How to watch the Conjuring movies in chronological order of events
Unlike most other horror movie series, The Conjuring-verse religiously loves to play with timelines, making it difficult for people to comprehend the order of events
Did you realise that seven years have passed since the release of 'The Conjuring' - that one unnerving horror film which stole your night's sleep?
After the immense success of this 2013 piece-of-art-horror-film, directed by James Wan, there was no looking back for Warner Bros. Entertainment. Before you knew it, it had expanded into a universe and appeared as the most successful (arguably) and effective one of its genre.
The latest release 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' (2021) serves as the eighth installment in this popular horror franchise. Unlike most other horror movie series, The Conjuring-verse religiously loves to play with timelines, making it difficult for people to comprehend the order of events.
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If you binge watch the Conjuring movies in the order of their theatre release, chances are you will still find yourself struggling to make sense of the chronology.
The makers of this universe have intentionally kept the timelines complex. Hence, to fully enjoy the thrill without scratching your head, you need to watch it in the right order. Here's how.
The Nun
The fifth installment of the Conjuring-verse actually unravels the oldest history, which takes place at a monastery in Romania in 1952. The film serves as a spin-off for 'Conjuring 2' and tells the origin of a crucial demonic character in this universe.
The story revolves around a young nun, Irene (Taissa Farmigga), and her investigative journey to uncover the secrets behind the suicide of another nun. Despite falling short in many ways, The Nun is the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
Annabelle: Creation
'Annabelle: Creation', as the name suggests, reveals the origin of the Occult Museum's infamous haunted doll - Annabelle.
Set in 1955's South California, the film tells the story of a dollmaker and how the accidental death of his daughter led to unfortunate events.
After years, when the family chose to open their home for six orphan girls, their secrets are slowly discovered. You will easily notice the easter eggs if you keep an eye out.
Annabelle
Now that you are watching the movies in the right order, the second film of the universe - Annabelle (2014) - will make perfect sense to you.
The film fast-forwards twelve years and shows how the creepy vintage doll keeps finding its ways to disturb John and Mia Form's family.
The ending explains how Annabelle ends up in the room of a nursing student, which also happens to be the opening scene of the next film on our list - The Conjuring.
The Conjuring
Finally, the time to watch this aesthetically pleasing yet terrifying horror masterpiece has come.
The premise of 'The Conjuring' is set four years after Annabelle, in 1971. You will finally get to meet Ed (Patric Wilson) and Lorrain Warren (Vera Farmiga) - the widely known American paranormal investigators, also known as 'demonologists'.
The film claims to be based on the real-life events of the haunting case investigated by this couple. With The Conjuring, director James Wan pulled the right strings and resurrected the horror genre.
Annabelle Comes Home
'Annabelle Comes Home' follows the story of the demonic doll arriving at Warren's artifact museum.
The story then takes place in the future, about a year after the events in The Conjuring. We then see how Ed and Lorraine's daughter Judy and her babysitter Mary witness tragic and horrific events caused by Annabelle.
While the parents are away from home, the doll escapes the museum and the story moves forward.
The Curse of La Llorona
Yes. This film, too, is a part of the Conjuring Universe.
Set in 1973, 'The Curse of La Llorona' tells the story of a widowed social worker - Anna Garcia, who investigates the case of two missing children of a troubled mother.
Soon she learns about the connection of a paranormal realm related to this case and the story takes a darker turn.
For valid reasons, this film happens to be the least favourite among the fans.
The Conjuring 2
'The Conjuring 2' is mostly set in the 1977 London suburb of Enfield and revolves around a single mother Peggy Hodgson and her family.
After Peggy's daughter Janet plays with an ouija board, the family starts to experience supernatural activities. You will see how it connects to "The Nun" and realize how thoughtfully this universe has been crafted.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The latest installment in The Conjuring-verse is loosely based on the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who pleaded not guilty against a murder charge by means of demonic possession in 1981.
The film unfolds how the Warrens engage in the most startling case of their careers and jump into a paranormal inquiry.
While the film may feel a little all over the place to you, at least you made it to the end.
