The Conjuring Universe timeline: How to watch the horror series in chronological order

The Conjuring universe has been a source of terror for film fans for a decade. Now it's back with its "most violent" movie yet in The Nun 2, which landed in UK cinemas on Friday, 8 September.

The horror series first began with The Conjuring, James Wan's 2013 flick about real life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren — Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga — and its success soon spawned multiple spin-offs, sequels and prequels.

Read more: Everything we know about The Nun 2

As the next chapter begins, we take a look back at the franchise and what fans need to know about the franchise timeline.

The Conjuring Universe timeline

Although The Conjuring was released in 2013, it's actually not the first in the franchise chronologically speaking, as several films in the horror series are set before it.

While the film franchise is connected, the movies were not released in chronological order, which means that for some viewers it can be confusing to remember which storyline comes first and how they influence one another.

The Nun (2018) | 1952, Romania

The Nun was released in 2018 but in terms of the franchise timeline it comes first, as the prequel takes place in 1952.

Set in Romania, the horror flick follows Roman Catholic priest Father Burke (Demian Bichir) as he and nun Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) begin to investigate paranormal events involving an evil nun, played by The Conjuring 2's Bonnie Aaron once more.

Annabelle: Creation (2017) | 1955, California

The fourth film in the franchise but second chronologically is Annabelle: Creation. The second Annabelle film follows the titular terrifying doll and reveals the origin of how she came to be haunted.

Released in 2017, it follows a doll-maker who decides to take in six orphans and a nun into his home only for an ancient evil to rise up as a result.

The Nun 2 (2023) | 1956

New release The Nun 2 is set four years after the character's first spin-off and so it comes in third in the franchise's overall timeline.

Read more: Everything you need to know about The Nun 2

It follows Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) once more as she faces a new demonic entity, this time in a school in France.

Annabelle (2014) | 1967, California

Set 12 years after Annabelle: Creation, the 2014 film sees the demonic doll terrorise a young doctor and his wife when they move into a new home and bring her with them.

It was the first spin-off to The Conjuring and also one of the most well-received, hence why the doll has spawned her own solo franchise.

The Conjuring (2013) | 1971, Rhode Island

The one that started it all. The Conjuring follows Farmiga and Wilson's characters Lorraine and Ed Warren — themselves inspired by the real-life paranormal investigators — as they assist a family who are being haunted by ghosts.

Based on the Warren duo's real-life experiences, the film is inspired by their involvement in the haunting of a house in Amityville, Long Island, where a family claimed to be terrorised by paranormal beings a year after six members of the family were murdered in the home.

Annabelle Comes Home (2019) | 1972

The third Annabelle film sees Lorraine and Ed Warren return to confiscate the haunted doll, but when they bring it back to their home their daughter Judy (McKenna Grace) begins to be terrorised by it.

The Warren family are forced to face not only the demonic doll but also other haunted artefacts in their home which start to wreak havoc.

The Conjuring 2 (2016) | 1977, London

Following the events of the first Conjuring movie, Lorraine and Ed Warren are tasked with helping a family who are also being haunted by an evil spirit.

The 2016 film was the one to introduce the world to The Nun, who later came to headline her own spin-off and will soon return in The Nun 2.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) | 1981, Connecticut

The third Conjuring film was released in 2021, and the eighth film in the franchise is also the most recent in the series' overall timeline.

Set in 1981, the horror flick sees the Warren's involvement in a murder case involving Arne Cheyenne Johnson (Ruairi O'Connor), who claims he was possessed by a demon and forced to kill his landlord.

How to watch the Conjuring Universe in order

If you are looking for an epic horror film night then you would do well to chose the Conjuring Universe, but the question is what is the best way to watch the films? Well, that depends on whether you'd like to see it in release order or chronological order.

The Conjuring Universe in release order:

• The Conjuring (2013)

• Annabelle (2014)

• The Conjuring 2 (2016)

• Annabelle: Creation (2017)

• The Nun (2018)

• Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

• The Nun 2 (2023)

The Conjuring Universe in chronological order:

• The Nun (2018)

• Annabelle: Creation (2017)

• The Nun 2 (2023)

• Annabelle (2014)

• The Conjuring (2013)

• Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

• The Conjuring 2 (2016)

• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

The Nun 2 is out now. Watch a trailer below.