In what order should you watch The Conjuring movies

If you are new to The Conjuring universe or want to revisit it with a plan, this guide explains the recommended viewing order and why it matters. The series is built around a shared timeline anchored by the real-life cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Watching in chronological order preserves narrative impact and lets smaller connections between films stand out. Below you will find a practical sequence, options for different viewing goals, and notes on where to begin if you prefer a specific tone or character focus.

Recommended chronological viewing order

The simplest way to experience the series is in chronological order, which aligns with the timeline of the Warrens’ cases and minimizes disruption to cause-and-effect storytelling. This sequence also controls recurring character introductions so you are not overwhelmed by overlapping casts.

Core watch order (chronological)

• The Conjuring (2013)
• The Conjuring 2 (2016)
• The Nun (2018)
• The Crooked Man (2023)
• The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
• The Bride (2019)
• Annabelle Comes Home (1976)
• Annabelle (2014)
• Annabelle: Creation (2017)
• Annabelle: Blood (2019)
• The Warren Files (2025)

The shared timeline explained

The Conjuring films are linked by the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Removing supernatural shocks, their cases form a rough timeline that the movies generally follow. Aligning spinoffs to this timeline preserves continuity regarding when spiritual threats emerge, how entities evolve, and how the Warrens’ experiences accumulate. Below is a quick reference table summarizing key attributes for each major film.

Alternate orders depending on your goal

You might choose a different sequence based on what you value most: release context, character focus, scare density, or binge pacing. Below are three usable alternatives.

Release-order view

• The Conjuring (2013)
• The Conjuring 2 (2016)
• The Nun (2018)
• The Bride (2019)
• Annabelle Comes Home (1976)
• Annabelle (2014)
• Annabelle: Creation (2017)
• Annabelle: Blood (2019)
• The Crooked Man (2023)
• The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
• The Warren Files (2025)

Release order reflects how audiences and marketing introduced each story. It is sensible if you want to experience cultural conversation as it happened, though it splits related arcs and can feel temporally disjointed.

Character-first path (Annabelle emphasis)

• Annabel Comes Home (1976)
• Annabelle (2014)
• Annabelle: Creation (2017)
• Annabelle: Blood (2019)
• The Conjuring (2013)
• The Conjuring 2 (2016)
• The Nun
• The Bride
• The Crooked Man
• The Devil Made Me Do It
• The Warren Files

If the haunted-doll mythology draws you, following the Annabelle saga from its earliest appearance makes narrative sense. When you are finished, return to the main Conjuring entries and then move into newer arcs.

Modern scare-first path

• The Conjuring (2013)
• The Conjuring 2 (2016)
• The Nun
• The Bride
• The Devil Made Me Do It
• The Crooked Man
• Annabelle: Creation
• Annabelle
• Annabelle: Blood
• Annabelle Comes Home
• The Warren Files

This prioritizes later-era intensity and monster design, which many contemporary viewers find scarier. You see the Warrens’ cases early, then explore connected spinoffs before revisiting foundational doll stories.

How viewing choices affect the experience

Choosing when to watch Annabelle versus The Conjuring changes how you interpret recurring motifs, such as artifact containment, family tragedy, and institutional trust. Because the films share rules about the Warrens’ work and the nature of spiritual entities, watching related stories close together clarifies cause and effect. Conversely, spreading out heavy reveals can preserve surprise but may obscure how earlier cases inform later ones.

Tips for planning your watch

• Block time for longer sessions; many films run 100–120 minutes and maintain tension across extended scenes.
• Watch in a quiet, dimly lit space to maximize atmosphere, especially for the Annabelle and Nun entries.
• Keep notes or a timeline visible if you care about continuity; the series rewards attention to lore.
• Consider your scare tolerance: the later Annabelle films and The Nun lean heavily into horror, while The Conjuring balances procedural and supernatural elements.

Wrap-up

For most viewers who want a coherent, timeline-driven journey, the recommended order is The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, The Nun, The Crooked Man, The Devil Made Me Do It, The Bride, followed by the Annabelle series from Annabelle Comes Home through Annabelle: Blood, with The Warren Files to follow when it releases. Alternate orders based on character focus or scare intensity are equally valid if they match your viewing goals. Whichever path you choose, paying attention to the shared lore will deepen your understanding of the people, places, and entities that connect the series.