From the Warrens’ first haunting to the courtroom dread that followed, The Conjuring universe has grown into one of modern horror’s most precise mythologies. This guide lists every feature film in strict release order, clarifying which stories are direct sequels, period pieces, or spin-offs. You’ll see verified release years, principal cast highlights, and narrative links so you can follow the timeline logically. Whether you are new to the series or deepening your knowledge, this evergreen overview shows how each film connects to the next.
The Core Conjuring Series in Release Order
The core series focuses on the cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. As the collection expanded, each entry was designed to reference earlier events while standing on its own. Below are the main series films in the order they reached audiences.
Key Films at a Glance
| Film | Release Year | Primary Setting / Case | Narrative Role | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | 2013 | 1971 Harrisville, Rhode Island | Origin story of the Warrens’ cases | ||||
| The Conjuring 2 | 16 | 1977 Enfield, London | International expansion of the mythos | ||||
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 2021 | 1981 Connecticut courtroom | First legal case of the Warrens | ||||
| Annabelle | 2014 | 1969 Santa Monica, prequel | Spin-off exploring the doll’s origin | ||||
| The Nun | 2018 | 1952 Romania convent | Expanding the mythos with Valak | ||||
| The Curse of La Llorona | 2019 | 1973 Los Angeles | Mythos into Latino folklore | ||||
| Annabelle Comes Home | 1976 | 1970s California | Early expansion of the doll mythos | ||||
| The Haunting of Hill House | 2018 | 1992 Hill House event | Character-driven, atmosphere-first entry | The Crooked Man | 2023 | 1973 Mexico & 1970s America | Latest core-series entry |
How the Main Conjuring Series Unfolds
The core series does not follow a simple chronological sequence. Instead, it blends case-based storytelling with character development. The Warrens’ work in 1971 and 1977 sets the foundation, while later entries explore specific artifacts and entities in more depth. Key relationships between films emerge through recurring figures, artifacts, and institutional settings such as the church and courtroom.
- 1971 (The Conjuring): Establishes Ed and Lorraine Warren, their methods, and the concept of haunted artifacts.
- 1977 (The Conjuring 2): Expands the universe geographically and introduces skeptical observers alongside faith-based elements.
- 1976 (Annabelle Comes Home): Deepens the haunted-object mythology with a focus on a single doll in a domestic setting.
- 1973–1981 (The Curse of La Llorona & The Devil Made Me Do It): Broadens the mythos into folklore and legal horror, respectively.
- 1952 (The Nun): Adds European religious iconography and a central antagonist figure within the church.
- 2018 (The Haunting of Hill House): Pivots to psychological terror and family trauma, enriching the emotional tone of the universe.
- 2021–2023 (The Devil Made Me Do It & The Crooked Man): Bring the Warrens into contemporary settings while resolving arcs introduced years earlier.
Spin-Offs and Character-Focused Entries
Spin-offs use the Warrens’ investigations as a launchpad for more intimate, entity-focused horror. These films prioritize atmospheric dread and specific supernatural rules over wide-ranging case studies. Viewers can treat these as complementary layers to the main timeline, deepening understanding of how particular entities behave and how the Warrens confront them.
The Annabelle Line
Beginning with the period-set Annabelle (2014) and Annabelle Comes Home (1976), this sub-series traces the doll’s origin and later museum consequences. Chronologically, Annabelle Comes Home is set earlier, but the release pattern positions the 2014 film as an expanded backstory that informs later encounters.
The Nun and Broader Mythos
The Nun extends the universe into 1950s Romania, introducing a visually iconic antagonist and linking directly to later exorcism-focused storylines. Its placement between the main series and later spin-offs makes it a bridge between case-based scares and entity-driven horror.
Related Media and the Extended Universe
Beyond features, the Conjuring world includes TV series that reshape how viewers understand the Warrens’ cases. Shows like The Conjuring Universe explore personal histories, while The Haunting of Hill House emphasizes emotional trauma over monster-of-the-week formulas. These series do not replace the films but offer a richer context for the family dynamics and institutional pressures that shape the Warrens’ work.
- The Conjuring Universe TV series (2012) spotlights character backgrounds and prior investigations.
- The Haunting of Hill House (2018) enriches the shared language of dread across the franchise.
- Tales from the Tuckerverse crossover references the Warrens, confirming cross-film continuity in broader media.
Chronological vs. Release Order: Why It Matters
Because of interlocking mythology, audiences often ask whether to watch in release or chronological order. The recommended approach is release order for newcomers, as each film builds audience familiarity with key artifacts and rules. More experienced viewers can use chronological mapping to connect period pieces like The Nun and Annabelle Comes Home with later revelations, without disrupting narrative impact.
Tips for Navigating the Conjuring Universe
- Start with The Conjuring (2013) to understand the Warrens’ baseline methodology.
- Watch The Conjuring 2 (2016) next to see how their reputation scales internationally.
- Follow with spin-offs that align with your interests—doll-centric scares or courtroom dread.
- Use The Haunting of Hill House as an emotional palate cleanser between high-intensity cases.
- Track recurring entities like Valak and the Crooked Man across appearances to notice evolving tactics.