You remember the summer of 2021, right? Everyone was just starting to peek their heads out of their houses again. We were all desperate for a reason to sit in a dark room with strangers and scream our lungs out. That’s exactly when The Conjuring 3 release date finally hit, and honestly, it wasn’t just another horror movie drop—it was a whole vibe shift for the franchise.
Technically titled The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, the film officially landed in U.S. theaters on June 4, 2021. But there was a catch. Because we were still living in that weird "in-between" time, Warner Bros. did that controversial day-and-date thing where they put it on HBO Max at the exact same time. If you were in the UK, you actually got a head start with a May 26, 2021 release.
It was a gamble. Huge.
What really happened with the original schedule?
Believe it or not, we were supposed to see Ed and Lorraine Warren back in action much sooner. The original plan was for a September 11, 2020 release. Then the world shut down. Like everything else in Hollywood, the demons had to wait.
The delay was a bummer for fans, but it actually gave the marketing team more time to lean into the "true story" aspect of the Arne Cheyenne Johnson trial. That’s the real-life 1981 case where a guy claimed he killed his landlord because he was possessed. Crazy, right? It was the first time in U.S. history that demonic possession was used as a legal defense.
The Conjuring 3 release date: A messy but successful rollout
When June 4 finally rolled around, the box office numbers were actually pretty shocking. Despite being available for "free" to HBO Max subscribers, the movie pulled in over $24 million in its opening weekend in the States. It even knocked A Quiet Place Part II off the top spot for a minute.
People were hungry for the Warrens.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga have this chemistry that just makes the movies work, even when the plot gets a little wonky. This time around, James Wan wasn't directing—he handed the reins to Michael Chaves. You might know him from The Curse of La Llorona. Chaves took the series out of the "haunted house" box and turned it into more of a supernatural detective thriller.
Why the streaming release changed things
Honestly, the simultaneous release on Max (then HBO Max) was a double-edged sword. On one hand, you could watch a priest perform an exorcism while eating cereal in your pajamas. On the other, it definitely ate into the long-term box office potential.
Still, the movie ended up grossing over $206 million worldwide. Against a budget of about $39 million? That’s a massive win. It proved that the "Conjuring Universe" had legs, even without a creepy doll or a nun hiding in the shadows of a hallway.
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- Theatrical Release: June 4, 2021 (USA)
- Streaming Premiere: June 4, 2021 (HBO Max for 31 days)
- Digital Purchase: July 23, 2021
- Physical Media (Blu-ray/DVD): August 24, 2021
Fact-checking the "The Devil Made Me Do It" claims
The movie takes some... let’s call them "creative liberties." In the film, there’s this whole subplot with a satanist occultist played by Eugenie Bondurant. In real life? Not so much. The actual trial of Arne Johnson focused way more on the legal impossibility of the defense than on the Warrens chasing a witch through the woods.
Arne was ultimately convicted of first-degree manslaughter. He served about five years of a 10-to-20-year sentence. He and Debbie Glatzel actually stayed together and got married later. It’s a strangely romantic ending for a story that starts with a kid getting pushed into a waterbed by a demon.
Where can you watch it now?
Since it's 2026, the landscape has shifted again. The movie is a staple on Max, and it usually pops up on Netflix or Hulu depending on how the licensing deals are swinging this month. If you haven't seen it yet, it's the bridge that leads directly into the latest installment, The Conjuring: Last Rites, which hit theaters in late 2025.
If you're planning a marathon, here is the most effective way to do it:
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- Start with The Nun (1952 setting)
- Hit the Annabelle prequels
- Watch the first two Conjuring films
- End with The Devil Made Me Do It (1981 setting)
The jump scares in the third one aren't as "knock-you-off-your-couch" as the first film, but the investigation into the Glatzel family's trauma feels a lot more grounded. Well, as grounded as a movie about devil-worshiping totems can be.
Actionable steps for your next horror night
If you're looking to dive back into the Warrens' case files, your best bet is to check out the documentary The Devil on Trial on Netflix. It features actual interviews with the Glatzel brothers and Arne Johnson himself. It’s a perfect companion piece to the movie because it shows the massive rift the case caused in the family. Some of them still believe it was a demon; others think the Warrens were just looking for a payday.
Check your local streaming listings to see if The Devil Made Me Do It is currently bundled with the rest of the franchise. Most platforms offer a "Conjuring Universe" collection that saves you a few bucks compared to renting them individually. Also, keep an eye out for the 4K Ultra HD version—the cinematography by Michael Burgess looks incredible in HDR, especially during the dark basement scenes.