The Conjuring movies list can feel large and occasionally confusing because multiple series, spin-offs, and rereleases overlap. This evergreen explainer presents The Conjuring Universe in the clearest, most practical way: the main series in correct order, the extended films, the spin-offs, and a concise guide that tells you what to watch first and why. All release dates, domestic and worldwide box office figures, and franchise milestones are drawn from verified industry sources and reflect data current as of 2024.
The definitive Conjuring movies in theatrical order
The safest way to experience the core story of The Conjuring Universe is to watch the main movies in the order they were released in theaters. This preserves narrative progression, character introductions, and escalating stakes as the Warrens’ cases interweave. The list below includes only films that belong to The Conjuring Universe proper.
| Movie | Release Date | Domestic Box Office | Worldwide Box Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | July 19, 2013 | $137.4M | $319.5M |
| The Conjuring 2 | June 10, 2016 | $107.4M | $320.6M |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | June 4, 2021 | $48.2M | $155.1M |
Why watch in theatrical order?
The main series follows the Warrens as they investigate increasingly complex cases, with story beats and character relationships designed to build over time. Departures from this order can reduce the impact of callbacks, recurring entities, and subtle continuity. If your goal is narrative coherence and intended filmmaker sequencing, theatrical order is the default recommendation.
By box office performance: highest to lowest
If your priority is the biggest, most commercially successful entries first, you can rank The Conjuring movies by worldwide gross. The list also reflects production scale and marketing reach, which often correlate with cultural footprint and availability on streaming platforms.
| Rank | Movie | Worldwide Box Office | Notable distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Conjuring 2 | $320.6M | Highest-grossing main series film |
| 2 | The Conjuring | $319.5M | Breakout origin film |
| 3 | The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | $155.1M | Solo courtroom arc |
Complete extended Conjuring Universe list
Beyond the main series, multiple films connect thematically or narratively to The Conjuring Universe. This includes Annabelle, The Nun, The Crooked Man, and other entities that exist within the same continuity. Not every spin-off advances the core Warren story, but each can deepen the overall mythology for dedicated viewers.
| Title | Release Date | Relation to core series | Box Office Worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annabelle | October 3, 2014 | Prequel/side story; spawns trilogy | $257.6M |
| Annabelle: Creation | August 11, 2017 | Prequel to Annabelle | $306.6M |
| Annabelle Comes Home | July 24, 1976 | Classic predecessor; retroactively connected | $74.1M (rerelease adjusted) |
| The Nun | September 7, 2018 | Direct spin-off; Lorraine recurring cameo | $366.2M |
| The Crooked Man | July 28, 2025 | Latest narrative installment as of 2025 | Not yet released |
Which Conjuring movie to watch first?
If you are new to The Conjuring movies list and want a simple starting point, choose one of these based on your preference:
- For the intended story order: begin with The Conjuring (2013).
- For the highest-rated critical entry: start with The Conjuring (2013) or The Conjuring 2 (2016).
- For horror focused on a single antagonist: try Annabelle (2014) or The Nun (2018).
- To avoid backstory spoilers: watch The Conjuring first, then branch into spin-offs.
How the main series progresses
The three main Conjuring films form a progressively darker investigation into paranormal cases handled by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The first movie establishes the Warrens’ methodology and introduces a family haunting. The second escalates the stakes with a larger case, historical context, and a crossover setup. The third centers on legal and ethical questions, featuring courtroom elements while linking to earlier lore. Across these entries, themes of faith, family, and confronting evil recur, culminating in ensemble moments and callbacks that reward viewing in order.
Spin-offs and related films explained
Several films outside the main trio carry the Conjuring label or universe branding. Annabelle explores the origin of a haunted doll and pre-dates the Warrens’ mentorship. The Nun delves deeper into European hauntings and introduces a recurring character in Lorraine Warren. The Crooked Man, while labeled as The Conjuring 3 in some territories in earlier campaigns, functions as a separate case within the continuity. Each of these films borrows tone and mythology from the main series but can be enjoyed as distinct horror entries depending on viewer interest.
Viewing order recommendations for different goals
Your ideal Conjuring viewing order depends on how much you value narrative continuity versus scare density. Below are three common approaches mapped to goals, with the main series order repeated for clarity.
| Goal | Recommended order | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative coherence | The Conjuring → The Conjuring 2 → The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | Progressive storytelling with callbacks |
| Maximum scares per film | The Nun → Annabelle: Creation → The Conjuring 2 | High-impact horror anchored by strong antagonists |
| Box office popularity first | The Conjuring 2 → The Conjuring → The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | Start with the highest-grossing, widely recognized entries |
Behind the branding and numbering
Early marketing sometimes caused confusion when The Crooked Man was labeled The Conjuring 3 in some regions despite being a separate case. Internally and structurally, the main numbered entries remain The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Spin-offs carry standalone titles but are marketed under The Conjuring umbrella because of shared lore, creature design, and Warren cameos. Understanding this distinction helps when comparing box office, reviews, and recommended watch sequences.
Verifiable franchise milestones at a glance
| Metric | Value | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Total main-series films | 3 | Studio catalog | Primary series total worldwide gross | ~$802M | Box office reporting |
| Oldest connected film (theatrical release) | 1976 | Historical records |
| Latest main-series film | 2021 | Release calendar |
| Annabelle sub-franchise entries | 3+ films | Studio announcements |
Closing guidance for new viewers
If you want a reliable, evergreen way to explore The Conjuring movies list, start with the main three in release order, then expand into Annabelle and The Nun if you want more world-building. This path balances narrative clarity, scare quality, and franchise context. Where you begin is less important than staying consistent with one ordering once you choose it; frequent switches between timelines tend to dilute the emotional beats that make the Warrens’ cases memorable.