You’d think it would be simple. You grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and hit play on the first movie that came out. But if you try to watch every The Conjuring movie in order, you’ll realize pretty quickly that the release dates are a total mess compared to the actual story timeline. It’s a jigsaw puzzle. James Wan basically kickstarted a whole universe back in 2013, but he didn't do it chronologically. Not even close.
Watching these films is like trying to solve a cold case using files that were dropped down a flight of stairs. You have the main Warren cases, then you have these spin-offs about a creepy doll, and then suddenly there's a demonic nun in 1950s Romania. It’s a lot. If you want to actually understand how the demon Valak gets from point A to point B, or why Annabelle is such a problem, you have to look at the years the stories actually take place.
The Timeline Problem: Why Release Date is a Trap
Most people just watch them as they hit theaters. That's fine if you like being surprised, but honestly, it makes the lore feel disconnected. If you watch The Conjuring 2 before The Nun, you’re seeing the "end" of a specific haunting before you even know where the ghost came from. It's backwards.
The franchise is anchored by Ed and Lorraine Warren. They were real people. Controversial? Definitely. But their "files" provide the backbone for everything. The movies take massive creative liberties—obviously—but the internal logic of the Conjuring Universe depends on a very specific sequence of events that started long before the Warrens even met.
Starting at the Very Beginning: The 1950s
If you’re going for the chronological route, you have to start with The Nun. It’s set in 1952. This is the origin of Valak. It’s dark, it’s gothic, and it sets the stakes for everything else. You see a monastery in Romania where things have gone horribly wrong. This isn't just a scary movie; it's the literal foundation of the evil that haunts the Warrens decades later.
Then comes The Nun II, which jumps ahead slightly to 1956. This one follows Sister Irene again, but moves the action to France. It's essential because it bridges the gap between the ancient evil and the modern era. Without these two, the "big bad" of the later movies just feels like a random monster under the bed. Here, it’s a character.
The Annabelle Trilogy is Its Own Beast
Annabelle is the breakout star. Let's be real. But her movies are all over the place. To see The Conjuring movie in order correctly, you actually have to watch the second Annabelle movie first. Annabelle: Creation takes us back to 1943 (briefly) and then 1955. It explains how the doll was made. It wasn't just a toy; it was a conduit. A grieving father made a deal he shouldn't have. Classic horror trope, but it works because the atmosphere is so suffocating.
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- Annabelle (2014): This happens in 1967. It’s right before the first Conjuring movie. A young couple gets the doll, and everything goes to hell.
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019): This one is tricky. It starts in 1968, right after the Warrens take the doll from the nurses (which we saw in the first Conjuring's intro), but most of the movie happens a year later in 1969.
This means the Annabelle "arc" is basically a prequel sandwich. You have the creation in the 50s, the first hauntings in the late 60s, and then the doll being locked up in the Warrens' room of artifacts. If you don't watch them in this specific sequence, Annabelle just seems like a doll that keeps popping up for no reason.
The Meat of the Story: The 1970s
This is where the franchise really hits its stride. The Conjuring (the original 2013 film) is set in 1971. This is the Perron family case. It’s arguably the best movie in the series because it focuses so much on the chemistry between Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. They make the Warrens feel like real, tired, empathetic people.
Then you have The Curse of La Llorona in 1973. A lot of people debate if this is even "canon." But Father Perez is in it, and he’s the same guy from Annabelle, so it counts. It’s a side story, sure, but it fills out the world. It shows that the Warrens aren't the only ones dealing with this stuff.
Finally, The Conjuring 2 lands in 1977. This is the Enfield Poltergeist. It’s famous. It’s loud. It’s also where we see the "Crooked Man" and more of Valak. Watching this after The Nun movies is a totally different experience because you actually recognize the demon. You’re not just scared; you’re like, "Oh, it's you again."
The Final Chapter (For Now)
The most recent main entry, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, moves the timeline into the 1980s. Specifically 1981. This one is different. It’s more of a legal thriller mixed with a detective story. It’s based on the real trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed demonic possession as a defense for murder. It’s the furthest along in the timeline. It feels more modern, the stakes are more grounded in reality, and the Warrens are noticeably older and more worn down.
Mapping the Master List
If you want to sit down and binge these correctly, here is the chronological blueprint. No fluff. Just the years.
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- The Nun (Set in 1952)
- The Nun II (Set in 1956)
- Annabelle: Creation (Set in 1955, with 1943 prologue)
- Annabelle (Set in 1967)
- The Conjuring (Set in 1971)
- Annabelle Comes Home (Set in 1969/1972 - it overlaps)
- The Curse of La Llorona (Set in 1973)
- The Conjuring 2 (Set in 1977)
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (Set in 1981)
Some fans argue about Annabelle Comes Home and where it sits. It technically starts in 1968 but the bulk of the "babysitter" plot is later. Honestly, placing it right after the first Conjuring movie makes the most narrative sense because you've just been introduced to the Warrens' museum.
Why the Order Matters for the Lore
There are details you miss if you go by release date. For example, the "Malthus" demon. It’s the entity attached to Annabelle. If you watch the movies chronologically, you see how this entity grows more desperate over the decades. You see the recurring symbols. You notice the cameos.
There’s a moment in The Conjuring 2 where a painting of Valak appears. If you’ve seen The Nun, that painting is terrifying. If you haven’t, it’s just a weird picture of a nun. Knowing The Conjuring movie in order turns these jump scares into actual world-building. It makes the universe feel like a consistent place where actions have consequences that last for thirty years.
The Expert Take on Watching Habits
Should you watch them this way? Well, it depends on what you want.
If you’re a first-timer, I actually recommend release order. Why? Because the original The Conjuring is the best introduction to the tone. It’s the gold standard. Starting with The Nun might actually put some people off because it's so different—it’s more of a monster movie than a psychological haunting.
But if you’re a returning fan? Chronological is the only way to go. It highlights the cracks in the timeline, sure, but it also makes the payoffs much sweeter. You see the Warrens’ journey from young investigators to world-famous (and tired) demonologists. It adds a layer of "tragic inevitability" to their lives.
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Actionable Insights for Your Marathon
To get the most out of this, don't just mindlessly watch. Look for the connections.
Keep an eye out for the "disciples of the ram." They pop up more than you’d think. Pay attention to the background of the Warrens’ artifact room. You’ll see items from movies that hadn't even been made yet when the first film was shot. James Wan is a master of the "long game."
Also, check the credits. Sometimes there are stingers that link to the next film in the timeline, not necessarily the next one released. It’s a dense world. It’s scary, yeah, but it’s also a giant puzzle.
If you're planning a weekend binge, start with the 1950s Romanian abbey and end with the 1980s courtroom. It's a wild ride through 20th-century occultism. You’ll see the evolution of horror filmmaking right alongside the evolution of the characters. Just keep the lights on. Seriously.
To make this viewing experience actually work, prioritize the "big three" pillars: The Nun, Annabelle, and the main Conjuring entries. Everything else is flavor. Start with the 1952 setting and work your way forward. This ensures you see the entities "born" before you see them "banished." It’s a much more satisfying narrative arc. Make sure you have the 1971 The Conjuring as your midpoint; it’s the anchor that holds the entire messy timeline together.