Key Takeaways

• The Conjuring Universe has surpassed $2 billion at the box office, with films based on Ed and Lorraine Warren's paranormal investigations.
• Watching The Conjuring Universe movies chronologically adds to the experience, revealing connections and clues between films.
• A new installment, The Nun 2, set in 1956, brings Taissa Farmiga back to face the demon nun Valek once more.

Warner Bros, along with New Line Cinema, has attempted to replicate the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by creating cinematic universes of its own. In 2013, they released a supernatural horror movie called The Conjuring, which generated over $300 million worldwide. This led to two direct sequels and an additional five spin-off films. The latest installment in the series, The Nun 2, is available to stream now, with Taissa Farmiga once again confronting the demon nun, Valek.

The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It pushed The Conjuring Universe past the $2-billion mark at the box office. The films tell the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, a real-life couple who became famous investigating paranormal activities in the 1960s. The three Conjuring films are based on accounts of some of their most terrifying experiences, while the other films in the universe, including Annabelle and The Nun, serve as origin stories for the demonic entities that haunt the Warrens. A fourth Conjuring film is currently in the works, titled The Conjuring: Last Rites. It's set to begin filming this Summer, which likely means a 2025 release date for the spooky blockbuster.

You can watch all The Conjuring Universe movies in the order that they released in theaters. That's always fun. But a more interesting and perhaps even horrifying viewing experience is to watch them in the order of events that happen (aka chronologically). Allow us to explain.

SPOILERS MIGHT BE BELOW

1 The Nun

A demonic nun terrorizes a 1950s monastery

The Nun takes place first in The Conjuring Universe, specifically in 1952 at a monastery in Romania. When a local resident discovers the body of a nun at the monastery's doorstep, the Vatican sends Father Burke (Demian Bichir) and Irene (Taissa Farmiga), a young nun who has not yet taken her vows, to investigate. Upon their arrival, the duo must delve into the depths of the centuries-old complex and uncover the origins of a demon named Valak.

While this hasn't been officially confirmed, there's a belief on the internet that Irene might actually be Lorraine Warren, or at least that they may be related. The actresses portraying both characters are sisters and bear a striking resemblance. Notably, the characters would be of the same age, share religious inclinations, and experience visions. Although unverified, this is something to consider as you navigate through The Conjuring Universe. The Nun was penned by Gary Dauberman and directed by Corin Hardy. Dauberman is also known for his work on writing the new IT and IT: Chapter Two.

2 Annabelle: Creation

An origin story for a possessed doll

Set in 1955, Annabelle: Creation is actually a prequel to 2014's Annabelle. It tells the story of a dollmaker named Samuel Mullins (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife (Miranda Otto). Following the closure of a local orphanage, they open their home to six orphans and Sister Charlotte (Stephanie Sigman). Being a horror film, the orphans are instructed not to enter the room of the Mullins' deceased daughter. However, almost immediately, one polio-stricken girl, Janice (Talitha Bateman), finds her way in and unleashes an evil that was once contained.

Pay close attention to clues and connections to other films in the universe. For instance, we spot Valak, the demon nun, in a photograph. Gary Dauberman wrote Annabelle: Creation and Annabelle, while David Sandberg, who also worked on Shazam and Lights Out, directed this film.

3 The Nun 2

Valak returns to haunt the nun who defeated her