The Conjuring universe has become one of horror cinema’s most successful franchises, with over $2.1 billion in worldwide box office earnings across nine interconnected films. What started as a single haunted house story has evolved into a sprawling supernatural saga featuring demonic nuns, cursed dolls, and the legendary paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. With The Conjuring: Last Rites scheduled for September 5, 2025 as the final Warren story, plus a Conjuring TV series in development for Max with James Wan and Peter Safran producing, there’s never been a better time to experience this horror universe in its proper chronological order.
Whether you’re planning your first watchlist journey through these scary movies or preparing for the upcoming finale, understanding the timeline helps reveal the intricate character connections and plot threads that make this entertainment franchise so compelling, especially for streaming audiences in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where these films have found dedicated horror fans.
The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Order
1. The Nun (2018) – 1952, Romania
The earliest entry in The Conjuring universe timeline introduces the demonic entity Valak in a remote Romanian abbey. Sister Irene and Father Burke investigate supernatural occurrences, ultimately confronting the ancient evil that will plague the Warren cases for decades to come. This film establishes the foundational mythology of the franchise’s primary antagonist, with Valak’s defeat appearing incomplete as Maurice becomes possessed, setting up future connections across multiple films.
2. The Nun II (2023) – 1956, France
Continuing Valak’s story four years later, Sister Irene faces the demon again as it pursues holy relics and descendants of St. Lucy. The film deepens the connection between The Nun series and the main Conjuring timeline, with a mid-credits scene showing the Warrens being called to help with Maurice’s possession, directly linking to footage that appears in the original Conjuring film’s lecture scene.
3. Annabelle: Creation (2017) – 1955, California
This prequel reveals the cursed doll’s dark origins when a grieving dollmaker and his wife open their home to displaced orphans. The evil that inhabits Annabelle is unleashed, creating the haunted artefact that will terrorise families for decades. The film connects to the broader universe through subtle appearances, including Valak’s shadowy presence in background scenes, suggesting these demons share ancient rivalries.
4. Annabelle (2014) – 1967, California
Set a decade later, this film shows the Annabelle doll wreaking havoc on expecting parents John and Mia Form. The supernatural chaos directly leads to the doll eventually ending up in the Warrens’ artefact room, establishing how Ed and Lorraine acquire many of their most dangerous possessed objects through their paranormal investigations.
5. The Conjuring (2013) – 1971, Rhode Island
The film that launched the franchise introduces Ed and Lorraine Warren during their investigation of the Perron family haunting. This movie establishes the Warrens as the central figures of the universe, with archival footage of Maurice’s exorcism from The Nun films appearing in their lecture, demonstrating how their past cases interconnect across the timeline.
6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019) – 1972
One year after the Perron case, the Warrens’ artefact room becomes the setting for supernatural chaos when Annabelle influences other cursed objects. The film showcases the breadth of the Warrens’ collection while focusing on their daughter Judy and her babysitters, expanding the universe beyond just Ed and Lorraine’s direct involvement.
7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019) – 1973, Los Angeles
Though loosely connected through Father Perez’s appearance from the Annabelle films, this entry follows social worker Anna Tate-Garcia as she encounters the legend of the Weeping Woman. While not essential to the main storyline, it demonstrates how the supernatural elements of The Conjuring universe extend beyond the Warrens’ direct cases.
8. The Conjuring 2 (2016) – 1977, London
The Warrens travel to England to investigate the infamous Enfield Poltergeist case, where Valak returns as the primary antagonist manipulating events from behind the scenes. Lorraine ultimately defeats Valak by speaking its true name, completing the demon’s arc that began in The Nun films and showcasing how the Warrens’ earlier experiences with Maurice’s possession informed their approach to this case.
9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) – 1981
Set in 1981, the most recent chronological entry follows the Warrens as they investigate a murder case involving claims of demonic possession. This darker, more procedural approach shows the evolution of their work while maintaining the supernatural horror elements that define the series.
Which Viewing Order Should You Choose?
Chronological Order Benefits: Watching films in timeline sequence reveals the intricate plot connections between characters like Valak, Sister Irene, and the Warrens. You’ll understand how Maurice’s possession in The Nun directly connects to the exorcism footage shown in The Conjuring, and appreciate how Valak’s appearances across multiple films create a cohesive supernatural threat.
Release Order Benefits: Experiencing the films as audiences originally did emphasises the Warrens’ central role while allowing the prequels to enhance your understanding retroactively. This approach mirrors how the franchise creators intended the mythology to unfold, with each new film adding layers to previously established stories.
For first-time viewers, a chronological order provides a better narrative flow, while returning fans might prefer the release order to rediscover connections they missed initially.
If you prefer to experience the films as audiences did in theatres, here’s the release order:
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Annabelle (2014)
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- Annabelle: Creation (2017)
- The Nun (2018)
- The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
Watching in release order emphasises the Warrens’ arc first, while chronological order offers a more linear demonic backstory.
The Future of The Conjuring Universe
The horror franchise shows no signs of slowing down. The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives September 5, 2025, promising to conclude Ed and Lorraine Warren’s story with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returning for their final case. Additionally, James Wan and Peter Safran are producing a Conjuring TV series for Max that will continue the established film timeline, potentially exploring new cases or expanding on existing movie events.
This expansion demonstrates how the franchise has evolved from a single film into a comprehensive horror universe, with the TV series expected to debut around 2026, ensuring the supernatural legacy continues beyond the theatrical releases.
Where to Watch The Conjuring Movies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Most of the Conjuring universe is available on streaming platforms like OSN+, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV for rental or purchase in the region. Availability can vary, so check your local streaming library before planning your marathon. The complete series offers excellent value for entertainment, especially given the interconnected storylines that reward viewers who watch multiple entries.
FAQs
Do you need to watch The Conjuring movies in order?
Not strictly, but chronological order helps the lore make more sense. Watching in release order mirrors how the universe unfolded for fans.
Can you watch The Conjuring movies independently?
While each film tells a complete story, watching them in order significantly enhances the experience. Character connections like Valak’s appearances across The Nun, The Nun II, and The Conjuring 2 create a richer narrative when viewed sequentially.
How does Valak connect the different films?
Valak serves as the primary antagonist linking The Nun series to The Conjuring 2. The demon’s possession of Maurice in the 1950s directly connects to exorcism footage the Warrens reference in their 1970s lectures, while Valak’s manipulations in the Enfield case represent the culmination of its centuries-old evil.
Is The Curse of La Llorona essential viewing?
Not particularly. While Father Perez’s appearance creates a connection to the Annabelle films, La Llorona operates as a standalone story that doesn’t significantly impact the main Conjuring timeline.
Which Conjuring movie delivers the most scares?
Fan favourites typically include The Conjuring 2 for its terrifying Enfield haunting sequences and The Nun for Valak’s genuinely unsettling presence. However, scare effectiveness varies by viewer, with each film offering different types of supernatural horror.
Will there be more films after The Conjuring: Last Rites?
While Last Rites concludes the Warrens’ story, the upcoming Max TV series and the franchise’s continued box office success suggest the universe will expand in new directions, potentially focusing on different characters or time periods within the established mythology.
Final Thoughts
The Conjuring universe represents modern horror cinema at its most ambitious, weaving together nine films into a cohesive supernatural saga that has captivated audiences worldwide. Understanding the chronological order reveals the careful plotting behind seemingly disparate stories, from Valak’s ancient evil to the Warrens’ heroic investigations spanning decades.
Whether you choose chronological or release order viewing, this guide ensures you’ll experience every connection, reference, and scare the franchise offers. With the final Warren story approaching and new TV content on the horizon, now is the perfect time to dive into this haunting timeline that transformed a single ghost story into one of entertainment’s most successful horror universes.
