The Definitive Chronological Order Of The Conjuring Universe: The Only Timeline You Need (Updated 2025)

As of December 18, 2025, The Conjuring Universe has expanded into a sprawling, interconnected web of terror, making the viewing order a crucial factor for anyone seeking the full, terrifying experience. With the recent release of *The Nun II* and the anticipation building for the next mainline installment, watching the films in their proper chronological order—based on the events within the story, not their release date—is the only way to truly appreciate the dark, overarching mythology that connects Valak, Annabelle, and the legendary case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren.

This guide cuts through the confusion to present the definitive timeline for all ten films in the highest-grossing horror franchise in history, including the newest entries and the upcoming *The Conjuring: Last Rites*. Following this exact sequence will transform your marathon from a series of jump scares into a cohesive, escalating narrative of demonic possession, cursed objects, and the enduring battle between good and evil that spans decades.

The Complete Conjuring Universe Timeline: 1952 to 1981

There are currently nine released films and one highly anticipated upcoming film in the official Conjuring Universe canon. Watching them in the order of the events they depict reveals the origins of the franchise's most terrifying entities, including the demonic nun Valak and the possessed Annabelle doll.

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Here is the definitive chronological viewing order:

• 1. The Nun (2018) - Set in 1952

The very beginning of the timeline. This film introduces the demonic entity Valak in its terrifying nun form at the Cârța Monastery in Romania. It establishes the dark origins of the evil that will plague the Warrens decades later, making it the essential starting point for the entire saga.

• 2. Annabelle: Creation (2017) - Set in 1955

Serving as the origin story for the infamous Annabelle doll, this prequel details how a dollmaker and his wife unknowingly invite a demonic presence into their home after the tragic death of their daughter, Bee. The film shows the Annabelle demon's first host and its connection to the Mullins family.

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• 3. The Nun II (2023) - Set in 1956

Picking up four years after the first film, Sister Irene returns to face Valak, who has been possessing Maurice (Frenchie) and moving across Europe. This sequel deepens the lore surrounding the demon and directly links its activities to the future work of the Warrens, specifically tying into the events seen in *The Conjuring*.

• 4. Annabelle (2014) - Set in 1967

This film is a direct sequel to *Annabelle: Creation* and shows the next chapter of the doll's demonic activity as it torments the Form family. It is the first film in the timeline to feature the Annabelle doll in the form that the Warrens eventually acquire.

• 5. The Conjuring (2013) - Set in 1971

The original film that started it all. This is the first time we meet paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they assist the Perron family, who are being terrorized by a malevolent witch's spirit in their farmhouse. This case is crucial as it establishes the Warrens' credibility and introduces the core conflict of the series.

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• 6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019) - Set in 1972

The Warrens bring the Annabelle doll into their artifact room for safekeeping. The film focuses on their daughter, Judy Warren, and her babysitter as Annabelle awakens other spirits and cursed objects in the house, turning the Warren home into a supernatural battleground.

• 7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019) - Set in 1973

While often debated for its direct connection, this film is considered a canonical entry in the Universe due to the appearance of Father Perez, a character from *Annabelle*, and a brief mention of the Annabelle doll itself. It follows a social worker fighting the malevolent spirit La Llorona in Los Angeles.

• 8. The Conjuring 2 (2016) - Set in 1977

Ed and Lorraine Warren travel to England to investigate the famous Enfield Poltergeist case, one of their most well-documented investigations. This film also features the return of Valak, the demonic nun, further cementing the entity's role as the franchise's primary antagonist.

• 9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) - Set in 1981

The latest released mainline *Conjuring* film follows the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, the first time a murder suspect claimed demonic possession as a defense in court. The Warrens investigate the occult ties and the source of the possession.

• 10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (Upcoming) - Set After 1981

Though an official release date and plot details are still emerging, this film is expected to be the next major installment in the main *Conjuring* series, likely taking place after the events of *The Devil Made Me Do It* and continuing the Warrens' most terrifying case files.

Why Chronological Order Unlocks the Universe's Deepest Lore

Many viewers start with the release order, which begins with *The Conjuring* (2013). While this offers a classic horror experience, it reveals nothing about the origins of the demonic forces at play. Watching the films chronologically, however, provides a richer, more terrifying narrative experience, transforming the series from a collection of scary stories into a cohesive, escalating saga.

The chronological timeline is essential for understanding the main villain, Valak. By starting with *The Nun* in 1952, you witness the demon's initial emergence and subsequent containment. The events of *The Nun II* then show its escape and pursuit of Maurice, culminating in the shocking revelation that Maurice is the possessed man seen in the Warrens' lecture footage in the original *The Conjuring* film. This connection is entirely lost if you watch the films in the order they were released.

Similarly, the Annabelle trilogy makes far more sense in chronological sequence. *Annabelle: Creation* (1955) establishes the demonic entity's manipulative power and its attachment to the doll. Watching *Annabelle* (1967) next shows the doll's journey to the Form family, and finally, *Annabelle Comes Home* (1972) brings the doll full circle into the hands of Ed and Lorraine Warren, where its power is used to awaken other entities in the artifact room.

Key Entities and Interconnected Mythology

The success of the Conjuring Universe lies in its commitment to building a shared mythology, where characters and entities reappear across different timelines. Understanding the following key entities is vital for appreciating the chronological viewing experience:

Valak: The Demonic Nun

Valak is arguably the central antagonist of the entire franchise, appearing in three films across three decades: *The Nun* (1952), *The Nun II* (1956), and *The Conjuring 2* (1977). Its goal is to escape its confinement and corrupt souls. The chronological order explicitly shows its journey from a monastery in Romania to possessing Maurice, and eventually tormenting the Hodgson family in Enfield, England, where it is finally confronted by the Warrens. The entity's true form is a crowned serpent, but it prefers the guise of the terrifying nun to mock and blaspheme the Catholic faith.

Annabelle: The Cursed Doll

More than just a creepy doll, Annabelle is a conduit for a powerful demon. The chronological viewing order highlights the demon's method: it attaches itself to the doll to trick people into inviting it in, allowing it to possess a human host. The doll itself is a real artifact held by the real-life Ed and Lorraine Warren, adding a layer of unsettling reality to the fictionalized events.

Ed and Lorraine Warren: The Investigators

The Warrens are the anchor of the Universe, and while they don't appear in every film, their influence is felt throughout. They are the ultimate protectors against the demonic forces unleashed in the prequels. Lorraine Warren’s clairvoyant abilities and Ed Warren’s deep faith are the only things capable of defeating entities like Bathsheba Sherman (from *The Conjuring*) and the Crooked Man (from *The Conjuring 2*). The chronological order shows the culmination of the terror the prequels build, leading directly to the Warrens' most famous cases.

The Future of the Conjuring Timeline: Last Rites and Beyond

The announcement of *The Conjuring: Last Rites* confirms that the mainline series, following Ed and Lorraine Warren, will continue. Given that *The Devil Made Me Do It* is set in 1981, the next installment will likely push the timeline further into the 1980s, exploring new cases from the Warrens' extensive case files. This progression is important for fans of the "true story" element, as the real-life Warrens continued their work for many years after the events depicted in the films.

For those looking to achieve maximum topical authority and a seamless viewing experience, adhering to the chronological timeline is non-negotiable. It allows the viewer to follow the development of the franchise's dark forces, understand the stakes of the Warrens' investigations, and appreciate the subtle connections woven into this complex, shared universe of supernatural horror. Whether you are a first-time viewer or a veteran of the horror genre, this definitive order ensures you don't miss a single, terrifying detail.