Wondering how to watch The Conjuring universe in the correct sequence? This guide lists every feature film in release order, from the original 2013 classic to the latest additions, and explains how each film connects. You will find the main The Conjuring movies, the Annabelle and Crooked Man expansions, and how they fit into the broader world of New Line Cinema horror. Watch in order to follow the evolution of the Warrens’ cases and the growing cinematic universe without missing key story beats.
The Conjuring Main Series in Release Order
The core series follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren across distinct cases, escalating the mythology with each entry. Below is a factual overview of the main series in the order they reached audiences, including release years and series context.
| Title | Year | Subject or Focus | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | 2013 | The Warrens’ case in a rural farmhouse | Introduces the investigators and their methodical approach |
| The Conjuring 2 | 2016 | The Enfield Poltergeist in London | Expands the scope with a high-profile haunting |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 2021 | A court case involving demonic influence | Pushes the mythology into legal territory |
Spin-Off: Annabelle Series (Release Order)
The Annabelle films expand the lore around a single haunted doll, exploring origins and escalating threats before converging with the main continuity.
- Annabelle (2014): A newlywed couple encounters a sinister porcelain doll.
- Annabelle: Creation (2017): Introduces the doll’s origin story decades earlier.
- Annabelle Comes Home (1979): The foundational horror classic that established the character.
- Annabelle (2024): A contemporary chapter that further bridges the mythology.
Recommended viewing for Annabelle lore: 1979 original, 2014, 2017, 2024 to trace the entity’s progression.
Spin-Off: The Crooked Man and Other Expanders
Beyond Annabelle, several films extend the universe by introducing distinct entities and investigators, mostly released alongside the main series.
- The Crooked Man (2019): Introduces a legendary folk horror antagonist and a new investigator, aligning temporally with the Warrens’ era.
- The Nun (2018): A Vatican story set in Eastern Europe, connected to the main timeline through a supporting priest.
- The Ritual (2017): A folk-horror road-trip, thematically linked though not directly featuring the Warrens.
- Lights Out (2016): A modern supernatural tale credited within the shared universe by the filmmakers.
- Insidious: The Last Key (2023): A crossover-focused installment tying back to earlier entries in the broader franchise.
Watching in Chronological Story Order vs. Release Order
Because spin-offs frequently employ period settings, release order does not always match in-story progression. Viewers seeking a narrative timeline may opt for chronological story order, though this can obscure cultural reception history and evolving filmmaking techniques. Release order preserves how audiences and critics experienced the reveals, helping you appreciate how each film built audience expectations and expanded the universe.
How to Choose Your Viewing Path
- First-time viewers: Follow release order to experience the escalating dread and marketing-crafted shocks as originally intended.
- Completionists and mythology hunters: Use chronological order after watching key entries to uncover deeper connections and recurring entities.
- Casual viewers: Start with The Conjuring (2013) and Annabelle (2014) to grasp the central premise before branching out.
Notable Milestones and Trends
The Conjuring universe popularized event-style horror marketing, legacy sequels, and period-set expansions, establishing New Line Cinema as a hub for shared supernatural storytelling. As the series matured, it incorporated courtroom drama, folkloric depth, and cross-property stakes, reflecting broader trends in modern horror. Future releases will likely continue blending established mythology with fresh settings and entities, so staying informed about announced projects helps you plan your watch sequence.