Conjuring Films in Order of Release
The main Conjuring film series, produced by New Line Cinema and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, began with The Conjuring in 2013, followed by The Conjuring 2 in 2016, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It in 2021, with the first two films directed by James Wan and the third by Michael Chaves. The series is based on real-life cases documented by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, and the films have collectively earned over $1.8 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing horror franchises, according to industry tracking data from sources like Forbes. The Conjuring (2013) opened to strong box office reception and critical praise for its atmospheric storytelling and practical effects, while The Conjuring 2 expanded the scope to the Enfield Poltergeist case in London.
The third installment, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, shifted focus to a 1981 murder trial in Danvers, Massachusetts, and marked a change in tone by emphasizing courtroom drama and occult elements. Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema have confirmed plans for additional entries in the franchise, and the series has spawned multiple spin-offs, including Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle Comes Home, The Nun, and The Nun II, all set within the same shared universe. The films are rated R for horror violence and disturbing imagery, and their production budgets have ranged from $20 million to $39 million per film, reflecting a high return on investment for the studio.
Box Office Performance and Production Details
The Conjuring (2013) was produced on a budget of $20 million and grossed over $319 million worldwide, while The Conjuring 2 (2016) had a budget of $40 million and earned approximately $320 million globally, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) was made for $39 million and collected around $268 million worldwide, according to publicly reported figures from industry tracking platforms. The films are rated R in the United States and have received mixed critical reception, with the first two entries holding stronger audience scores than the third, as reflected in aggregated review data from major entertainment outlets.
The production companies behind the series include New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster Productions, and The Safran Company, with James Wan serving as producer and director on the first two films. The franchise has expanded into a larger shared universe that includes The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, which was released in 2021 and directed by Michael Chaves, and the spin-off films Annabelle: Creation (2017), Annabelle Comes Home (2019), The Nun (2018), and The Nun II (2023), all of which are connected through shared lore and character references. The series is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and has been marketed as a continuation of the Warrens' case files, drawing on the same source material and paranormal themes.
Future Projects and Franchise Expansion
Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema have announced additional Conjuring universe projects, including a planned The Conjuring 4 and new spin-off films that will continue to expand the shared horror universe created by James Wan and the production teams at Atomic Monster and Safran Company. The franchise has also explored television adaptations and digital content, with the core films remaining the primary focus for theatrical releases and global distribution.
The Conjuring series has influenced the horror genre by reviving interest in supernatural storytelling and practical effects, and its success has led to a broader trend of R-rated horror franchises with interconnected universes, as reported by industry analysts and entertainment news outlets. The films are available on