Beginning as a stereotypical movie plot where a haunted house is responsible for the suffering of an unlucky family, one movie led to another and a whole universe was created. And while we’re used to universes when it comes to superheroes – take the famous Marvel and DC universes as an example – having our own horror movie universe is something new and exciting.

Add to it the magnificent couple of Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by the beloved Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, and you’re in for a movie experience that’s going to make you feel all sorts of ways. In this list, we’re ranking the Conjuring Universe movies from worst to best according to our own opinion.

The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

This Mexican-based low-budget movie is set after Annabelle Comes Home and before The Conjuring 2. Already suggested by its rather low budget of roughly $9 million, the 6th piece of the Conjuring Universe failed to deliver the atmosphere and suspense viewers expected to see. Grossing only a little over $123 million at the box office since its release, the title was barely a filler in-between the main conjuring movies.

Offering a few jump scares that the movie basically relies on, The Curse of La Llorona was a big disappointment for both fans and critics. The movie also features many straight-up stupid decisions from the characters, making it hard to be received well by the horror movie fans who are increasingly more fed up with characters making illogical choices for the sake of the plot. With mediocre performances and laughable scenes, the movie is placed at the bottom of our list.

The Nun (2018)

Although The Nun suffers with lack of storyline as well, the movie possessed one important aspect that The Curse of La Llorona failed to deliver: suspense. Darkness, creepy nun lurking in the shadows, and well-timed jump scares make it score just a little higher than the above-mentioned title, but that’s as far as our compliments go.

It seems that perhaps the only purpose of this movie was to set up the scene for Conjuring 2 and its main villain – the nun figure inhabited by a demon called Valak. All in all, The Nun is a filler movie without the wow factor, but should you go into the experience without any expectations and needs for comparison, you might enjoy it. 

Annabelle (2014)

It’s crazy to think how big the Annabelle series got with the $7 million budget of the first film. And it’s even crazier considering its super low rating of 35%. However, the creepiness of the doll that seems to never move when characters are looking is what makes the movie better than the first two titles on our list. 

The camera work is done really well, inducing the anxiety and suspense from Annabelle’s closeups and leaving viewers with their fists clenched and foreheads sweaty. Saved by superb acting, Annabelle benefited mainly from the huge anticipation for the long-awaited devious doll.

Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Three years after the first instalment, Annabelle’s origin story got its own movie. Exploring the circumstances under which the doll got its famous reputation, the movie is an undeniable step-up with superb acting from the main tortured character, amazing directing, interesting jump scares and an overall suspenseful atmosphere that works (most of the times).   

A movie that had to come at some point, it served its purpose of attracting large audiences interested in learning the story of Annabelle, the most frightening doll since Chucky from Child’s Play.

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

The third Conjuring movie follows a case of Arne Johnson, a man accused of murder, who claims a demonic possession as a defense for his actions. The movie straight up starts in a refreshing way, hinting that we’re in for an interesting ride. Although it failed to reach the level of fright its predecessors did, what makes this instalment special is the strong focus on the Warrens themselves, who make you desperately long for the same kind of love as is portrayed on the screen. 

Steering away from the traditional concept of haunted houses, the movie’s fresh perspective makes it an overall enjoyable watch that meets the Conjuring standards but doesn’t precede the first two films. Although The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It had the 2^nd worst opening weekend out of the whole Conjuring Universe, grossing only $24 million, the sum of a smaller Mega Millions jackpot, it did manage to cross the impressive (considering the movie was released during the pandemic) $200 million mark in the box office. In the meantime, we are just happy to see that there is still hope for the future Conjuring movies.

Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

The third instalment of the Annabelle series focuses on the daughter of Ed and Lorraine Warren and her friends, who are forced to try to survive a night of horror after Annabelle, safely stored in the couple’s basement, gets accidentally set free by one of the girls. Annabelle Comes Home is a big step up from the original movie, and its high ranking perhaps comes from the direct connection with the beloved Warren family as well as the exploration of “the room.”

With believable decision-making of the characters, an amazing delivery from the talented Mckenna Grace (Judy Warren, the daughter of the Warrens), several well-placed jump scares, and a highly suspenseful atmosphere throughout the movie, the final piece of the Annabelle trilogy did more than not disappoint – it truly delivered.

The Conjuring (2013)

Genuinely good, scary, suspenseful and anxiety-inducing, The Conjuring used a familiar concept in a way that just works and doesn’t feel tacky or repetitive. Jump scares are not predictable, the story has enough depth, and the superb acting of Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson automatically raises the rating of the movie. 

Speaking of, the Warrens are the strongest part of the whole franchise. Their charisma is undeniable, perhaps even the foundation of all conjuring movies, and the introduction to their story is what gives the movie its flavor. This movie truly was special for its time, and given the fact that it still ranks so high, it will always have a special place on the list of every Conjuring fan.

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

The Conjuring Universe franchise is a clear example of an exception to the “sequels are always worse than originals” rule. The Conjuring 2 takes the best of the first Conjuring movie and adds some extra spice to it. Coming 3 long years after its predecessor, it shows that given enough time, quality projects that exceed the original can be produced.

The introduction of the demonic nun was done incredibly well, making viewers glued to their seats every time Valak, as we learn the demon’s name later in the film, gets his screen time. This flawless execution and hype perhaps explains why The Nun, released 2 years later, became the highest grossing Conjuring Universe movie to date, despite its low ratings.