The Conjuring franchise spans multiple series, spin-offs, and period pieces, making it easy to lose track of the correct Conjuring movies release order. This guide walks through every theatrical feature tied to the Warrens and the Enfield haunting chronologically, noting continuities, timelines, and viewing recommendations.
The Main Conjuring Series: Core Viewing Order
1. The Conjuring (2013)
The first feature follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they travel from case to case. The chronological entry point introduces their methodology, team dynamic, and the signature blend of historical research and supernatural investigation that defines the series.
2. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Set four years after the first, this installment revisits the Enfield Poltergeist case in London while also showcasing the couple’s wide caseload. It deepens the family dynamic and refines the scares, making it a natural follow-up.
Annabelle (2014)
Though released between the first and second Conjuring films, Annabelle is a prequel that explores the origin of a haunted doll encountered earlier. Intercut flashbacks reveal how the artifact becomes a conduit for evil before the Warrens secure it.
Annabelle: Creation (2017)
A period piece set in 1957, this film expands the doll’s mythology long before it reaches the Warrens. It functions as a tragic backstory that refines the rules of the universe without disrupting release expectations.
Annabelle Comes Home (1976)
The classic horror entry completes the doll trilogy and anchors the family tree chronologically. Its mid-century setting makes it an effective precursor to the modern investigations shown in the main series.
The Extended Universe and Spin-Offs
The Nun (2018)
Introducing Valak in Romania, this film layers another entity into the shared timeline. Its gothic styling and villain debut influence later Conjuring entries and clarify spatial stakes across Europe.
The Crooked Man (2020)
A smaller, character-driven case, the film explores a war veteran’s trauma through a folkloric creature. It aligns temporally after the second Conjuring but before later entries in the extended arc.
The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The first sequel to feature the Warrens post–Annabelle films, it deepens their history with a courtroom case tied to demonic influence. It strengthens continuity by reintroducing key artifacts and lore pieces.
The Conjuring: The Devil’s Bridge (2023)
A Portuguese chapter set in 1970s-era infrastructure, this installment revisits the idea of places holding imprints of evil. It connects geographically to other entries while respecting the main timeline’s integrity.
Conjuring Movies Release Order at a Glance
Use this table to plan a binge in production order while noting era and focus.
| Title | Year | Relation to Universe | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring (1978 case) | 2013 | Main series start | Case-based Warren investigations |
| The Conjuring 2 (1977 case) | 2016 | Continuation, deeper lore | Enfield and broader caseload |
| Annabelle (1969 backstory) | 2014 | Prequel spin-off | Doll origin and rules |
| Annabelle: Creation (1957 setting) | 2017 | Period prequel | Tragic origins of the doll |
| Annabelle Comes Home (1973 setting) | 1976 | Classic foundation | Locked-house haunting |
| The Nun (1952 Romania) | 2018 | Extended mythos | Entity introduction and geography |
| The Crooked Man (1940s trauma) | 2020 | Character-focused side story | War veteran and folklore creature |
| The Devil Made Me Do It (1981 case) | 2021 | First Warren sequel case | Courtroom and artifact continuity |
| The Conjuring: The Devil’s Bridge (1970s Portugal) | 2023 | Geographical expansion | Imprint-based haunting in infrastructure |
How to Approach the Viewing Experience
You can watch strictly by Conjuring movies release order to follow narrative reveals, or cluster by continuity to deepen mythos understanding. A recommended hybrid is to watch the three Annabelle films by period, then slot the main series and extended titles around them. This preserves chronological cause-and-effect while allowing tonal variety.
Why Order Matters in This Franchise
Each entry reinforces rules about how entities interact with spaces, artifacts, and witnesses. Early setups in the Conjuring movies release order inform later confrontations, so skipping or repositioning films can dull the impact of callbacks, design motifs, and earned dread.
Beyond Theatrical Features
Television series and miniseries expand the timeline but operate under separate production cadence. For a strictly theatrical roadmap anchored in the Conjuring movies release order, focus on the features listed here and treat spin-offs as enrichment rather than required scaffolding.
Final Viewing Recommendations
- For continuity purists: follow the chronological arc by period and consequence.
- For scare-first audiences: prioritize the main duo films and Annabelle trilogy.
- For mythos completists: include every feature that touches Warren history or artifact migration.
Use this Conjuring movies release order map as a durable reference, whether you’re planning a first-time watch or re-exploring a familiar mythology with an eye toward long-term universe structure.