The Definitive Conjuring Timeline: How To Watch All 10 Movies Chronologically (Updated 2025)
Welcome to the most complete and current guide to The Conjuring Universe timeline. As of this writing on December 25, 2025, the franchise now spans 10 terrifying films, culminating with the recently released final chapter in the main series, The Conjuring: Last Rites. Understanding the chronological order of these interconnected supernatural events—from the 1950s origins of Valak the Demon Nun to the final case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1980s—is essential for any horror fan looking to maximize their viewing experience.
The films in this cinematic universe were released out of sequence, meaning the theatrical release order is drastically different from the in-universe chronological order of events. To follow the story of the powerful entities, cursed objects, and the brave demonologists who fight them, you must dive into the specific case file dates, which is exactly what this definitive, updated list provides.
The Complete Conjuring Universe Chronological Timeline (1952–1980s)
The Conjuring Universe is built around the real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. This timeline is ordered by the year the events of the movie take place, beginning with the earliest supernatural encounters and leading up to the final case file.
- 1. The Nun (2018) - Set in 1952. The timeline begins in Romania at the Cârța Monastery, where a young novitiate named Sister Irene and a priest named Father Burke are sent by the Vatican to investigate the suicide of a nun. This film introduces Valak, the Demon Nun, and establishes the initial connection to the Warrens' later cases.
- 2. Annabelle: Creation (2017) - Set in 1955 (with a 1943 prologue). This prequel details the origin of the terrifying Annabelle doll. A dollmaker and his wife open their home to a group of orphaned girls, only to have the evil entity that possesses the doll terrorize them. The final scene connects directly to the first *Annabelle* film.
- 3. The Nun II (2023) - Set in 1956. Four years after the first film, Sister Irene returns to face Valak once again, this time in France. This sequel further explores the demon's relentless pursuit of the characters and its ties to the demonic entity.
- 4. Annabelle (2014) - Set in 1967. The story jumps ahead to a young doctor and his wife, Mia and John Form, who are the initial owners of the vintage doll. After a terrifying home invasion by members of a satanic cult, the malevolent spirit attached to the doll begins its reign of terror.
- 5. The Conjuring (2013) - Set in 1971. This is the film that started it all, introducing Ed and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson) as they investigate the Perron family's haunted farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. The entity in this case is the demonic witch Bathsheba.
- 6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019) - Set in 1972. Chronologically, this film takes place shortly after the Warrens bring the Annabelle doll into their home and lock it away in their Occult Museum. The doll is accidentally unleashed, activating other dangerous entities like The Crooked Man and the Ferryman.
- 7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019) - Set in 1973. Although often debated, this film is officially part of the universe due to the appearance of Father Perez, who references the Annabelle case. The story follows a social worker dealing with the terrifying Latin American folklore entity, La Llorona (The Weeping Woman), in Los Angeles.
- 8. The Conjuring 2 (2016) - Set in 1977. The Warrens travel to England to investigate the infamous Enfield Poltergeist case. This film also features the iconic Amityville Horror case as a prologue and sees the return of Valak, the Demon Nun.
- 9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) - Set in 1981. This case, known as the "Devil Made Me Do It" case, revolves around the trial of Arne Johnson, the first time demonic possession was used as a defense in a U.S. murder trial. The Warrens face a human cultist using powerful curses.
- 10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) - Set in the 1980s. The newest and final installment in the main series, directed by Michael Chaves, brings the case files of the Warrens to a close. While the exact year is not specified, it follows the 1981 Arne Johnson case, likely taking place in the mid-to-late 1980s, serving as the chronological conclusion to the core saga.
The Interconnected Threads of The Conjuring Universe
What makes The Conjuring Universe so compelling is the deep, interweaving narrative that connects the spin-offs to the core Conjuring films. The franchise, overseen by creator James Wan, successfully uses the Warrens' extensive collection of case files to launch new horror stories, creating a sense of topical authority and a rich world for parapsychology enthusiasts.
For instance, the demon Valak, first revealed to Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) during the Amityville case prologue in The Conjuring 2, is the central antagonist of both The Nun and The Nun II, set decades earlier. Similarly, the Annabelle doll, a cursed object that resides in the Warrens' Occult Museum, anchors its own trilogy, with its malevolent spirit being the connecting thread between its origin in Annabelle: Creation and its later appearance in Annabelle Comes Home.
The inclusion of The Curse of La Llorona, while a standalone story, is cemented by the appearance of Father Perez, who previously dealt with the Annabelle case, confirming its place within the New Line Cinema-produced horror universe.
The Final Chapter: Last Rites and the Warrens' Legacy
The release of The Conjuring: Last Rites on September 5, 2025, marks a significant moment for the franchise as it concludes the main series centered on the Warrens. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who have become synonymous with Ed and Lorraine Warren, reprise their roles for what is considered the final chapter of their on-screen case files.
The previous film, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, took the Warrens into the 1980s to investigate the infamous Arne Johnson murder trial. This shift from haunted houses to a more complex, cult-based demonic conspiracy set a new tone for the main trilogy's conclusion. The final film, Last Rites, is expected to continue this trend, offering a powerful and emotional farewell to the demonologists as they confront their most personal or challenging case yet, bringing their decades-long fight against supernatural evil to a definitive end.
For those looking to fully appreciate the depth of the Warrens' work and the entities they battled—from Bathsheba to The Crooked Man—following this chronological order is the only way to track the evolution of the evil forces and the resilience of the investigators. The entire Conjuring Universe, including all 10 films, offers a masterclass in modern horror filmmaking, successfully building a cohesive and terrifying shared world.
How to Watch: Chronological vs. Release Order
While the chronological order (starting with The Nun in 1952) provides the most depth and context for the entities, many fans prefer the release order for a different kind of experience. The release order (starting with The Conjuring in 2013) is often preferred because it builds the mystery and tension around the Annabelle doll and Valak, revealing their origins later as terrifying surprises. For a casual viewer, the release order is a great introduction, but for true completionists and those seeking maximum topical authority, the chronological timeline is the definitive viewing path.
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