Why the Sequence Changes Everything
The Warrens' story is not a single movie. It is a sprawling franchise. Watching the conjuring films in chronological order reveals a much darker narrative. The timeline stretches back decades before the Perron family moved into their Rhode Island farmhouse. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and conjuring films in chronological order.
- 2013. But the actual events started in
- 1971. The sequels and spin-offs fill in the gaps between these dates. Placing them in chronological order creates a cohesive horror experience. You see the cause and effect of the Warrens' involvement.
The Correct Watch Order: Chronological Timeline
Forget release dates for a moment. Here is how the story actually unfolds.
1. The Nun (2018)
This film takes place earliest, in 1952 Romania. The Nun follows Father Burke and Sister Irene. They investigate a suicide at a cloister. The evil here is a ancient demon called Valak. It sets the stage for the demonic forces the Warrens will later face. A prequel film, The Nun II, follows immediately after this timeline entry.
2. The Conjuring (2013)
The Warrens move into the Harrisville farmhouse in 1971. Roger and Lorraine investigate the Perron family. Carolyn Perron and her five daughters face a dark presence. This is the foundation of the entire franchise. It introduces the characters and their methods. The film establishes the personal cost of this work.
3. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
This prequel takes place in 1955. The Warrens encounter a haunted doll before the Perron case. Samuel and Esther Mullins open their home to orphaned girls. A broken doll becomes a vessel for a demonic spirit. The film connects directly to the first Annabelle movie.
4. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Set in 1973 Los Angeles, this film happens between The Conjuring and Annabelle Comes Home. A single mother faces a vengeful ghost from Mexican folklore. The Warrens only make a brief appearance. This entry adds a global scope to the demonic threats.
5. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
This film is set in 1972, right after the events of The Conjuring. The Warrens bring the haunted doll into their artifact room. A teenage babysitter unleashes the contained evil. It serves as a direct sequel to the 2014 Annabelle movie. The tension ramps up inside the Warrens' own house.
6. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The timeline jumps to 1981. This installment features a young boy who stabbed his mother. The Warrens investigate an unusual case of demonic possession. It moves away from the classic haunted house formula. The film introduces a darker, more aggressive supernatural threat.
The Prequel Puzzle: Annabelle Films
The Annabelle series requires careful placement. The films exist in two distinct eras relative to the Warrens' main cases.
The Origin Story
Annabelle (2014) and Annabelle: Creation (2017) show the doll's dark past. These films precede the Warrens' active involvement. The 1967 setting in the first film is important. It gives us the artifact before the Warrens collect it.
The Artifact Era
Annabelle Comes Home (2019) places the doll in the Warrens' care. The 1972 setting puts it firmly in the franchise's middle. This is when the doll becomes part of their evidence locker. It bridges the gap between the Perron case and the later Conjuring film.
What You Miss by Ignoring Chronology
Watching the movies by release date creates plot holes. The Devil Made Me Do It ending seems disconnected if you start there. The lore feels scattered. A chronological approach reveals a single, continuous war against evil. The Warrens face the same forces across different decades.
The connections are subtle but powerful. You notice how the Warrens' artifacts multiply. The scope of the demonic world expands with each entry. A viewer who watches in sequence gets the full picture. They see the origins of the legends they know.
Where to Start If You Are Short on Time
If the full chronological list feels daunting, start with the anchor films. Watch The Conjuring first. Follow it immediately with The Conjuring 2. This pair gives you the core experience. Then, move outward to the prequels and spin-offs.
For a deep dive into the lore, consider exploring the Warrens' real case files. The official Warrens Museum details many of their investigations. You can find extensive records at the Warrens' Occult Museum. The museum's history provides the factual backbone for these fictional stories.