This fall’s “The Nun II” is a direct sequel to 2018’s “The Nun,” but the movie is actually the ninth installment in what’s been dubbed the Conjuring Universe. The horror franchise initially began with stories tied to paranormal investigations led by famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. Ed and Lorraine were real people who claimed to be paranormal investigators, though many critics have questioned if they were the real deal or just master manipulators. Even then, the film franchise takes many, many liberties with the stories of their lives. Though there lives have inspired films before, the Conjuring franchise as we currently know it started with 2013’s “The Conjuring,” starring Patrick Wilson as Ed and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine.
Since then, we’ve gotten eight more movies, including “The Nun II,” and they make a universe filled with haunted dolls, demonic nuns, and Satanic possessions. But if you’re new to the Conjuring Universe (or even if you’re not), it might be hard to keep the chronological timeline of the films straight. Ahead, we break down the chronological order of the Conjuring Universe, from “The Nun” to “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.”
– Additional reporting by Grayson Gilcrease
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"The Nun" - 1952 and 1971
“The Nun” follows the investigation of a suspicious death at a remote Romanian abbey by a skeptical priest, Father Burke; a nun in training who keeps having visions, Sister Irene; and a local man, Frenchie. Set in 1952, the film sheds light on the origins of Valak, the titular demonic nun seen terrorizing Lorraine Warren in “The Conjuring 2.” The ending jumps ahead to 1971, connecting Frenchie to the events of “The Conjuring” and the seminar held by Ed and Lorraine Warren.
When the film was released in 2018, fans theorized there could be a deeper connection between Sister Irene and Lorraine Warren due to the actors’ real-life familial connection (they’re played by sisters Taissa and Vera Farmiga). “I think it could be fun,” Taissa told Coming Soon in 2018. “I think that we should see what the writers come up with. I feel like if they do it they’ll find a fun, interesting way to make it happen and it won’t be too obvious. That’s what I hope. Maybe my expectations are too high? I think it’s gonna be great, we’ll see. No promises, I can’t promise!”
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"Annabelle: Creation" - 1943 and 1955
In 1943, the Mullins family accidentally summons a malevolent spirit after the death of their daughter Annabelle. The grief-stricken couple lock away the possessed Annabelle doll and blesses their house after it attacks and injures Esther. 12 years later, Sister Charlotte and a group of orphans are welcomed by Samuel and Esther Mullins into their home. Not long after their arrival, a polio-stricken orphan by the name of Janice discovers the haunted Annabelle doll and becomes the evil entity’s next vessel.
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"The Nun II" - 1956
“The Nun II” picks up four years after the events of “The Nun,” setting the action in 1956. In the film, Sister Irene once again faces off with Valak at a French boarding school.
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"Annabelle" - 1967
The beginning of “Annabelle” starts where “Annabelle: Creation” leaves off, with an older Janice trying to complete a satanic ritual. In the film, the doll only becomes possessed after Janice’s blood drips on its face. Annabelle eventually finds her way into an antique shop, where a mother purchases her as a gift for her daughter.
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"The Conjuring" - 1971
“The Conjuring” takes place in 1971, after Ed and Lorraine Warren are approached for help by Carolyn Perron at a seminar. Things escalate once the Warrens uncover the Perron family home’s horrific history.
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"Annabelle Comes Home" - 1972
Once Annabelle is locked away in their mysterious artifacts room, Ed and Lorraine Warren head off to investigate another case, leaving their daughter in the care of a babysitter. Annabelle lures the babysitter into the artifacts room as it springs to life, causing those in the house to fight for survival. The artifacts room features a number of paranormal “souvenirs” confiscated from the Warrens’ previous investigations, including the music box from “The Conjuring.”
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"The Curse of La Llorona" - 1673 and 1973
“The Curse of La Llorona” begins in Mexico in 1673, with a mother drowning her children. It then jumps ahead 300 years to Los Angeles 1973, where social worker Anna Tate-Garcia accidentally becomes La Llorona’s next target. The film’s only connection to the rest of The Conjuring Universe is “Annabelle”‘s Father Perez, who Anna asks for help with vanquishing the spirit.
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"The Conjuring 2" - 1977
The story of the Enfield haunting takes place in England in 1977, where malicious spirits make the Warrens their next target. “The Conjuring 2” is the first film to introduce Valak, the demonic nun that frequently haunts Lorraine and the Crooked Man. The Crooked Man was meant to get his own spinoff film, but it was ultimately cancelled.
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"The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" - 1981
Based on the Arne Cheyenne Johnson murder trial, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” takes place over the course of 1981. Beginning with David Glatzel’s exorcism, the Warrens also help Arne out with his defense of not guilty by reason of demonic possession. There aren’t many connections to the other movies outside of the Perron family, who send the Warrens condolence flowers.