The Conjuring Universe has expanded across multiple films, making it common to wonder how many Conjuring movies exist and how they relate. This guide lists every theatrical feature connected to The Conjuring, separating mainline entries from spin-offs and clarifying what counts as part of the core story. You will find a simple breakdown of chronological and release order, plus quick-reference details for each film to help you navigate the series efficiently.
Main Conjuring Features in Release Order
The Core Theatrical Features
The primary Conjuring narrative began in 2013 and continued through a series of theatrically released features. These films follow paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren across distinct cases, while also advancing an overarching mythology. To understand the total number of Conjuring movies, it is essential to distinguish these central entries from adjacent spin-offs and standalone installments.
- The Conjuring (2013) — The inaugural case-based investigation introducing the Warrens.
- The Conjuring 2 (2016) — A deeper exploration of the Enfield case with expanded cosmic mythology.
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) — The first sequel to pursue a court case framework.
Annabelle and Its Related Spin-Offs
The Annabelle Line
Born from a prop in The Conjuring, the doll became the nucleus of its own series. These films focus on the origins of the malevolent force encountered by the Warrens and operate largely independently while still connecting to the broader universe.
- Annabelle (2014) — A couple terrorized by a haunted porcelain doll in 1967.
- Annabelle: Creation (2017) — A tragic backstory exploring how the doll became cursed.
- Annabelle Comes Home (1976) — The classic original film featuring a family besieged by a spirit.
Other Spin-Off Movies
Additional stories expand the mythology through varied settings and entities. Though not required viewing to grasp the central Warren mythology, they deepen the connection to folkloric evil and different supernatural threats.
- The Nun (2018) — Set in Romania, introducing the demonic nun Valak.
- The Crooked Man (2017) — Following a soldier confronting a sinister figure from his past.
- The Bride in Black (2025) — An upcoming installment announced as part of the continuing expansion.
Evan Cabin and Other Entries
Some stories orbit the core mythology from unique angles, including cabin-dwelling horrors and lineage-focused narratives. These entries complete the broader tapestry of what is commonly grouped under the Conjuring banner.
- The Cabin in the Woods (2011) — A meta take on cabin horror with ties to the wider mythology.
- The Bride in Black (2025) — An upcoming feature exploring a new corner of the universe.
Direct-to-Video and Special Releases
The franchise also includes shorter-form and specialty entries, such as documentaries and companion releases that provide context without featuring new narrative adventures.
- The Conjuring: The Devil’s Bridge (2023) — A documentary exploring the story behind the infamous bridge case.
- The Conjuring: Last Rites (2023) — A companion special featuring behind-the-scenes insights and interviews.
Quick Comparison Table at a Glance
The following table summarizes the key Conjuring movies, their release years, and their relationship to the main Warren lineage.
| Title | Year | Relation to Main Series |
|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | 2013 | Core Warren investigation |
| The Conjuring 2 | 2016 | Core Warren investigation |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 2021 | Core Warren courtroom sequel |
| Annabelle | 2014 | Spin-off origin story |
| Annabelle: Creation | 2017 | Spin-off origin story |
| Annabelle Comes Home | 1976 | Classic original, referenced in-universe |
| The Nun | 2018 | Spin-off, antagonist introduced |
| The Crooked Man | 2017 | Spin-off, standalone creature feature |
| The Cabin in the Woods | 2011 | Adjacent meta-horror with shared mythology |
| The Bride in Black | 2025 | Upcoming installment |
Viewing Strategies and Recommendations
Because the series mixes main stories, prequels, and adjacent tales, choosing where to begin depends on your goals. New viewers who want the Warren-focused core can start with The Conjuring and move forward through the sequels, adding Annabelle and The Nun when ready. Viewers more interested in monsters and standalone dread may prefer starting with Annabelle: Creation or The Nun, then sampling the Warren cases later.
- Warren-centric path: The Conjuring → The Conjuring 2 → The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
- Spin-off-first path: Annabelle → Annabelle: Creation → The Nun → The Crooked Man.
- Classic-first path: Annabelle Comes Home (1976) for foundational horror context.
Recurring Themes and Mythology Across Movies
While each film presents self-contained cases, certain motifs recur throughout the franchise, including artifacts saturated with emotion, vulnerable children, and the idea of evil as an intelligent, almost cosmic force. Lorraine Warren’s insights and artifacts serve as threads that connect otherwise disparate stories, hinting at a larger spiritual conflict without requiring every detail to be resolved immediately.
Final Notes on Defining the Collection
When asking how many Conjuring movies exist, the answer depends on whether you count only the core Warren tales, all stories bearing the Conjuring label, or only theatrical features. Including spin-offs and standalone entries gives the broadest sense of the universe, whereas focusing solely on the Warren cases yields a tighter, more directed viewing path. This overview clarifies the landscape so you can choose the scope that fits your curiosity and viewing pace.