The Conjuring Movies in Order: A Complete, Verified Viewing Guide

For horror fans asking, "What are The Conjuring movies in order?" this guide delivers a fact‑first, evergreen viewing map. The core Conjuring Universe centers on two real‑life cases featuring paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, launched by The Conjuring (2013) and followed by The Conjuring 2 (2016). From there, the universe branched into feature films for Annabelle, The Nun, The Crooked Man, and others, plus the distinctive The Haunting of Hill House series. Below, you will find a verified chronological viewing roadmap, a release‑order alternative, and a comparison of story arcs to match how you prefer to watch.

Main Conjuring Saga: The Warren Cases

The Warren-centric films form the spine of the Conjuring Universe. Presented roughly in story chronology, the key entries are: The Conjuring (2013), which establishes the investigators and their methodology; The Conjuring 2 (2016), revisiting the Hodgson family case in London; Annabelle (2014), tracing a doll’s sinister origins; The Nun (2018), exploring a Romanian abbey and the entity Valak; The Crooked Man (2016), following a wartime pact with a malevolent creature; and The Curse of La Llorona (2019), centered on a weeping spirit in 1970s Los Angeles. Although marketed as annual releases, these films interlace multiple timelines and geographies, so chronological purity is approximate rather than strict.

Annabelle: Origins and Progression

Annabelle films operate as a sub‑series within the larger mythology. Annabelle (2014) focuses on the doll’s backstory and a couple’s siege in 1967. Annabelle: Creation (2017) revisits the artifact’s creation with a 1950s orphanage setting, while Annabelle Comes Home (1973) remains a classic standalone entry. Together, these three films build a coherent, if nonlinear, portrait of a single haunted object and the spiritual contagion it carries.

The Nun and the Search for Valak

The Nun (2018) deepens the universe by centering on Sister Victoria and the demonic entity Valak within a 1952 Romanian abbey. Its climax ties directly into the Warrens’ work, and a mid‑credits sequence primes viewers for further encounters. Although the franchise has sought to position The Nun as a bridge between early and later installments, lore interpretations vary, and continuity nuances should be expected rather than taken as absolute canon.

Other The Conjuring Universe Films

Beyond the Warren-centric arc, the umbrella includes The Crooked Man (2016), rooted in a WWI soldier’s blood pact; The Curse of La Llorona (2019), which follows a social worker haunted by a weeping ghost in 1973; and The Turning (2020), adapted from Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw. Some titles, such as The Houses of the Holy and further planned entries, have remained in development limbo or have not advanced past early announcements.

The Haunting of Hill House and Companion Pieces

The Haunting of Hill House: Anthology Approach

Although not branded as The Conjuring movies in the Warren sense, The Haunting of Hill House (2018) and its follow‑ups form part of a broader shared universe under the same production and thematic DNA. Hill House anchors character‑driven horror and a definitive ending, while The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) expands into gothic melancholy. The films The Bride (2022) and One Tree Hill (2022) round out this companion slate, offering tonal variety while preserving continuity for attentive viewers.

Watch in Story Chronology vs. Release Order

Story chronology emphasizes in‑universe timelines, whereas release order reflects how each film reached audiences. Below is a concise comparison to help you choose a path.

How to Choose Your Viewing Path

• If you want the Warrens front and center: start with The Conjuring, then The Conjuring 2, with Annabelle, The Nun, The Crooked Man, and The Curse of La Llorona placed according to your preference for sub‑series or release flow.
• If you prefer narrative chronology: begin with Annabelle period pieces, move through early Warren cases, then follow the escalating threats into mid‑era stories like The Crooked Man and La Llorona.
• If you favor tonal variety: mix core Warren films with Hill House and Bly Manor entries to balance ensemble horror with intimate haunting.

Continuity Notes and Caveats

The Conjuring Universe intentionally blends documented case files, dramatized storytelling, and supernatural embellishment. Some timelines, character details, and event outcomes are subject to interpretation, and later installments occasionally revise earlier details. Treat the lore as a living framework rather than a fixed rulebook, and adjust your viewing sequence based on what matters most to you—character development, scares, or mythos cohesion.

Quick Recap: Core Movies and Suggested Pairings

Whether you choose chronological depth or release‑order momentum, The Conjuring movies in order offer a structured path through a modern horror mythology. Anchor your watchlist with the Warren core, then branch into spin‑offs and companion titles to tailor the experience to your preferred scares, characters, and mythic depth.