The Ultimate Guide To The Conjuring Universe: 9 Horror Films In Chronological Order (Updated 2025)

Are you ready to face the darkness? The Conjuring Universe, the highest-grossing horror franchise in history, has woven a complex, terrifying tapestry of demonic possessions, haunted objects, and paranormal investigations. With nine films released and the highly anticipated finale of the main series on the horizon, understanding the correct chronological order is essential to fully grasp the interconnected lore of the Warrens’ most harrowing cases.

As of December 2025, the film universe spans nearly 40 fictional years, jumping back and forth in time from the 1950s to the 1980s. This definitive guide cuts through the confusion, presenting the entire timeline from the very beginning of the demonic entity Valak's reign to the final chapters of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s career, ensuring you don't miss a single terrifying detail before the release of *The Conjuring: Last Rites* in 2025.

The Complete Conjuring Universe Timeline: Chronological Order

Watching the films in release order is one way, but to truly appreciate the overarching story of the demons, specifically the relentless entity Valak, and the origin of the Annabelle doll, you must follow the in-universe timeline. This is the definitive, chronological viewing order for all nine films, based on the fictional year in which the main events take place.

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1. The Nun (2018)

• Fictional Year: 1952
• Setting: Cârța Monastery, Romania
• Key Entity: Valak, the Demon Nun

The true beginning of the Conjuring Universe. This film establishes the origin of the demon Valak, which is accidentally released from a sealed tomb in a remote Romanian abbey. The events here directly set up the demon's later appearances and its connection to the character Maurice "Frenchie" Theriault, whose possession is shown in the film’s post-credit scene and connects directly to the Warrens' early work.

2. Annabelle: Creation (2017)

• Fictional Year: 1955
• Setting: Rural California
• Key Entity: The Annabelle Doll

This is the origin story of the infamous Annabelle doll. A dollmaker and his wife, mourning the loss of their daughter Annabelle "Bee" Mullins, inadvertently invite a demonic entity into their home, which possesses the doll. The final moments of this film bridge the gap to the first *Annabelle* film, establishing the doll's terrifying history before it falls into the hands of the first victim.

3. The Nun II (2023)

• Fictional Year: 1956
• Setting: France
• Key Entity: Valak, the Demon Nun

The most recent film in the timeline, *The Nun II*, continues the story of Sister Irene as she confronts Valak once again, this time at a French boarding school. Crucially, this sequel confirms the demon's continued pursuit of Maurice "Frenchie" Theriault, whose body it is using as a host. This further solidifies the link between the prequel films and the main *Conjuring* series.

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4. Annabelle (2014)

• Fictional Year: 1967
• Setting: Santa Monica, California
• Key Entity: The Annabelle Doll

Set 12 years after *Creation*, this film shows the next chapter of the Annabelle doll's terror. It follows a young couple, John and Mia Form, who receive the doll and become the target of a demonic cult and the entity attached to the toy. This is the case that eventually leads the doll into the possession of the Warrens, though they do not appear in this film.

5. The Conjuring (2013)

• Fictional Year: 1971
• Setting: Harrisville, Rhode Island
• Key Entities: Ed and Lorraine Warren, Bathsheba Sherman

The film that started it all! *The Conjuring* introduces the world to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they take on the terrifying case of the Perron family, who are being tormented by the vengeful spirit of a witch named Bathsheba. This film also features the first appearance of the Annabelle doll in the Warrens' Artifact Room, though the doll's story is not the main focus.

6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

• Fictional Year: 1972
• Setting: The Warren Home, Monroe, Connecticut
• Key Entity: The Annabelle Doll, The Ferryman, The Bride

The Annabelle doll is brought home by the Warrens and locked away in their Artifact Room. When their daughter Judy Warren and her babysitters are left alone, the doll acts as a "beacon" for other evil spirits, unleashing a night of terror. This film is a direct sequel to *The Conjuring* and is the last Annabelle-centric film to date.

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7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

• Fictional Year: 1973
• Setting: Los Angeles, California
• Key Entity: La Llorona (The Weeping Woman)

While its direct connection to the main storyline is often debated, *The Curse of La Llorona* is officially part of the Conjuring Universe. The connection is a small cameo by Father Perez, a character from *Annabelle* (2014), who mentions the Annabelle case. The film focuses on a social worker and her children who are haunted by the Mexican folklore spirit.

8. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

• Fictional Year: 1977
• Setting: Enfield, London, England
• Key Entities: Valak, The Crooked Man, The Enfield Poltergeist

The Warrens travel to North London to assist the Hodgson family, who are experiencing a terrifying poltergeist haunting. This film marks the return of the demon Valak, who is revealed to have been tormenting Lorraine Warren for some time and is the true force behind the Enfield haunting. The events here are critical, as Lorraine finally learns the demon's name, giving her power over it.

9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

• Fictional Year: 1981
• Setting: Brookfield, Connecticut
• Key Entities: Ed and Lorraine Warren, Arne Cheyenne Johnson, The Disciples of the Ram

The latest released film in the main series follows the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, the first time a demonic possession defense was used in a U.S. murder trial. The Warrens investigate a satanic cult responsible for the possession, marking the latest point in the chronological timeline of their careers within the franchise.

Upcoming & Future Conjuring Universe Films

The saga of Ed and Lorraine Warren is not yet complete. The franchise continues to expand its lore with a major film confirmed to be in development, promising to wrap up the main series' storyline.

The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)

The next film in the main series is officially titled *The Conjuring: Last Rites* (sometimes referred to as *The Conjuring 4*). This film is being billed as the finale to the core *Conjuring* trilogy, bringing the terrifying journey of the Warrens to a close. While plot details are scarce, it is expected to be another case file from the Warrens' archives and will likely take place sometime after the events of *The Devil Made Me Do It* in the 1980s. The current rumored release date is September 5, 2025.

The film is set to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and will feature the return of Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren, ensuring a consistent and powerful conclusion to the main narrative.

The Conjuring Universe Films in Release Order

For purists who prefer to watch the films as they were originally presented to audiences, here is the release order. This order allows you to experience the franchise's growth and the gradual introduction of its spin-off characters (like Valak and Annabelle) over time.

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)

Why The Chronological Order Matters for Topical Authority

The reason the chronological viewing order is so compelling is its ability to build topical authority and context around the recurring demonic entities. By starting with *The Nun* in 1952, you witness the birth of Valak's reign of terror. Then, *Annabelle: Creation* (1955) and *Annabelle* (1967) provide a clear, linear history for the doll before it ever appears in the Warrens' home.

Watching in this order transforms the initial *Conjuring* films from isolated horror stories into chapters of a grander, interconnected demonic plot. When Valak appears in *The Conjuring 2* (1977), its history, established in the 1950s films, adds a layer of dread and significance that is lost when watching in release order. This deep dive into the timeline enhances the viewing experience, making the entire franchise feel more like a cohesive cinematic universe, much like the superhero franchises that inspired it.

The entire universe is built on the real-life case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Their legacy, portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, serves as the central pillar, connecting the various spin-offs and standalone cases. The upcoming *The Conjuring: Last Rites* promises to be the ultimate culmination of this lore, finally bringing closure to the most successful horror story ever told on film.