Recommended chronological order
If you want the story to unfold in the timeline order the events actually occur, watch The Conjuring and Annabelle films chronologically. This sequence emphasizes character development and evolving mythology, showing how each encounter influences later events. It suits viewers who prefer a cause-and-effect narrative and deepens the emotional impact of recurring characters and motifs.
- Annabelle (2014) — Origins of the doll and the Warrens’ first encounter.
- Annabelle: Creation (2017) — Earlier backstory of the doll and the orphanage tragedy.
- The Conjuring (2013) — The Warrens’ pivotal case that establishes their methodology and fame.
- The Conjuring 2 (2016) — A major escalation set years after the first case, with a return to the Hodgson house.
- The Nun (2018) — Links Annabelle’s legacy to Valak and deepens the cosmic evil storyline.
- The Curse of La Llorona (2019) — A non-Annabelle/Conjuring haunted-house story but features the Warrens’ artifacts and broader mythology.
- Annabelle Comes Home (1973) — The original classic that started the modern haunted-doll trend; watch after the new Annabelle films for contrast.
- Enfield Horror (The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It, 2021) — A standalone courtroom-based case with minimal direct ties until the mid-credits tease of the Crooked Man.
- Annabelle: Beyond (2025) — Set after 2021, intended as the final Annabelle chapter; align with your tolerance for newer entries.
- Further Conjuring expansions — Spin-offs and future titles can follow once the core saga is complete.
Original theatrical release order
Watching in release order follows how audiences first experienced the scares and reveals, preserving twists and marketing-driven reveals. This is ideal if you care about the cultural conversation at each point in time or want to avoid early exposure to later plot points.
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Annabelle (2014)
- The Annabelle: Creation (2017)
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- The Nun (2018)
- The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
- Enfield Horror (The Conjuring 3, 2021)
- Annabelle Comes Home (1973)
- Annabelle: Beyond (2025)
By connection strength
If you want to maximize lore links—shared artifacts, mentions, and crossover moments—prioritize the Annabelle and Conjuring films that explicitly reference each other. Some entries lean more on atmosphere than direct continuity, so this order highlights the strongest narrative bridges.
| Title | Primary connection | Key relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Annabelle (2014) | Introduces the Warrens’ occult artifacts | Core link to later cases; central artifact origin |
| Annabelle: Creation (2017) | Explores the doll’s backstory pre-Warrens | Explains the entity’s nature and motivation |
| The Conjuring (2013) | Warren methodology debut; establishes recurring universe rules | Foundation for later ensemble logic |
| The Conjuring 2 (2016) | Direct artifact tie to Annabelle; Hodgson revisit | Narrative through-line showing case escalation |
| The Nun (2018) | Brings Annabelle’s legacy into Valak storyline | Bridges demonic and haunted-doll mythos |
| The Curse of La Llorona (2019) | Features Warrens’ artifacts and jurisdictional handoff | Cross-case reference without direct Annabelle involvement |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) | Only mid-credits tease; ties to larger cosmic evil | Limited narrative linkage; more standalone |
FAQ
Reader questions
Is The Conjuring canon to the Annabelle series?
Yes. The Conjuring films expand the shared universe by introducing the Warrens and their cases, which often intersect with Annabelle’s artifact storylines. Annabelle movies, in turn, provide deeper background on the origins of key objects referenced in The Conjuring.
Should I watch Annabelle before The Conjuring?
Not required. Watching The Conjuring first is common because it establishes the Warrens’ world and investigative tone. Annabelle offers backstory but can be enjoyed before or after, depending on whether you prefer character origins or procedural scares.
Do I need to watch all movies to understand the main story?
No. The core haunted-doll mythology is strongest in the Annabelle series, while The Conjuring entries focus on standalone cases with varying ties to that mythos. If you want the broadest context, prioritize the films with direct artifact and character links.
What is the best order for newcomers?
A practical path is The Conjuring, Annabelle (2014), The Conjuring 2, Annabelle: Creation, then The Nun. This balances chronological clarity with narrative escalation while preserving key reveals. Add The Curse of La Llorona if you want additional haunted-house entries that reference Warren artifacts.