You’d think it would be enough for filmmaker James Wan to have two hugely successful horror franchises under his belt with
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 creep haunted dolll. It’s the story of a 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.
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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, taking place four years after Sister Irene’s first encounter with Valak and one year after the events of Annabelle: Creation.
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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.
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Next up is Annabelle Comes Home. Taking place only one year later in the story, in 1972, the Warrens’ young daughter, Judy (McKenna Grace), must contend with Annabelle and other demons who escape the Warrens’ artifact room while the couple is away. Conjuring Universe (and It: Chapter One and Two) writer Gary Dauberman makes his directorial debut here.
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Based on the events of the Enfield Poltergeist in England, The Conjuring 2 brings back Lorraine and Ed Warren, now notrious from the Amityville case, as they help a family being haunted by a malevolent spirit in 1977. Whereas the first Conjuring movie brought about the Annabelle films, this one originally introduced The Nun, who would go on to receive her own prequel. James Wan also returned to direct.
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The actual eighth film made in the franchise is also the eighth film you should watch if you’re doing a chronological binge. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It brings us into the ’80s with a ghoulish tale based on the real life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed “demonic possession” after murdering his landlord. Lorraine and Ed Warren are drawn into the case after they’d apparently exorcised a demon out of a young boy’s body… accidentally causing it to flee into Arne.
Read our review of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
If you’re looking to watch all the movies in theatrical release order, the correct list is below:
Within The Conjuring Universe exists two separate film trilogies: The Conjuring and Annabelle. The narrative chronology of the Annabelle movies differs from their theatrical release order, so we’ve created this quick viewing guide to help you out.
For those wondering what’s next for The Conjuring films, have no fear, The Conjuring: Last Rites officially has a release date: September 5, 2025. This announcement also confirms previous reports that the fourth Conjuring movie will be the last. Franchise veteran Michael Chaves returns as director for the finale, and IGN recently got the chance to speak with him about the end (and future) of The Conjuring franchise.
In 2023, a TV series set in The Conjuring universe was also greenlit for the streaming service Max, though little has been revealed about who will be involved or how the series will fit into the franchise’s timeline.
Matt Fowler is a freelance entertainment writer/critic, covering TV news, reviews, interviews and features on IGN for 13+ years.
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