Llorona (The Weeping Woman), who is known for drowning children out of revenge. Set in 1977, the film centers around Anna Garcia, who investigates the tragic deaths of two young boys, only to get entangled with La Llorona’s curse targeting her children. One connection to the Conjuring universe is the appearance of Father Perez, who was also seen in Annabelle. However, Michael Chavez—the Director of The Curse of La Llorona—confirmed to Dread Central that La Llorona isn’t part of the Conjuring universe:
8. The Conjuring 2 — 2016
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1976-1977 Once again, the story kicks off with Ed and Lorraine Warren back in action as they help a family being haunted by a vengeful spirit in 1977. In the film, we learn that the demon Valak was behind it all. However, off-screen, the real-life case that came to be known as the Enfield Poltergeist was seen by some as an elaborate hoax and by others as one of the most witnessed cases of supernatural activity.
9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It — 2021
Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1981 The eighth film in the franchise, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, is also the ninth one to watch in chronological order. Set in 1981, it tells the true story of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed “demonic possession” as a defense during his trial for murdering his landlord. The infamous murder case remained in the spotlight for quite some time and was covered in multiple TV specials and detailed in the 1983 book, The Devil in Connecticut.
↪ Where to Watch The Conjuring Movies?
Since most of the Conjuring movies are produced by Warner Bros, you can watch some of the movies online on Max, or you can also rent or buy them on platforms like Prime Video.
The Conjuring Movies in Release Date Order
The release order is likely the sequence in which fans of the series originally watched the films. While the storytelling may seem a bit scattered, the movies do contain hints and callbacks that fit into the overall progression and help in understanding the plot. Here are the Conjuring movies in release date order:
The Conjuring (2013)Annabelle (2014)The Conjuring 2 (2016)Annabelle: Creation (2017)The Nun (2018)The Curse of La Llorona (2019)Annabelle Comes Home (2019)The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)The Nun 2 (2023)
However, this order is a bit more straightforward than the chronological one, and if you’re stuck deciding between the two, we suggest going with the chronological order as it’s more fun and easier to grasp.
Bonus: The Conjuring Movies Order
While the release date and chronological order can help you get the most out of your weekend horror binge, we have two more fun and unique versions that you might want to try.
1. Origin Story Order
First up, we have the origin story order, best suited for anyone rewatching the series. With this order, each movie unfolds events that lead into the next. This means that you begin with The Conjuring, which introduces the character of Annabelle, who then gets her backstory in the Annabelle movie. Similarly, the Annabelle movie introduces Father Perez, whom we next meet in The Curse of La Llorona. Here’s a quick rundown of The Conjuring movies in origin story order:
The ConjuringAnnabelleThe Curse of La LloronaThe Conjuring 2The NunAnnabelle Comes HomeAnnabelle: CreationThe Nun IIThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
2. The Conjuring Order
Another approach to explore the Conjuring universe is to start and conclude with the three Conjuring movies. The Conjuring Order ensures that viewers absorb the storyline of the Conjuring trilogy first before moving on to the Annabelle trilogy and The Curse of La Llorona. Next, watch The Nun, then proceed to The Conjuring 2, The Nun 2, and wrap it up with the third Conjuring movie. Here’s a quick rundown of The Conjuring movies in this order:
The ConjuringAnnabelle: CreationAnnabelleAnnabelle Comes HomeThe Curse of La LloronaThe NunThe Conjuring 2The Nun 2The Conjuring 3/The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
What is Next in The Conjuring Universe?
If you’re done with the Conjuring Universe and still crave some spooks, the filmmakers have you covered. Warner Bros recently announced the fourth upcoming Conjuring movie titled: The Conjuring: Last Rites, at the CinemaCon convention. Additionally, we know that a “The Conjuring” TV series is also in the works, with James Wan reprising his role as the executive producer. However, we still don’t have solid information about when we will receive the next installment, but it’s safe to say that The Conjuring Universe is far from over. All images owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment and are used solely for educational purposes.
