For a first watch, use release order. It preserves the franchise’s intended reveals. For a rewatch or a timeline-focused viewing, follow the nine released official films chronologically from The Nun in 1952 to The Conjuring: Last Rites in 1986.
For a first watch, watch the nine released Conjuring Universe films in release order. That preserves the franchise’s intended reveals and lets recurring characters, demons, objects, and Warren-family connections unfold naturally. If you have already seen the films—or want the story arranged by its fictional timeline—use the chronological order below.
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The Conjuring Universe movies in chronological order
This is the best-supported timeline for the official film cycle. A few entries contain prologues or framing sequences set in different years, so the dates below refer to the main story whenever necessary.
| Chronological position | Film | Main story setting | What it contributes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Nun (2018) | 1952, Romania | Introduces Valak, the demonic presence later associated with The Conjuring 2 and The Nun II. |
| 2 | The Nun II (2023) | 1956, France | Continues Valak’s story four years after the first Nun. |
| 3 | Annabelle: Creation (2017) | Primarily the mid-to-late 1950s; commonly placed in 1958 | Explores the origin of the Annabelle doll and the events surrounding its creation. |
| 4 | Annabelle (2014) | Approximately 1970 | Shows the doll’s impact on a young couple and places Annabelle before her later appearance in the Warrens’ collection. |
| 5 | The Conjuring (2013) | 1971, Rhode Island | Introduces Ed and Lorraine Warren’s central film storyline and the Perron-family haunting. |
| 6 | Annabelle Comes Home (2019) | 1972, Connecticut | Moves Annabelle into the Warrens’ artifact room, where she triggers a night of supernatural activity. |
| 7 | The Conjuring 2 (2016) | 1976 prologue; 1977 main story, England | Returns to the Warrens for the Enfield haunting and develops the Valak connection. |
| 8 | The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) | 1981, Connecticut | Follows the Warrens’ investigation of the Arne Cheyenne Johnson case. |
| 9 | The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) | 1986, Pennsylvania | Continues Ed and Lorraine Warren’s story in what is presented as one of their final cases. |
1. The Nun — 1952
Set in Romania, The Nun is the earliest main-story entry in the released film timeline. It introduces Valak, whose presence becomes important again in The Conjuring 2. Although this is the first film chronologically, it was not the franchise’s starting point for audiences, so first-time viewers may find some of its connections more effective after seeing the main Conjuring films.
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2. The Nun II — 1956
The sequel takes place four years after The Nun, shifting Valak’s story to France. Watching it directly after the first film creates the clearest timeline for the demon’s standalone arc.
3. Annabelle: Creation — commonly placed in 1958
Annabelle: Creation is mainly set in the mid-to-late 1950s and is conventionally placed around 1958. It begins with an earlier prologue before jumping forward more than a decade, which is why its exact chronological position can look confusing in some lists. “1958” is the standard working placement, not an indisputable single date for every scene.
4. Annabelle — approximately 1970
The primary story of Annabelle is generally placed around 1970. The film follows the doll’s effect on Mia and John Form before Annabelle becomes part of the Warrens’ artifact collection. The approximate date is preferable to presenting the year as perfectly settled, since older franchise guides have used different dates.
5. The Conjuring — 1971
Set in Rhode Island, the first Conjuring follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate the Perron family’s haunting. This is the film that establishes the Warrens as the franchise’s anchor, introduces their artifact room, and sets up objects and supernatural connections revisited in later entries.
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6. Annabelle Comes Home — 1972
In this story, the Warrens bring Annabelle into their artifact room. When the doll’s influence is unleashed, Judy Warren, her babysitter, and a friend face a night involving several of the room’s dangerous objects. Its placement immediately after The Conjuring reflects the film’s timeline and its direct connection to the Warrens.
7. The Conjuring 2 — 1976 prologue and 1977 main story
The Conjuring 2 opens with the Warrens’ Amityville investigation, identified with 1976, before moving to the Enfield haunting in England, whose main events are generally dated to 1977. For a chronological watch, treat 1977 as the film’s principal placement, while remembering that the opening sequence occurs earlier.
8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It — 1981
The third mainline Conjuring film is set in 1981 in Connecticut. Ed and Lorraine investigate the case of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, whose defense involved a claim of demonic possession. It follows The Conjuring 2 in the Warren storyline.
9. The Conjuring: Last Rites — 1986
Last Rites is set in 1986 and is the latest released entry in the official nine-film cycle. It follows the Warrens in a case described as one last investigation, making it the natural endpoint of both the chronological list and the current released Warren narrative.
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Release order: the recommended order for first-time viewers
The franchise was designed to be experienced in the order audiences originally received it. Use this list if you are new to the series:
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Annabelle (2014)
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- Annabelle: Creation (2017)
- The Nun (2018)
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
- The Nun II (2023)
- The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
Why release order is better for a first watch
- It preserves the intended reveals. Recurring figures such as Valak and objects such as Annabelle were introduced gradually, rather than explained in timeline order.
- It establishes the Warrens first. The main series provides the emotional and narrative framework for the spinoffs.
- It avoids over-reading continuity. The films do not always provide one perfectly precise date for every prologue or flashback.
- It matches the franchise’s development. The connections and mythology grew across separate films instead of being planned as a simple linear historical saga.
Should you include The Curse of La Llorona?
Not in the official numbered list. The Curse of La Llorona (2019) is often listed as a tenth Conjuring-related film because Father Perez appears in it and also appears in Annabelle. However, director Michael Chaves has said that the film is not officially part of The Conjuring Universe.
What is the complete official movie count?
There are currently nine released films in the official Conjuring Universe cycle: four films in the main Conjuring series, three Annabelle films, and two Nun films. That count excludes The Curse of La Llorona.
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Is another Conjuring movie coming?
The Conjuring: First Communion has been reported with a September 10, 2027 theatrical release date. It is not part of the current watch order because it has not yet been released and its final story placement should be confirmed through updated official materials. Do not insert it into the chronological list until its setting and release status are established.
How to watch the films without getting lost
- Choose one order and stick with it. Use release order for your first viewing; use chronology for a rewatch.
- Remember that “chronological” means main story date. Annabelle: Creation and The Conjuring 2 contain sequences that do not fit one single year.
- Do not treat every shared detail as proof of official continuity. The Llorona connection is an example of a film often grouped with the universe despite being disputed by its director.
- Check territory-specific availability. Streaming, rental, purchase, physical formats, prices, and stock can change by country and date. A single service should not be assumed to carry all nine films.
Bottom line
Watch The Conjuring, Annabelle, The Conjuring 2, Annabelle: Creation, The Nun, Annabelle Comes Home, The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun II, and Last Rites in release order if this is your first time. For a chronological rewatch, begin with The Nun in 1952 and finish with Last Rites in 1986. Keep The Curse of La Llorona separate as an optional, disputed adjacent film.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best order to watch The Conjuring movies for the first time?
For a first viewing, watch the films in release order: The Conjuring, Annabelle, The Conjuring 2, Annabelle: Creation, The Nun, Annabelle Comes Home, The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun II, and Last Rites. Release order preserves the franchise’s intended reveals.
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There are nine released films in the official Conjuring Universe cycle: four Conjuring films, three Annabelle films, and two Nun films. The Curse of La Llorona is often listed separately, but it is not officially part of the universe according to director Michael Chaves.
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Where does The Curse of La Llorona fit?
It can be included as an optional adjacent film. Its 1973 setting would place it between Annabelle Comes Home and The Conjuring 2, but it should not be presented as the tenth official Conjuring Universe movie.
Is there another Conjuring movie after Last Rites?
The upcoming The Conjuring: First Communion has been reported for September 10, 2027. It is not included in the current list because it has not been released and its final timeline placement requires confirmation.
The Bottom Line
First watch: use release order. Timeline rewatch: start with The Nun (1952), follow the nine-film chronological list, and treat The Curse of La Llorona as optional rather than an official entry.
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