Guide to Watching The Conjuring Universe in Chronological Order
- By Bella
- Jul 29,2025
Director James Wan, already celebrated for launching the Saw and Insidious franchises alongside writer Leigh Whannell, introduced The Conjuring in 2013, spawning a horror saga that includes nine films and over $2 billion in global box office revenue.
Rooted in the 1970s investigations of paranormal experts Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring Universe has expanded into a sprawling franchise. It follows the Warrens’ chilling encounters with supernatural forces while exploring the eerie origins of their cases through prequels set decades earlier. With the fourth and final Conjuring film on the horizon, now is the perfect time to dive into the complete timeline of this haunting universe.
Whether you prefer watching The Conjuring films in release order or immersing yourself in a chronological journey starting with The Nun in 1950s Romania, both viewing options are outlined below.
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How to watch in chronological order How to watch by release orderThe Conjuring Universe in Chronological Order
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Total Films in The Conjuring Universe
The Conjuring Universe comprises nine films: three main Conjuring entries, three Annabelle films, The Nun, The Nun 2, and The Curse of La Llorona. A fourth Conjuring movie is confirmed, and a TV series is in development for Max.
The Conjuring: 7 Film Collection [Blu-Ray]
35 See it at AmazonThe Conjuring Films in Chronological Sequence
1. The Nun (2018)
Set in 1952 Romania, The Nun is a chilling prequel featuring Demián Bichir and Taissa Farmiga (sister of series star Vera Farmiga) as a priest and a novice investigating a sinister secret tied to Bonnie Aarons’ demonic Nun from The Conjuring 2.
Read our review of The Nun.
The Nun
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2. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Set in 1955 California, Annabelle: Creation, the fourth film in The Conjuring Universe but second in chronological order, unveils the origin of the iconic haunted doll, Annabelle. It follows a dollmaker who welcomes a nun and six orphans into his home, only to unleash a malevolent force.
Read our review of Annabelle: Creation.
Annabelle: Creation
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3. The Nun 2 (2023)
The Nun 2, set in 1956, follows four years after Sister Irene’s initial clash with the demon Valak and one year after Annabelle: Creation. It ranks as the third film in the chronological timeline, continuing the sinister legacy of The Nun.
Read our review of The Nun 2.
The Nun 2
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4. Annabelle (2014)
Annabelle, the second film produced in The Conjuring Universe, is set in 1967 Southern California, 12 years after the doll’s origin story. It follows a young doctor and his wife who unknowingly bring the cursed doll into their home, unleashing terror.
Read our review of Annabelle.
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5. The Conjuring (2013)
The film that launched the franchise, The Conjuring, stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as real-life paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren. Set in 1971 Rhode Island, it follows their efforts to save the Perron family from a malevolent force. Directed by James Wan, this marked his third major horror franchise.
Read our review of The Conjuring.
The Conjuring
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The Conjuring T-Shirt
4 $24.99 at IGN Store6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
Set in 1972, Annabelle Comes Home follows the Warrens’ daughter, Judy (McKenna Grace), as she battles Annabelle and other spirits that escape from the Warrens’ artifact room while the couple is away. This marks the directorial debut of Gary Dauberman, a writer for the Conjuring Universe and It films.
Read our review of Annabelle Comes Home.
Annabelle Comes Home
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7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Drawing from Latin American folklore, The Curse of La Llorona is a standalone Conjuring Universe tale set in 1973 Los Angeles. It follows a mother (Linda Cardellini) fighting to protect her children from a vengeful spirit. Linked to the series only through Father Perez from Annabelle, it stars Raymond Cruz and Tony Amendola.
Read our review of The Curse of La Llorona.
The Curse of La Llorona
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8. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Inspired by the Enfield Poltergeist case in 1977 England, The Conjuring 2 sees Lorraine and Ed Warren, now renowned after the Amityville case, aiding a family tormented by a malevolent spirit. Directed by James Wan, this film introduced The Nun, sparking her own prequel series.
Read our review of The Conjuring 2.
The Conjuring 2
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9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The eighth film in both production and chronological order, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is set in the 1980s. It explores the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed demonic possession after a murder. Lorraine and Ed Warren investigate after an exorcism inadvertently transfers a demon into Arne.
Read our review of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
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Watching The Conjuring Films by Release Date
For those preferring to watch the films in their theatrical release order, here’s the sequence:
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)Guide to Watching Annabelle Films in Order
The Conjuring Universe includes two distinct trilogies: The Conjuring and Annabelle. The Annabelle films’ narrative timeline differs from their release order, so here’s a guide to navigate both.
Chronologically
Annabelle: Creation (1955) Annabelle (1967) Annabelle Comes Home (1972)By Release Date
Annabelle (2014) Annabelle: Creation (2017) Annabelle Comes Home (2019)What’s Next for The Conjuring Universe
The Conjuring: Last Rites, the final mainline Conjuring film, is set for release on September 5, 2025, directed by franchise veteran Michael Chaves. Additionally, a TV series set in The Conjuring Universe was approved for Max in 2023, though details about its cast and timeline remain scarce.
Want to explore more top horror films? Check out our guides to the best horror movies on Netflix and Max for IGN’s top recommendations.
