The Conjuring Universe has redefined modern horror by weaving together a complex web of paranormal investigations, demonic entities, and historical hauntings. Since James Wan first introduced audiences to Ed and Lorraine Warren in 2013, the franchise has expanded into a multi-billion-dollar cinematic universe encompassing sequels, prequels, and standalone spin-offs. Whether you are a newcomer preparing for the upcoming The Conjuring: Last Rites or a seasoned fan looking to revisit the scares, understanding the sequence of these films is crucial.

There are two primary methods to navigate this terrifying landscape: the Release Order, which mimics the way original audiences experienced the mysteries unfolding, and the Chronological Order, which follows the internal history of the characters from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The Case for Release Order: The Traditional Experience

For a first-time viewer, the release order is the most effective way to engage with the franchise. The creators designed these films to be watched as they came out, often planting seeds and "Easter eggs" in earlier films that only bloom in later spin-offs. Watching in this order preserves the mystery of entities like Valak or the Annabelle doll before their origins are fully explained.

1. The Conjuring (2013)

The film that started it all takes place in 1971. It introduces Ed and Lorraine Warren, real-life paranormal investigators, as they help the Perron family deal with a malevolent spirit in their Rhode Island farmhouse. This film sets the tone for the entire universe, focusing on atmosphere, practical effects, and the central relationship between the Warrens. It also introduces the Annabelle doll in a terrifying prologue, setting the stage for future spin-offs.

2. Annabelle (2014)

Capitalizing on the popularity of the doll from the first film, Annabelle serves as a prequel set in 1967. It explores a young couple’s encounter with the doll after their home is invaded by satanic cultists. While it received a cooler critical reception than the flagship film, it established the formula for the "Annabelle" brand of jump-scares and demonic possession.

3. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

James Wan returned to direct this sequel, which moves the action to 1977 London. Based on the famous Enfield Poltergeist case, the film ups the stakes with two of the franchise's most iconic villains: The Crooked Man and the demon nun, Valak. The cinematic introduction of Valak here is pivotal, as it provides the context needed to understand why a spin-off was necessary.

4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Often cited as one of the best sequels in horror history, this film goes even further back to 1955 to explain the origin of the doll. It centers on a dollmaker and his wife who open their home to a group of orphans. The film's ending directly connects to the beginning of the 2014 Annabelle, creating a seamless narrative loop.

5. The Nun (2018)

Set in 1952 Romania, this film takes us to a secluded abbey to investigate the suicide of a young nun. Here, we learn the origins of Valak. From an experiential standpoint, The Nun shifts the style to Gothic horror, utilizing misty graveyards and ancient stone corridors. It remains the highest-grossing film in the franchise to date.

6. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

Set in 1973, this film tells the story of a social worker whose children are targeted by a weeping ghost from Mexican folklore. While its connection to the wider universe is limited to a supporting appearance by Father Perez (from Annabelle), it provides a different cultural lens on the supernatural themes of the series.

7. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

This film brings the action back to the Warrens' home in 1972. When a babysitter accidentally releases the spirits trapped in the Warrens’ artifact room, the house becomes a supernatural playground. It serves as a "monster mash" of sorts, introducing several new entities that could potentially lead to their own spin-offs, such as The Ferryman and The Bride.

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

Departing from the "haunted house" subgenre, this 1981-set film follows the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, the first person in U.S. history to claim demonic possession as a defense for murder. It focuses more on the investigative and legal aspects of the Warrens’ work, though it maintains the high-octane horror sequences fans expect.

9. The Nun II (2023)

Set in 1956, this sequel follows Sister Irene as she once again faces Valak, this time in France. The film deepens the lore of the "Bloodline of Saint Lucy" and provides a stronger bridge between the prequels and the mainline Conjuring films, particularly through the character of Maurice (Frenchie).

10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)

The purported final chapter of the main series is set to conclude the journey of Ed and Lorraine Warren. While plot details remain guarded, the film is expected to take place in the mid-1980s, potentially dealing with a case that challenges the couple’s legacy more than any before it.

The Chronological Timeline: Watching the History of Evil

For fans who want to see how the "infection" of evil spread through history, the chronological order offers a fascinating perspective. It allows you to see the evolution of the demons before the Warrens even enter the picture.

The 1950s: The Dawn of Valak and Annabelle

  • The Nun (Set in 1952): This is the ultimate starting point. It establishes the "Ground Zero" for Valak's emergence into the world.
  • Annabelle: Creation (Set in 1955): Just three years later, the origin of the cursed doll occurs in California. Watching these two back-to-back shows how demonic entities were manifesting globally during the mid-century.
  • The Nun II (Set in 1956): Continuing the story of Valak immediately after the events in Romania, showing the demon's migration through Europe.

The 1960s: The Rise of the Doll

  • Annabelle (Set in 1967): The doll resurfaces in Los Angeles, leading to the events that eventually bring it to the attention of the Warrens.
  • The Conjuring (Prologue, 1968): While the main movie is set in 1971, the opening scenes with the nurses and Annabelle happen here.

The 1970s: The Warrens' Golden Age

  • The Conjuring (Main Story, 1971): The Perron case serves as the Warrens' first major cinematic entry.
  • Annabelle Comes Home (Set in 1972): This film occurs shortly after the Warrens bring the Annabelle doll back to their museum, as seen in the prologue of the 2013 film.
  • The Curse of La Llorona (Set in 1973): A standalone haunting that coexists in the same timeline.
  • The Conjuring 2 (Set in 1977): The Enfield case marks the Warrens' most famous international investigation.

The 1980s: The Final Trials

  • The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (Set in 1981): A darker, more occult-focused era for the investigators.
  • The Conjuring: Last Rites (Set in 1986): The closing of the saga.

Why Chronological Order Changes the Experience

When you watch these films chronologically, the character arc of Maurice (Frenchie) becomes the tragic backbone of the universe. In The Nun, he is a charming hero, but the revelation at the end of that film (and its continuation in The Nun II) takes on a much heavier weight when you know his ultimate fate in the exorcism footage shown in the 1971 The Conjuring.

Furthermore, the "Bloodline of Saint Lucy" introduced in The Nun II provides a retroactive explanation for Lorraine Warren's psychic abilities. Viewing the timeline in order makes Lorraine’s journey feel less like a series of random cases and more like a predestined battle against a recurring darkness.

The "La Llorona" Canon Debate

One point of contention among fans is whether The Curse of La Llorona belongs in the "official" watch order. While the film features Father Perez and explicitly references the Annabelle doll, director Michael Chaves (who also directed The Conjuring 3 and The Nun II) has stated in interviews that it was not produced by the same core team and thus isn't "officially" part of the universe. However, from a narrative standpoint, the connection is undeniable, and most fans include it for a complete experience of the 1970s timeline.

Deep Dive: The Artifact Room as a Narrative Hub

The Warrens' Occult Museum, first introduced in The Conjuring, serves as the gravitational center of the franchise. It is more than just a room of scary props; it is a library of potential stories.

When observing the artifacts in Annabelle Comes Home, viewers can see:

  • The Samurai Armor: A haunted suit that whispers to those nearby.
  • The Ferryman’s Coins: Used to pay the toll for the dead.
  • The Black Shuck: A demonic hound mentioned in folklore.

In our analysis of the franchise's growth, these items represent the "Marvel-ization" of horror. Just as the MCU used post-credit scenes to tease new heroes, the Conjuring films use the Artifact Room to tease new nightmares. This strategy has allowed the franchise to remain fresh, switching from the claustrophobia of a haunted doll to the mythological dread of a coin-carrying spirit.

Technical Evolution of the Franchise

Beyond the plots, the Conjuring movies have evolved technically. The first film relied heavily on "negative space"—the idea that what you don't see is scarier than what you do. Director James Wan mastered the long take, where the camera follows a character through a house, allowing the audience to scan the background for subtle movements.

As the series progressed into the Annabelle and Nun spin-offs, the style shifted toward more overt, high-budget spectacle. The Nun II, for example, features complex set pieces involving shifting magazine pages and large-scale practical destruction. While some purists prefer the quiet dread of the original, the diversity in directorial styles (from David F. Sandberg's "funhouse" scares in Annabelle: Creation to Michael Chaves' atmospheric investigations) has prevented the "horror fatigue" that often plagues long-running series.

What to Expect in The Conjuring: Last Rites

As we approach the 2025 release of Last Rites, the community is buzzing with theories. This film is expected to be the swan song for Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s portrayal of the Warrens.

Key expectations for the final chapter include:

  1. A Return to Roots: Rumors suggest the film will return to the more intimate, character-driven horror of the 1971 original.
  2. The Conclusion of Valak: While Valak has been defeated multiple times, a final confrontation that ties the Nun prequels directly to the Warrens' final case would provide much-needed closure.
  3. Legacy Themes: Given the title Last Rites, it is highly likely the film will deal with the toll that decades of demonology have taken on Ed and Lorraine, perhaps even exploring their transition from active investigators to the legends they became in the real world.

Summary: Which Order is Best for You?

Choosing the right order depends on your goals:

  • Choose Release Order if you want to experience the surprises as the filmmakers intended. You will feel the same shock as the 2013 audiences when the "scary doll" from the intro gets her own backstory later.
  • Choose Chronological Order if you have already seen the films and want to appreciate the intricate world-building. This is for the "lore hunters" who want to trace the bloodline of Saint Lucy and the migration of Valak across decades.

FAQ

Q: Do I need to watch the spin-offs to understand the main Conjuring movies? A: Not strictly, but it helps. You can watch The Conjuring 1, 2, and 3 as a standalone trilogy. However, you will miss out on the significance of the "Frenchie" exorcism footage and the deeper origins of the villains that reappear in the main films.

Q: Is The Conjuring based on a true story? A: The films are "based on the true cases" of Ed and Lorraine Warren. While the people and the locations (like the Harrisville farmhouse or the Enfield house) are real, the films take significant creative liberties for dramatic effect. The real-life Warrens were often controversial figures in the skeptical community.

Q: Where can I watch the Conjuring movies? A: Most of the franchise is available on Max (formerly HBO Max), as they are Warner Bros. Discovery properties. Some titles rotate through platforms like Netflix or Hulu depending on your region.

Q: Is there a Conjuring TV show coming? A: Yes. An HBO Max series is currently in development. It is expected to continue the stories within the same universe, though it is unclear if it will focus on new investigators or different cases from the Warrens' extensive files.

The Conjuring Universe remains a masterclass in how to build a sustainable horror franchise. By balancing real-life history with supernatural spectacle, it has created a timeline that is as rewarding to study as it is terrifying to watch. Whether you start in 1952 Romania or 1971 Rhode Island, the journey through the Warrens' files is a cornerstone of modern cinema.

Conclusion

The Conjuring movies offer a unique experience where the sequence of viewing can fundamentally change your understanding of the story. The release order prioritizes the "discovery" of horror, while the chronological order prioritizes the "history" of evil. As we head toward 2025 and the release of The Conjuring: Last Rites, there has never been a better time to binge-watch the entire timeline. From the cold, stone halls of The Nun to the courtrooms of The Devil Made Me Do It, the franchise provides a comprehensive look at a world where the things that go bump in the night are very, very real.