Complete Conjuring Recap 2025

The Conjuring series is more than just a collection of scary movies; it’s a sprawling, interconnected universe of terror that has redefined modern horror. With nine films and counting, this franchise, inspired by the case files of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, has captivated audiences worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned fan looking to connect the dots or a newcomer unsure where to start, this complete guide will walk you through every spectral corner of the Conjuring series, explaining the connections, the chronology, and the pure nightmare fuel that makes it so iconic.

Understanding The Conjuring Universe

Before we dive into the haunted houses and demonic dolls, it’s crucial to grasp the basic rules of this universe, much like the characters themselves had to learn.

• The Warrens: At the heart of the Conjuring series are Ed and Lorraine Warren. Ed is a demonologist, while Lorraine is a powerful clairvoyant who can “see dead people.” Their home acts as a museum for haunted artifacts, which, unsurprisingly, is a terrible idea.
• The Sign of Possession: A key rule established early on: if a demon or spirit forces something into someone’s mouth, it’s a clear sign of impending possession. Consider it the universe’s most horrifying handshake.
• The Artifacts: Objects can be deeply haunted or act as conduits for evil. The most famous of these is the Annabelle doll, the Nick Fury of this dark universe, who ties nearly every story together.

Now, let’s step into the Warrens’ world, film by film, in the order they were released.

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The Core Stories: Ed and Lorraine’s Cases

The Conjuring (2013)

The film that started it all. The Warrens are called to help the Perron family, who have moved into a secluded Rhode Island farmhouse they got for a steal. The phrase “buy a house cheap, get a ghost for free” has never been more accurate.

The family experiences increasingly terrifying events: clocks stopping at 3:07 AM, mysterious bruises on the mother, Carolyn, and a secret basement that holds a dark secret. The entity is revealed to be Bathsheba Sherman, a witch who sacrificed her child to Satan and hanged herself on the property. Her goal is to possess the mother and continue her cycle of corruption. The film culminates in a tense exorcism where Lorraine appeals to Carolyn’s motherhood to break the demon’s hold, establishing the Warrens’ signature blend of investigative procedure and heartfelt courage.

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Fresh off the infamous Amityville case, the Warrens travel to London to help the Hodgson family. Their daughter, Janet, appears to be possessed by the spirit of an old man haunting their council house. However, Lorraine is plagued by visions of a demonic nun.

The case is fraught with skepticism, including a moment where Janet is accused of faking the hauntings. The Warrens discover the truth: the old man was a victim himself, and the real threat is a powerful demon named Valak, the Nun, who was manipulating events. In a thrilling finale, Lorraine discovers that speaking Valak’s name is the key to defeating it, banishing the demon and saving her husband. This film brilliantly introduces one of the franchise’s most terrifying villains.

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

This installment takes a dramatic turn, venturing into a courtroom. The Warrens investigate the case of Arne Johnson, who pleads “not guilty” by reason of demonic possession after murdering his landlord. The case marks the first time in U.S. history such a defense was used.

The investigation leads them away from a haunted house and into the world of occult witchcraft. They uncover a plot involving a curse and a witch’s totem, targeting victims to secure a blood sacrifice for a demon. The film explores the limits of the Warrens’ dedication as Ed himself becomes a target of the curse, testing their bond and their faith in a race against time.

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The Spinoffs: Expanding the Universe

The Conjuring series truly earned its “universe” title by exploring the origins of its most terrifying artifacts and entities.

The Annabelle Trilogy

This trilogy explains how a simple Raggedy Ann doll became the most feared object in the Warrens’ museum.

• Annabelle (2014): A prequel to The Conjuring. A couple, John and Mia, are gifted the doll shortly before their neighbors are brutally murdered. The cultist responsible, a girl named Annabelle Higgins, bleeds on the doll, binding a demon to it. The demon terrorizes the couple, seeking a human soul, before being trapped within the doll and eventually making its way to a curious new owner.
• Annabelle: Creation (2017): A prequel to the prequel. We meet dollmaker Samuel Mullins, who, grieving the loss of his daughter, Annabelle, invites a demon into a doll in a desperate pact. Years later, the doll terrorizes a group of orphans staying at his home. One girl, Janice, becomes possessed, and the film reveals her fate: she is adopted by the Higgins family and changes her name to Annabelle, creating a perfect, horrifying loop that connects directly to the first film.
• Annabelle Comes Home (2019): Set after the Warrens have secured the doll, this film is a classic haunted house romp. The Warrens’ daughter, Judy, and her babysitters accidentally unleash Annabelle from her sacred case, causing the other artifacts in the museum to run amok and unleash a night of terror.

The Nun Duology

This series delves into the bone-chilling backstory of the Warrens’ most formidable foe, Valak.

• The Nun (2018): Set in 1952, this film follows Father Burke and Sister Irene as they investigate a suicide at a remote Romanian abbey. They discover the abbey is a gateway for evil, guarding a crack sealed with the Blood of Christ. They face Valak, a ancient demon masquerading as a nun, and ultimately manage to re-trap it. However, in a post-credits scene, we see Valak escape and latch onto Frenchie (Maurice), setting the stage for The Conjuring 2.
• The Nun II (2023): Sister Irene returns to face Valak once more, now terrorizing a boarding school in France. The plot reveals Valak’s quest to retrieve the eyes of St. Lucy to increase its power. The film culminates in a final confrontation where Irene, revealed to be a descendant of St. Lucy, uses purified wine (acting as the Blood of Christ) to finally destroy Valak, seemingly for good.

How to Watch: Release Order vs. Chronological Order

For first-time viewers, the release order is highly recommended:

1. The Conjuring (2013)
2. Annabelle (2014)
3. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
5. The Nun (2018)
6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
7. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
8. The Nun II (2023)

This order preserves the narrative reveals and surprises, especially the origin stories of Annabelle and Valak.

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For a chronological experience, the order would be:

• The Nun (1952)
• The Nun II (1956)
• Annabelle: Creation (1955)
• Annabelle (1967)
• The Conjuring (1971)
• Annabelle Comes Home (1972)
• The Conjuring 2 (1977)
• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (1981)

Conclusion: The Enduring Terror of The Conjuring Series

The power of the Conjuring series lies in its potent combination of relatable family dynamics, a strong sense of history, and truly masterful, atmospheric scares. It’s not just about jump scares; it’s about a pervasive dread that lingers long after the credits roll. The franchise has successfully built a web of interconnected stories that reward dedicated fans with “aha!” moments and deep lore.

While recent entries have received mixed responses, the core films remain pillars of modern horror. With the upcoming The Conjuring: The Last Rides promised as the final chapter for the Warrens (though we’ve heard that before), the universe’s future is wide open for more stories from their infamous artifact room. One thing is certain: the Conjuring series has cemented its place in horror history, proving that sometimes, the most frightening stories are the ones claimed to be true.