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Since its release in the year 2013, The Conjuring Universe has petrified viewers internationally, setting its place as one of the most well-off horror franchises to have ever been made at least in recent times.
Bridging over numerous decades in its story, this interrelated universe has grown into an extensive and frightening collection of films that dives deep into the supernatural and eerie cases inspected by real-life paranormal demonologist scholars Ed and Lorraine Warren.
With a combination of continuations of films, films that precede the others along with some spin-offs, the entirety of the universe investigates sinister relics, demonic beings, and cursed entities across several periods.
For those of you wanting to run through the franchise in chronological order, rather than its order of release dates, the timeline can be a little fiddly. With films moving from the 1940s and 1980s, keeping a record of where each film fits can be intimidating.
This guide will thoroughly walk you through the frightening world of The Conjuring Universe in the order the films unfold within a proper chronological timeline.
1) The Nun (2018) – Set in 1952
Starting the Conjuring Universe chronology is The Nun, set in the year 1952 in Saint Carta Monastery in Romania. The film follows Father Burke (Demián Bichir) and Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) as they are sent by priests from the Vatican to examine an unexplained suicide at the convent.
Their calling soon makes itself known for something far more menacing: the infernal creature Valak – “The Marquis of Snakes”, who plagues the abbey's dark passageways. As they dig further, they come across a disturbing secret about the genesis of this spiteful force.
Although the nun was released years after The Conjuring, The Nun acts as the chronological opening for the universe. The film’s closing scene ties together precisely into The Conjuring, relating it to the happenings that unfold in the Warrens’ research.
2) Annabelle: Creation (2017) – Set in 1955
Three years after the proceedings of The Nun, the chronology shifts to 1955 in California with Annabelle: Creation. This film acts as a prelude to Annabelle (2014) and offers the entirety of the paranormal background for the notoriously evil doll that to an extremely grave extent tortures its prey.
The story follows Samuel and Esther Mullins, a couple grief-stricken by the loss of their daughter – Annabelle/Bee, who mistakenly give a free rein to an evil entity when they take in some orphan girls and a nun – Sister Charlotte.
This film dives into the roots of the sinister doll, disclosing how it turned into a channel for other demonic energies.
A post-credit scene in the film teases The Nun, expanding and interlinking the entire franchise’s chronology.
3) The Nun II (2023) – Set in 1956
The next film in the universe takes place four years after The Nun, with The Nun II set in 1956 in Tarascon, France. Sister Irene, now living an uninterrupted life, is yet again obliged to face up to Valak the demon when unexpected episodes take place at a Catholic boarding school.
As the demonic nun returns, Sister Irene must give it her all to avert the entity from acquiring control of an impressive relic—the eyes of St. Lucy.
This second installment to The Nun shapes on the gruesome legacy of Valak and links even more straightforwardly to the comprehensive Conjuring Universe, further hardening the demon’s authority in the overall story.
4) Annabelle (2014) – Set in 1967
Moving on to 1967, Annabelle follows the terrifying repercussions of the incidents that were set up in Annabelle: Creation.
A young couple, Mia and John, come into ownership of the eerie Annabelle doll, which soon commences inflicting mayhem on their daily normal lives. The ominous presence of the porcelain doll troubles them ruthlessly, leading to their frantic efforts to free themselves of its alarming presence.
While Annabelle was the second film that was released in The Conjuring Universe, its alignment in the chronology falls just before The Conjuring, as it confirms the doll’s unnatural past before it lands in the hands of demonologists – Ed and Lorraine Warren.
5) The Conjuring (2013) – Set in 1971
The film that made the universe fall into its place, The Conjuring, is set in 1971 and it finally *chronologically* brings in Ed and Lorraine Warren for the first time, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.
The film focuses on the Warrens' inspection of the Perron family's haunted Rhode Island isolated farmhouse, which is afflicted by an ill-omened demonic manifestation. As the Warrens crack into the history of the house, they discover that the house has a history crammed with witchcraft, demonic manifestation, and ominous rituals all done by a witch and Satan worshipper – Bathsheeba Sherman.
The Conjuring lays the starting foundation for the franchise, introducing the evil and notorious Annabelle doll during the first few minutes of the film and beginning the unnatural, connected world of paranormal horrors that would be looked at in the films to come.
6) Annabelle Comes Home (2019) – Set in 1972
Taking place in 1972, Annabelle Comes Home is Annabelle haunting the Warrens’ young daughter, Judy (Mckenna Grace), at the Warren residence as she turns into the newest possession of the notorious demonic doll.
The film gains traction right after Ed and Lorraine Warren cage in Annabelle inside their artifact room with several other cursed objects, imagining they’ve sheltered away her menacing influence.
Nonetheless, when they leave town to conduct an investigation, Judy is left under the watch of her babysitter Mary Ellen and her friend Daniela—who, out of inquisitiveness, naively set free Annabelle’s malevolence once again along with other cursed objects like – the bride, a demonic dog/wolf, the ferryman and much more.
This film dives deep into the spine-chilling collection of supernatural artifacts collected by the Warrens over the years, investigating countless cases, resulting in more than a few new evil spirits into the Conjuring Universe.
7) The Curse of La Llorona (2019) – Set in 1973
With the film chiefly being on the periphery of the main narrative, The Curse of La Llorona is an add-on to the Conjuring Universe, constructed around the Latin American legend of the Weeping Woman.
Set in the year 1973 in Los Angeles, the story follows Anna, a widowed social worker who accidentally lets a spiteful spirit into her home. Desperate to save her children from the vengeful ghost, she seeks the help of former priest-turned-curandero Rafael Olvera (Raymond Cruz).
While the film’s connections to the main Conjuring storylines are small, Father Perez (Tony Amendola), last seen in Annabelle, appears for a short while in the film, offering a small bridge that joins the entire Conjuring universe.
8) The Conjuring 2 (2016) – Set in 1977
Going back to the cases handled by the Warrens, The Conjuring 2 gets the audiences to feel every single moment of the events that transpired in England, 1977. With the Enfield Poltergeist, the film opens with a chilling glimpse into the Warrens and their involvement with the famous Amityville Horror case before shifting the focus to the Hodgson family, whose home is plagued by an aggressive supernatural entity.
Among the film’s most notable introductions is, you guessed it – Valak, the demonic nun who would later go on to receive her very own spin-off series. The Conjuring 2 also brings in The Crooked Man to up the horror.
Once again directed by James Wan, this 2nd installment of The Conjuring glues the Warrens’ legacy in the Conjuring Universe while expanding the universe with even more terrifying entities.
9) The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) – Set in 1980
Moving forward to the 1980s, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It dramatizes one of the Warrens’ most provocative and debatable case—the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson.
After an exorcism gone wrong in 1980, Johnson becomes possessed by a demonic force and later commits a murder under the influence of said demonic force. His legal defense, claiming demonic possession as the reasons for his crime, marks a shocking real-life moment in paranormal history.
This third main Conjuring entry leaves behind the haunted house formula they executed with the previously made two films, but instead, this time, they blend supernatural horror with a crime and investigative thriller element.
Lorraine and Ed Warren take on the Arnie’s case of trying to prove Johnson’s claims, digging into occult rituals and cursed objects to discover the actual truth behind the spiteful force. Michael Chaves takes the director’s seat, steering the franchise into darker, legal and into a more psychological territory.
What’s Next for The Conjuring Universe?
For fans who are eager and are waiting for more, The Conjuring 4—currently titled The Conjuring: Last Rites—is set to end the main storyline, with a release date of September 5, 2025.
Directed once again by Michael Chaves, this final film aims to blend the Warrens’ legacy, bringing an end to their on-screen investigations. Even though this may or may not be a final goodbye to the Warrens, this is definitely NOT the last we will see of The Conjuring.
Beyond the films, a Conjuring Universe television series is also currently in development for the streaming service Max. While details remain unknown, the series is expected to explore new supernatural cases within the already established lore, keeping the eerie world of the universe alive for at least a few more years.
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With the franchise’s future still unfolding, one thing remains certain—the Conjuring Universe has cemented itself as one of modern horror’s most enduring and chilling cinematic sagas and we cannot wait for more!
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