The world of The Conjuring is a big and spooky one, with a series of horror movies that are connected in some way or another. Some introduce us to the creepy doll Annabelle, moving from house to house, while others bring the ominous nun, Valak, to the screen. Despite each movie having a unique take on the supernatural world and a completely standalone story, they all link back to the cases handled by the infamous demonologist couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Now, the confusion regarding the watch order of The Conjuring movies starts with their odd release dates that contradict with their accurate watch order. That makes the viewers ask, what should be the correct order to cherish these horror gems? Some people watch the movies by release date. But for the best experience, many fans recommend watching them in chronological order.
Watch by story timeline (chronological order)
- The Nun (2018)
Set in 1952, this is where the evil demon Valak first appears. It sets up the demonic presence that continues throughout the universe, especially in The Conjuring 2.
- Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Set in 1955, the story shows how the Annabelle doll became a vessel for evil. It's directly connected to The Nun II through a character crossover in the post-credits scene.
- The Nun II (2023)
The Nun II takes place in 1956 and continues the story of Sister Irene. This movie shows how Valak's influence spreads and starts connecting more closely with the Warrens' future cases.
- Annabelle (2014)
This one takes place in 1967. It follows the cursed doll after it ends up with a new couple. It ties into the Warrens' world since the doll eventually reaches their artifact room.
- The Conjuring (2013)
This one happens in 1971 and is based on the Warrens’ famous Perron family case. This is where we first meet Ed and Lorraine as lead characters.
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
Annabelle Comes Home is set in 1972, and it takes place entirely in the Warren home, where Annabelle unleashes chaos in the artifact room. It brings back characters like Ed and Lorraine Warren.
- The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
While loosely connected, The Curse of La Llorona features Father Perez from Annabelle, creating a small link to the overall universe. The incident takes place in 1973.
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
This one happens in 1977 and follows the Warrens to England during the Enfield poltergeist case. Valak reappears as the terrifying Nun.
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
Set in 1981, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It explores a murder case where demonic possession was used as a legal defense. It is the first of its kind in the U.S. and another official case by the Warrens.
Watch by release order
Some fans prefer to watch the movies in the order they were released. Here’s how they came out in theaters:
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Annabelle (2014)
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- Annabelle: Creation (2017)
- The Nun (2018)
- The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
- The Nun II (2023)
Do you need to watch them all?
Honestly, you don't have to watch every single movie to enjoy The Conjuring Universe. Most of them tell their own story, so you can easily watch something like The Conjuring or Annabelle without needing to see what came before. But if you want the full spooky experience, like really understanding who Valak is or how Annabelle ended up in the Warrens' artifact room, then watching them all in timeline order definitely makes it more fun.
Also, watching everything helps you catch the little easter eggs and connections between characters. Some scenes make way more sense if you've seen the other films. For example, the ending of Annabelle: Creation hits harder if you’ve seen Annabelle. So while it’s not a must, you'll enjoy how all the stories link together.