If you’re a fan of the best horror movies like me, you’ll know that they often have confusing timelines. With prequels, sequels, and spin-offs, it can be hard to keep up.
The Conjuring universe has 10 movies at the time of writing, including spin-off movies about Annabelle and The Nun. Their timeline doesn’t match when they were released either, so sometimes it can get confusing!
So I’ve listed every movie in chronological order if you want to catch up before you watch The Conjuring: Last Rites at the theater.
1. The Nun (2018)
![THE NUN - Official Teaser Trailer [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/pzD9zGcUNrw/maxresdefault.jpg)
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The Nun takes place in 1952 Romania. It follows a Roman Catholic priest and a nun as they uncover an unholy secret involving the evil Nun from The Conjuring 2.
Here, the demon Valak takes the form of a nun to blend in with others and mock their faith. Even though we first met this creepy antagonist in 2016, this is the origin story and the best place for you to start.
2. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
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Any Ed and Lorraine Warren fans are well aware of Annabelle, the cursed doll who has become synonymous with The Conjuring franchise.
As the name suggests, this is Annabelle’s origin story, and brilliantly directed by David. F Sandberg, whom I recently spoke to about Until Dawn. If you’re keen to refresh your memory about the possessed doll, this one is an essential watch.
3. The Nun 2 (2023)
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It’s the return of Valak (unfortunately). Indeed, in The Nun 2, the demonic presence is back and provides more lore for the character, making it the third chronological movie.
Set in 1956 France, a priest is murdered, and evil is spreading. Sister Irene returns for the sequel, where she once again comes face to face with the demonic presence.
4. Annabelle (2014)
![Annabelle - Official Main Trailer [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/paFgQNPGlsg/maxresdefault.jpg)
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Before we get into the main Conjuring movies, we had one more Annabelle installment to bring us up to speed.
The movie takes place in 1967, set 12 years after the doll’s official origins. Annabelle follows a young doctor and his wife, who bring the doll into their home to add to their collection, which turns out to be a very bad idea as she rains down terror on the couple.
5. The Conjuring (2013)
![The Conjuring - Official Main Trailer [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/k10ETZ41q5o/maxresdefault.jpg)
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The first Conjuring movie is the fifth chronologically, so if you like to deep dive into lore, you’ve got four movies to watch before you get to the crux of the story.
Centering on paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren, we follow the couple as they help the Perron family in 1971, and attempt to vanquish a demon from their home.
6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
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Annabelle Comes Home takes place a year later, in 1972. It follows the Warrens’ daughter Judy, who is forced to deal with Annabelle and other demons that escape the couple’s artifact room while they’re away.
This is a fun addition to the franchise where we learn more about the Warren family, as well as the doll, Annabelle.
7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
![The Curse of La Llorona - Official Trailer [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uOV-xMYQ7sk/maxresdefault.jpg)
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The Curse of La Llorona is a spin-off, so it’s not officially part of the Conjuring timeline and would be fine to skip if you’d prefer. Perhaps you’d think the same, given how poorly it performed critically with a 26% Rotten Tomatoes score.
The movie follows a mother living in 1973 Los Angeles, who must save her children from a malevolent spirit who is trying to steal them. There’s one connecting character from the Conjuring universe here, Father Perez.
8. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
![The Conjuring 2 - Main Trailer [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VFsmuRPClr4/maxresdefault.jpg)
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The Conjuring 2 is my favorite of the franchise, for what it’s worth, and is set in 1977. It’s also set in London, so the Warrens have travelled for this one.
We follow Peggy, a single mother of four children, who seeks the help of the Warrens after she and her children begin witnessing paranormal events in their house, which disturb and confuse them.
9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
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The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It takes us up to the ’80s, telling a story based on the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed “demonic possession” after murdering his landlord.
Here, the Warrens are drawn into the case after they’d apparently exorcised a demon out of a young boy’s body, where they accidentally caused it to flee into Arne instead.
10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
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The last and most recent Conjuring movie is also the tenth chronologically. Going out with a bang, Last Rites is supposed to be their “most dangerous case yet”, which is pretty impressive given everything they’ve been through.
This movie is based on the true story of the Smurl hauntings, a series of paranormal occurrences at a Pennsylvania home in the 70s and 80s, and is playing in theaters from September 5, 2025.
