The Conjuring Universe is large, and knowing the correct sequence can make each entry more coherent. The simplest way is to follow the order to watch The Conjuring films in release sequence, which aligns broadly with narrative progression and keeps spoilers to a minimum. This list omits spin-offs and shorts unless you explicitly want every piece of lore. Below you will find two clear paths: release order, which preserves the intended cinematic buildup, and story timeline, which reveals how the world evolved across decades.
Watching by Original Release Order
Released in 2013, The Conjuring presents the Warrens investigating a Rhode Island farmhouse haunting. Annabelle arrived in 2014, expanding the haunted-objects strand. The Conjuring 2 followed in 2016, traveling to London. Crooked House came in 2017, shifting away from horror into mystery. The Nun arrived in 2018, continuing the Dibbuk Box universe. The Curse of La Llorona appeared in 2019 but is tangential in setting. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun 2 both debuted in 2023, while The Haunted directed by Ed and Lorraine Warren remains unreleased as of this writing. Core dates and notes are summarized below.
Release-Order Snapshot
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | 2013 | Origin story; introduces Warren team |
| Annabelle | 2014 | Doll-centric prequel/side story |
| The Conjuring 2 | 2016 | London case, strongest sequel |
| Crooked House | 2017 | Housebound mystery; lighter tone |
| The Nun | 2018 | Valak backstory; set in 1952 |
| The Curse of La Llorona | 2019 | Latinx folklore; distinct universe |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 2023 | First courtroom chapter |
| The Nun 2 | 2023 | Direct follow-up to The Nun |
| The Haunted | TBD | Long-gestating eighth Warren case film |
Watching by Story Timeline
Story timeline refers to the in-world chronology, which can stretch back decades. Films like The Conjuring and The Nun are set in the 1970s, while The Nun opens in 1952. If your goal is to experience the evolving mythology without temporal jumps, watch in story order. Note that some later films introduce details that reshape earlier contexts; mindful viewers sometimes prefer release order to avoid foreknowledge. The sequence below treats Annabelle and The Nun as close in time, with later entries following chronologically. Real years and era contexts are listed for clarity.
Story-Timeline Roadmap
| Film | In-Universe Era | Real-Year Context |
|---|---|---|
| The Nun | 1952 | 2018; introduces Valak early |
| The Conjuring | 1971 | 2013; Warrens established |
| The Conjuring 2 | 1977 | 2016; Croydon poltergeist |
| Annabelle | Late 1960s–1970s | 2014; doll creation precedes films |
| Annabelle Comes Home | 1976 | 1976; Samantha babysitting |
| The Curse of La Llorona | 1973 | 2019; Los Angeles case |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 1981 | 2023; first courtroom case |
Which Path Should You Choose?
Most viewers benefit from release order, because it preserves surprises and reflects how the series evolved with audience expectations. True completists who care about in-world chronology may prefer story timeline, but be aware that later revelations can color earlier scenes. Either way, the order to watch The Conjuring films centers on a small core set: The Conjuring, Annabelle, The Conjuring 2, The Nun, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. These deliver the most consistent scares, character development, and continuity within the Warren framework.
Key Supporting Entries and Variance
Not every Conjuring-brand release is essential to the core mythology. Crooked House functions as a standalone haunted-house mystery. The Curse of La Llorona draws from a different cultural well and can be watched independently. Short films and promotional material are optional and do not significantly alter main-arc continuity. If you want clarity on which movies truly move the overarching dial, focus on the central quartet and their direct sequels.
Continuity Notes and Future Directions
The timeline has been extended by Annabelle: Creation, which revisits the 1950s with a caretaker subplot, and by The Nun, which deepens Valak’s backstory before The Conjuring. The forthcoming The Haunted will reportedly center on the Warrens’ most infamous case, potentially anchoring a later chapter. For now, treat The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2 as the emotional and structural spine of the series, with Annabelle and The Nun as crucial world-building pieces that slot in near their historic settings.
Quick Recommendation Summary
- Casual viewers: Watch in release order to preserve impact.
- Completionists: Blend story timeline with release notes for full context.
- Minimal-first approach: The Conjuring, Annabelle, The Conjuring 2, The Nun, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
- Skip-light path: Skip Crooked House and The Curse of La Llorona without losing core continuity.