Introduction to The Conjuring Universe
The Conjuring series refers to a shared cinematic universe built around paranormal investigation and horror, anchored by the cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Often called the Conjuring Universe or the Warner Bros. haunted universe, it extends beyond two central films into multiple narratives linked by characters, themes, and recurring entities. This overview clarifies what counts as an official Conjuring movie, distinguishing core features from spinoffs, sequels, and related television projects to answer how many movies are in The Conjuring series with precision.
Core Mainline Films: The Conjuring and Its Sequel
The core series consists of two original Conjuring films that follow the Warrens as they travel across America investigating haunted cases. These entries are widely regarded as the center of the universe due to their direct focus on Ed and Lorraine Warren, their grounded approach to supernatural events, and their influence on the broader mythology. Both films establish recurring lore, including the cursed Annabelle doll and the ominous presence of Bathurst, which later appear across numerous spinoffs. Understanding these two films is essential for accurately counting and evaluating the series.
What Counts as an Official Conjuring Movie?
An official Conjuring movie typically meets these criteria: it is a feature-length narrative film produced under the Conjuring brand or direct creative oversight, centers on Warrens-led cases or closely related mythology, and is marketed as part of the primary continuity by its studio. Movies that expand the universe without centering on the Warrens—such as those focusing on other entities like the Crooked Man or The Nun—are considered spinoffs but remain part of the broader official canon. Television projects, miniseries, and documentaries are generally not counted as mainline movies unless they meet specific narrative and brand criteria established by the franchise.
Complete List of Main Series and Related Features
The Conjuring universe includes a range of theatrical releases that vary in direct connection to the Warrens. The primary count includes the central features plus key spinoffs that share continuity, while companion films and projects in development are noted separately. Below is a concise facts table summarizing the principal movies, their release years, and runtimes to help clarify which titles contribute to the series total.
Conjuring Movies Timeline and Runtime Overview
| Title | Year | Runtime (minutes) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | 2013 | 112 | Main series |
| The Conjuring 2 | 2016 | 134 | Main series |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 2021 | 106 | Main series |
| Annabelle | 2014 | 86 | Spinoff |
| Annabelle: Creation | 2017 | 109 | Spinoff |
| Annabelle Comes Home | 1983 | 115 | Legacy film |
| The Nun | 2018 | 98 | Spinoff |
| The Crooked Man | 2025 | TBD | Upcoming spinoff |
Counting the Movies: Main vs. Spinoff
When asking how many movies are in The Conjuring series, the answer depends on whether you include only the primary Warren-led entries or also the broader connected features. Typically, the core Conjuring series includes three main films: the 2013 original, its 2016 sequel, and the 2021 third installment. Beyond these, the franchise includes multiple Annabelle films, The Nun, and other origin stories that share continuity. Including spinoffs, the Conjuring cinematic universe contains a larger but clearly defined set of theatrical horror features.
Annabelle Films and Their Place in the Universe
The Annabelle series serves as a major spinoff within the wider Conjuring universe, exploring the haunted doll’s origins and menace. Though not centered on the Warrens, these films are tightly linked through shared events, artifacts, and references to the larger mythos. When mapping the total movie count, many fans include Annabelle entries alongside the main Conjuring trilogy to capture the full scope of connected horror features.
Annabelle Feature Checklist
- Annabelle (2014) — Standalone origin focused on the doll
- Annabelle: Creation (2017) — Prequel expanding the doll’s backstory
- Annabelle Comes Home (1983) — Classic horror predecessor integrated into modern continuity
- Future Annabelle projects — Potential announced developments not yet released
Other Spinoffs and Companion Features
The franchise further expands with additional stories focusing on specific entities and cases, such as The Nun and The Crooked Man. These films enrich the universe by exploring regional hauntings and distinct supernatural threats while maintaining ties to overarching lore. As of now, only The Crooked Man has been officially announced for a 2025 release; other projects remain speculative or in early development. Each new addition affects the count of released Conjuring-related movies and illustrates the evolving scope of the brand.
Distinguishing Theaters, Miniseries, and Television
Beyond theatrical releases, The Conjuring brand has extended into television with limited series and documentary programming. While these projects deepen worldbuilding and offer behind-the-scenes insights, they are not counted as movies in the series. Examples include documentary specials that feature the Warrens’ cases and scripted miniseries that may explore new corners of the universe. For the purpose of counting movies, only feature-length theatrical films are typically included unless a miniseries is explicitly structured as a narrative film event.
Clarifying Common Miscounts and Misconceptions
Confusion often arises when fans include every related title or project in progress as part of the official movie count. It’s important to distinguish between released theatrical features, upcoming announcements, and projects that remain in development or early production. Documentaries, television episodes, and short-format content may carry the Conjuring name but are not feature films. By focusing on confirmed, released movies and clearly defining what qualifies, the true number becomes easier to determine and less prone to overstatement.
Summary and Final Count
To directly answer how many movies are in The Conjuring series: the core mainline series contains three films, with additional spinoffs and legacy features expanding the total. Including widely recognized spinoffs such as the Annabelle trilogy and The Nun brings the broader cinematic count to approximately eight released theatrical features, with at least one upcoming title pending. Television projects, documentaries, and unproduced concepts are excluded from this count to maintain clarity and accuracy for viewers tracking the franchise.