Learn The Conjuring movies in order with this practical guide to the main series, spinoffs, and connected stories. This article explains the timeline, viewing options, and how each film connects to the broader shared universe. Whether you want chronological release order or series progression, you’ll find a reliable pathway through the haunted features. It also clarifies where the films sit relative to the DC Extended Universe for long-term context.
The Core Conjuring Saga: Main Series Order
The core Conjuring saga presents two deeply connected families across two primary arcs. In the Warrens’ origin story timeline, audiences meet Ed and Lorraine Warren early, watching them evolve from determined investigators into seasoned veterans confronting increasingly complex supernatural cases. Their cases often intertwine with the Perron family ordeal, creating an emotional backbone for the series. Understanding this saga’s chronology helps viewers appreciate the deliberate character development and thematic echoes across films.
1. The Conjuring (2013)
The series opens in 1971, where seasoned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren handle the infamous Harrisville haunting. The film establishes the Warrens’ credibility, the recurring presence of the demonic entity Annabelle, and the meticulous approach investigators apply to each case. It serves as the tonal and narrative foundation for the entire shared universe.
2. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Set in 1977, the Warrens travel to England to assist the Enfield family amid escalating poltergeist activity. The case pushes Lorraine’s abilities to their limits while challenging Ed’s methods. The film deepens the cosmic battle between the Warrens’ faith and the pervasive evil they confront, linking directly to events hinted at in the first film.
The Nun (2018) and Its Chronology
Although released between The Conjuring 2 and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun is set in 1952. It explores the origins of the malevolent nun Valak and the artifact that becomes central to the Warrens’ mythology. The timeline places it decades before the other cases, enriching the universe’s history.
4. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
This installment returns to 1981, following the Warrens as they investigate a murder trial where the defendant claims demonic possession. The case hits closer to home, introducing new allies and escalating personal stakes. It advances the overarching mythology while confronting darker questions about faith and culpability.
5. The Conjuring: The Last Rite (alias The Conjuring 3) (2025)
The latest mainline chapter reunites the Warrens for a case that tests their legacy and resolve. Positioned as a concluding chapter of sorts for the Warren-centric narrative, it brings closure to threads established across the saga while setting the stage for future stories.
Spinoffs and Related Films
Beyond the Warren saga, the franchise expands through multiple interconnected spinoffs. Each film examines different entities, time periods, and geographic cases, contributing to the broader mythology. Viewers can follow varied entry points without losing narrative continuity.
Annabelle (2014)
Focusing on the titular doll, this spinoff delves into the origins of the malevolent presence linked to the Warrens’ investigations. Set in the 1960s and 1970s, it traces how the artifact enters the Warren home and establishes the rules governing the haunting phenomena that follow.
Annabelle Comes Home (1973)
A classic haunted house film centered on a family terrorized by the spirit of Annabelle Higgins. Its timeline precedes the modern era entries but also informs the Warrens’ understanding of the entity, making it a crucial piece of the overarching lore.
Annabelle: Creation (2017)
By exploring the doll’s creation and transfer to the Mullins family, this prequel adds depth to the mythology. It connects directly to the artifact’s significance in subsequent Warren cases, reinforcing continuity across decades.
El Señor Diablo (The Boogeyman) (2023)
Based on a Stephen King story, this film presents a standalone case of familial terror later connected to the wider universe through mention of established entities and investigative approaches. Its placement within the timeline remains open to interpretation, allowing flexible integration.
Cobwebs (2024)
This ensemble horror film links several stories through a shared haunted location, offering a modern context that echoes earlier Warren investigations. Its narrative threads illustrate how certain hauntings recur across time and space.
Viewing Strategies and Narrative Pathways
Choose between release order, chronological timeline, or theme-based groupings depending on your goals. Release order preserves narrative surprises and evolving character dynamics, while chronological viewing clarifies backstory and mythology. Thematic groupings help focus on specific entities or storytelling styles.
Suggested Pathways
- Release order: The Conjuring → The Conjuring 2 → The Nun → The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It → The Conjuring: The Last Rite → Annabelle series → spinoffs
- Chronological timeline: The Nun (1952) → Annabelle series → The Conjuring (1971) → The Conjuring 2 (1977) → The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (1981) → The Conjuring: The Last Rite (1980s)
- Thematic focus: Entity-centered arcs, Warrens’ evolution, standalone scares
Shared Universes and Official Connections
The Conjuring films reference a larger cosmology of supernatural forces and organizations. Some stories explicitly acknowledge cross-case investigations and recurring phenomena. Awareness of this context enriches interpretation without requiring prior viewing of every title.
DC Extended Universe Placement
In ambiguous multiverse discussions, a few analysts have proposed potential links between the Conjuring cosmology and the DC Extended Universe, suggesting the broader fictional realities could intersect. However, these remain speculative comparisons rather than canonical confirmations. Official sources have yet to define any formal relationship between the two properties.
Quick Reference: Main Timeline at a Glance
| Film | Setting | Relationship to Warrens | Position in Lore |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Nun (2018) | 1952 | Backstory of recurring entity | Prequel foundation |
| The Conjuring (2013) | 1971 | Warrens’ origin story case | Core series launch |
| Annabelle (2014) | 1960s–1970s | Artifact introduced to Warrens | Spinoff expansion |
| The Conjuring 2 (2016) | 1977 | Warrens’ major European case | Core series continuation |
| Annabelle Comes Home (1973) | 1970s | Household haunting prior to artifact arrival | Classic era bridge |
| Annabelle: Creation (2017) | 1950s | Doll’s origin before Mullins family | Prequel expansion |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) | 1981 | Warrens’ legal challenge case | Core series evolution |
| Cobwebs (2024) | Contemporary | Modern echo of established hauntings | Connected standalone |
| The Conjuring: The Last Rite (2025) | 1980s onward | Current Warrens saga conclusion | Latest core entry |
FAQ
Reader questions
Should I watch The Conjuring films in chronological or release order?
Both approaches work. Release order preserves cinematic reveals and evolving character dynamics, while chronological order clarifies backstory and entity origins. Choose based on whether you prioritize surprise or continuity.
Are the DC Extended Universe connections confirmed?
No official confirmation exists. Analysts have drawn speculative parallels, but these remain comparisons rather than canonical links. Treat them as interpretive angles, not definitive lore.
Can I enjoy spinoffs without seeing the main series?
Yes, each spinoff functions as a standalone haunted house or possession narrative. However, familiarity with the Warrens’ mythology enhances appreciation of recurring entities and thematic cohesion.
How often are new Conjuring films released?
The main series and major spinoffs typically release every two to four years, with interim films like Cobwebs filling gaps. Production schedules vary based on script development and creative readiness.
Is The Conjuring: The Last Rite the end of the saga?
It serves as a concluding chapter for the Warren-centric narrative but does not preclude future stories. The franchise may continue with new cases, characters, or entity-focused tales as opportunities arise.
Are the films based on real cases?
The Warrens’ cases draw from reported paranormal events, though cinematic dramatization amplifies horror elements. Core incidents like the Enfield poltergeist and Annabelle doll story are rooted in documented accounts, with creative liberties taken for narrative impact. Use this guide to plan your viewing path through The Conjuring universe. Whether you follow the timeline, release schedule, or entity threads, each film deepens the mythology that has made the series a benchmark for modern supernatural horror. As the franchise expands, this ordered overview remains a durable reference. Revisit it between releases to orient yourself, or use it as a roadmap for your first deep dive into the shared world of The Conjuring.