When you set out to watch the Conjuring Universe, start with the main series in release order to preserve story impact: The Conjuring (2013), The Conjuring 2 (2016), Annabelle (2014), The Nun (2018), The Curse of La Llorona (2019), and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021). Then explore connected entries such as The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and The Bride, using this order of conjuring movies to build tension and context. This evergreen guide explains timelines, viewing choices, and how each film connects, so you can decide whether to follow chronology or release sequence.
Release-order view of the Conjuring film series
The simplest way to watch the core Conjuring Universe is by release order. This preserves intended reveals, creature rules, and emotional beats while introducing spinoffs at points where their relevance is strongest.
- The Conjuring (2013): Introduces Ed and Lorraine Warren and establishes investigative tone.
- The Conjuring 2 (2016): Deepens the Warrens’ mythology and brings cases together.
- Annabelle (2014): Origin story of the haunted doll, best placed after the first two for context.
- The Nun (2018): Expands the lore around Valak and the abbey setting.
- The Curse of La Llorona (2019): Shifts focus to Latin American folklore and family terror.
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021): Tackles real-world legal horror and demonic influence.
Why order matters in the Conjuring Universe
Order matters because the series plants clues, reuses entities such as Annabelle and The Crooked Man, and builds dread through recurring motifs. Watching chronologically by release preserves these links and prevents spoilers. It also aligns creature rules and Warrens’ case progression, so later films land with greater force.
Two ways to order conjuring movies
You can prioritize release order for narrative impact or create a chronology order of conjuring movies based on in-universe dates. Each has trade-offs: release order preserves cinematic design, while chronology aligns events within the world. Your preference for tension, continuity, or rewatchability should guide which path you choose.
Viewing strategy snapshot
| Order Type | Sequence of Titles | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Release order | First-time viewers who want intended reveals and cinematic pacing | |
| Chronology order | Viewers who prefer in-universe timeline clarity |
Beyond the core series
Several non-series films and series share DNA with the Conjuring brand. The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor expand the thematic vocabulary of grief, haunting, and domestic dread, while The Bride introduces universe concepts with different tonal shading. Television entries can deepen lore, but due to different production timelines and narrative goals they do not always follow the same order of conjuring movies pacing as the features.
Choosing your next watch
If you want scare density, start with The Conjuring and follow with The Conjuring 2. If creature origins interest you, pair Annabelle with The Nun. If legal thriller elements appeal, watch The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It after the core cases. These options form a durable map for new and returning viewers alike.
Evergreen notes on continuity
The Conjuring Universe continues to evolve through sequels, prequels, and television. Entities, rules, and character dynamics may shift across mediums, but the core relationship between investigators, families, and supernatural threats remains consistent. Treat each entry as one layer in a larger tapestry rather than a strictly linear requirement.
Summary guidance for new viewers
For a straightforward path, watch The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, Annabelle, The Nun, The Curse of La Llorona, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It in release order. Then branch to television and adjacent stories at your own pace, adjusting for personal tolerance and interest. This approach delivers coherent storytelling, minimizes confusion, and keeps the scares impactful over time.