The Conjuring Universe, known for its spine-chilling tales of the supernatural and the paranormal, has captured the imaginations of horror enthusiasts since its inception. With each new installment, the franchise has brought us terrifying encounters with malevolent spirits, haunted houses, and possessed artifacts. In this article, we embark on a journey through the world of The Conjuring Universe to rank its various films, examining the scares, the storytelling, and the enduring legacy of this ever-expanding horror saga.
From the earliest hauntings in The Conjuring to the latest horrors conjured up by the filmmakers, we’ll explore the best and the worst the franchise has to offer, giving you an insight into which movies are worth your spine-tingling time and which ones might leave you feeling less than petrified. So, dim the lights, lock your doors, and join us as we delve into the dark depths of The Conjuring Universe.
9. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Set in Los Angeles in the 1970s, a social worker named Anna Tate-Garcia is called to investigate a case involving a distressed mother who has locked her two sons in a closet. The mother’s actions are revealed to be the result of her belief that her family is being haunted by a malevolent spirit known as La Llorona. La Llorona, or “The Weeping Woman,” is a legendary ghost from Hispanic folklore who drowned her own children and now seeks to claim the lives of other children to replace her own.
When La Llorona’s curse is unleashed, Anna and her own two children become targets of the vengeful spirit. Desperate to protect her family, Anna seeks the help of a disillusioned former priest, played by Raymond Cruz, who possesses knowledge of ancient rituals to combat the supernatural threat. As the film unfolds, Anna and the ex-priest must confront the malevolent spirit and find a way to break the curse of La Llorona before it’s too late.
8. The Nun (2018)
It takes place in the early 1950s and revolves around a Roman Catholic priest, Father Burke and a novice nun, Sister Irene. They are sent by the Vatican to investigate the suicide of a nun at a secluded abbey in Romania. As they arrive at the abbey, they discover that the ancient and isolated convent is shrouded in darkness, secrets, and an evil presence. They encounter the malevolent entity Valak, also known as “The Nun,” a demonic force that has taken the form of a sinister nun. Valak is a powerful and malevolent spirit with a dark history tied to the abbey.
Father Burke and Sister Irene, along with a local villager named Frenchie, must confront their own fears and the evil that lurks within the abbey’s walls. They uncover a horrifying secret that threatens not only their lives but also their faith. The Nun is known for its eerie atmosphere, gothic settings, and jump scares, typical of the Conjuring Universe. It delves into the mythology of the Valak character, providing a backstory for the evil entity that haunts the Warrens in The Conjuring 2.
7. Annabelle (2014)
The first film in the Annabelle trilogy. In the late 1960s, we follow a young married couple, John and Mia Gordon. John gives Mia a vintage, rare collector’s doll for her soon-to-arrive baby’s nursery. Shortly after receiving the doll, the couple’s home is invaded by a satanic cult that unleashes a malevolent entity that becomes attached to the doll. As a result of the cult’s sinister rituals, Annabelle becomes a conduit for supernatural activity, and her presence in the house brings terror and chaos.
The couple seeks the help of a local priest. Annabelle explores themes of possession, demonic influence, and the consequences of dabbling in the occult. The film is known for its suspenseful moments, jump scares, and tense atmosphere as the Gordon family attempts to protect themselves and their child from the malevolent force tied to the doll.
6. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
Set in the year 1971, a few years after the events of the first two Annabelle films. The Warrens have obtained the malevolent doll Annabelle and decide to keep it locked in a sacred glass case in their artifact room to prevent it from causing any more harm. However, trouble begins when the Warrens go away on a trip, leaving their young daughter, Judy Warren under the care of a babysitter, Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen’s friend Daniela, who is curious about the supernatural and the Warrens’ artifact room, sneaks into the house and inadvertently releases Annabelle from her confinement.
This unleashes a wave of paranormal activity as Annabelle awakens other malevolent spirits and entities in the artifact room. The three young women must band together to survive the night as they face a series of terrifying supernatural encounters and try to put Annabelle back in her case to stop the chaos. While the film received mixed reviews, it still stands as the weakest of the Annabelle trilogy.
5. The Nun II (2023)
A sequel to the enigmatic gothic horror, this story delves deeper into the malevolent force that continues to haunt and inflict supernatural terror upon all it touches. In the aftermath of the events of the first film, the sinister entity’s malevolence spreads in the year 1956 throughout a small town in France, with chilling rumors circulating about a priest’s brutal murder.
Sister Irene, now a contemplative in her novitiate, takes it upon herself to investigate the murder. However, her inquiries lead her down a harrowing path, revealing the presence of a demon responsible for the priest’s death – none other than Valak, the same malevolent entity that once terrorized her in the previous film. Soon, she finds herself face to face with the relentless evil once again, setting the stage for a new confrontation with the sinister force.
Also Read: The Nun 2: Does The Conjuring Spin-Off Have a Post-Credits Scene?
4. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The movie is based on the true story of the Arne Cheyenne Johnson case, which became one of the first known instances in U.S. legal history where a defendant claimed demonic possession as a defense in a murder trial. In the film, Arne is accused of murder after a violent altercation in which he claims to have been possessed by a demonic entity. Ed and Lorraine Warren become involved in the case to investigate the paranormal aspects surrounding the crime and to help Arne’s defense.
As they delve into the case, the Warrens uncover a malevolent curse tied to the activities of a satanic cult. Their investigation takes them through a series of horrifying encounters and paranormal phenomena as they race against time to uncover the truth and protect Arne from the clutches of an evil entity. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It takes a slightly different approach compared to the previous films in the series by incorporating more elements of crime and courtroom drama. It blends elements of supernatural horror with investigative and legal thriller aspects.
3. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
The film is set several years after the tragic death of their daughter, Samuel Mullins, and his wife Esther welcomes a group of orphaned girls and their caretaker, Sister Charlotte into their home, which is a sprawling, old, and isolated farmhouse. The Mullins offer the girls a place to stay, believing it would be a peaceful refuge. However, the girls soon discover that the Mullins’ home is hiding a dark and malevolent secret. One of the orphans, Janice uncovers a locked room and accidentally releases a malevolent entity attached to a possessed doll, which is none other than Annabelle.
This malevolent force terrorizes the girls, who are now trapped in the farmhouse, and they must confront the evil presence to survive. Annabelle: Creation explores the origins of the Annabelle doll and how it became a vessel for evil. The film delves into themes of possession, supernatural horror, and the consequences of tampering with dark forces. It is known for its suspenseful and chilling moments, offering a fresh take on the haunted doll’s backstory while maintaining a connection to the broader Conjuring Universe.
2. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Taking place in the 1970s and is based on the true story of the Enfield Poltergeist, one of the most famous and documented cases of paranormal activity in the United Kingdom. Ed and Lorraine Warren travel to North London to assist the Hodgson family, who are experiencing terrifying and unexplained supernatural occurrences in their home. Peggy Hodgson and her four children are the main victims of the malevolent entity haunting their house. The entity seems to be particularly focused on Janet Hodgson, a young girl who becomes the primary target of the poltergeist activity.
As the Warrens investigate, they encounter a variety of unsettling phenomena, including furniture moving on its own, voices from the other side, and possessions. They must uncover the truth behind the haunting and help the Hodgson family before it’s too late. The Conjuring 2 is known for its effective blend of atmospheric horror, well-crafted scares, and compelling character development, particularly in the relationship between Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film delivers a sense of tension and dread as it explores themes of belief, family, and the battle against malevolent forces from the supernatural realm.
1. The Conjuring (2013)
The film to kick off the Conjuring Universe, is based on a real case from the files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are renowned for their work in investigating paranormal and supernatural phenomena. Set in the early 1970s, it follows the Perron family, including Roger and Carolyn Perron, who move with their five daughters into a rural farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. Soon after their arrival, the Perron family experiences a series of unexplained and malevolent supernatural events in their new home. Doors slam on their own, unexplained voices and apparitions terrify the family, and the haunting seems to escalate.
Desperate for help, the Perron family contacts the Warrens, who agree to investigate the case. As Ed and Lorraine Warren delve into the mysterious occurrences at the farmhouse, they uncover a history of dark and malevolent forces tied to the property. The Warrens must confront the malevolent entity terrorizing the Perron family and put an end to the haunting. The movie was both critically acclaimed and a commercial success, helping to rejuvenate the horror genre and leading to the creation of the successful film franchise. It remains a beloved and influential film in the horror genre.
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