What started with one haunted house escalated into a multiverse of demon-possessed dolls, dark nuns, and chilling exorcisms. The Conjuring and Annabelle movies, directed by horror masters like James Wan, John R. Leonetti, and Gary Dauberman, have terrified horror fans while piecing together a tangled web of paranormal havoc inspired by the real-life cases. With nine interconnected films and more on the way, this guide reveals the perfect order to experience the saga’s full fear factor.

The Conjuring and Annabelle movies have haunted fans for over a decade, but if you are watching them for the first time—or want to relive the terror—you will want to do it right. This list has it all — from why the viewing order matters to where to start, plus the real-life secrets behind the scares!

1. The Nun (2018)

Start the descent into darkness in 1952 Romania, where a priest with a haunted past (Demián Bichir) and a young nun (Taissa Farmiga) are sent by the Vatican to investigate a death at a cursed abbey. What they find here is far worse than any ghost.

The Nun is where The Conjuring universe technically begins. The demon Valak (Bonnie Aarons) makes her terrifying debut here, establishing the evil presence that ties together films across the franchise.

Where to watch: Netflix (US), Prime Video, Apple TV

2. Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Recent whispers in 2025 have reignited panic with the question- Is the Annabelle doll really missing? It all traces back to 1955 California where a grieving dollmaker (Anthony LaPaglia) opens his home to a nun (Stephanie Sigman) and a group of orphan girls. And it is one of those girls that unlocks the evil spirit who becomes Annabelle.

Miranda Otto and Talitha Bateman round out this terrifying tale that gives viewers Annabelle’s origin story in its entirety. Annabelle: Creation is creepy, heartbreaking, and has one of the most intense final acts in the entire franchise.

Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV

3. The Nun II (2023)

The terror continues in 1956 France where Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) is forced to face Valak again when a priest is assassinated and shadows descend upon a boarding school.

Jonas Bloquet and Storm Reid join the nightmare as evil spreads across Europe. The Nun II has got eerie visuals, vintage school horror, and a bone-chilling final showdown.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

4. Annabelle (2014)

Jump to 1967 in Southern California where a doctor (Ward Horton) buys a creepy doll for his pregnant wife (Annabelle Wallis). But when a satanic cult breaks into their home, Annabelle is cursed—and the horror started.

Alfre Woodard brings mystery and guidance in this slow-burning prequel that deepens Annabelle’s evil. Set right before The Conjuring, Annabelle it adds the right layer of dread to the universe at this stage.

Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV

5. The Conjuring (2013)

Welcome to the case that started it all—1971 Rhode Island. Paranormal legends Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) are called in to help the Perron family after some seriously terrifying activity in their farmhouse.

James Wan directs this absolute classic that launched the franchise. With The Conjuring: Last Rites announced as the final film, this original 1971 Rhode Island case takes on even more weight, setting the tone for the chilling legacy that’s now coming full circle.

Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV

6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

It is now 1972 and Annabelle’s officially locked in the Warrens’ haunted artifact room. Trouble is—she does not stay locked up for long. While Ed and Lorraine (Wilson and Farmiga) are away, their daughter Judy (Mckenna Grace) has one wild night.

Alongside Madison Iseman and Katie Sarife, Judy must survive a night filled with cursed objects unleashed. Think of Annabelle Comes Home as Annabelle’s version of Night at the Museum—but with demons.

Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV

7. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

Say hello to a different kind of evil. In 1973 Los Angeles, a social worker (Linda Cardellini) must protect her kids from the ghostly La Llorona, the Weeping Woman of Latin legend.

The Curse of La Llorona is the most standalone entry, but Father Perez (Tony Amendola) from Annabelle makes a key connection. Raymond Cruz also joins in for this creepy side story worth adding to the binge.

Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV

8. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Travel to 1977 England, where Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) help a single mother dealing with a demonic spirit tormenting her children in the Enfield home.

James Wan’s return brings more emotional gravitas and one of the franchise’s scariest villains. This is also where the terrifying nun Valak makes an unforgettable appearance. With The Conjuring: Last Rites unveiled in a chilling first look, this chapter now feels like the beginning of the end—setting up the final showdown that fans have been dreading.

Where to watch: Prime Video

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

The timeline concludes in 1981 with an actual case of demonic possession to homicide. Ed and Lorraine Warren (Wilson and Farmiga) have to find out the dark reality before it is too late and another soul is lost.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It marries supernatural horror with courtroom drama. A chilling true story to draw from, it is a haunting last stop in The Conjuring universe timeline.

Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV

Which Annabelle is most scary?

Annabelle’s tale is told across three films, but one truly haunts your nightmares. The first movie, Annabelle (2014) the doll looked menacing—but just sat there staring. Creepy? Yes. Nightmare inducing? Not quite. Annabelle Comes Home gave her a haunted museum and some chaos, but she felt like the opening act to other spirits. Fans liked the setup, but said the scares did not really stick with them after dark.

Then came Annabelle: Creation—the Gothic visuals, and smart connections to the larger Conjuring universe make this the most sinister entry. This time, the doll did not just sit pretty—she crawled, screamed, and practically breathed evil. The cracked porcelain face, those glassy eyes, and the backstory? Bone-chilling. Most fans agree- Creation did not just show fans Annabelle—it made her unforgettable.

Is Annabelle based on a true story?

Annabelle is indeed said to be based on a real doll, but the truth is less Hollywood horror and more eerie mystery. The real doll came as a birthday gift to a nurse named Donna in 1970, and its look, as reported by The New Haven Register, was simply a Raggedy Ann with red yarn hair, far from the scary porcelain doll seen in the films.

Soon, strange things started happening—the doll was said to be moving on its own, and odd notes appeared around Donna’s apartment. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren got involved, discovering a dark spirit trying to possess someone. They took the doll away just in time, setting the stage for the legend.

Should you watch the Conjuring and Annabelle movies in chronological or release order?

For first-timers, release order is probably the better wager—it ratchets up the suspense just like the filmmakers intended. While the chronological route gives you more backstory upfront, it spoils some major twists along the way. For the scariest, most spine-tingling experience, trust this guide- it jumps around in time, but this is the order that haunts, and it helps fans fully understand how it all leads into The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.

From creepy nuns to dolls that absolutely should not come to life of their own accord, The Conjuring and Annabelle films have a surefire way of keeping you up at night. Each builds up to the fright step by step, with demons, curses, and spine-curdling scenes. So grab a blanket, turn off the lights, and take this guide with you for the most fun you will ever have being terrified!

Which order will you be watching The Conjuring and Annabelle movies? Let us know in the comments!