Conjuring Universe Timeline: Watch In Order (From The Nun To The Conjuring 3)
Are you brave enough to descend into the terrifying world of The Conjuring Universe, a cinematic tapestry woven with threads of demonic entities, haunted artifacts, and the chilling investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren? This guide unlocks the precise chronological order of the films, revealing the sinister origins and interconnected stories that have captivated audiences worldwide.
The Conjuring Universe, a sprawling cinematic saga, has become a cornerstone of the horror genre, chilling audiences with its tales of demonic possession, haunted artifacts, and the real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren. But with a series of films released out of chronological order, understanding the true sequence of events can be a daunting task. This guide serves as your roadmap, leading you through the timeline from the earliest origins of the demonic nun, Valak, to the latest adventures of the Warrens.
The journey begins in the heart of Romania, in 1952. Here, in the gothic shadows of a secluded monastery, the seeds of dread are sown in "The Nun." This film, released in 2018, chronologically precedes all others, introducing the demonic entity Valak and exploring its sinister origins. A Catholic priest and a young nun are dispatched to investigate the death of a fellow sister, uncovering a terrifying truth: a gateway has been opened, unleashing an ancient evil upon the world.
The events of "The Nun" provide critical backstory, establishing the character and the nature of the evil that the Warrens would later confront. Valak's presence, a demonic force that preys on faith, is a central element that threads its way through the entire series, connecting the films in a web of supernatural dread.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Nun |
| Release Date | September 7, 2018 |
| Chronological Placement | First |
| Setting | Romania, 1952 |
| Central Demon | Valak |
| Key Characters | Father Burke, Sister Irene |
| Synopsis | Investigation of a nun's death at a Romanian monastery uncovers the origins of the demonic entity Valak. |
| Connections to other films | Introduces Valak, connects to "The Conjuring 2." |
| Reference | IMDB |
Following the events of "The Nun," we journey to California in 1955, to delve into the origins of the cursed doll in "Annabelle: Creation" (2017). This film, while the fourth installment released, serves as the second chronologically. It depicts the horrific circumstances surrounding the creation of the Annabelle doll, and the demonic entity that inhabits it. The story is set in the 1950s, it builds upon the lore that was established in the first "Annabelle" movie (2014) and provides a compelling, chilling look at the doll's origins.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Annabelle: Creation |
| Release Date | August 11, 2017 |
| Chronological Placement | Second |
| Setting | California, 1955 |
| Central Demon | Various |
| Key Characters | Samuel Mullins, Esther Mullins, Janice |
| Synopsis | The story of how the Annabelle doll became a vessel for a demonic entity. |
| Connections to other films | Origin of Annabelle doll, sets up events in "Annabelle" and "The Conjuring" |
| Reference | IMDB |
Next, we venture into the year 1967, in southern California, where the first Annabelle movie unfolds. The second film made in the Conjuring universe, even before The Conjuring 2, was prequel Annabelle, taking place in 1967 in southern california, 12 years after the official origin of the doll. The events depicted here directly precede the doll's appearance in the original "Conjuring" film. We are introduced to the cursed doll's malevolence, which establishes the events to follow in the original film.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Annabelle |
| Release Date | October 3, 2014 |
| Chronological Placement | Third |
| Setting | Southern California, 1967 |
| Central Demon | Various |
| Key Characters | John Form, Mia Form |
| Synopsis | A family's life is terrorized after they acquire the Annabelle doll. |
| Connections to other films | Introduces the Annabelle doll, connects to "The Conjuring." |
| Reference | IMDB |
The Warrens' saga truly begins in 1968, when the original Annabelle intervention takes place, although the main part of "The Conjuring" (2013) is set in 1971. This is where we are introduced to the Warrens and their work, a film that started the saga of the Warrens. The film focuses on a harrowing case in Harrisville, Rhode Island. The Perron family finds themselves tormented by a malevolent entity. Ed and Lorraine Warren are called to investigate, confronting a terrifying presence that preys on the family's vulnerability.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Conjuring |
| Release Date | July 19, 2013 |
| Chronological Placement | Fourth |
| Setting | Rhode Island, 1971 |
| Central Demon | Bathsheba |
| Key Characters | Ed and Lorraine Warren, the Perron Family |
| Synopsis | The Warrens investigate a haunting in the Perron family's home. |
| Connections to other films | Introduces Ed and Lorraine Warren, Annabelle cameo. |
| Reference | IMDB |
Subsequently, the film "Annabelle Comes Home" (2019) is set in 1972. Following the events of the first "Conjuring" film, Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the Annabelle doll to their home and lock her away in their artifact room. But when the doll awakens the evil spirits in the room, they start to target the Warren's daughter and her friends. Annabelle Comes Home is the sequel to the Annabelle movie, and is the seventh installment of the Conjuring series.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Annabelle Comes Home |
| Release Date | June 26, 2019 |
| Chronological Placement | Fifth |
| Setting | Connecticut, 1972 |
| Central Demon | Annabelle (and various others) |
| Key Characters | Ed and Lorraine Warren, Judy Warren, Daniela Rios |
| Synopsis | Annabelle awakens the evil spirits in the Warren's artifact room and targets their daughter and her friends. |
| Connections to other films | Features the Annabelle doll, Ed and Lorraine Warren. |
| Reference | IMDB |
The chilling events of "The Conjuring 2" (2016) takes us to the year 1977, where the Warrens are challenged by the infamous Enfield Poltergeist case in England. The Conjuring 2, while the fifth film in the series released, the sixth film chronologically, which showcases the Warrens battling the demonic spirit of Valak. This film builds upon the foundations laid in the first "Conjuring" and "The Nun." Lorraine Warren experiences a harrowing vision, the events of the Enfield haunting and the appearance of Valak, the nun, which puts her husband's life in danger.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Conjuring 2 |
| Release Date | June 10, 2016 |
| Chronological Placement | Sixth |
| Setting | Enfield, England, 1977 |
| Central Demon | Valak |
| Key Characters | Ed and Lorraine Warren, the Hodgson family |
| Synopsis | The Warrens investigate a haunting in the Enfield home. |
| Connections to other films | Features Valak, connects to "The Nun." |
| Reference | IMDB |
The most recent story on the timeline is "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" (2021), set in 1981. The Warrens confront the case of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, the first known case in U.S. history, where a murder defendant used demonic possession as a defense. This case is a chilling exploration of the dark forces, as the Warrens navigate the dark world of demonic possession.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It |
| Release Date | June 4, 2021 |
| Chronological Placement | Seventh |
| Setting | Connecticut, 1981 |
| Central Demon | Various |
| Key Characters | Ed and Lorraine Warren, Arne Cheyenne Johnson |
| Synopsis | The Warrens investigate a case of demonic possession that leads to a murder trial. |
| Connections to other films | Continues the Warren's investigations. |
| Reference | IMDB |
While not directly connected to the Warrens' cases, "The Curse of La Llorona" (2019) is a film set in 1973, adds another layer of supernatural horror to the Conjuring universe. It explores the legend of La Llorona. This film, though it shares the same universe as the Conjuring, stands apart and is not directly connected to the Warrens' story.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Curse of La Llorona |
| Release Date | April 19, 2019 |
| Chronological Placement | Not directly connected |
| Setting | Los Angeles, 1973 |
| Central Demon | La Llorona |
| Key Characters | Anna Tate-Garcia |
| Synopsis | A social worker and her children are terrorized by La Llorona. |
| Connections to other films | Set in the same universe, but separate from the Warrens' stories. |
| Reference | IMDB |
This chronological journey through the Conjuring Universe reveals a complex web of interconnected stories, demonic entities, and the courageous efforts of Ed and Lorraine Warren. As you navigate this terrifying timeline, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the lore and the enduring appeal of this cinematic horror franchise. Understanding the chronological order of events is key to fully appreciating the interconnected narratives and the chilling atmosphere that defines the Conjuring Universe.
