The Conjuring Films Universe Timeline in Chronological Order

The Conjuring Universe Timeline

Venture into the dread-soaked timeline of The Conjuring Universe, a sprawling saga where malevolent spirits and ancient demons stalk the living, their stories etched in blood and fear. Forget the safe harbor of release dates; we plunge headfirst into the chronological abyss, where the very origins of unspeakable evil are unearthed. Witness the dawning of paranormal terror, the rise of iconic antagonists, and the unwavering courage of those who dare to confront the unholy.

At the heart of this terrifying tapestry are the formidable paranormal investigators, Lorraine and Ed Warren, portrayed with compelling intensity by Vera Farmiga (Source Code) and Patrick Wilson (Watchmen). Their journey, based on real-life accounts, anchors the universe, but the tendrils of horror reach far beyond their investigations. We will trace the genesis of the terrifying doll Annabelle and witness the horrifying genesis of Valak, the demonic nun who first chills spines in The Nun, brought to terrifying life by Bonnie Aarons.

The Conjuring Films in Chronological Order

The NunReleased: 2018

Timeline: 1952

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In Romania, a priest and a novice nun investigate the suicide of a nun and confront the ancient demonic entity Valak, which has been unleashed from its centuries-long imprisonment.

Lore Note: The castle location used for the film is the real Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, Romania, a genuine Gothic-Renaissance castle that adds to the film's authentic, chilling atmosphere.

Annabelle: CreationReleased: 2017

Timeline: 1955

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Years after the tragic death of their daughter, a dollmaker and his wife welcome orphans into their home, unknowingly unleashing the demonic spirit they allowed to be bound to the doll Annabelle.

Lore Note: A post-credits scene shows Valak stalking the halls of the Cârța Monastery in 1952, directly tying the origins of Annabelle's evil to the events of The Nun.

The Nun IIReleased: 2023

Timeline: 1956

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Following the events of The Nun, Sister Irene once again confronts the malevolent force of Valak, this time in a French boarding school, where the demon is searching for a powerful, ancient holy relic.

Lore Note: The film establishes that the eyes of St. Lucy, the holy relic Valak seeks, are the same eyes seen in visions by Lorraine Warren, creating a deeper connection between Valak and Lorraine's clairvoyance.

AnnabelleReleased: 2014

Timeline: 1967

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A young couple’s blissful life takes a dark turn after they bring the possessed doll Annabelle into their home, following a violent home invasion by cult members.

Lore Note: The cultists who attack the Form family are part of the Disciples of the Ram, a cult dedicated to summoning demons that is also referenced in Annabelle: Creation, linking the two films' lore.

The ConjuringReleased: 2013

Timeline: 1971

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Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are called to help the Perron family, who are being terrorized by a dark presence in their Rhode Island farmhouse. This case introduces the cursed Annabelle doll in its opening sequence.

Lore Note: The real-life Perron family, whose ordeal is depicted, served as consultants on the film. They visited the set in North Carolina and shared their experiences with the cast and crew to enhance authenticity.

Annabelle Comes HomeReleased: 2019

Timeline: 1972

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The Warrens bring Annabelle to their artifact room for safe-keeping. When a friend of their babysitter unwittingly unleashes the doll, it acts as a beacon for other malevolent spirits, turning the Warrens' home into a night of terror.

Lore Note: Many of the spirits unleashed in the film, like the Ferryman, the Bride, and the Hellhound, were original creations meant to set up potential future spin-offs within the Conjuring Universe.

The Curse of La LloronaReleased: 2019

Timeline: 1973

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In Los Angeles, a social worker must protect her children from the vengeful spirit of La Llorona, the "Weeping Woman." Father Perez from Annabelle makes a connecting appearance, explicitly placing this tale within the shared universe.

Lore Note: Though marketed as a standalone horror film, the appearance of Father Perez and his reference to the possessed Annabelle doll firmly cement La Llorona's place within the Conjuring timeline.

The Conjuring 2Released: 2016

Timeline: 1977

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The Warrens travel to Enfield, England, to investigate the Hodgson poltergeist case. They discover the local haunting is being manipulated by a more powerful, sinister entity: the demonic nun, Valak.

Lore Note: The character of Valak was a last-minute addition. The film's original antagonist was a more traditional horned demon, but director James Wan conceived of the nun character during post-production and added her through reshoots just three months before the film's release.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do ItReleased: 2021

Timeline: 1981

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The Warrens investigate a chilling murder case where the defendant claims demonic possession as a legal defense, a first in U.S. history. Their investigation uncovers a curse orchestrated by a human occultist, pushing their beliefs to the limit.

Lore Note: This is the first main Conjuring film not directed by James Wan. Michael Chaves, who previously directed The Curse of La Llorona, took over, with Wan remaining as a producer.

Key Characters and Their Recurring Presence:

• Lorraine and Ed Warren (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson): The central figures appearing in every main Conjuring film and felt throughout the spin-offs, especially Annabelle Comes Home.
• Annabelle: The most prominent supernatural entity, starring in her own trilogy (Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle Comes Home) and reappearing as a cursed artifact in the main Conjuring entries.
• Valak (Bonnie Aarons): Introduced in The Conjuring 2 and explored in the Nun prequels (The Nun and The Nun II).
• Father Perez (Tony Amendola): A minor but important linking thread, first aiding the Form family in Annabelle and later in The Curse of La Llorona.

Interconnectedness of the Conjuring Films:

• The Warrens’ Cases: Each main Conjuring entry introduces an artifact or entity that becomes the focus of a spin-off (for example, Annabelle emerges from the Perron haunting in The Conjuring).
• Artifact Room: The Warrens’ collection is a narrative hub. Annabelle Comes Home uses this setting to bring various cursed objects together.
• Prequel Structure: Films like Annabelle: Creation, The Nun, and The Nun II delve into the origins of the evil the Warrens later face, layering backstory onto the Conjuring timeline.

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