Watching The Conjuring movies can feel overwhelming because the series includes multiple main entries, spin-offs, and connected stories. This guide explains how to watch the films in recommended order, what to expect from each story, and how the movies connect across the shared universe. It also clarifies streaming availability and alternate cuts, so you can plan your viewing experience without confusion.
Watch the Core Conjuring Series First
The core Conjuring series consists of three films that follow paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. If you want a straightforward introduction, start with these in release order to experience the escalating threats and grounded horror that define the franchise foundation.
The Conjuring (2013)
The first film focuses on the Warrens helping a family experiencing increasingly violent disturbances in their farmhouse. It establishes the tone and investigative approach that carries through the series, relying on atmosphere and case-based storytelling rather than excessive gore.
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The Warrens travel to England to assist a family and a nun experiencing supernatural events linked to an earlier case. The film expands the mythology by hinting at larger forces and introduces spiritual warfare elements that become more prominent in later entries.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
This installment follows the Warrens as they investigate a murder trial in which the defendant claims demonic possession. It weaves courtroom drama with supernatural investigation, marking a tonal shift while deepening the lore around spiritual possession and legal consequences.
Watch Conjuring Spin-Offs and Related Films
Beyond the core trilogy, the franchise includes films centered on individual entities, regions, or families. These stories can be watched after the main series to further explore the shared universe and its expanding roster of supernatural threats.
Annabelle (2014) and Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Both films focus on the haunted doll Annabelle and its connection to the Warrens’ cases. Annabelle serves as a direct sequel to the first Conjuring film, while Annabelle: Creation acts as a prequel that enriches the doll’s backstory and deepens its mythos.
The Nun (2018)
Set in Romania, this film introduces Sister Irene and a novitiate as they investigate a mysterious nun’s suicide and uncover a sinister presence in a remote abbey. It ties into the larger continuity through its connection to the Warrens and the growing darkness hinted at in The Conjuring 2.
The Crooked Man (2023)
This latest entry follows a military veteran who encounters a malevolent entity after making a wish. While marketed as a Conjuring film, it operates as a standalone horror story with links to the broader universe, making it suitable for viewing after the core series and key spin-offs.
Check Streaming Availability by Region
Where you can watch each film depends on your location, licensing agreements, and platform contracts. Availability changes over time, so it is wise to verify current options on your preferred services before starting a viewing sequence.
| Title | Typical Streaming Home (examples) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring (2013) | Subscription or rental on major platforms | Availability varies by region and may change |
| The Conjuring 2 (2016) | Subscription or rental on major platforms | May rotate among streamers over time |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) | Often on subscription services or premium rental | Newer titles may have shorter exclusive windows |
| Annabelle series | Frequently on the same services as core films | Confirm current catalog listings locally |
| The Nun | Typically available on major platforms or rental | Regional rights can affect access |
| The Crooked Man (2023) | Likely rental or newer subscription tiers | Recent releases often include purchase options |
Decide Viewing Order Based on Your Preferences
You can prioritize narrative impact, release order, or thematic grouping. Release order preserves the intended escalation and reveals, while thematic clusters let you focus on specific entities or settings if you prefer targeted viewing.
- By release order: watch The Conjuring films, then related titles as they appeared, to follow the evolving mythology chronologically.
- By entity focus: group films around Annabelle, The Nun, or The Crooked Man to explore each antagonist in depth.
- By tone progression: start with grounded investigations and move toward stories with broader supernatural stakes and darker themes.
Understand Content and Warnings
The Conjuring movies rely on suspense, atmospheric dread, and intense set pieces rather than constant gore. However, individual tolerance varies, and some scenes may be unsettling. Consider pacing, such as starting with the first core film on a night when you can fully engage, and avoid viewing right before sleep if you are sensitive to horror imagery.
Plan Equipment and Viewing Conditions
These films rely on sound design, dim lighting, and carefully built tension. Use headphones or a sound system to catch subtle audio cues, darken the room to enhance visuals, and choose a stable playback source to avoid interruptions that reduce impact. A prepared environment helps you appreciate crafted scares and narrative details.
Evaluate Platform Options and Costs
Compare subscription tiers, rental fees, and purchase prices across services. Some platforms include the most recent titles only on higher tiers or after a window period, while others offer bundles that can reduce long-term costs if you plan to watch multiple films.
Respect Copyright and Licensing Terms
Access only through legal, authorized services, and avoid unofficial streams that violate intellectual property rights. Choosing legitimate platforms supports creators and ensures reliable picture quality, audio fidelity, and access to additional features like subtitles or director commentary.
Keep Expectations in Line
The Conjuring series emphasizes slow-burn tension, myth-building, and character-driven stakes. Not every film will match personal taste, and some installments focus more on story than spectacle. Treat the journey as an evolving expansion of a shared horror universe rather than a lineup of nonstop jump scares.
Wrap-Up and Next Steps
To watch The Conjuring movies, start with the core trilogy in release order, then explore spin-offs based on your interest and streaming access. Confirm where each title is available in your region, set up your viewing environment, and choose an order that matches your preferred balance of narrative and horror intensity.
As you continue, revisit platform catalogs for updated availability and consider thematic groupings if you want to dive deeper into specific entities or eras within the universe.
Summary of Viewing Sequence and Key Details
| Phase | Recommended Titles | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Core introduction | The Conjuring (2013) | Establishes tone and investigative style |
| Continued escalation | The Conjuring 2 (2016) | Expands scope and introduces spiritual elements |
| Modern case study | The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) | Brings courtroom drama and darker stakes |
| Entity focus | Annabelle series, The Nun | Deepens understanding of key supernatural figures |
| Standalone expansion | The Crooked Man (2023) | Accessible as a self-contained horror story |
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to watch the Conjuring movies effectively comes down to choosing an entry point, following a sequence that suits your goals, and confirming practical details like streaming availability and content warnings. With this framework, you can move through the series at a comfortable pace and appreciate how each installment contributes to the broader horror mythology.
Use this approach to build a viewing plan that fits your schedule, equipment, and tolerance level, and adjust it as new titles join the shared universe.