The Conjuring Franchise in Order: How to Actually Watch the Warren Universe

So, you want to get into the Warrens' files without losing your mind. It’s a mess. Most people think you just start with the first movie and keep going, but if you do that, you’re jumping across decades like a caffeinated time traveler. Watching the Conjuring franchise in order isn't just about clicking "play" on the 2013 original; it’s about deciding if you want to see the story the way the studio released it or the way the ghosts actually experienced it.

Let’s be real. James Wan didn't have a ten-movie roadmap when he filmed that first basement scene with the clapping hands. He just wanted to make a scary movie about Ed and Lorraine Warren. But then Annabelle happened. Then The Nun happened. Suddenly, we have a cinematic universe that rivals Marvel, only with more crucifixes and fewer capes. If you’re looking for the best way to tackle this, you’ve gotta understand the timeline splits.

The Cronological Headache: 1952 to 1981

If you want the "true" history of the curse, you start in Romania. Specifically, 1952. The Nun (2018) kicks everything off. It’s gothic, it’s moody, and it introduces Valak long before the Warrens ever heard a peep from a possessed music box. You’ve got Father Burke and Sister Irene dealing with a literal rift to hell. It’s basically the "Origin of Evil" chapter. Honestly, it’s a bit of a tonal shift from the later movies, but it sets the stakes.

Then things get weird with the doll. Annabelle: Creation (2017) takes us to 1955. This is where we see how that creepy wooden nightmare actually got its start. It’s a prequel to a prequel. It’s also arguably one of the scariest entries because David F. Sandberg knows how to use a dark hallway better than almost anyone in the business. After that, we jump to 1967 for the first Annabelle (2014) movie. This is the one where the doll ends up in a California apartment. It’s fine. It’s not the best of the bunch, but it’s the bridge that leads us to the main event.

The Meat of the Story: The 1970s

This is the sweet spot. 1971 is when The Conjuring takes place. The Perron family. The farmhouse. The "Hide and Clap" game that launched a thousand nightmares. This is the foundational text. If you're watching the Conjuring franchise in order by chronology, this is where Ed and Lorraine Warren finally enter the picture as the protagonists. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson bring a weirdly wholesome "dad and mom" energy to demonology that somehow just works.

Next up, logically, is Annabelle Comes Home (2019). It’s set in 1972, right after the Warrens bring the doll back to their artifact room. It’s basically Night at the Museum but with demons. It’s fun. It’s contained. It’s a nice breather before the heavy hitters.

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Then we hit The Curse of La Llorona in 1973. Now, there’s a bit of a debate here. Some fans don’t even count this as part of the "official" universe, but Tony Amendola shows up as Father Perez, and he’s holding a very specific doll. So, it counts. It’s a spin-off, sure, but it fills out the world.

Finishing the Timeline

• The Conjuring 2 (1977): The Enfield Poltergeist. London. Bill Wilkins. The "Crooked Man." This is peak James Wan.
• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (1981): The trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson. This moves away from the "haunted house" trope and into a legal thriller/detective vibe. It’s different, but it’s the most recent chronological point we have for the main trio.

The Release Date Path: Why Sometimes Newer is Better

Look, I’ll be honest with you. Watching these in chronological order for your first time is a mistake. Why? Because the movies assume you know things. When The Nun shows a photo of a group of sisters, the movie expects you to recognize a face from The Conjuring 2. If you haven't seen the 2016 sequel, that moment means nothing to you. The tension is built on payoff.

The release order looks like this:

1. The Conjuring (2013)
2. Annabelle (2014)
3. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
5. The Nun (2018)
6. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
7. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
9. The Nun II (2023)

Watching it this way lets you see the filmmaking evolve. You see how the budget grows. You see how the jump scares get more sophisticated. You also get to experience the mystery the way the original audiences did. There’s something special about seeing Valak’s shadow in a painting in 2016 and then finally learning where that demon came from two years later. It feels like solving a puzzle rather than just reading a history book.

What Most People Get Wrong About the Warrens

We have to talk about the "True Story" aspect. The marketing for these movies leans hard on the "based on the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren" angle. It’s brilliant SEO, frankly. But you’ve gotta take it with a massive grain of salt. The real Ed and Lorraine were controversial figures. Skeptics like Joe Nickell have spent decades debunking their claims, especially the Enfield and Amityville cases.

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For example, in The Conjuring 2, the movie depicts the Warrens as the primary investigators who saved the day in London. In reality? They showed up for a few days, were largely dismissed by the other investigators on site, and didn't have much to do with the actual resolution. The movie is a dramatization. A very, very good dramatization.

Does that ruin the movies? No. But understanding that these are "inspired by" rather than "documentaries of" helps you appreciate the craft. The franchise isn't trying to prove ghosts exist; it's trying to make you spill your popcorn.

The "Annabelle" Problem

Why are there three Annabelle movies? Honestly, because the doll is iconic. The real Annabelle doll is actually a Raggedy Ann doll—kinda cute, actually—but the movie version is a nightmare of cracked porcelain and staring eyes.

If you're trying to figure out the Conjuring franchise in order and you're feeling overwhelmed, you can technically skip the Annabelle movies and still understand the main Conjuring trilogy. But you’d be missing out on Creation, which is genuinely one of the best-directed horror films of the last decade. The first Annabelle is the weak link. It feels a bit rushed. If you're short on time, watch the main trilogy and Annabelle: Creation. You’ll get 90% of the important lore without the filler.

Why The Nun II Changed the Game

When The Nun II dropped in 2023, it did something interesting. It leaned into the "superhero" element of the Warren-verse. It expanded the lore of Saint Lucy and created a direct bloodline connection that fans are still arguing about on Reddit. It’s set in 1956, just four years after the first Nun movie. It bridges the gap between the ancient evil of Valak and the modern-day (well, 1970s) struggle of the Warrens. It’s essentially the "Empire Strikes Back" of the spin-offs. It’s darker, bigger, and much more violent.

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Survival Tips for a Binge Watch

If you're planning to marathon these, don't do it alone. Not because of ghosts—though, hey, maybe—but because these movies are designed for a crowd. The "jump scare" rhythm is very specific. James Wan uses a technique where he draws your attention to one corner of the screen, holds it for an uncomfortable amount of time, and then hits you from the other side.

• Audio is 50% of the scare: The sound design in this franchise is top-tier. Use a good soundbar or headphones. The silence is always a trap.
• Watch the background: Especially in The Conjuring 2 and The Nun, Valak is often hiding in plain sight before the "official" scare happens.
• The Credits Matter: Often, the credits feature real photos and audio recordings from the actual cases. The real Enfield recordings in the credits of the second movie are arguably creepier than anything in the film itself.

Future of the Franchise: The Last Rites

As of now, we're looking toward The Conjuring: Last Rites. It’s rumored to be the final main entry for Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson. There’s also talk of a TV series for Max. The universe isn't dying; it’s just evolving. The beauty of this franchise is its modularity. You can keep plugging in "case files" as long as there’s an audience.

But for now, the path is clear. Whether you go chronological for the "history" or release order for the "experience," you're in for some of the best-produced horror in cinema history. Just maybe leave a light on in the hallway.

Actionable Next Steps

If you’re ready to dive in, here is exactly how to start tonight:

1. Check your streaming services: Currently, Max (formerly HBO Max) is the primary home for the Conjuring universe, though licensing deals mean they occasionally pop up on Netflix or Hulu.
2. Start with the 2013 original: Even if you want to do a chronological run later, watch the first Conjuring first. It sets the tone and introduces the Warrens' basement, which is the "hub" for the entire world.
3. Prioritize "Creation" over "Annabelle": If you get bored during the first spin-off, don't give up. Skip to the 2017 prequel. It’s a massive step up in quality.
4. Look up the real cases afterward: Half the fun is reading the actual history of the Perrons or the Enfield haunting and seeing what the directors changed. It makes the movies feel "bigger" than just a two-hour runtime.