Watch The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Order

How to Watch All The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Order (2025 Guide)

If you’re a fan of spine-chilling horror films and want to immerse yourself in one of the most successful supernatural franchises of all time, then it’s time to dive into The Conjuring Universe. With over nine terrifying entries, this interconnected cinematic universe weaves haunted house horrors, demonic possessions, cursed dolls, and unholy spirits into one cohesive narrative that spans decades.

But with the storyline bouncing across different timelines and prequels, figuring out the correct order to watch The Conjuring movies can be confusing. Should you start with The Conjuring (2013), where it all began on-screen, or should you begin in 1952 with The Nun for a truly chronological experience?

In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you how to watch The Conjuring movies in both timeline and release order, explain the narrative connections between them, and give you a sneak peek into what’s next for the franchise. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a first-time viewer, this is your go-to resource for navigating The Conjuring Universe in 2025.


đŸ”„ What is The Conjuring Universe?

Created by horror master James Wan, The Conjuring Universe started in 2013 and has since grown into a box office juggernaut, earning over $2 billion worldwide. Inspired by the real-life cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren—paranormal investigators and demonologists—the franchise not only follows their ghost-hunting escapades but also spins off into origin stories and prequels featuring the evil entities they’ve encountered.

This universe includes three Conjuring films, three Annabelle spin-offs, two Nun movies, and the loosely-connected The Curse of La Llorona. Each installment offers fresh nightmares while contributing to a broader haunted timeline.


🎬 How Many Conjuring Movies Are There?

As of 2025, there are nine films officially part of The Conjuring Universe:

  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 2 (2023)

A tenth entry, The Conjuring: Last Rites, is scheduled for release on September 5, 2025, and a TV series set in the Conjuring universe is in development for the Max streaming platform.


đŸ•°ïž The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Order (Timeline)

If you prefer to watch the films in story order for a seamless narrative experience, follow this timeline:

1. The Nun (2018) – Set in 1952

The earliest chapter in the universe, The Nun explores the origins of the demonic Valak in a Romanian monastery. A priest and a young nun-in-training investigate the mysterious suicide of another nun and uncover a centuries-old evil. This film sets the stage for the dark forces that haunt future characters.

2. Annabelle: Creation (2017) – Set in 1955

This terrifying origin story explains how the possessed doll Annabelle came into being. After a tragic loss, a dollmaker and his wife take in several orphans—but an ancient demonic force soon makes their home its own playground of horror.

3. The Nun 2 (2023) – Set in 1956

Following the events of The Nun, this sequel shows Sister Irene facing Valak once again. Taking place just one year after Annabelle: Creation, the narrative thickens as the evil spreads across Europe.

4. Annabelle (2014) – Set in 1967

This standalone prequel focuses on a young couple who unwittingly bring Annabelle into their home. The doll, now a conduit for pure evil, unleashes havoc and terror on their lives in suburban California.

5. The Conjuring (2013) – Set in 1971

The film that started it all! Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on the haunting of the Perron family in Rhode Island. Drawing from a real-life case, this marks their first on-screen appearance and opens the door to the rest of the Conjuring Universe.

6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019) – Set in 1972

Annabelle is locked away in the Warrens’ artifact room—until a curious friend of their daughter unleashes the horror again. Set just a year after The Conjuring, this film shows the chaos that ensues when you mess with cursed objects.

7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019) – Set in 1973

Although the weakest link in the franchise narrative-wise, this film loosely ties into the universe through Father Perez, who previously appeared in Annabelle. It explores the terrifying Latin American folklore of a ghostly woman who preys on children.

8. The Conjuring 2 (2016) – Set in 1977

The Warrens travel to England to tackle the famous Enfield Poltergeist case. During this mission, Lorraine Warren has chilling visions of Valak, tying the storyline back to The Nun and expanding the franchise’s lore.

9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) – Set in 1981

Based on the infamous trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed demonic possession as a legal defense, this film takes a different tone. It’s more of a supernatural thriller with detective elements than a haunted house story.


📅 The Conjuring Movies in Release Order

Prefer to experience the films as audiences did in theaters? Here’s the list by release date:

  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 2 (2023)

đŸ‘¶ The Annabelle Trilogy: Chronological vs Release Order

Though technically spin-offs, the Annabelle films form a trilogy of their own. Here’s how to watch them:

In Chronological Order:

  1. Annabelle: Creation (1955)
  2. Annabelle (1967)
  3. Annabelle Comes Home (1972)

By Release Date:

  1. Annabelle (2014)
  2. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
  3. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

This sequence provides insight into how the demonic doll wreaked havoc across multiple families—and ultimately ended up under lock and key in the Warrens’ artifact room.


🚹 What’s Next for The Conjuring Universe in 2025?

The saga isn’t over yet. Warner Bros. has confirmed the release of The Conjuring: Last Rites for September 5, 2025, which is being positioned as the final film in the main Conjuring series. Director Michael Chaves, who helmed The Curse of La Llorona and The Conjuring 3, returns to wrap up the story of the Warrens.

Additionally, a streaming series set in The Conjuring Universe is in development for Max. While details remain under wraps, it’s expected to expand on previously unseen cases from the Warrens’ archives, potentially connecting the dots between the films and exploring new entities.


đŸ“ș Final Thoughts: Which Order Is Best?

So, should you watch the films in release or timeline order? It depends on your preference:

  • For a story-first approach, go with the chronological timeline. You’ll see how the evil begins and evolves.
  • For a cinematic experience, follow the release order to witness how the franchise developed and introduced new horrors over time.

Whichever path you take, you’re in for a marathon of atmospheric scares, intense performances, and plenty of demonic activity.


🎃 Ready for a Scary Movie Night?

With The Conjuring: Last Rites just around the corner and a new TV series on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to revisit (or discover) The Conjuring Universe. Whether you’re drawn in by cursed dolls, haunted nuns, or true-crime horror, these films deliver top-tier supernatural thrills.

So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare to journey through one of horror’s most terrifying timelines. Happy haunting!

*images credit to google search

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