You'd think it would be enough for filmmaker James Wan to have two hugely successful horror franchises under his belt with Saw and Insidious (both co-created with writing partner Leigh Whannell). But then he also went and created The Conjuring, which, since its debut in 2013, has produced nine films in total, grossing over $2 billion at the box office.
Starting as a 1970s ghost series, based on the real-life investigations of married paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren, The Conjuring Universe has expanded into a franchise that not only follows the Warrens' demon-busting adventures but also delves into the haunted backstories of these cases with prequel installments set decades before the Warrens appear. As we gear up for the fourth and final Conjuring movie, you might want to revisit the full timeline of The Conjuring-verse.
So, are you looking to watch these Conjuring films as they were released, or do you want to immerse yourself in the spookiness via a chronological binge, starting in 1950s Romania with The Nun? Whatever your preference, you'll find both lists below.
Jump to:
- How to watch in chronological order
- How to watch by release order
The Conjuring Movies in (Chronological) Order
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How Many The Conjuring Movies Are There?
There are 9 total movies set within The Conjuring universe — three Conjuring movies, three Annabelle movies, The Nun and The Nun 2, and The Curse of La Llorona. A fourth Conjuring movie has been confirmed, while a TV series is in development for Max.
The Conjuring: 7 Film Collection [Blu-Ray]
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The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Order
1. The Nun (2018)
Prequel frightfest The Nun takes place in 1952 Romania, starring Demián Bichir and Taissa Farmiga (sister of franchise star Vera Farmiga) as a Roman Catholic priest and a nun uncovering an unholy secret involving Bonnie Aaron's evil Nun from The Conjuring 2.
Read our review of The Nun.
The Nun
New Line Cinema
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2. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Taking place after The Nun, in 1955 California, Annabelle: Creation was the fourth installment in the Conjuring Universe, but the second chronologically, depicting the origin of franchise breakout star — Annabelle, the creepy haunted doll. It's the story of a doll-maker who opens his home to six orphans and a nun, only to have an ancient evil released in his own house.
Read our review of Annabelle: Creation.
Annabelle: Creation
New Line Cinema
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3. The Nun 2 (2023)
Although The Nun 2 takes place after the events of The Nun, it's actually the third movie in the timeline. The events of The Nun 2 take place in 1956, four years after Sister Irene's first encounter with Valak and one year after the events of Annabelle: Creation.
Read our review of The Nun 2.
The Nun 2
New Line Cinema
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4. Annabelle (2014)
The second film made in the Conjuring Universe, even before The Conjuring 2, was prequel Annabelle, taking place in 1967 in Southern California, 12 years after the official origin of the doll. Annabelle tells the story of a young doctor and his wife who bring the doll into their home (to reside amongst other scary-looking dolls) only to have it make their life a living hell.
Read our review of Annabelle.
Annabelle
New Line Cinema
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