Aktualizované 30.08.2026
The Conjuring cinematic universe began in 2013 with The Conjuring, but gradually expanded to include stories about the Annabelle doll, the demon nun Valak, and other cases investigated by the Warrens. Because several movies are prequels set decades before the original film, the release order differs significantly from the chronological order of events.
For a first viewing, it is best to watch the movies by release date, starting with 2013's The Conjuring and ending with 2025's The Conjuring: Last Rites. This allows viewers to discover the characters, demons, and connections in the order the filmmakers gradually revealed them. Chronological order is better suited to rewatching the entire series.
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The Best Order to Watch The Conjuring Movies by Release Date
Release order preserves the original reveals, surprises, and references between the movies. Some prequels assume that viewers are already familiar with characters or objects introduced in earlier releases, even though their stories take place further in the past.
1. The Conjuring (2013)
The first movie introduced paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. The main story takes place in 1971, when the Warrens help the Perron family after they move into a secluded 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 movie returns to 1967 and depicts the events leading up to the doll's encounter with the Warrens. After a violent incident, a young married couple begins experiencing disturbing phenomena in their home connected to the doll.
The movie expands on the story of the object introduced at the beginning of The Conjuring. Although the title might 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 movie follows the Warrens as they investigate the Hodgson family's case in Enfield, London. Most of the story takes place in 1977, while the opening also touches on the Amityville case.
This is the movie that fully introduces the demon nun Valak. The character subsequently became prominent enough to receive a separate film series set before the events of the main movies.
4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Annabelle: Creation is a prequel to the first Annabelle movie. 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 narrative terms. Its ending also creates a direct link to 2014's Annabelle.
5. The Nun (2018)
The Nun takes place at a Romanian convent in 1952. The Vatican sends a priest and a young novice named Irene to investigate the mysterious death of a nun and discover what is truly hiding within the isolated convent.
The movie explores the origins of Valak, whom audiences first saw in The Conjuring 2. It also contains an important connection to one of the characters and events featured in the first Conjuring movie.
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 movie takes place in 1981 and departs from the familiar structure of investigating a single haunted house. The Warrens become involved in a case in which a man was charged with murder and his defense cited alleged demonic possession.
The story has a stronger investigative and crime-focused element than the previous installments. However, it continues to develop Ed and Lorraine's relationship and shows how their investigations affect 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 convent. Sister Irene once again encounters Valak, whose influence is spreading across Europe.
The Nun II further explores the demon nun's origins while strengthening the connection between the Nun series and the main movies about the Warrens. These references work better in release order because viewers already understand the significance of the characters and symbols revisited by the movie.
9. The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
The fourth main movie 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 take on 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 movie 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 is based on the period in which the main portion of each movie takes place. Some movies contain prologues, flashbacks, or closing scenes set in different years, so arranging every individual scene with absolute precision would be unnecessarily complicated.
1. The Nun
The main story takes place in 1952. The movie marks Valak's first major appearance in the universe's timeline and explains the events at the Romanian convent.
2. Annabelle: Creation
The opening tragedy takes place as early as 1943, but the main story is set in 1955. The movie is therefore usually placed after The Nun, whose main storyline unfolds in 1952.
3. The Nun II
The continuation of Sister Irene's story is set in 1956. Chronologically, it follows immediately after Annabelle: Creation, although at this stage the two series focus on different demonic threats.
4. Annabelle
The story of the young married couple and the Annabelle doll takes place primarily in 1967. Its closing connection follows on from the events shown in Annabelle: Creation.
5. The Conjuring
The opening sequence involving Annabelle depicts an earlier case, but the main investigation of the Perron family takes place in 1971. This movie brings the Warrens, Annabelle, and their collection of dangerous objects together in one story for the first time.
6. Annabelle Comes Home
The main night at the Warrens' home takes place in 1972. The story therefore falls between the first and second main Conjuring movies.
7. The Conjuring 2
The movie 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 origins of a curse connected to a murder case and alleged possession.
9. The Conjuring: Last Rites
Although the movie also includes events from an earlier period in the Warrens' lives, its main story takes place in 1986. It is therefore the latest released chapter in the current timeline.
The Complete Chronological Order in One List
- 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 movie 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 Annabelle references were intended as an Easter egg and that the movie 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 Individual 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 movies 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 depicts 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 order Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle, and Annabelle Comes Home. For a first viewing of the complete universe, however, release order remains the better choice.
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 a more extensive origin story for the enemy introduced in the second Conjuring movie. However, several connections are deliberately revealed only in later scenes, providing another reason to choose release order for a first marathon.
Which Order Is Best for a First Viewing?
Release order is better for viewers unfamiliar with the universe. The first Conjuring movie introduces the Warrens and the basic rules of the world without requiring any knowledge of Annabelle's or Valak's long history. The later prequels then expand on mysteries that have already been introduced.
Chronological order can weaken some reveals. For example, viewers encounter Valak first in the Nun series and only later watch the movie that originally introduced the character. The same applies to Annabelle, whose origins were deliberately explained only after her first cinematic appearances.
For repeat viewing, a chronological marathon is more interesting. It lets viewers 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 Ed and Lorraine's core story 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 will remain easy to follow because each main movie presents a self-contained case. However, the spin-offs 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 best to have seen at least the first two Conjuring movies, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and the Annabelle trilogy. The final movie revisits several elements from the past and also serves as a farewell to the universe's story up to that point.
How Many Movies Are in The Conjuring Universe?
The Conjuring Universe has nine officially released movies: four main movies about the Warrens, three Annabelle movies, and two Nun movies. The Curse of La Llorona is not included in the official count, even though it contains a character and a reference connected to Annabelle.
Watching all nine official movies 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 movie is expected to explore an earlier period in the universe, but its exact place in the chronological order cannot yet be reliably determined. After its release, a new order may therefore place First Communion before some of the already released movies.
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 by release date. This order best preserves the original way 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 the 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.
