The Conjuring Universe has redefined modern horror by creating a massive, interconnected web of demonic entities, haunted artifacts, and supernatural investigations. Since James Wan first introduced audiences to the Warrens in 2013, the franchise has grown into the highest-grossing horror series in history, raking in over $2.1 billion worldwide. Whether you are a newcomer looking to dive into the scares for the first time or a long-time fan preparing for the final chapter, understanding the intricate timeline is essential.

Currently, the franchise consists of nine released films, with a tenth major installment, The Conjuring: Last Rites, scheduled for release in 2025. The movies are divided into the main series focusing on Ed and Lorraine Warren and various spin-offs that explore the origins of the entities they encounter.

Two Ways to Watch the Conjuring Movies

There is a long-standing debate among horror enthusiasts regarding the best way to experience this universe. Because the films jump back and forth through the 20th century, your choice of watch order will significantly change how you perceive the lore.

Every Conjuring Movie in Chronological Order

Watching the films in chronological order allows you to see the evil unfold as it happened in the "real world" history of the franchise. This starts with the ancient origins of Valak and ends with the Warrens' later cases in the 1980s.

  1. The Nun (Set in 1952)
  2. Annabelle: Creation (Set in 1955)
  3. The Nun II (Set in 1956)
  4. Annabelle (Set in 1967)
  5. The Conjuring (Set in 1971)
  6. Annabelle Comes Home (Set in 1972)
  7. The Curse of La Llorona (Set in 1973)
  8. The Conjuring 2 (Set in 1977)
  9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (Set in 1981)
  10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (Expected to be set in 1986)

Every Conjuring Movie by Release Date

For first-time viewers, the release date order is generally recommended. This is how the creators intended the mysteries to be revealed. You learn about the Warrens first, and the spin-offs gradually fill in the blanks of the artifacts seen in their famous "Room of Curiosities."

  1. The Conjuring (2013)
  2. Annabelle (2014)
  3. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
  4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
  5. The Nun (2018)
  6. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
  7. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
  8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
  9. The Nun II (2023)
  10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)

The Core Trilogy: The Cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren

The heart of the franchise lies in the dramatized cases of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Portrayed with undeniable chemistry by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the Warrens provide an emotional anchor that is often missing in the horror genre.

The Conjuring (2013)

The film that started it all is set in 1971. It follows the Perron family as they move into a farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, only to be terrorized by a malevolent spirit named Bathsheba Sherman. In our analysis of the franchise, this remains the most balanced entry, utilizing "old-school" tension and practical effects. The scene involving the "clap-and-hide" game remains one of the most effective jump scares in modern cinema history.

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

The sequel takes the Warrens to Enfield, London, in 1977 to investigate the Hodgson family. This film is notable for introducing two of the franchise's most terrifying villains: The Crooked Man and Valak (The Demon Nun). While some critics argue it relies more on spectacle than the original, the atmospheric dread of a rainy London suburb adds a unique texture to the story.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

The third mainline entry shifts away from the traditional "haunted house" formula and into the territory of a supernatural legal thriller. Based on the 1981 trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, the story explores a case where demonic possession was used as a defense for murder. While it received more mixed reviews for its departure from the series' roots, it successfully expanded the world-building by introducing human antagonists practicing the occult.

The Spin-Offs: Expanding the Lore

The "Conjuring Universe" moniker was solidified when the producers realized that individual objects or entities from the main films could carry their own stories.

The Annabelle Trilogy

Annabelle is perhaps the most iconic possessed doll since Chucky, but with a much more somber and demonic tone.

  • Annabelle (2014): A prequel set in 1967. While it was a massive box office success, it was criticized for lacking the directorial flair of James Wan.
  • Annabelle: Creation (2017): Often cited as a rare example of a sequel outperforming the original. It takes us back to 1955 to explain how the doll was made and how a grieving dollmaker accidentally invited a demon into the world.
  • Annabelle Comes Home (2019): Set in 1972, this film functions like a "Night at the Museum" for horror. It takes place primarily inside the Warrens' artifact room, unleashing various spirits like the Ferryman and the Black Shuck.

The Nun Series

The Demon Nun, Valak, was so popular in The Conjuring 2 that a solo outing was inevitable.

  • The Nun (2018): Set in a remote Romanian cloister in 1952, this is the earliest point in the franchise timeline. It focuses on Father Burke and Sister Irene as they battle an ancient evil. Despite negative critical reviews, it remains the highest-grossing film in the entire franchise.
  • The Nun II (2023): Set five years later in 1956, this sequel follows Sister Irene to France. It leans harder into the "carnage" and gore, providing a more visceral experience than its predecessor.

The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

Based on Latin American folklore, this film is a loose addition to the universe. Its primary connection is the character Father Perez, who also appears in the first Annabelle film. While there has been debate about whether this is "official" canon, the presence of the Annabelle doll in a flashback confirms its place in the timeline.

How to Prepare for The Conjuring: Last Rites

Scheduled for a September 5, 2025 release, The Conjuring: Last Rites is being billed as the final installment for the core series. Michael Chaves, who directed The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II, returns to helm the project.

While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, it is widely expected that the film will tackle one of the Warrens' final major public cases from the mid-1980s. Fans speculate it could involve the "Snedeker House" haunting (which inspired The Haunting in Connecticut) or perhaps a completely original story that ties together all the loose ends of the Valak and Annabelle sagas.

In our view, for the franchise to conclude successfully, Last Rites must return to the intimate, character-driven horror that made the 2013 original a masterpiece. The stakes aren't just about the ghost of the week; they are about the physical and spiritual toll these investigations take on Ed and Lorraine.

The Future: The Conjuring TV Series

Beyond the movies, a television series is currently in development for the Max streaming service. Produced by Peter Safran and James Wan, the series is expected to "continue the story established in the feature films."

This opens up significant possibilities. A series format allows for a deeper dive into the "monster of the week" cases found in the Warrens' files, which were often too small for a 2-hour theatrical release but are perfect for episodic storytelling. We expect the show to serve as a bridge, keeping the universe alive after the movies conclude their theatrical run.

Critical Rankings and Audience Reception

When looking at the franchise through the lens of critical reception (using data from aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes), there is a clear divide between the "Masterpieces" and the "Commercial Hits."

Film Rotten Tomatoes Score Main Highlight
The Conjuring 86% The Gold Standard of modern haunted house films.
The Conjuring 2 80% Exceptional creature design (Valak/Crooked Man).
Annabelle: Creation 71% High-tension directing from David F. Sandberg.
Annabelle Comes Home 64% A fun, teen-slasher-style supernatural romp.
The Conjuring: Last Rites 57% (Early) A solid but somewhat underwhelming finale.
The Conjuring 3 56% Great performances, but lacks the "Wan" touch.
The Nun II 51% Scarier than the first, but narrative-light.
Annabelle 28% Relies too heavily on generic jump scares.
The Curse of La Llorona 26% Beautiful cinematography wasted on a thin script.
The Nun 24% Incredible atmosphere, but confusing logic.

Key Lore Connections to Watch For

The joy of the Conjuring Universe is in the small details that connect the films. If you are doing a marathon, look out for these specific threads:

  • The Photograph: In The Nun, we see a photograph of the nuns in Romania. In The Conjuring 2, we see the same photo, which helps Lorraine identify the origin of Valak.
  • Maurice (Frenchie): The ending of The Nun reveals that Frenchie is the man being exorcised in the footage shown during the Warrens' seminar in the very first Conjuring movie. This brings the timeline full circle.
  • The Artifact Room: Nearly every spin-off begins or ends in the Warrens' basement. Watching the room fill up with objects over the course of the chronological timeline is a rewarding experience for observant viewers.

Summary

The Conjuring Universe has succeeded where many other horror franchises failed by prioritizing a shared world with consistent rules and beloved central characters. Whether you prefer the gothic horror of The Nun, the doll-centric scares of Annabelle, or the investigative drama of the main Conjuring films, there is something for every type of horror fan.

As we move toward 2025 and the release of Last Rites, the franchise stands as a testament to the power of well-crafted, atmospheric supernatural storytelling. Even if the movies vary in quality, the sheer ambition of this cinematic universe remains unmatched in the genre.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about The Conjuring Movies

Is The Conjuring based on a true story?

The films are "based on" the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. While the families (the Perrons, the Hodgsons) and the locations are real, the films significantly dramatize the events for theatrical effect. Most paranormal researchers view the cases as highly controversial or debunked, but the films treat them as absolute truth within their own fictional universe.

Which Conjuring movie is the scariest?

Most fans and critics agree that the original The Conjuring (2013) is the scariest due to its expert pacing and psychological tension. However, The Nun (2018) is often cited as having the most "jump scares" for viewers who prefer a more adrenaline-heavy experience.

Do I need to watch the Annabelle movies to understand The Conjuring?

No, the main trilogy (The Conjuring 1, 2, and 3) can be enjoyed on its own. However, watching the Annabelle and Nun movies provides the backstory for the villains and explains why certain items are in the Warrens' room.

In what year does The Conjuring: Last Rites take place?

While not officially confirmed, the timeline of the previous film (The Devil Made Me Do It in 1981) suggests that Last Rites will likely take place in the mid-1980s, potentially around 1986, to keep up with the chronological aging of the Warrens in the franchise.

Is The Curse of La Llorona part of the Conjuring Universe?

Technically, yes. Despite some statements from the director suggesting it might be a standalone, the inclusion of Father Perez and the Annabelle doll firmly places it within the same continuity as the other films.