How To Watch All The Conjuring Movies In Chronological Order

Just when some thought that horror had enjoyed its day in the sunshine, director James Wan came alone with ‘The Conjuring,’ a movie that took the world by storm in 2013. Suddenly, we saw all the classic horror film tropes come back to life as we were taken to a haunted house with creaky floorboards, shadowy corners, and something that went bump in the night.

However, it was Ed and Lorrain Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) that really brought it all to life. The paranormal investigators had all the paranormal-fighting gizmos they needed to launch what would eventually become an entire universe, with many never able to get enough. Now, many want to know how to watch all ‘The Conjuring’ movies in chronological order, all the way from the 1950s to 1981.

1. The Nun sees The Conjuring story start at the beginning

Despite being the fifth movie in the universe, ‘The Nun’ is actually the one that chronologically sets the scene. Director Corin Hardy is the one behind the Romanian flick, which sees a novitiate (played by Taissa Farmiga) join forces with a priest (played by Demián Bichir), who both get themselves caught up with Valek the Defiler. Of course, the demonic nun is a recurring theme, but this is the first time we see the evil spirit chronologically.

2. Annabelle: Creation is set three years after The Nun

Things start to get a little confusing when we get to ‘Annabelle: Creation.’ The creepy doll first hit the big screen in 2013, with ‘Annabelle: Creation’ being technically the second of her movies. However, it’s set three years after ‘The Nun’ and introduces her backstory. This happens when a doll maker and his wife (played by Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto) take in a group of orphaned girls, only for one of them to take things too far. Janice (played by Talitha Bateman) is suffering from polio, but she’s obsessed with the doll Annabelle - accidentally unleashing a powerful demon in the process.

3. Annabelle sees the creepy doll continue to wreak havoc

Director John R. Leonetti is the one behind the first of the ‘Annabelle’ trilogy and the second in the chronological order of ‘The Conjuring’ universe. It seems not much has changed when we join the creepy doll in 1967 as she takes center stage in ‘Annabelle.’ This time, the demon is haunting a married couple (played by Ward Horton and Annabelle Wallis), and most of us know how that ends up.

4. The Conjuring is the original film but fourth in order

While it might have been the movie that started it all, ‘The Conjuring’ actually comes in fourth when it comes to a timeline of the universe. We get to see married ghost hunters tackle the events of the movie, with the entire film taking place four years after ‘Annabelle,’ in 1971.

5. Annabelle Comes Home is the final of the Annabelle trilogy

Rounding off Annabelle the doll’s story is none other than ‘Annabelle Comes Home,’ the fifth movie in ‘The Conjuring’s universe. Amazingly, there is less of a time jump here, as the movie takes place in 1972 - one year after ‘The Conjuring.’ It also sees the Warrens’ daughter (played by McKenna Grace) take center stage as Judy must learn how to control this seemingly unstoppable demon.

6. The Curse of La Llorona lines up as the sixth movie released and to watch

While most of ‘The Conjuring’ movies focus on the same demons and characters, ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ is arguably the most far-removed. Amazingly, the movie lines up as the sixth ‘Conjuring’ movie released and the sixth chronologically, taking place in 1973. However, we are taken away from the rest of the universe as we see a mother and social worker (played by Linda Cardellini) as she tries to protect her family from the supernatural being La Llorona.

7. The Conjuring 2 sees us travel all the way to England

The Warrens are back once more in the third released movie and the seventh to watch chronologically, as ‘The Conjuring 2’ sees them return to the big screen. However, they are a long way from home now, as they have to travel all the way to England. It’s 1977, and if anyone can investigate the Enfield poltergeist and keep everyone safe, it’s the Warrens.

8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It brings us closest to the present day

As well as being the most recent ‘Conjuring’ universe addition, ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ is also the closest to the present day. It takes place in 1981, and actually sees some real-life inspiration for the story. It’s set four years after the events from ‘The Conjuring 2’ and tells the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson (played by Ruairi O’Connor), who was the first person in US history to use demonic possession as a defense in a case of taking someone’s life.

If you want to know how to watch all ‘The Conjuring’ movies in chronological order, have no fear; we’ve got you covered.