Over the past decade, the “Conjuring” universe has become one of the most influential horror franchises in history. What began with James Wan’s 2013 film has grown into a sprawling collection of sequels, prequels and spinoffs – all loosely connected through the paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Across its 10 installments, the series has delivered both horror classics and forgettable misfires. With “Last Rites” marking a possible conclusion to the mainline series, it’s the perfect time to look back at every entry.
From haunted houses to cursed dolls to demon nuns, here’s a definitive ranking of the “Conjuring” universe.
10. ‘Annabelle’ (2014)
“Annabelle” is a miss on nearly every level. The film features an unoriginal plot, dull characters and uninspired scares. Worst of all, the title character barely even appears.
Borrowing from better horror films, “Annabelle” still manages to be less than the sum of its parts. It’s not only disappointing – it’s flat-out boring.
9. ‘The Nun’ (2018)
“The Nun” plays out as a formulaic horror entry stuffed with jump scares, nonsensical character decisions and an absurd plot. What could have been an intriguing examination of Valak instead turns into a convoluted story that adds little to the franchise.
Taissa Farmiga (Sister Irene) makes a strong impression, and Jonas Bloquet (Frenchie) brings charm. Outside of them, however, the movie is forgettable.
8. ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ (2021)
“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” shifts away from haunted houses into investigative thriller territory. The opening exorcism sequence is electric, but after that, the movie stalls.
The absurdist approach undercuts the terror, and the trope-filled script doesn’t help. It’s watchable for the Warrens, but far from the high standards of its predecessors.
7. ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ (2019)
“The Curse of La Llorona” deserves props for establishing its own eerie atmosphere that feels distinct within the “Conjuring” universe. Its exploration of the Mexican folk legend is naturally compelling, and the setup carries real promise.
Unfortunately, the execution falls short. The story never lives up to its potential, leaving behind uneven pacing and a weak script. It’s not without moments of tension, but it ultimately feels forgettable.
While not “officially” labeled as being part of the “Conjuring” universe… it is. The film features Father Perez from “Annabelle” alongside mentions of a cursed doll. Not to mention a deleted scene shows that La Llorona’s necklace was meant to go to the Warrens’ collection of cursed objects. These connections make it a definitive part of the franchise.
6. ‘The Nun II’ (2023)
“The Nun II” improves on its predecessor with stronger cinematography, fleshed-out characters and expanded mythology. It still leans heavily on jump scares, but several chilling moments stand out.
It doesn’t break new ground in the genre, but as an extension of Valak’s story, it’s a serviceable and often enjoyable watch.
5. ‘Annabelle: Creation’ (2017)
“Annabelle: Creation” is levels above its predecessor, “Annabelle.” The film gives the cursed doll a chilling origin story while creating some of the series’ most effective scares.
The young cast excels on nearly every level, though their characters are sometimes forced into questionable decision-making. Still, director David F. Sandberg steers the “Annabelle” series in the right direction with a more confident and frightening installment.
4. ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites‘ (2025)
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” delivers on its promise of being the Warrens’ final case. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga anchor the film with some of their strongest work yet, supported by Mia Tomlinson’s standout turn as Judy.
Despite a bloated runtime and some overreliance on CGI, Michael Chaves brings style and scares in a fitting, emotional conclusion to the franchise.
3. ‘The Conjuring 2’ (2016)
While “The Conjuring” was more subtle in its approach, “The Conjuring 2” goes all out. The film embraces dramatic, over-the-top scares while diving deeper into the Warrens’ relationship. This emotional layer raises the stakes alongside the frights.
Because it’s bulkier, though, the movie suffers a slight dip in quality compared to the original. With too many competing storylines, the experience feels less cohesive even if it’s still an impressive sequel.
2. ‘Annabelle Comes Home’ (2019)
“Annabelle Comes Home” works so well because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The film not only unleashes the infamous Annabelle, but also an abundance of other cursed artifacts. This leads to a haunted house story that isn’t necessarily terrifying, but is undeniably entertaining and fun.
Mckenna Grace steals the show as Judy Warren, with Madison Iseman (Mary Ellen) and Katie Sarife (Daniela Rios) also shining. If you’re looking for playful, old-school horror with a spooky edge, “Annabelle Comes Home” delivers.
1. ‘The Conjuring’ (2013)
“The Conjuring” was – and still is – a game changer in the horror genre. The film blends classic paranormal tropes with sleek modern scares, creating an experience that is truly frightening. Farmiga and Wilson bring Ed and Lorraine Warren to life for the first time, cementing their status in horror history.
The same can be said about director James Wan, who infuses his creativity and distinctive style into this modern horror classic.
Final Thoughts
The “Conjuring” films have built a consistent universe unlike anything else in modern horror – for better or worse. Even at their weakest, these movies have found ways to keep audiences invested. At their best, they’ve set the gold standard for supernatural horror.
Whether “Last Rites” truly marks an end to the Warrens’ story or not, only time will tell. For now, fans can revisit their favorites and appreciate how a single haunted house story grew into a cultural phenomenon.
