Are you looking for a horror movie that combines terrifying supernatural encounters, mysterious cases, and unforgettable characters? The Conjuring franchise offers all three, but its growing collection of sequels and spin-offs can make the viewing order confusing. This guide explains the main films, the cast, the story timeline, and where to watch each installment. Whether you are a new viewer or a longtime fan, you can use this guide to explore the franchise without missing its important connections.
1. What Is The Conjuring?
The Conjuring is a supernatural horror film franchise created around fictionalized portrayals of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The original film, released in 2013, follows the couple as they investigate disturbing events affecting the Perron family in a secluded Rhode Island farmhouse.
Director James Wan helped establish the franchise’s signature style through unsettling atmosphere, suspenseful investigations, eerie sounds, and sudden scares. Instead of depending entirely on graphic violence, the early films build tension through ordinary household settings that gradually become frightening.
The franchise later expanded into the Annabelle and The Nun spin-off series. These movies explore cursed objects, demonic entities, and supernatural events connected to the wider fictional universe.
Why Is The Conjuring So Popular?
Several elements help explain the franchise’s lasting appeal:
- Suspenseful storytelling: Small details and unexplained sounds build fear before the main threat appears.
- Memorable characters: Ed and Lorraine Warren provide an emotional connection across multiple films.
- Connected stories: Sequels and spin-offs reveal different parts of the same supernatural universe.
- Horror atmosphere: Dark rooms, old houses, and carefully timed sound effects create tension.
- True-story inspiration: The films draw on accounts associated with the Warrens, although the supernatural claims and cinematic events are not independently established facts.
2. The Conjuring Movies in Order
Understanding the difference between release order and chronological order makes the franchise easier to follow. Release order shows how the filmmakers introduced the stories, while chronological order follows the approximate periods in which the fictional events occur.
For first-time viewers, release order is generally the easiest option. It preserves the original reveals and introduces recurring characters in the intended sequence.
Complete The Conjuring Universe Movie Table
The following table covers the principal theatrical films commonly associated with the franchise, including the spin-offs.
| No. | Movie title | Release year | Approximate story period | Main connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Conjuring | 2013 | 1971 | The Perron family haunting |
| 2 | Annabelle | 2014 | 1967 | The haunted doll |
| 3 | The Conjuring 2 | 2016 | 1977 | The Enfield haunting |
| 4 | Annabelle: Creation | 2017 | 1955 | The doll’s origin story |
| 5 | The Nun | 2018 | 1952 | Valak and a Romanian abbey |
| 6 | The Curse of La Llorona | 2019 | 1973 | A supernatural family story with a debated franchise connection |
| 7 | Annabelle Comes Home | 2019 | 1972 | The Warrens’ artifact room |
| 8 | The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 2021 | 1981 | A murder case involving a claim of demonic possession |
| 9 | The Nun II | 2023 | 1956 | Further events involving Valak |
| 10 | The Conjuring: Last Rites | 2025 | 1986 | The Smurl family case and the Warrens |
Important: This table is arranged by theatrical release year, not story chronology. The Curse of La Llorona has a connection through a recurring character, but its status as a core Conjuring Universe entry is disputed. The other nine films form the commonly recognized central movie lineup.
Recommended Release Order for Beginners
Watch the movies in this sequence to experience the franchise as audiences originally did:
- 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 II (2023)
- The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
You can watch The Curse of La Llorona separately if you want to explore the wider collection of related supernatural films.
3. What Is The Conjuring: Last Rites About?
The Conjuring: Last Rites is the fourth main film in the series and was released in 2025. Directed by Michael Chaves, it brings Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga back as Ed and Lorraine Warren.
The story centers on the Smurl family, whose Pennsylvania home becomes the setting for disturbing supernatural events. The Warrens become involved in a case that threatens the family’s safety and places emotional pressure on the investigators themselves.
Unlike a standalone horror story, Last Rites draws on the audience’s familiarity with the Warrens and their family. It combines paranormal investigation with the personal stakes surrounding their daughter, Judy.
Key Facts About Last Rites
- Release year: 2025
- Director: Michael Chaves
- Lead actors: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga
- Supporting cast: Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, among others
- Genre: Supernatural horror, mystery, and thriller
- Runtime: Approximately 135 minutes
- Central case: The Smurl family haunting
The movie is designed to appeal to viewers who have followed the main series. New viewers can understand the central case, but watching the earlier films adds context to the characters and their relationships.
4. The Conjuring Cast and Main Characters
The cast is a major reason the franchise has maintained a recognizable identity. Recurring performances help connect different cases, while new actors introduce families facing unfamiliar supernatural threats.
Main Cast of The Conjuring Films
| Actor | Character | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Wilson | Ed Warren | Paranormal investigator and recurring central character |
| Vera Farmiga | Lorraine Warren | Investigator portrayed with an emphasis on intuition and empathy |
| Ron Livingston | Roger Perron | Perron family member in the first film |
| Lili Taylor | Carolyn Perron | Mother at the center of the original haunting |
| Madison Wolfe | Janet Hodgson | One of the children in The Conjuring 2 |
| Frances O’Connor | Peggy Hodgson | Mother in the Enfield haunting story |
| Sterling Jerins | Judy Warren | Daughter of Ed and Lorraine |
| Taissa Farmiga | Sister Irene | Lead character in The Nun films |
| Bonnie Aarons | Valak | Demonic figure associated with the franchise |
| Annabelle Wallis | Mia Form | Main character in Annabelle |
| Mckenna Grace | Young Judy Warren | Younger version of Judy in Annabelle Comes Home |
| Mia Tomlinson | Judy Warren | Judy in The Conjuring: Last Rites |
| Ben Hardy | Tony Spera | Judy’s boyfriend in Last Rites |
| Steve Coulter | Father Gordon | Priest appearing in the main series |
Cast members vary by installment, and not every character appears in every movie. The table highlights major performers and recurring roles rather than listing every supporting actor.
Why Do Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga Matter?
Wilson and Farmiga give the franchise continuity. Their characters approach frightening cases as a team, balancing investigation, faith, personal risk, and concern for the families they encounter.
Their relationship also helps the films work as character dramas rather than collections of jump scares. As the franchise progresses, the Warrens’ family life becomes increasingly important to the wider narrative.
5. The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It
The third main installment, released in 2021, is officially titled The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. It follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate a criminal case involving a defendant who claims demonic possession influenced his actions.
The story differs from the first two films because it combines supernatural horror with elements of a legal investigation. Instead of focusing only on a haunted home, the narrative explores alleged possession, hidden connections, and the difficulty of finding answers.
What Makes The Conjuring 3 Different?
- It places greater emphasis on a criminal investigation.
- It expands the franchise beyond traditional haunted-house storytelling.
- It explores the relationship between supernatural claims and legal responsibility.
- It continues the central story of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
The film takes inspiration from a real American criminal case, but its supernatural explanations and dramatic events should be treated as cinematic storytelling rather than proven legal or scientific conclusions.
6. The Conjuring 2 and Its Connection to Valak
The Conjuring 2, released in 2016, follows the Warrens as they investigate a reported haunting in Enfield, England. The story introduces a powerful demonic presence that becomes closely associated with Valak.
Valak later becomes a central figure in The Nun and The Nun II. These spin-offs explore the character’s history and give viewers more context about the supernatural threat introduced in the second main film.
Should You Watch The Nun Before The Conjuring 2?
Not necessarily. For first-time viewers, watching The Conjuring 2 before The Nun preserves the way the character was originally introduced.
If you prefer chronological storytelling, The Nun comes earlier in the fictional timeline. Both approaches work, but release order generally makes the reveals more effective for new audiences.
7. The Conjuring Timeline Explained
The timeline becomes easier to understand when you separate the films’ fictional story dates from their release dates.
The universe begins with earlier events involving Valak and Annabelle before moving into the Warrens’ best-known investigations. The main films then progress through cases set in the 1970s and early 1980s, followed by Last Rites in the mid-1980s.
Chronological Order of the Core Movies
| Story order | Film | Approximate setting |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Nun | 1952 |
| 2 | Annabelle: Creation | 1955 |
| 3 | The Nun II | 1956 |
| 4 | Annabelle | 1967 |
| 5 | The Conjuring | 1971 |
| 6 | Annabelle Comes Home | 1972 |
| 7 | The Conjuring 2 | 1977 |
| 8 | The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | 1981 |
| 9 | The Conjuring: Last Rites | 1986 |
This sequence follows the commonly cited approximate settings of the nine core films. Individual scenes may take place at different times, so the table is a viewing guide rather than a scene-by-scene chronology.
Which Order Is Better?
Choose release order if you want to experience the reveals as the filmmakers introduced them. Choose chronological order if you enjoy tracing the history of supernatural entities and connected cases.
For most beginners, release order provides the clearest introduction. For repeat viewers, chronological order offers a different perspective on the franchise’s connected stories.
8. The Conjuring House: Where Is It?
The house associated with the original movie is based on a real farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, connected to the Perron family’s reported experiences. The film’s production and the real property are not identical in every detail.
The location became widely known because the first movie turned the farmhouse into one of modern horror cinema’s most recognizable settings. However, the reported paranormal activity associated with the property remains a matter of personal accounts and disputed claims, not established scientific proof.
Can You Visit The Conjuring House?
Access depends on the property’s current ownership, permissions, and visitor arrangements. Do not assume the property is open to the public, and never enter private land without permission.
If you are interested in the location, verify its current visitor policies before making travel plans. Respect residents, neighbors, and any restrictions on photography or access.
9. Is The Conjuring Based on a True Story?
The films draw inspiration from cases associated with Ed and Lorraine Warren, including reports from the Perron family and the Smurl family. These accounts provide the starting points for the stories, but the movies add dramatic scenes, dialogue, visual effects, and fictional connections.
It is important to distinguish between a reported experience and a verified explanation. People involved in these cases described events they considered paranormal, while skeptics have questioned the evidence and interpretations.
What Is Real and What Is Fiction?
Inspired by reported cases: The films use real people, locations, and historical claims as creative starting points.
Dramatized for entertainment: The dialogue, pacing, character interactions, and many frightening sequences are shaped for cinema.
Not scientifically established: Claims of demonic activity and supernatural causes are not proven simply because a film presents them as part of a true story.
This distinction helps viewers enjoy the horror without treating every scene as a factual record.
10. Where to Watch The Conjuring Movies
Streaming availability changes by country, subscription plan, and licensing agreement. A movie available on one service in the United States may be unavailable or offered through a different platform in Pakistan, the United Kingdom, or another market.
The Conjuring: Last Rites became available on HBO Max in the United States in November 2025. Other films may rotate between subscription services and digital rental or purchase platforms.
How to Find the Right Streaming Service
If you want to watch The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, or Last Rites, use these steps:
- Search the exact movie title in your preferred streaming app.
- Check whether the film is included in your subscription.
- Look at reputable digital stores for rental or purchase options.
- Confirm the available audio, subtitles, and age rating.
- Check the listing for your own country before paying.
Where to Watch The Conjuring in Pakistan
Availability in Pakistan can differ from the US streaming catalog. Search local versions of established streaming platforms and digital stores rather than relying on an old availability list.
Avoid unofficial websites that distribute copyrighted movies without permission. Authorized services offer a safer viewing experience and more reliable video quality.
11. The Conjuring: Last Rites Reviews and Audience Reactions
The response to Last Rites has been mixed. Reviews have praised the performances of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the emotional focus on the Warrens, and some of the film’s frightening sequences. Other critics have found the pacing slow or the story less effective than the strongest earlier installments.
That difference is useful for deciding whether the film suits your taste. Viewers who value character development and a sense of closure may respond differently from those who mainly want constant scares and tightly paced horror.
Is Last Rites Worth Watching?
Consider watching it if you:
- Have followed Ed and Lorraine Warren through earlier films.
- Enjoy supernatural mysteries with a family-centered story.
- Want to see how the latest main installment handles the Warrens’ journey.
- Prefer atmospheric horror over nonstop action.
If you are new to the franchise, begin with the 2013 original. It introduces the main characters and establishes the style that later films build upon.
12. The Conjuring vs. Other Supernatural Horror Films
The Conjuring stands out through its combination of paranormal investigation, family drama, and interconnected stories. The Annabelle films concentrate more heavily on the haunted doll, while The Nun films focus on Valak and the religious settings surrounding that character.
These differences help viewers decide which part of the franchise to explore next.
| Film series | Main focus | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| The Conjuring | Paranormal investigations and haunted families | Viewers who enjoy suspense and character-driven horror |
| Annabelle | A cursed doll and supernatural danger | Fans of haunted-object stories |
| The Nun | Valak, religious imagery, and demonic horror | Viewers who prefer gothic atmosphere |
| The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | A criminal case mixed with supernatural claims | Fans of horror mysteries |
| The Conjuring: Last Rites | The Smurl case and the Warrens’ family story | Returning viewers seeking a continuation |
Each series uses familiar supernatural themes, but the central threat and storytelling approach change from film to film.
13. Tips for Watching The Conjuring for the First Time
A little preparation can make the franchise easier to follow and more enjoyable.
- Start with the original: The 2013 movie provides the foundation for Ed and Lorraine Warren’s cinematic story.
- Follow release order: This approach preserves the original introductions and reveals.
- Keep a timeline in mind: The spin-offs jump between different decades.
- Check content ratings: The movies contain frightening imagery, violence, and disturbing scenes.
- Distinguish fact from fiction: Historical inspiration does not establish paranormal claims as proven.
- Watch in a suitable setting: A dark room and good sound can enhance the atmosphere, but take breaks if the material becomes uncomfortable.
These simple steps help new viewers follow the story without needing to memorize every character or supernatural reference.
14. Frequently Asked Questions About The Conjuring
1. How many Conjuring movies are there?
There are four main Conjuring films, including The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025). The wider Conjuring Universe contains nine core theatrical films when the Annabelle and The Nun spin-offs are included.
2. Is The Conjuring: Last Rites the final movie?
Last Rites was presented as a major concluding chapter for Ed and Lorraine Warren’s cinematic story. Whether the wider franchise will continue through future projects is a separate question, so viewers should not assume that every possible spin-off has ended.
3. What is the correct order to watch The Conjuring movies?
The recommended order for beginners is release order: The Conjuring, Annabelle, The Conjuring 2, Annabelle: Creation, The Nun, Annabelle Comes Home, The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun II, and Last Rites.
4. Are Ed and Lorraine Warren real people?
Yes. Ed and Lorraine Warren were real American paranormal investigators known for their involvement in reported haunting and possession cases. The movies dramatize their activities, and their supernatural interpretations remain disputed.
5. Where is The Conjuring house located?
The farmhouse associated with the original film is in Harrisville, Rhode Island, in the United States. The property has a history connected to the Perron family’s reported experiences, but visitors should confirm access rules and obtain permission before visiting.
6. Where can I watch The Conjuring: Last Rites?
In the United States, Last Rites began streaming on HBO Max in November 2025. Availability varies by region, so viewers in Pakistan and other countries should check local streaming catalogs and authorized digital rental services.
Conclusion
The Conjuring has developed into a major supernatural horror franchise through its connected mysteries, unsettling atmosphere, and memorable characters. From the original Perron family haunting to The Conjuring 2, The Devil Made Me Do It, and Last Rites, each main installment explores a different case while expanding the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
For the best introduction, begin with the 2013 original and continue in release order. Explore the Annabelle and The Nun films when you want to learn more about the wider universe, and use the timeline table to compare the stories’ settings.
Which The Conjuring movie frightened you the most?
Share your favorite installment and your preferred viewing order in the comments.
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