The Conjuring Universe has become one of modern horror’s most expansive and durable shared worlds, rooted in the period supernatural investigations of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. This guide maps every The Conjuring movie in release order and explains how each film connects to real cases, recurring characters, and broader mythos. Below, you will find a clear narrative pathway through the central films, the spinoffs that widen the universe, and essential context for understanding the legacy of these movies.
The Core Conjuring Films in Chronological Narrative Order
Although the movies were not released according to the in-universe timeline, the central Warren-led stories can be grouped to reflect the development of the universe. The earliest filmed story in production terms is The Conjuring (2013), which introduces the Warrens as seasoned investigators confronting a demonically corrupted farmhouse in 1971 Rhode Island. This film establishes recurrent visual language and thematic concerns—religious iconography, family vulnerability, and methodical paranormal investigation—that persist across the series. The Enfield case anchors The Conjuring 2 (2016), widening the scope with more domestic horror and a skeptical institutional backdrop. Later entries continue the marriage of spiritual warfare and domestic dread, culminating in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), which pushes the mythology into courtrooms and doctrinal debates about demonic influence.
Conjuring Movies in Release Order: A Complete List
Here are the main The Conjuring movies in the order they were released, with concise context for each. The core Warren films anchor the lineup, while spinoffs and variations extend the universe.
| Title | Year | Primary Focus | Relation to Main Universe |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | 2013 | Haunted farmhouse case | Introduces Ed and Lorraine Warren |
| The Conjuring 2 | 2016 | Enfield poltergeist case | Deepens Warren methodology |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 2021 | Murder trial with demonic claim | Expands legal and theological stakes |
| The Nun | 2018 | Origins of Valak | Prequel/adjacent to chronology |
| The Crooked Man | 2023 | Folkloric creature investigation | New continuity strand |
| Annabelle | 2014 | Cursed doll origin story | Spinoff set in same house |
| Annabelle: Creation | 2017 | Doll backstory prequel | Earlier timeline of the doll |
| Annabelle Comes Home | 1973 | Doll haunting a family | Classic era reference point |
| The Bride in Black | 2025 | TBA | Upcoming, details unconfirmed |
Core Warren-Led Films: The Heart of the Series
The Warren cases form the spine of the franchise because they approach the supernatural from a procedural, evidentiary angle. Rather than relying only on shock, they emphasize documentation, religious skepticism, and the emotional toll on families. This section focuses on the primary trio of The Conjuring movies that follow Ed and Lorraine Warren directly.
The Conjuring (2013)
Set in 1971, this inaugural film presents the Warrens’ methodology in a relatively grounded form. They are called to assist a family terrorized in a remote farmhouse, and the narrative balances slow-building tension with clear stakes. The movie lays groundwork for recurring visual motifs, such as distorted religious imagery and the idea of an invading presence, while centering the emotional resilience of the family unit.
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Moving to England, the sequel examines the Enfield poltergeist case with a wider lens. It explores skepticism, media attention, and institutional doubt, which deepens the moral and philosophical questions surrounding the Warren work. The film’s scope is larger in terms of setting and investigation, and it further cements the idea that the Warrens operate not as ghost hunters for hire but as compelled witnesses to patterns of spiritual unrest.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
In the third main Warren installment, the universe expands into legal and theological arenas, as a murder trial invokes demonic possession as a defense. This shift introduces new institutional adversaries and broadens the conversation about belief, evidence, and responsibility. Notably, the film addresses the idea of a copycat claim and attempts to tie individual cases into a larger pattern, reinforcing the franchise’s evolving continuity.
Spinoffs and Ancillary Stories: Expanding the Mythos
Beyond the Warren-centric trilogy, The Conjuring movies include several spinoffs that explore different corners of the shared universe. These films vary in scope and narrative function, from deep prequels to lateral investigations of singular haunted objects or entities.
The Nun and The Crooked Man
The Nun (2018) investigates the origins of Valak, a villain introduced incidentally in The Conjuring 2. By tracing the entity’s roots, it functions as a prequel while also branching into new geographical and atmospheric territory. The Crooked Man (2023) takes a different approach, focusing on a folkloric creature tied to greed and pacts, representing an effort to diversify the types of threats within the universe without directly involving the Warrens.
The Annabelle Line
The doll-centric films—including Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017), and the classic Annabelle Comes Home (1973)—explore the idea of an object that serves as a conduit for malignant presence. Annabelle: Creation is widely regarded as a narrative prequel that enriches the mythos by showing how the doll became a vessel for evil. Together, these films demonstrate how the universe can expand through related artifacts and haunted settings while maintaining a cohesive sense of danger.
Placement in Horror History and Legacy
The Conjuring movies revitalized interest in slow-burn, atmospheric horror rooted in case-file structure. By centering purportedly true events, they blurred the line between documentary and fiction, inviting viewers to engage with questions of evidence and belief. The recurring presence of the Warrens created a sense of continuity rarely seen in modern horror, where sequels often reset stakes. This lineage has influenced numerous imitators and established a template for building long-term mythologies through interconnected films.
Recurring Themes and Visual Language
Across The Conjuring movies, several motifs recur with notable consistency. Religious iconography—particularly crucifixes, saint medals, and distorted imagery—functions both as a source of protection and a symbol of corrupted faith. Family homes, even when varied in location and era, serve as pressure cookers for personal histories, making the horror intimate rather than abstract. The Warrens themselves appear as stabilizing forces amid chaos, though their presence also raises questions about risk, obsession, and the boundaries of intervention.
How to Approach the Conjuring Universe as a New Viewer
For those new to The Conjuring movies, a recommended pathway can balance accessibility and depth. Starting with the core Warren films in release order offers a clear introduction to the central mythology and character dynamics. From there, spinoffs can be explored based on specific interests—whether in artifacts, origins of entities, or standalone investigations. Keeping track of cross-references enhances the experience but is not essential, as each film is designed to function reasonably well on its own while rewarding attentive viewers.