Here's Every Movie In 'The Conjuring' Universe By Chronological Order

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Birthed from the talents of Malaysian-born filmmaker and director James Wan, the premise of the movie series initially followed the real-life adventures of Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators tied to prominent yet controversial cases of hauntings.

Spawning nine films to date, the original series saw the couple attempt to assist people who found themselves tormented by unruly spirits. Multiple spin-off films were also created following the immense success of the initial series, which largely focused on the origins of certain entities the Warrens encountered over their career.

With a combined gross of over USD2.2 billion (approximately RM10.3 billion) across all nine films, the series has become the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time.

However, as the franchise continues to expand, it can be hard to keep track of how each film intercepts with the others. Do we watch the films in order of their cinematic release or will an illustration of the chronological timeline of the series bring more clarity for viewership?

Originally created as a spin-off for 2016's The Conjuring 2, it's fair to say that starting with this film will give you insight into all the horrors to come in the franchise.

The Nun (2018) begins with the death of a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania, who seemingly took her own life. However, the initiative of Father Burke, a priest with a haunted past, and Sister Irene, another nun in her novitiate, to uncover the truth of this gruesome happening leads them to an unholy secret. 

Eventually learning about the spirit of Valak, a malevolent force who takes the form of a demonic nun, the duo find themselves plagued with more than they bargained for.

As the film is set in 1952, this item is the first in chronological order in the series, for now.

Fans of the The Conjuring (2013) film will never forget its first scene, which inevitably lead to the introduction of one of the most horrifying dolls of all time: Annabelle.

In 1955, a former toy maker and his wife welcome a nun and her six orphaned girls into their California farmhouse to reside at after an orphanage closes down. While their kindness is not unappreciated, terror soon strikes the group when one child comes across the seemingly innocent doll which takes on a life of its own. 

Eventually discovering about the death of the couple's seven-year-old daughter in a tragic car accident years ago, who the doll is named after, the very conclusion of this story is not one with resolution.

Annabelle: Creation (2017) acts as a prelude to the events of Annabelle (2014), and the beginning of a whole new nightmare — so watching this 2017 movie would likely help piece together a more cohesive story.

After the events of The Nun (2018), this film sees Sister Irene return to investigate the violent murder of a priest in France. 

Taking place in 1956, four years after her initial adventures in the first film and just months after Annabelle: Creation (2017), Sister Irene will once against be pitted against the demonic nun she battled and presumed to have conquered in 1952.

Currently screening in cinemas, it's probably wise to grab a ticket as soon as you can before checking out other films within The Conjuring Universe.

Picking up immediately after the events of Annabelle: Creation (2017), Annabelle (2014) begins with a couple making arrangements for the arrival of their first-born.

When John Form thinks he's found the perfect gift for his wife Mia — a beautiful vintage doll in a white dress — they are overwhelmed with joy. Unfortunately, this doesn't last long. One night, the couple have their house broken into by devil worshippers, who intend to summon a demon using Mia's "brand new" doll. 

Although the duo make it out of that attack unscathed, the events that follow shape what we now know to be the terrors of Annabelle. Utilising the help of their parish priest, Father Perez, and a tenant who lives in their house, Evelyn, they seem to have been able to rid themselves of this malevolent doll for good.

Acting as a precursor for the next few films, the ending of Annabelle (2014) carries into The Conjuring (2013) briefly, though it is properly elaborated in Annabelle Comes Home (2019).

Bringing things back to the very beginning, The Conjuring (2013) acted as the blueprint for every success that followed in this horror universe. 

In 1971, Ed and Lorraine Warren are called to the home of Carolyn and Roger Perron, who recently moved into a secluded farmhouse with their five daughters. Initially purchasing the house as the result of a good deal, they soon discover the supernatural and ungodly presence that makes itself more prevalent over time. 

Benign at first, the escalation of events that take place in a horrifying fashion lead the Warrens to discover the house's macabre history.

As one of Ed and Lorraine Warren's most notable cases in supernatural investigation, the opening of this film itself spawned an entire sub-series for Annabelle and a dissection of the couple's entire career. Regarded by many as the best film of the franchise, The Conjuring Universe would simply not exist without this movie.

What does one get when combining unruly teenagers and a room that contains ancient artefacts of pure evil? Not a very fun sleepover, for sure.

After Ed and Lorraine Warren acquired Annabelle from nurses Debbie and Camilla in The Conjuring (2013), they bring her home to reside in their artefacts room, which consists of items they've seized over their career. 

But when they decide to leave their 10-year-old daughter with her babysitter and the sitter's adventure-seeking friends, the terrors of Annabelle are unleashed onto minors who don't completely understand the supernatural world.

While the events that plagued Debbie and Camilla in the beginning of The Conjuring (2013) took place in 1968, the Warrens didn't acquire the doll until four years later in 1972. Therefore, the events that take place in Annabelle Comes Home (2019) happen just a year after the Warrens' investigation of the Perrons' farmhouse.

While the Mexican folklore surrounding a mother who drowned her two sons in a fit of rage encapsulates the essence of the vengeful ghost La Llorona, The Conjuring Universe spun this tale in an intriguing direction.

Caseworker Anna's troubles begin when she investigates the truancy behind her client, Patricia Alvarez, and her two sons. It is not until the two boys drown in a river after Anna takes them to a child-service shelter does her own two sons now become a target of evil. 

Praying to La Llorona, Patricia incites violence against Anna's two sons in hopes to bring her own two back from the grave. Seeking help in any avenue, Anna reaches out to Father Perez, the priest who assisted John and Mia in their battle against Annabelle in Annabelle (2014). 

Taking place in 1973, the events of The Curse of La Llororna (2019) is the only stand-alone spin-off from the series so far, though it does act as a good form of relief to the thread of connecting plots more visible in the other films within The Conjuring Universe.

If the horrors of America weren't enough, Ed and Lorraine take a trip to England in 1977. There, they meet Peggy Hodgson, an overwhelmed single mother of four who informs the couple of something evil taking place in her home.

When Peggy's youngest daughter, Janet, begins to show signs of demonic possession, the Warrens are left with no choice but to help the besieged girl, while also becoming the spirit's next targets.

Popular for its role as a catalyst for the series, The Conjuring 2 (2016) provided a brief introduction to Valak, the demon tormenting the Hodgsons and lead supernatural force in The Nun (2018) and The Nun II (2023).

Aside from that, the beginning of this film also touched on the contributions by the Warrens when investigating the murders of Ronald DeFoe Jr in 1976, more commonly known today as The Amityville Murders. Could there be an expansion of the series in time to come, just from these brief additions in one film? Only time will tell.

The final film to date of the series, in chronological order, surrounds Ed and Lorraine Warren's exorcism of an eight-year-old boy in Brookfield, Connecticut.

In 1981, David Glatzel's possession takes a turn when the child's physical form is compromised due to the invasion of an evil spirit. When the boyfriend of the kid's sister, Arne Johnson, intervenes and invites the demon to enter his body instead, a historic murder would change the entire justice system of America.

Shortly after the incident, which cured David of his possession, Arne proceeded to murder his landlord by stabbing him 22 times. Using the support of the Warrens, his case would become the first in an American murder trial where demonic possession was claimed as a defence. 

Leading them down a path of cultism, witchcraft, and a dive into similar cases which took place near the crime scene, Ed and Lorraine's journey takes a deadly turn when an Earthly entity and demon worshiper claims responsibility for the horrendous murders.

As of now, a sequel to The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) and fourth film in the franchise is currently in the works, titled The Conjuring: Last Rites.

However, its date of release has not been disclosed as of yet.