All 10 Movies in the ‘Conjuring’ Universe, Ranked

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Ghost stories have long been a popular part of horror movies. But the 2013 film *The Conjuring* brought a new perspective to the traditional haunted house tale. Directed by acclaimed horror filmmaker James Wan, *The Conjuring* was a box office success and sparked a renewed interest in paranormal horror.

Inspired by stories of demonic possession, exorcisms, and haunted locations, *The Conjuring* transformed the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren into a captivating and expanding film series. Few predicted it would launch a horror franchise on the scale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it has since become a remarkably successful one.

Okay, let’s talk about *The Conjuring* universe. After ten movies now, this franchise has really grabbed audiences – and it’s easy to see why. It doesn’t just rely on one scary ghost; it’s built a whole world of terrifying characters! Plus, it feels like a classic horror movie, with a great look and plenty of those moments that make you jump out of your seat. What started as a movie based on the investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren has blossomed into sequels, prequels, and spin-offs galore. And the numbers don’t lie – *The Conjuring* franchise is officially the highest-grossing horror series ever, bringing in a massive $2.7 billion worldwide. It’s a powerhouse!

Most of the films in this series have been well-received by critics, though a few have gotten mixed or negative reviews. Despite this, the movies have consistently resonated with fans, ensuring the franchise remains popular and audiences are eager for more horror from James Wan. The next installment, *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, will once again star Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren. Plus, a new *Conjuring* series is coming to Max.

Here are all 10 installments of The Conjuring Universe ranked.

10
‘Annabelle’ (2014)

At the bottom of the list is 2014’s *Annabelle*. As the first spin-off and a prequel to *The Conjuring* – specifically, the opening events of that film – it didn’t live up to the scares fans expected. The movie tells the story of how the creepy Raggedy Ann doll ended up with the nurses we first saw in *The Conjuring*, and what the doll was up to, but it didn’t quite capture the magic of the original. *Annabelle* didn’t feel like a true origin story, and ultimately didn’t add much to the overall franchise.

‘Annabelle’ Lacks in Thrills & Chills

While the movie had some scary moments, it didn’t fully explore the terrifying possibilities of the doll. Critics weren’t particularly impressed, but the first film’s financial success—it earned around $260 million on a $7 million budget—helped ensure a sequel. This strong performance led Warner Bros. to approve further films featuring the Warrens and their encounters with demonic forces.

9
‘The Curse of La Llorona’ (2019)

Let’s talk about 2019’s *The Curse of La Llorona*. This one felt a little different from the rest of the *Conjuring* universe films. While it’s technically connected – you might recognize Father Perez from *Annabelle* – it mostly stands on its own. Director Michael Chaves took us back to 1973 Los Angeles to delve into the chilling legend of La Llorona, the Weeping Woman. Honestly, though, I found it lacked the surprising twists and turns that made the other *Conjuring* movies so effective. It wasn’t a bad film, but it didn’t quite reach the same heights.

An Underwhelming Standalone Entry

As a fan of *The Conjuring* universe, I was really hoping *The Curse of La Llorona* would give us a compelling backstory for the La Llorona legend, but it just didn’t quite deliver. Like with *Annabelle*, it relied too much on cheap jump scares instead of building genuine terror. Linda Cardellini was fantastic – she brought so much heart to the role – but the story felt unfinished and didn’t live up to its potential. It’s a shame, because the premise had so much promise. Unfortunately, the box office numbers reflect this – it made its money back, but it’s the lowest-grossing film in the whole franchise, even lower than *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It*, which came out during a really tough time with the pandemic.

8
‘The Nun’ (2018)

Perhaps the most debatable placement on this list is *The Nun*. It consistently receives the lowest ratings of any film in *The Conjuring* franchise, according to both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Released in 2018, the movie acts as a prequel to *The Conjuring 2*, detailing the origins of the demon Valak and establishing the foundation for the wider *Conjuring* universe. Set in 1952 Romania, the story follows Irene, a young nun in training, as she teams up with Father Burke to investigate the mysterious suicide of a sister at their monastery.

‘The Nun’ Dominated the Box Office

Featuring Taissa Farmiga – sister of Vera Farmiga, who plays Lorraine Warren – *The Nun* explored the origins of the demon Valak. While critics didn’t love the movie, the story’s development was interesting, and its gloomy atmosphere effectively enhanced the horror. Though it wasn’t particularly frightening, the film did resolve its storylines. Despite being a critical disappointment, *The Nun* remains the second-highest-earning film in *The Conjuring* universe, bringing in $366 million worldwide on a $22 million budget.

7
‘The Nun II’ (2023)

Valak, the demon from the popular film series, has become a fan favorite villain. Despite the first movie receiving negative reviews, a sequel was approved in 2019 by Peter Safran. James Wan returned as a producer, but Michael Chaves directed this time. The story, penned by Akela Cooper and Ian Goldberg, picks up four years after Valak was seemingly defeated at Saint Cartha’s monastery.

Valak’s Terrifying Reign Continues

In *The Nun II*, Sister Irene, who previously fought the demon Valak, starts having disturbing visions of a man pleading for help. She teams up with Sister Debra to investigate a string of mysterious deaths at monasteries in the Tarascon region. While searching for a relic of Saint Lucy – a powerful artifact said to be able to defeat Valak – Irene herself becomes haunted by the demon. Despite being made with a relatively small $38 million budget, the film was a box office success, earning over $269.5 million, suggesting another *Nun* movie is likely in the future.

6
‘Annabelle Comes Home’ (2019)

Following that, we have 2019’s *Annabelle Comes Home*, which fits chronologically between *The Conjuring* and *The Conjuring 2*. The story takes place roughly two years after the first *Conjuring* film and centers around the evil doll Annabelle. When Annabelle is accidentally released in the Warrens’ house, their daughter Judy and her babysitters find themselves in a dangerous situation.

Okay, I went into *Annabelle Comes Home* expecting… well, not much, honestly. But I was pleasantly surprised! Director Gary Dauberman, making his debut, really delivered. He and James Wan (the creator of this whole universe) crafted a genuinely compelling story by digging into the smaller, often overlooked details of the *Conjuring* world. It’s a satisfying addition to the franchise, and I definitely didn’t expect that.

A Worthy Entry in the Spine-Tingling Franchise

This movie didn’t attempt to copy its earlier installments, instead forging its own path with a familiar character. While it wasn’t quite as frightening or well-made as the *Conjuring* films directed by James Wan, it’s still a memorable addition to the series. Despite receiving somewhat mixed reviews, the film was a box office success, outperforming the other horror movie about toys released that summer, *Child’s Play*.

5
‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ (2025)

As a horror fan, I was really looking forward to *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, and it delivers as the conclusion to the first chapter of this incredibly spooky franchise. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are back, and they’re fantastic as Ed and Lorraine Warren. This time, they’re reluctantly pulled out of retirement – Ed’s health isn’t great – to investigate a truly terrifying haunting. The Smurl family in Pennsylvania is being tormented, and it all centers around a creepy, cursed antique mirror. It’s a classic setup, and the Warrens are the only ones who can help. Prepare to be genuinely scared!

The Warren’s Horrific Paranormal Journey Comes to an End

Ed and Lorraine Warren discover the haunted mirror connects to a tragedy in their own past: over twenty years ago, Lorraine touched the mirror, and shortly after, their daughter Judy was stillborn. They had prayed for Judy’s revival, and it worked. Now, the Warrens must face a terrifying entity, protecting both the Smurl family and Judy, who is also starting to experience disturbing psychic visions. What follows is a frightening battle where the couple’s deep love and connection are their only hope against the evil forces endangering everyone involved.

The Conjuring: Last Rites successfully recaptures the chilling atmosphere of the earlier films, delivering the jump scares fans expect alongside genuinely frightening demons. However, it’s the strong performances and believable chemistry between Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson that really make this final chapter stand out. While some felt it didn’t offer anything new in terms of scares, audiences generally agreed it provided a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion to the Warrens’ story. The film was also a major box office success, earning $460.2 million worldwide and becoming the most profitable installment in the series.

4
‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ (2021)

Coming in around the middle of the rankings is the third installment in *The Conjuring* series, 2021’s *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It*. It’s difficult to definitively place this film, as it wasn’t quite as strong as the second movie but performed better than *The Nun* and *Annabelle: Creation*. Therefore, it feels right to position it between those two. The film starts with a compelling idea and delivers a genuinely suspenseful and frightening experience, directly putting Ed and Lorraine Warren in harm’s way as they investigate a disturbing mystery. The story is inspired by a famous real-life murder case and explores the unsettling events surrounding it.

James Wan’s Absence Is Felt By Fans

This latest installment of the series unfortunately falls short of its predecessors, lacking genuine scares and feeling less impactful overall. It also introduces a troubling ethical dimension, revealing the Warrens financially benefited from fabricating details and exploiting a tragic event. The film marks a departure in style and timeline that didn’t resonate with everyone, and the change in directors – from James Wan to Michael Chaves – is noticeable. Despite these issues, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga deliver strong performances, showcasing their characters’ growth. While the initial sequence is strong, the horror elements diminish afterward, the film remains compelling thanks to its performances, a dark and unsettling story, and a consistently building sense of dread.

It’s refreshing to see the third movie move away from the typical haunted house story and explore a more intriguing case from Ed and Lorraine Warren’s files. Viewers will enjoy the actors’ performances and the way the suspense builds. Director Chaves cleverly used the trial as a setting, rather than just re-enacting what happened in court, which adds a lot of depth and makes the story more compelling.

3
‘Annabelle: Creation’ (2017)

One of the best films in the series is 2017’s Annabelle: Creation. It fixed a problem with the first Annabelle movie by finally showing how the terrifying doll became haunted. Set in 1955, after the events of The Nun, the film explains exactly what turned Annabelle into a vessel for a demon.

An Origin Story That Finally Satisfies Audiences

Director David F. Sandberg built suspense and horror in the film using dark, realistic visuals, clever lighting, and fast-paced editing. This makes for a compelling origin story and finally gives the franchise the critical praise it deserves. The way the film is shot draws viewers in, creating a psychological connection to the action and making each scare feel more immediate and impactful.

Despite initial skepticism after the first film, *Annabelle: Creation* proved to be a surprisingly strong entry in the franchise, largely thanks to the talented performances of its young cast. The film effectively used jump scares and offered a more detailed and engaging backstory for the Annabelle doll. Critics generally praised it, and it helped launch director David Sandberg’s career, leading to his work on the DC film *Shazam!*

2
‘The Conjuring 2’ (2016)

Released in 2016, *The Conjuring 2* is considered one of the best films in the series. Director James Wan and stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returned for this installment, which follows the Warrens as they investigate a new paranormal case in England. The film was highly praised and successfully revitalized the franchise after the less well-received *Annabelle*. While it’s a strong sequel, some viewers found it wasn’t quite as scary or original as the first *Conjuring* movie.

The Original Gang Is Back Together for ‘The Conjuring 2’

The movie started with a great idea, and James Wan delivered some genuinely scary moments with fantastic sound design. However, it didn’t quite have the same impact as the first film. What really saved it and earned positive reviews was Vera Farmiga’s outstanding performance. The film explored Lorraine Warren’s emotional struggles stemming from her psychic abilities. Even though the story wasn’t as gripping or suspenseful as *The Conjuring*, the strong acting, particularly Farmiga’s, compensated for the slower pace.

1
‘The Conjuring’ (2013)

Okay, so as a horror fan, I gotta say *The Conjuring* still hits hard. It’s where James Wan’s whole universe really kicked off, and honestly, I think it’s still the best one. It came out at just the right time – people were craving a genuinely scary, well-made ghost story. What I really loved is that it felt complete on its own, but cleverly left the door open for all the sequels and spin-offs we’ve gotten. Knowing the story was based on the real-life work of Ed and Lorraine Warren, Wan really dug into what made them tick and built a believable world around their investigations.

‘The Conjuring’ Became a Modern-Day Horror Classic

The film reveals the meticulous, almost procedural, way the Warrens investigate supposed demonic activity. They combine scientific tools with religious consultation, keeping the Church informed throughout. Director Wan subtly hints at the couple’s history – like the room in their home packed with cursed objects – enriching the narrative. All of this creates a believable and unsettling supernatural world, making the stories feel authentic to the audience.

Wan excelled at crafting effective jump scares, precisely timed with impactful sound design. This skill heavily influenced subsequent films in the series and even inspired scares in other horror movies. This masterful use of tension is a key reason why *The Conjuring* is considered the scariest installment of the franchise, justifying its top ranking in any list of these films.

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2025-10-12 05:08