What Is the Conjuring Movie Universe
The Conjuring movie universe is a shared horror franchise based on the real-life cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The series is produced by New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Bros. Pictures, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and its international partners. The franchise includes mainline films, spin-offs, and related projects that share characters, lore, and creative teams. The core series follows the Warrens as they investigate haunted locations and supernatural threats across multiple decades and countries.
The franchise is part of a larger interconnected horror ecosystem at New Line Cinema, which also includes The Nun, The Croods: A New Age, and other related titles. The Conjuring films are known for their period settings, practical effects, and focus on family survival against supernatural forces. The series has been praised for its structured storytelling and consistent creative leadership from director James Wan and producer Peter Safran. The films are rated R for horror violence, language, and some disturbing images.
Films, Box Office, and Production Timeline
The Conjuring movie universe includes the mainline trilogy and several spin-offs. The first film, The Conjuring, was released in 2013 and grossed over $319 million worldwide according to box office tracking data. The Conjuring 2 followed in 2016, earning more than $320 million globally. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, the third mainline entry, was released in 2021 and grossed over $200 million worldwide. The franchise has earned more than $1.8 billion in global box office across its mainline films.
Spin-offs include Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle Comes Home, The Nun, and The Nun II. Annabelle: Creation earned over $300 million worldwide, while The Nun and The Nun II combined for more than $400 million globally. James Wan directed the first three mainline films and produced multiple spin-offs. The films are shot at various studio locations and on practical sets, with extensive use of practical effects and controlled environments to create the horror sequences.
Cast, Characters, and Franchise Structure
The mainline films star Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren. Supporting actors include Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, and Madison Wolfe in key roles across the series. The franchise features a recurring ensemble of paranormal investigators, families in peril, and demonic entities tied to the Warrens' case files. Each film is structured around a specific case file, with a self-contained narrative that connects to the broader universe through shared characters and lore.
The Conjuring movie universe is planned to expand with new spin-offs and related projects under New Line Cinema. The franchise is managed by the Safran Wan team, which oversees development, production, and creative direction. The films are rated and reviewed by major critics and audiences, with the first Conjuring film holding a strong score on review aggregation platforms. The franchise continues to be a top-performing horror series for Warner Bros. Pictures and its distribution partners.