Conjuring movies where to watch right now if you want a serious scare

You know that feeling when the basement light flickers and you suddenly remember every creepy doll movie you’ve ever seen? That’s the "Conjuring" effect. Since James Wan dropped the first film in 2013, this franchise has basically become the gold standard for modern supernatural horror. It isn't just one movie anymore; it’s a massive, sprawling universe of demons, possessed nuns, and very stressed-out paranormal investigators. If you're hunting for conjuring movies where to watch them without jumping between five different subscriptions, honestly, it’s a bit of a scavenger hunt right now. Streaming rights for these films shift faster than a ghost in a dark hallway.

The current streaming map for the Warren files

Let's get straight to the point because nobody likes scrolling through three pages of fluff when they just want to see Patrick Wilson look concerned in a turtleneck. As of early 2026, the primary home for the majority of the Conjuring Universe is Max (formerly HBO Max). Since these are Warner Bros. Discovery properties, Max is usually the safest bet. You’ll typically find the core trilogy—The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It—sitting right there in the horror section.

But things get weird when you start looking for the spin-offs.

Sometimes Annabelle is on Max, but then she might wander over to Hulu or Netflix for a few months because of licensing deals made years ago. If you’re in the UK, your best bet is often NOW or Sky Cinema. In Canada? Check Crave. If you're a purist and want the highest possible bit rate—because seeing the grain in the shadows matters—buying or renting on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video is the only way to guarantee you won't lose access mid-marathon.

It’s annoying. I know.

One day a movie is there, the next it’s "currently unavailable in your region." Always check a live aggregator like JustWatch or Google’s own search tool before you commit to a new monthly sub just for one movie.

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Why everyone is obsessed with Ed and Lorraine

There’s something weirdly comforting about the Warrens. Most horror movies feature disposable teenagers who make terrible decisions, but James Wan gave us a married couple who actually like each other. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson bring this grounded, almost domestic energy to these terrifying situations.

The real Ed and Lorraine Warren were polarizing figures in the paranormal world. Skeptics like Joe Nickell or the New England Skeptical Society have spent decades debunking their claims, pointing out that many of their "haunted" artifacts were just everyday objects given a spooky backstory. But the movies don't really care about the skepticism. They lean into the melodrama. They treat the Warrens' occult museum in Monroe, Connecticut, like a superhero's headquarters.

The best order to watch (and where to find them)

If you’re doing a marathon, you have two choices: release order or chronological order. Release order is usually better for first-timers because the scares are paced out correctly. If you go chronological, you start with The Nun, which is... a choice.

1. The Conjuring (2013): This is the masterpiece. It’s set in 1971 at the Perron farmhouse. You can usually find this on Max. It’s the essential starting point.
2. Annabelle (2014): A prequel about the doll. Honestly? It's the weakest of the bunch. It often pops up on Netflix or library apps like Hoopla.
3. The Conjuring 2 (2016): The Enfield Poltergeist. This one is arguably scarier than the first. Look for it on Max or for rent on Vudu/Fandango at Home.
4. Annabelle: Creation (2017): A massive step up from the first Annabelle. This one explains where the doll actually came from.
5. The Nun (2018): Set in 1952 Romania. Very atmospheric, very loud. It broke box office records for the franchise.
6. The Curse of La Llorona (2019): People argue if this is "official" canon. It has Father Perez from Annabelle, so it counts. Usually on Max.
7. Annabelle Comes Home (2019): Basically Night at the Museum but with demons. It’s fun, fast-paced, and usually stays on Max.
8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021): The courtroom drama entry.
9. The Nun II (2023): A surprisingly solid sequel that fixes a lot of the issues people had with the first one.

The technical side of the scares

Why do these movies work so well on a small screen? It’s the "negative space." James Wan and directors like David F. Sandberg are experts at holding a shot on a doorway or a dark corner just a few seconds longer than feels comfortable. Your brain starts to fill in the gaps.

If you’re watching these at home, sound is everything. The sound design in The Conjuring 2—specifically the scene with the "Crooked Man"—is designed to mess with your directional hearing. If you’ve got a soundbar or decent headphones, use them. These aren't just jump-scare movies; they're "dread" movies.

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Breaking down the "True Story" claims

Every movie starts with "Based on the true case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren."

Take that with a massive grain of salt.

For example, in the real-life Enfield Poltergeist case (the basis for the second movie), most investigators believe the children were faking the phenomena. There’s actually famous footage of one of the girls bending spoons and jumping off her bed to simulate being "thrown." The movie, however, turns it into a full-blown demonic siege with a nun-demon named Valak.

The Perron family from the first movie maintains to this day that their house was haunted, but the "exorcism" shown in the film never actually happened. Ed Warren didn't perform an exorcism; he performed a séance that allegedly went very wrong, leading the family to kick him out. It’s these little gaps between reality and Hollywood that make the franchise so fascinating to research after you’ve finished watching.

Practical tips for your "Conjuring" binge

Finding conjuring movies where to watch is just the first step. To get the most out of the experience, you need to set the stage. These aren't "background noise" movies.

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• Turn off the motion smoothing: If your TV has "Auto Motion Plus" or "Motion Smoothing" on, turn it off. It makes film look like a soap opera and kills the cinematic lighting of these horror films.
• Check the "Extra" sections: If you’re watching on Max, look at the "Extras" tab. They often have short documentaries about the real Warrens and the actual haunted objects.
• Watch the shorts: David F. Sandberg, who directed Annabelle: Creation, got his start making viral horror shorts on YouTube. His short Lights Out is what got him the job. It’s a great companion piece to the franchise.

The landscape for these movies is always changing. Last year, The Conjuring briefly left Max and ended up on Netflix for three months before heading back home. This is why many horror fans are returning to physical media. Having the 4K Blu-ray of the original film means you never have to worry about licensing wars.

What’s next for the franchise?

There is more coming. The Conjuring: Last Rites is the title floating around for the fourth (and potentially final) main entry. There’s also constant talk of a TV series in development for Max. The world isn't done with the Warrens yet.

If you find that a specific movie isn't on your service today, it’s likely in a "blackout" period. This happens when a cable network like TNT or AMC buys the broadcast rights for a few weeks—usually around October. During those times, the movies might disappear from streaming apps entirely for 30 days.

Actionable steps for your movie night

1. Search "The Conjuring" on Max first. It is the most consistent home for the series.
2. Use a cross-platform search tool. Apps like JustWatch or the "Search" function on an Apple TV/Roku will tell you instantly which of the 9+ films are currently free on your specific subscriptions.
3. Check your local library. This is a pro tip people forget. Apps like Kanopy or Hoopla (which link to your library card) often carry the Annabelle movies for free.
4. Sync your watch. If you're watching with friends remotely, use a service like Teleparty. These movies rely heavily on timing, and being even two seconds out of sync ruins the jump scares.
5. Look for the "The Conjuring Universe" bundle. On digital stores like Vudu or Amazon, they often sell the entire 7 or 8-film collection for about $40. It's often cheaper than renting them all individually over a weekend.

Don't overthink the order. Just start with the first one, turn the lights down, and keep your feet off the floor. That's where they grab you.