In what order should you watch The Conjuring Universe films

The Conjuring Universe launched in 2013 with a focused haunted-house story and expanded into a shared cosmology of demonology and folk horror. For new viewers, the core question is how to approach the growing library of features and connected stories. This guide explains the recommended chronological order, the rationale behind character and mythology continuity, and alternative ways to watch depending on your preferences. You will understand which films form the central saga, where standalone entries fit, and how TV projects and cameos align.

Recommended canonical viewing order

Follow this sequence to experience character arcs and escalating mythology as the writers intended, moving chronologically from the 1940s to modern day.

1) The Conjuring (2013)

The introduction to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and the single-case format that defines the early era. Establishes key motifs and the moral stakes of the conflict between the Warrens and demonic forces.

2) The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

The only sequel that directly follows the Warrens, advancing their timeline and deepening their relationship with the legal and spiritual consequences of their cases.

3) Annabelle (2014)

A period-accurate Prologue set in 1969, even if released out of sequence. Best viewed before the later Annabelle installments to track the doll’s escalation.

4) Annabelle: Creation (2017)

An expansion of the doll’s origin, adding depth to its curse and rules. It is intentionally more folk-horror focused and less about the Warrens.

5) Annabelle Comes Home (1973) and its re-release context

The classic original haunted-house story, which the newer Annabelle films explicitly reference. Watching it after the prequels can improve appreciation of how the mythology feeds into earlier imagery.

6) The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Features an internationally scaled case with corroboration from the Warrens and hints at broader systemic threats. It benefits from knowing the rules and tone established earlier.

7) The Nun (2018)

Brings the Valak entity into sharp focus, directly setting up its encounter in The Conjuring 2. Placement here preserves the narrative bridge to future spinoffs.

8) The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

Connects to a distinct folklore tradition but is presented as a jurisdictional cousin case in the Warren framework. Watch after the main Annabelle line to avoid conflicting tones.

9) The Crooked Man (2020) short story within The Conjuring: Last Rites

If you include the linked short, treat it as an epilogue-level curiosity rather than a required thread for core continuity.

The alternate timeline approach

Some viewers prefer to group by franchise pillar rather than strict chronology, particularly if they like each series to breathe on its own.

• The Conjuring path: The Conjuring → The Conjuring 2 → The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
• Annabelle path: Annabelle → Annabelle: Creation → Annabelle Comes Home
• Standalone horror entry points: The Nun, The Curse of La Llorona, and related cameos

This structure reduces temporal whiplash for sensitive viewers by separating the family-centric entries from more graphic entries.

Extended universe and TV connections

The expanded series includes high-profile television entries that align with the lore but operate under looser scheduling expectations.

TV miniseries and specials

Rumor-pinned cameos and news snippets about future installments are noted here but treated as speculative until officially confirmed. When official timelines are announced, prioritize those over community extrapolation.

Why order matters in shared horror universes

Unlike standalone features, shared universes rely on consistent rules, escalating threats, and callbacks that reward attention. Placing Annabelle prequles before their legacy sequels maintains cause-and-effect clarity. Keeping The Conjuring entries close to their chronological positions preserves the sense of mounting stakes across cases. This structure helps new viewers understand how cross-film threats can legitimately evolve without feeling arbitrarily reordered for marketing.

Factors that may change the ideal sequence for you

Health considerations, sensitivity to specific scare tactics, or a preference for tonal variety can justify reordering. If you dislike period horror, you might watch Annabelle Comes Home later; if you favor doll-centric stories, you could front-load the Annabelle trilogy. Families watching with younger viewers may choose to delay certain entries regardless of recommended order.

Quick reference: suggested orders