The Conjuring Universe is one of the most expansive modern horror franchises, and watching every Conjuring movie in order helps you appreciate its carefully built mythology and timeline. This guide lists each main film, spin-off, and related entry so you can follow the eerie progression from the Perron family case to the cosmic war between angels and demons. Below, you will find the films organized by primary continuity, notes on alternate timelines, and quick-reference facts to plan your viewing sequence.
Main Theatrical Features in Release Order
To watch every Conjuring movie in order by initial release, start with the foundational case that launched the shared universe, then move through escalating threats and expanding lore. This sequence emphasizes when each film reached audiences, which is the most common reference for casual viewers and marathons.
| Film | Release Year | Primary Setting or Case |
|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | 2013 | Perron family haunting (1971) |
| The Conjuring 2 | 16172016 | Enfield poltergeist (11977) |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 2021 | Witchcraft trial and murder (1981) |
| The Conjuring 3 | 2021 | Detective案件 and a powerful demon (1982) |
| The Nun | 2018 | Valak haunting a Romanian abbey (1950s) |
| The Crooked Man | 2023 | Murder, betrayal, and a shape-shifting entity (1790s past / modern day) |
View by In-Universe Timeline (Canonical Order)
Some fans prefer an in-universe timeline that aligns events by story chronology rather than real-world release dates. This approach is useful if you care about internal chronology and want to follow character arcs as they occur in the world’s timeline. Note that real-world production schedules and release strategies can differ from in-story placement.
- The Conjuring (set in 1971)
- The Nun (set in the 1950s, though released after several later films)
- The Crooked Man (a story spanning 18th-century events with modern echoes)
- The Conjuring 2 (set in 1977)
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (set in 1981)
- The Conjuring 3 (set in 1982)
Key Installments and Their Horror Focus
Each Conjuring movie pursues a distinct flavor of dread, from period haunted-house tension to courtroom supernatural horror and mythic cosmic warfare. The table below summarizes the primary horror mode, important settings, and central entities to help you choose which films to prioritize based on your taste.
| Film | Primary Horror Mode | Setting / Location |
|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | Haunted house | Harrisville, Rhode Island, 1971 |
| The Conjuring 2 | Poltergeist investigation | London, 1977 |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | Occult crime thriller | Connecticut and Massachusetts, 1981 |
| The Conjuring 3 | Demonic possession and exorcism | Clock & Bells haunted house, 1982 |
| The Nun | Religious horror | Romania, 1950s abbey |
| The Crooked Man | Folk horror and betrayal | Appalachian frontier, late 1700s; modern day framing |
Extended Entries and Related Films
Beyond the core features, the Conjuring Universe includes TV series, documentaries, and smaller horror films that expand the world but are not essential for a basic marathon. If you want a fuller picture of the mythology, these additional titles deepen the lore around entities like the Crooked Man, the Ferryman, and various folk traditions.
- The Warren Files (TV series, ongoing)
- The Haunting of Hill House (standalone horror, shared universe)
- The Haunting of Bly Manor (standalone sequel, linked themes)
- Annabelle (prequel spin-off focusing on the doll)
- Cabaret Fantome (TV special, limited release)
Thematic Threads and Recurring Elements
Across every Conjuring movie in order, several motifs reappear and evolve: family protection, child vulnerability, religious artifacts, and the idea that evil can exploit human weakness. The Warrens’ involvement provides continuity, while each story introduces new folklore and supernatural rules. Understanding these patterns helps you anticipate tone, iconography, and narrative resolution, whether you are watching for scares, character drama, or world-building.
How to Approach a Conjuring Marathon
You can structure your binge in multiple ways depending on your goals. A release-order marathon mirrors audience reactions and cultural impact, while an in-universe sequence emphasizes the evolving stakes and hidden history. If time is limited, start with the first three main films to grasp the foundational cases, then branch into spin-offs and later entries. This flexibility is part of the franchise’s strength: each Conjuring movie in order can stand alone while contributing to a larger tapestry of dread.