The Ultimate Guide to The Conjuring Universe

The Ultimate Guide to The Conjuring Universe has everything you need from movie watch order, timelines, books, graphic novels, real cases and more!

What Makes the Conjuring Universe So Popular?

It always starts with a whisper in the dark. A music box clicks open. A door creaks just slightly. And before you know it, you’re trapped in the chilling grip of the most successful horror cinematic universe of all time. That's why I've created The Ultimate Guide to The Conjuring Universe.

Spanning over a decade, ten films, and more than $2 billion in global box office, this franchise has terrified audiences worldwide - and it all began with a haunted farmhouse in Rhode Island. Anchored by the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the series dares to ask: What if the ghost stories were true?

Created by horror mastermind James Wan, the Conjuring Universe isn’t just a random collection of jump scares and demonic dolls. It’s a carefully woven mythos that connects cursed artifacts, malevolent nuns, and grieving parents across time. From Annabelle to Valak, from The Conjuring to The Nun II, every movie adds a new layer of lore, fear, and franchise continuity.

But with so many spin-offs, prequels, and out-of-order timelines, it’s no wonder fans are asking:

• What is the correct order to watch the Conjuring movies?

• Is The Curse of La Llorona really part of the universe?

• How many Conjuring movies are there, and which ones are based on real cases?

• What other media is The Conjuring Universe featured in besides movies? 

Whether you’re a first-time viewer, a seasoned demonologist or someone just trying to figure out where the hell that creepy Ferryman came from, this guide is your one-stop shop. We’ll unravel the full Conjuring franchise, from its chronological timeline to the real stories that inspired it - and yes, we’ll even tell you if that doll is still locked in a glass case.

So grab your rosary, turn on all the lights, and let’s descend into the darkness - together.

How to Watch the Conjuring Movies in Order (Chronological vs Release)

So, you’re ready to dive into the Conjuring Universe… but where do you even start? Do you follow the release order, the way fans experienced the films in real time? Or do you go chronological, jumping straight to the earliest known hauntings in the Warrens’ case files?

The good (and terrifying) news is: there’s no wrong answer!! But depending on how you like your horror - slow-burning and lore-heavy or twisty and reveal-packed - your ideal watch order might vary.

Below, I break down both the chronological and release order so you can binge your way through demons, dolls, and demonic nuns however you dare.

Release Order: The Way the Universe Unfolded

If you want to experience the franchise the way audiences did - with story reveals and spin-offs introduced in real time - follow this order:

1. The Conjuring (2013)

2. Annabelle (2014)

3. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)

5. The Nun (2018)

6. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

7. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

9. The Nun II (2023)

10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (upcoming — Sept 5, 2025)

🧠 Why choose this?

You’ll preserve the dramatic reveals and Easter eggs as they were intended—especially in the Annabelle trilogy and the Warren-centric films.

Buy The Conjuring - The Warrens Wall Decor on Amazon here!

Chronological Order: The Universe by Timeline

If you want to follow the events in-universe, from the earliest demonic incidents to the Warrens’ most recent case, follow this order:

1. The Nun (set in 1952, Romania)

2. Annabelle: Creation (1955)

3. Annabelle (1967)

4. Annabelle Comes Home (1968)

5. The Conjuring (1971)

6. The Curse of La Llorona (unofficial, loosely 1973)

7. The Conjuring 2 (1977, Enfield poltergeist)

8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (1981)

9. The Nun II (connects both timelines - flashbacks to 1956, but frames modern events)

10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (TBD, but likely post-1981)
    

👻 Why choose this?

You’ll experience the timeline like a case file—uncovering the origin of Valak, Annabelle’s sinister beginnings, and the events that ultimately build the Warrens’ haunted artifact room.

Buy The Conjuring: Lorraine Warren FUNKO POP! on Amazon!

 
So… Which Order Is Best?

• First-time watcher? Go with release order to build suspense and experience key twists.

• Returning fan? Try chronological order for deeper lore and subtle connections you may have missed.

• Superfan? Alternate between the two - release order for Annabelle & Conjuring films, chronological for spin-offs like The Nun.
  
  

Pro Tip: Download our printable Conjuring Universe Watchlist PDF [coming soon] - and check off each nightmare as you survive it.

The Conjuring Universe - Movie by Movie Breakdown

1. The Conjuring (2013)

Chronological Placement: #5

Setting: Harrisville, Rhode Island – 1971

The one that started it all. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are called to help the Perron family, who’ve moved into a remote farmhouse plagued by sinister events. A dark entity tied to the land’s disturbing past becomes one of their most iconic cases.

Key Cast: Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren); Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren); Sterling Jerins (Judy Warren); Shannon Kook (Drew Thomas) Joey King (Christine); Lili Taylor (Carolyn Perron); Ron Livingston (Roger Perron); 

Franchise Significance:

• Introduces the Warrens

• Debuts the infamous artifact room

• Connects to future cases (Annabelle, The Nun)

Fun Fact:

The real Perron family visited the set - and strange things reportedly happened during filming.

 
Buy The Conjuring (4K Blu-ray Steelbook) on Amazon here!

 
2. Annabelle (2014)

Chronological Placement: #3

Setting: California – 1967

Before she was locked behind glass in the Warrens’ museum, Annabelle was just a cursed doll causing mayhem for a young couple expecting their first child. The demonic presence attached to the doll begins a string of terror that connects directly to the Warrens’ early files.

Key Cast:  Alfre Woodard (Evelyn); Tony Amendola (Father Perez); Ward Horton (John); Annabelle Wallis (Mia)

Franchise Significance:

• First spin-off

• Establishes Annabelle as a major demonic conduit

• Ties directly into The Conjuring’s opening scene

Fun Fact:

The real Annabelle was a Raggedy Ann doll - not the terrifying porcelain version seen here.

Buy Annabelle (Blu-Ray) on Amazon here!

3. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Chronological Placement: #7

Setting: Enfield, England – 1977

The Warrens head to London to confront the infamous Enfield poltergeist, but they soon realize there’s a much darker force at play: Valak, the demon nun. This case pushes Lorraine’s abilities and introduces one of the most iconic horror villains of the 2010s.

Key Cast: Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren); Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren); Frances O'Connor (Peggy Hodgson); Madison Wolfe (Janet Hodgson)

Franchise Significance:

• Introduces Valak (The Nun)

• Seeds future spin-offs

• Reinforces the emotional weight of the Warrens’ bond

• Now stylized as The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist

Fun Fact:

Valak was a last-minute addition during reshoots - the original demon design was entirely different.

Buy The Conjuring 2 (Blu-Ray) on Amazon here!

4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Chronological Placement: #2

Setting: California – 1955

This prequel to the prequel takes us to the origin of Annabelle - starting with a grieving dollmaker and the orphan girls who move into his cursed home. Darker, more atmospheric, and surprisingly tragic, it elevates the Annabelle storyline with gothic flair.

Key Cast: Anthony LaPaglia (Samuel Mullins); Samara Lee (Bee); Miranda Otto (Esther Mullins); Brad Greenquist (Victor Palmeri)

Franchise Significance:

• Explains how the doll became a conduit for evil

• Bridges directly into the events of Annabelle (2014)

• Introduces Sister Charlotte, subtly linking to The Nun

Fun Fact:

There’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it photograph that teases Valak in a convent - setting the stage for her solo film.

Buy Annabelle: Creation (Blu-Ray) on Amazon here!

5. The Nun (2018)

Chronological Placement: #1

Setting: Romania – 1952

Traveling deeper into the Warrens’ archives, this chilling origin story reveals how Valak, the demon nun, entered our world. A young novitiate and a priest are sent by the Vatican to investigate a suicide at a remote abbey - and uncover something ancient and unholy buried within.

Key Cast: Taissa Farmiga (Sister Irene); Jonas Bloquet (Frenchie); Bonnie Aarons (The Nun); Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren); Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren); Lili Taylor (Carolyn Perron); 

Franchise Significance:

• Chronologically first in the timeline

• Establishes Valak’s backstory

• Expands the universe beyond the Warrens’ direct involvement

Fun Fact:

The film’s climax echoes scenes from The Conjuring 2 - closing a loop between past and present.

Buy The Nun (4K Blu-Ray) on Amazon here!

6. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

Chronological Placement: #6 (disputed)

Setting: Los Angeles – 1973

Based on the Mexican folklore of the Weeping Woman, this film follows a social worker and her children as they’re stalked by a malevolent spirit. While only loosely connected to the main timeline, a familiar priest hints at a deeper link.

Key Cast: Linda Cardellini (Anna); Raymond Cruz (Rafael); Sean Patrick Thomas (Detective Cooper); Tony Amendola (Father Perez); 

Franchise Significance:

• Features Father Perez, previously seen in Annabelle

• No direct Warren involvement

• Considered canon-adjacent by many fans

Fun Fact:

Originally promoted as part of the universe, but later downplayed by director Michael Chaves and James Wan.

Buy The Curse of La Llorona (Blu-Ray) on Amazon here!

7. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Chronological Placement: #4

Setting: Connecticut – 1968

When the Warrens bring Annabelle home and lock her away, things should’ve ended there. But one curious friend of their daughter Judy unknowingly unleashes Annabelle - and a host of other cursed artifacts - from the museum of horrors.

Key Cast:  Mckenna Grace (Judy Warren); Madison Iseman (Mary Ellen); Katie Strife (Daniela Rios); Michael Cimino (Bob Palmeri); Samara Lee (Bee); Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren); Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren)

Franchise Significance:

• First time the Warrens’ daughter plays a central role

• Introduces a slew of cursed objects (The Ferryman, The Bride, The Samurai Armor)

• Takes place entirely in one night

Fun Fact:

The film functions almost like a paranormal Avengers, teasing future spin-offs that never materialized.

Buy Annabelle Comes Home (Blu-Ray) on Amazon here!

8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

Chronological Placement: #8

Setting: Connecticut – 1981

Based on the chilling real case of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, this entry breaks format by focusing on a murder trial involving demonic possession. It’s less haunted house, more supernatural thriller - and offers a darker look at how far evil can spread.

Key Cast: Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren); Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren); Shannon Kook (Drew); Steve Coulter (Father Gordon); Sterling Jerins (Judy Warren); Mitchell Hoog (Young Ed); Megan Ashley Brown (Young Lorraine)

Franchise Significance:

• Stylistically referred to as The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It

• Pushes the Warrens’ dynamic into deeper emotional territory

• Closes the original trilogy arc (while leaving the door open…)

Fun Fact:

This was the first case in U.S. history where demonic possession was used as a legal defense.

Buy The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It (4K Blu-Ray) on Amazon here!

9.  The Nun II (2023)

Chronological Placement: #9

Setting: France – 1956 & 1978

Set years after the original Nun, Sister Irene returns to face Valak once again - this time as the demon spreads its influence across Europe. Meanwhile, a surprising connection between Valak and another character from the main franchise is revealed.

Key Cast: Taissa Farmiga (Irene); Jonas Bloquet (Maurice); Storm Reid (Debra); Bonnie Aarons (The Nun); 

Franchise Significance:

• Strengthens ties to Annabelle and The Conjuring 2

• Reveals Valak’s deeper obsession with divine bloodlines

• Final setup for The Conjuring: Last Rites

Fun Fact:

The climactic battle mirrors scenes from the first Conjuring, bringing the universe full circle thematically.

Buy The Nun 2 (4K Blu-Ray) on Amazon here!

10. The Conjuring: Last Rites (Coming Sept 5, 2025)

Chronological Placement: #10

Setting: Post-1981 (exact date TBD)

The grand finale of the Warrens’ cinematic saga. While details remain mostly under wraps, early reports hint at a terrifying final investigation involving the Warrens’ most dangerous artifact yet. Rumors suggest a return to the haunted museum… and a final showdown with forces that have been building for decades.

Franchise Significance:

• Said to be the end of the main Warren storyline

• Expected to link together threads from The Nun, Annabelle, and Annabelle Comes Home

• James Wan is producing; Michael Chaves returns to direct

• Not yet stylized as The Conjuring 4: Last Rites.

Fun Fact:

Speculation suggests the case may be based on the Warren files labeled “The Haunting in Connecticut” but that has not been confirmed.

Characters & Entities You Need to Know

The Conjuring Universe isn’t just haunted houses and creepy dolls - it’s a twisted, ever-expanding web of cursed objects, demonic forces, and fearless investigators. Some of these characters appear across multiple films, while others leave such a strong impression in one appearance, they demand your attention (and possibly a crucifix).

Below are the key players - both human and… not quite.

Ed & Lorraine Warren

First Appearance: The Conjuring (2013)

Portrayed By: Patrick Wilson & Vera Farmiga

Real or Fictional? Based on real people

The paranormal power couple who anchor the franchise. Ed is a demonologist, Lorraine is a clairvoyant, and together they take on haunted houses, demonic possessions, and skeptical cops. Whether they’re confronting Valak or comforting a terrified family, the Warrens provide the emotional backbone of the series.

🧠 Lore Tip: In real life, the Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research and claimed to have investigated over 10,000 cases.

Valak (The Nun)

First Appearance: The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Full Title: The Defiler, The Profane, The Marquis of Snakes

Form: A terrifying demonic nun

Valak is the most infamous demon in the Conjuring Universe, known for tormenting Lorraine Warren in dreams, disguising itself as clergy, and spreading its influence through centuries. Originally summoned through occult rituals, Valak’s true motive is ambiguous - but its presence always spells doom.

🎥 Did You Know? Valak was added late in the production of The Conjuring 2, replacing a more Lovecraftian creature after test audiences didn’t respond well.

Annabelle (The Doll)

First Appearance: The Conjuring (2013)

Actual Origin: A Raggedy Ann doll (in real life)

She doesn’t move. She doesn’t talk. But Annabelle wrecks lives just by being in the same room. A conduit for a demonic entity (not the demon itself), Annabelle has become one of horror’s most iconic objects. Her trilogy of films dives deep into the mythology of possession, cursed objects, and accidental summoning.

🧷 Warning: The real Annabelle is still locked in a glass case at the Warrens’ museum - which is now closed to the public.

The Ferryman

First Appearance: Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Known For: Taking coins from the eyes of the dead

One of the creepiest new spirits introduced in the museum of horrors. The Ferryman doesn’t just collect souls - he terrorizes people by turning death into currency. His origins are murky, but he’s one of the most “spin-off-worthy” villains in the franchise.

🪙 Fun Fact: His lore is based loosely on the Greek mythological figure Charon, who ferried souls across the River Styx.

La Llorona (The Weeping Woman)

First Appearance: The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

Based On: Latin American folklore

La Llorona is a tragic figure - a mother cursed to roam the earth crying for her drowned children. While her connection to the Conjuring Universe is tenuous, her film shares characters and tone. She stalks children, manipulates grief, and infects homes with sorrow and wet footprints.

🧼 Debated Canon: Though Father Perez appears in both Annabelle and La Llorona, director Michael Chaves has said the film is only “spiritually” connected.

Buy NECA The Nun - Valak The Nun Action Figure on Amazon!

The Occult Museum & Its Cursed Objects

Location: Ed & Lorraine’s basement

First Seen: The Conjuring (2013)

Central Role: Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

From a haunted wedding dress to an old TV that shows the future, the museum houses dozens of cursed artifacts collected over the Warrens’ decades of investigations. Every item has a story - some told, many still waiting. It’s the connective tissue of the entire universe.

🎯 Spin-Off Goldmine: Multiple objects in the museum were introduced as Easter eggs, originally intended for future films (e.g., The Bride, Samurai Armor, Monkey toy).

Real Stories vs Hollywood – Fact or Fiction?

For all its supernatural flair and demonic drama, The Conjuring Universe is rooted in one terrifying claim: it’s all (allegedly) based on true events.

But how much of what we see on screen actually happened? Let’s separate the possessed facts from the movie magic.

The Warrens: Real People, Real Files… Real Debate

Ed and Lorraine Warren were indeed real—and controversial. Ed called himself a demonologist. Lorraine claimed clairvoyant abilities. Together, they investigated everything from haunted homes to cursed dolls, amassing case files that became the foundation for the franchise.

They were also widely criticized: some say they were spiritual warriors. Others call them self-promoters who embellished for fame. Whatever the truth, their stories became horror legend.

👻 Reality Check: Lorraine Warren served as a consultant on the first two Conjuring films and approved of Vera Farmiga’s portrayal.

Watch Devil's Road: The True Story of Ed and Lorraine Warren on Amazon Prime Video!

The Conjuring (2013) — The Perron Family Haunting

True Case: Yes

What’s Real: The Perron family did report terrifying events—moving furniture, disembodied voices, ghost sightings.

What’s Fiction: The “Bathsheba” witch connection was never historically proven, and no exorcism ever took place.

📚 Creepy Detail: Andrea Perron, one of the daughters, wrote a trilogy about their experiences—and confirms much of the chaos shown.

Buy Haunted: Perron Manor book by Lee Mountford on Amazon here!

Annabelle - From Raggedy Ann to Porcelain Nightmare

True Case: Yes, but heavily fictionalized

What’s Real: A nursing student claimed her Raggedy Ann doll was possessed. The Warrens took it and locked it in their museum.

What’s Fiction: There were no cults, no demonic murders, no levitating dolls attacking babies.

🔒 Still Haunted? The real Annabelle doll is reportedly still locked in a glass case… and blessed regularly.

The Conjuring 2 - The Enfield Poltergeist

True Case: Yes

What’s Real: The Hodgson family reported unexplained knocking, levitation, and a girl speaking in a deep voice. British investigators documented events.

What’s Fiction: The Warrens’ role was greatly exaggerated - they were not central to the case.

🎙️ Eerie Audio: You can find original recordings of the girl “channeling” a spirit online. Chilling stuff.

Watch The Enfield Poltergeist on Apple TV+ or Prime Video here!

The Devil Made Me Do It - The Arne Cheyenne Johnson Trial

True Case: Yes

What’s Real: In 1981, Johnson did stab a man and claimed demonic possession in court - the first time such a defense was used in U.S. history.

What’s Fiction: The trial didn’t revolve around supernatural battles or exorcisms.

⚖️ Court Said: The judge ultimately rejected the possession defense, but it remains a paranormal legend.

Buy The Devil in Connecticut by Gerald Brittle here!

Valak, The Nun, and The Abbey of Saint Carta

True Case: Nope

What’s Real: “Valak” is a name found in medieval demonology texts.

What’s Fiction: A demon nun haunting a Romanian abbey? 100% invented for cinematic terror.

🕯️ Fun Fact: The real demon Valak is described as a child riding a two-headed dragon. Definitely not nun material.

La Llorona - The Weeping Woman

True Case: Based in folklore

What’s Real: La Llorona is a centuries-old Mexican legend of a woman who drowned her children and haunts the living.

What’s Fiction: The exact version in The Curse of La Llorona is a modern reimagining with horror flair.

🪦 Cultural Note: La Llorona is often used as a cautionary tale in Latin American households. Children are warned not to wander at night.

Buy La Llorona: The Crying Woman buy Rudolfo Anaya here!

Easter Eggs, Connections & Shared Universe Details

You didn’t think James Wan and company would build an entire horror universe without dropping a few breadcrumbs, did you? From recurring items to blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos, The Conjuring Universe is packed with nods that hardcore fans love to uncover — and casual viewers completely miss.

Here are the most devilishly clever connections.

Father Perez: The Annabelle → La Llorona Link

• The biggest shared character outside the Warrens.

• Appears in Annabelle (2014), warning about the doll’s evil.

• Returns in The Curse of La Llorona as the priest who explains cursed artifacts and spiritual danger.

🔗 Connection: He directly references his experience with Annabelle, tying the films together (even if La Llorona’s canon status is now murky).

The Nun’s Photo in Annabelle: Creation

• A photo on Sister Charlotte’s wall shows her standing with nuns at a Romanian convent.

• In the background? A dark figure that looks an awful lot like Valak.

🧩 Connection: This quiet image hints at Valak’s influence years before her official on-screen debut in The Nun.

The Occult Museum Is the Glue

• Introduced in The Conjuring, the Warrens’ haunted artifact room is central to Annabelle Comes Home.

• Objects like The Ferryman’s coins, The Samurai Armor, The Monkey Toy, and The Wedding Dress reappear across multiple films or are teased for future stories.

🧠 Fan Theory: Each object represents a “mini-movie” that could still happen.

Annabelle’s Ending Is The Conjuring’s Beginning

• Annabelle (2014) ends with the possessed doll being passed to a new owner…

• …which is exactly where The Conjuring (2013) begins.

🧠 Timeline Detail: A seamless transition that locks the two films together.

Valak’s Presence in The Conjuring 2 Precedes The Nun

• Lorraine writes “Valak” repeatedly during a trance - before she even knows the demon’s name.

• The name appears hidden throughout the house (in bracelets, books, wall décor).

🔍 Easter Egg: A subliminal setup for The Nun that fans only noticed on rewatch.

Recurring Visuals & Themes

• Mirrors often foreshadow possessions.

• Music boxes, crosses, and children’s toys are key in multiple films.

• Each film opens with a cold open or origin tale, mimicking case file storytelling.
  
  

Proposed & Scrapped Spin-Offs

• The Crooked Man (teased in Conjuring 2) was once announced as a standalone film. It’s been “indefinitely shelved.”

• The Ferryman, The Bride and The Samurai were potential spin-offs after Annabelle Comes Home tested well.

📉 What Happened? Warner Bros. hit pause due to timeline confusion and franchise fatigue - but with The Conjuring: Last Rites coming, don’t count them out yet.

 Subtle Universe Building Tricks

• Warren Case Files: Almost every movie opens or closes with the notion of a “file” - setting up the idea that many stories remain untold.

• Demons Travel: Valak’s reach goes far - her connection to both The Nun and The Conjuring 2 implies non-linear demonic influence.

• Time Bending: Some films have overlapping timelines (e.g., Annabelle Comes Home takes place during The Conjuring’s events).

Behind the Scenes & Franchise Building

You’ve screamed, you’ve streamed, you’ve questioned every creak in your house but how exactly did The Conjuring Universe become the most successful horror franchise of all time?

Let’s step behind the curtain and uncover the real story of how Hollywood summoned its most demonic shared universe.

James Wan’s Original Vision

Before it became a full-blown franchise, The Conjuring (2013) was meant to be a one-off haunted house movie - an atmospheric period piece inspired by 1970s horror. Director James Wan, fresh off the success of Insidious, wanted to make something grounded, slow-burning, and absolutely terrifying.

🎥 Wan Quote: “I wanted to make a film that felt more like The Exorcist and The Haunting than Saw.”

But test audiences loved the Annabelle subplot so much… Warner Bros. saw dollar signs. And thus, the haunted doll got her own spin-off. A universe was born.

The Low Budget, High Return Formula

The magic of this franchise? It’s cheap to make and wildly profitable. Here’s a quick stat to make you gasp louder than the Annabelle Comes Home babysitter:

• Budget of The Conjuring (2013): $20 million

• Global box office: $320+ million

• Franchise total (10 films): Over $2.1 billion and counting

Minimal CGI, practical effects, strong performances, and tight direction = terrifying and bankable.

Chronological Chaos: Building a Non-Linear Universe

Unlike the Marvel or DC universes, The Conjuring Universe doesn’t follow a strict linear path. Here’s how the filmmakers pulled it off:

• Start with The Conjuring (the “anchor” film)

• Create spin-offs from background lore (Annabelle, The Nun)

• Backfill origin stories in prequels (Annabelle: Creation, The Nun II)

• Use cursed objects and the artifact room to seed other stories

• Wrap core threads with trilogy arcs (The Conjuring 3, The Nun II, Annabelle Comes Home)

🧩 Result: A horror franchise that rewards deep diving, repeat watches, and fan theory videos galore.

The Spin-Offs That Never Were

Several films were in development but never materialized:

• The Crooked Man – Announced post-Conjuring 2, later confirmed by James Wan to have been shelved

• The Ferryman – Hinted in Annabelle Comes Home

• The Bride – Another cursed object with haunting potential

• TV Series – Warner Bros. and HBO Max reportedly developing a Conjuring Universe show tied to the artifact room

🗃️ As of 2025, only The Conjuring: Last Rites remains officially announced and in production.

Casting Consistency & Character Legacy

The Warrens, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, have become horror royalty. Their chemistry and gravitas gave the universe emotional stakes - and grounded even the most ridiculous supernatural setups.

Other actors (like Bonnie Aarons as Valak, Tony Amendola as Father Perez and Mckenna Grace as Judy Warren) have helped maintain consistency across shifting timelines and tones.

What’s Next for The Conjuring Universe?

Even after 10 terrifying films, cursed dolls, demonic nuns, and courtroom possessions, the Conjuring Universe isn’t done yet. Not by a long shot. Here’s everything we know - and everything fans are hoping for - about what’s still to come.

The Conjuring: Last Rites

🗓️ Release Date: September 5, 2025

🎬 Director: Michael Chaves

📍 Status: In post-production (as of July 2025)

Last Rites will reportedly be the final chapter in the Ed and Lorraine Warren saga. It’s rumored to involve a particularly disturbing case from the 1980s and may take place partially in the Warrens’ artifact room, bringing the universe full circle.

👀 Speculation: Some insiders suggest it ties directly to the unshown files hinted at in The Conjuring 2, possibly the infamous “Werewolf Case” or “The Haunting in Connecticut.”

🎤 Patrick Wilson quote: “It’s an emotional, brutal ending. We’re not going out quietly.”

The Conjuring Universe TV Series (HBO Max / Max)

🎬 Announced: April 2023

📍 Status: Still in development

A planned series for Max (formerly HBO Max) was confirmed as “in the works,” with James Wan attached as producer. The show is expected to follow new cases from the Warrens’ archives, using the haunted artifact room as a framing device.

🧩 Think: Anthology horror like Creepshow meets The Conjuring.

❓ Still Unconfirmed: Whether Vera Farmiga or Patrick Wilson will appear, or if it’ll be new actors playing younger versions of the Warrens.

Spin-Offs: Dormant… or Lurking?

Several potential films were in active development — and may yet rise again:

• The Crooked Man – Scrapped in 2022 due to creative shifts, but fans are still demanding it (Including me!)

• The Ferryman – Introduced in Annabelle Comes Home, fan interest remains high

• The Bride / The Samurai / The Monkey Toy – Other cursed objects in the museum with spin-off potential

• Annabelle 4 – No official word, but the doll remains a franchise icon

🎯 Franchise Strategy: Warner Bros. has said that Last Rites is the end of Phase One, implying that a Phase Two of The Conjuring Universe will be next.  

Is This Really the End?

While The Conjuring: Last Rites may conclude the Warrens’ arc, the universe they built is far from dead.

🗝️ As long as the artifact room still exists, the stories can continue.

I think it's safe to say to expect prequels. Expect streaming content. Expect demons in places we haven’t seen yet.

The Conjuring Universe in Other Media

The Conjuring Universe Official Tie-In Novelizations:

1. The Conjuring: The Official Novelization by Robb White

   • Based on the 2013 film. Out of print, but copies still circulate.

   • Basic prose adaptation of the movie; adds slight internal monologue.

    

2. Annabelle: Creation – The Official Movie Novelization by Kathryn Barker

   • Available through some fan publishing platforms.

   • Not widely distributed but exists as an unofficial tie-in adaptation.

    

⚠️ No official novels were released for The Nun, The Conjuring 2, or The Devil Made Me Do It.

Real-Life Books by the Warrens:

These are not fictional but provide real accounts the films draw from.

• The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed & Lorraine Warren by Gerald Brittle

  📌 The primary source for The Conjuring (2013)

  • Focuses heavily on the Perron case and Annabelle
    
    Buy The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed & Lorrain Warren on Amazon here!

   

• Graveyard: True Hauntings from an Old New England Cemetery

• Ghost Hunters: True Stories from the World's Most Famous Demonologists

• Satan’s Harvest

• Werewolf: A True Story of Demonic Possession

• The Haunted: One Family's Nightmare

These were published in the 1980s–2010s and provide direct inspiration for many of the film cases.

The Conjuring Universe Comics & Graphic Novels

The Conjuring: The Lover (DC / DC Horror, 2021)

• 5-issue comic miniseries released as part of the DC Horror imprint

• Direct tie-in to The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

• Features:

  • The story of Jessica, a college student plagued by a mysterious force

  • Backup stories featuring cursed objects like The Ferryman and The Bloody Bride

 Collected in The Conjuring: The Lover — available in bookstores and digitally

🧠 Canonical to the film universe. Co-written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (screenwriter of The Conjuring 2 & 3)

Buy The Conjuring: The Lover (Hardcover Graphic Novel) on Amazon here!

The Conjuring Universe Games

The Conjuring: Escape the Dark (Tabletop Game – Coming Soon)

• Announced by Themeborne (creators of Escape the Dark Castle)

• Cooperative horror card-and-dice game based on The Conjuring films

• You play as investigators exploring haunted locations, avoiding possession

 Scheduled for release in late 2025

No official video games yet, BUT…

• Many fan-made horror games on platforms like itch.io and Roblox reference Annabelle or Valak

• Dead by Daylight fans have long requested a Conjuring crossover, but nothing official has been released

The Conjuring Universe Audio

Podcasts / Audio Dramas

• No official Warner Bros. audio dramas (yet)

• But several true crime / horror podcasts have episodes about the real-life Annabelle, Perron family, and Warren investigations

Conclusion: You’ve Been Warned…

In a cinematic world built on cursed dolls, demonic nuns, weeping spirits, and real life ghost hunters, The Conjuring Universe isn’t just a collection of horror films - it’s a mythology. A universe. A legacy. And one of the best horror franchises in history.

Whether you watched the films in release order or traced the twisted timeline from The Nun to Last Rites, one thing becomes clear: this universe doesn’t just scare you - it haunts you. Long after the credits roll, you’ll find yourself glancing nervously at music boxes, second-guessing antique dolls and wondering what might be watching from the shadows.

From the chilling case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren to the eerie silence of the artifact room, these stories are stitched together with the kind of detail that rewards obsessive fans. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations - you’ve survived the ultimate guide to the Conjuring Universe.

But you might not be done yet…

🎁 Want to keep the lights on during your next movie night?

📥 Download your free The Conjuring Universe Watch Order Checklist + Demon Glossary (PDF)

So you’ll never mix up Valak and Bathsheba again.