The Conjuring cinematic universe began in 2013 with the horror film The Conjuring, but gradually expanded to include stories about the Annabelle doll, the demonic nun Valak, and other cases investigated by the Warrens. Since several films are prequels set decades before the original movie, the release order differs significantly from the chronological order of events.
For a first viewing, it is best to watch the films by release date, starting with 2013's The Conjuring and ending with 2025's The Conjuring: Last Rites. This allows viewers to encounter the characters, demons, and connections in the order in which the filmmakers gradually revealed them. Chronological order is better suited to rewatching the entire series.
The Best Order to Watch The Conjuring Movies by Release Date
Release order preserves the original reveals, surprises, and references between the films. Some prequels assume that viewers are already familiar with characters or objects introduced in earlier movies, even though their stories take place further in the past.
1. The Conjuring (2013)
The first film introduced paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Most of the story takes place in 1971, when the Warrens help the Perron family after they move into a remote house in Rhode Island.
The Conjuring also laid the foundations for the entire cinematic universe. It featured the Annabelle doll, a room filled with allegedly cursed objects, and the franchise's signature blend of supernatural horror and cases loosely inspired by the Warrens' real-life claims.
2. Annabelle (2014)
The first standalone Annabelle film goes back to 1967 and depicts events that took place before the doll encountered the Warrens. Following a violent incident, a young married couple begin noticing disturbing phenomena in their home connected to the doll.
The film expands the story of the object introduced at the beginning of The Conjuring. Although the title may suggest that the doll itself comes to life, within the universe it primarily serves as a conduit through which a demonic entity attempts to reach its victims.
3. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The second main film follows the Warrens as they investigate the Hodgson family's case in Enfield, London. The story is set primarily in 1977, while the opening also touches on the Amityville case.
This film fully introduces the demonic nun Valak. The character subsequently became prominent enough to receive a film series of its own, set before the events of the main movies.
4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Annabelle: Creation is a prequel to the first Annabelle film. Most of the story takes place in 1955 and explores the doll's origins, the Mullins family, and the events that began its demonic history.
Although it was released as the fourth installment in the universe, it is one of the earliest chapters in story terms. Its ending also creates a direct link to 2014's Annabelle.
5. The Nun (2018)
The Nun takes place in 1952 at a Romanian monastery. The Vatican sends a priest and a young novice named Irene to investigate the mysterious death of a nun and discover what is really lurking within the isolated monastery.
The film develops the backstory of Valak, whom viewers first saw in The Conjuring 2. It also includes an important connection to one of the characters and events depicted in the first Conjuring film.
6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
After the previous prequels, Annabelle arrives at the Warrens' home. The doll is kept in a secure glass case alongside other objects associated with alleged supernatural dangers.
The main story takes place in 1972 and focuses on the Warrens' daughter Judy, her babysitter, and a friend. This time, Annabelle is not the only threat, as her presence also activates other objects in the locked room.
7. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The third main film is set in 1981 and departs from the familiar format of investigating a single haunted house. The Warrens become involved in a case in which a man was accused of murder and his defense cited alleged demonic possession.
The story has a stronger mystery and crime focus than the previous installments. However, it continues to develop Ed and Lorraine's relationship and shows the toll their investigations take on their health and family life.
8. The Nun II (2023)
The sequel to The Nun takes place in 1956, approximately four years after the events at the Romanian monastery. Sister Irene once again encounters Valak, whose influence is spreading across Europe.
The Nun II further explores the demonic nun's origins while strengthening the connection between the Nun series and the main films about the Warrens. These references work better in release order because viewers already understand the significance of the characters and symbols revisited by the film.
9. The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
The fourth main film takes place primarily in 1986 and presents the final major case of Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Their adult daughter Judy and her partner Tony Spera also play more prominent roles in the story.
Last Rites concludes the main cinematic journey of this incarnation of the Warrens, but not the entire Conjuring Universe. The film revisits earlier events, objects, and themes, so it works best after watching the previous eight official installments.
The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Story Order
Chronological order follows the period in which the main part of each film takes place. Some movies contain prologues, flashbacks, or closing scenes set in other years, so arranging every individual scene in exact order would be unnecessarily complicated.
1. The Nun
The main story takes place in 1952. The film marks Valak's first major appearance in the universe's timeline and explains the events at the Romanian monastery.
2. Annabelle: Creation
The opening tragedy occurs as early as 1943, but the main story is set in 1955. The film is therefore usually placed after The Nun, whose primary storyline takes place in 1952.
3. The Nun II
The continuation of Sister Irene's story is set in 1956. In chronological order, it comes immediately after Annabelle: Creation, although the two series are dealing with different demonic threats at this point.
4. Annabelle
The story of the young married couple and the Annabelle doll takes place primarily in 1967. The connection at the end follows on from the events shown in Annabelle: Creation.
5. The Conjuring
The opening sequence featuring Annabelle depicts an earlier case, but the main investigation involving the Perron family takes place in 1971. This is the first film to bring the Warrens, Annabelle, and their collection of dangerous objects together in one story.
6. Annabelle Comes Home
The main night at the Warrens' home takes place in 1972. The story therefore belongs between the first and second main Conjuring films.
7. The Conjuring 2
The film begins with the Amityville case in 1976, but most of the story unfolds during the Enfield investigation in 1977. It also continues the Warrens' conflict with Valak within the timeline.
8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The third main case is set in 1981. This time, the Warrens investigate the source of a curse connected to a murder case and alleged possession.
9. The Conjuring: Last Rites
Although the film also includes events from an earlier period in the Warrens' lives, its main story takes place in 1986. It is therefore the final released chapter in the current timeline.
Complete Chronological Order at a Glance
- The Nun, main story set in 1952
- Annabelle: Creation, main story set in 1955
- The Nun II, set in 1956
- Annabelle, set in 1967
- The Conjuring, main story set in 1971
- Annabelle Comes Home, set in 1972
- The Conjuring 2, main story set in 1977
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, set in 1981
- The Conjuring: Last Rites, main story set in 1986
Is The Curse of La Llorona Part of The Conjuring Universe?
The Curse of La Llorona is often listed as the tenth film in The Conjuring Universe. It takes place in 1973 and features Father Perez, whom viewers will recognize from Annabelle. There is also a brief reference to his experience with the demonic doll.
Despite these connections, it is not an official part of the universe. Director Michael Chaves and producer Peter Safran later explained that the references to Annabelle were intended as an Easter egg and that the film cannot be counted among the official Conjuring installments.
Viewers can include it as an optional extra. In release order, it belongs between The Nun and Annabelle Comes Home. Chronologically, it can be placed between Annabelle Comes Home, set in 1972, and The Conjuring 2, whose main story takes place in 1977.
How Are the Different Series Connected?
The Main Conjuring Series
The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, The Devil Made Me Do It, and Last Rites follow Ed and Lorraine Warren. Each installment presents a different case while continuing their family story, exploring the consequences of their investigations, and gradually giving their daughter Judy a larger role.
These four films form the main narrative backbone of the entire universe. Anyone who does not want to watch every spin-off can watch only these and still get a complete story about the Warrens.
The Annabelle Series
Annabelle: Creation explains the origins of the doll and the demonic force that uses it. Annabelle shows the next stage of its journey, while Annabelle Comes Home brings it into the Warrens' secure collection.
Chronologically, the Annabelle series should therefore be watched in the following order: Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle, and Annabelle Comes Home. For a first viewing of the entire universe, however, it is still better to follow release order.
The Nun Series
The Nun and The Nun II follow Sister Irene and her encounters with Valak in 1952 and 1956. Valak is also the main demonic threat in The Conjuring 2, which takes place more than two decades later.
The Nun series therefore serves as an expanded origin story for the enemy introduced in the second Conjuring film. However, several connections are deliberately revealed only in later scenes, which is another reason to choose release order for a first marathon.
Which Order Is Best for First-Time Viewers?
Release order is better for viewers who are new to the universe. The first Conjuring film introduces the Warrens and the world's basic rules without requiring any knowledge of Annabelle's or Valak's extensive backstory. The later prequels then expand on mysteries that have already been introduced.
Chronological order can weaken some reveals. For example, viewers will encounter Valak in the Nun series before seeing the film in which the character was originally introduced. The same applies to Annabelle, whose origins were intentionally explained only after her first cinematic appearances.
For repeat viewings, a chronological marathon is more interesting. It allows viewers to follow the development of the individual demonic storylines from the 1950s through to the Warrens' final case in 1986.
Can You Watch Only the Main Conjuring Series?
You can follow the core story of Ed and Lorraine without watching the spin-offs. In that case, simply use this order:
- The Conjuring
- The Conjuring 2
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
- The Conjuring: Last Rites
The story remains easy to follow because each main film presents its case as a self-contained narrative. The spin-offs, however, provide more information about Annabelle, Valak, the Warrens' collection, and characters who appear only briefly in the main series.
Before Last Rites, it is therefore ideal to have seen at least the first two Conjuring films, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and the Annabelle trilogy. The final film revisits the past several times and also serves as a farewell to the entire era of the universe up to that point.
How Many Movies Are in The Conjuring Universe?
The Conjuring Universe has nine officially released films: four main films about the Warrens, three Annabelle films, and two Nun films. The Curse of La Llorona is not included in the official count, even though it features a character and a reference connected to Annabelle.
Watching all nine official films takes approximately 17 hours. Adding the optional The Curse of La Llorona extends the marathon by roughly another hour and a half.
Will There Be Another Movie After The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Last Rites was presented as the final chapter for Ed and Lorraine as played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, but not as the definitive end of the entire cinematic universe. Warner Bros. has scheduled the prequel The Conjuring: First Communion for September 10, 2027.
The new film is expected to explore an earlier period in the universe, but its exact position in the chronological order cannot yet be determined reliably. After its release, a new viewing order may therefore place First Communion before some of the existing films.
Official Trailer for The Conjuring: Last Rites
The trailer revisits the Warrens' best-known cases and introduces the threat they face in their final cinematic chapter together.
Summary of the Correct Viewing Order
For your first marathon, start with 2013's The Conjuring and continue in release-date order. This approach best preserves the original way in which the characters, demons, and connections were introduced.
A chronological marathon begins with The Nun, continues through Annabelle: Creation, The Nun II, and the Annabelle trilogy, and then moves on to the Warrens' cases. It ends with The Conjuring: Last Rites, whose main story takes place in 1986. The Curse of La Llorona can be added as an optional side story, but not as an official tenth installment in the universe.
Sources
- Warner Bros. – The Conjuring: Last Rites
https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/conjuring-last-rites citeturn276553search0 - The Conjuring: Last Rites – Official Movie Website
https://www.theconjuringmovie.com/ citeturn276553search1 - Warner Bros. UK – Timeline of The Conjuring Universe
https://www.warnerbros.co.uk/news/articles/2018/09/05/timeline-conjuring-universe citeturn276553search7 - Entertainment Weekly – A Complete Guide to Watching the Conjuring Movies in Order
https://ew.com/how-to-watch-conjuring-movies-in-order-11756109 citeturn509100news27 - Entertainment Weekly – Decade of Dread: How The Conjuring Spawned a Universe of Horror
https://ew.com/movies/the-conjuring-turns-10-james-wan-universe-of-horror/ citeturn765561news20 - Deadline – The Conjuring: First Communion Gets a Release Date
https://deadline.com/2026/01/conjuring-first-communion-great-beyond-panic-carefully-release-dates-1236685371/ citeturn880935search8 - Warner Bros. Pictures – The Conjuring: Last Rites, Official Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMgfsdYoEEo citeturn509100search0 - Cinemax – The Conjuring: Last Rites
https://www.cine-max.sk/filmy/film/v-zajati-demonov-4-posledne-pomazanie citeturn283843search1
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Jana
I like turning curiosity into words, and writing articles is my way of capturing ideas before they slip away — and sharing them with anyone who feels like reading.
