Which Conjuring Films Use Real Cases
The Conjuring Universe includes multiple films that draw on documented cases from the files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The original 2013 film, The Conjuring, adapts the 1971 Perron family haunting in Harrisville, Rhode Island, as described by the Warrens and later detailed in their case files. The Conjuring 2 (2016) centers on the 1977 Enfield Poltergeist in London, a case that involved investigators from the Society for Psychical Research and was later reviewed by courts and researchers. Forbes provides a timeline of the Enfield claims and official statements from investigators.
Key Real Cases Behind the Films
The franchise references specific locations, names, and investigative records tied to the Warrens' archives. The Amityville Horror (1979) case, which influenced early Conjuring lore, involved the 1975 DeFeo murders at 112 Ocean Avenue and later claims of paranormal activity documented by the Warrens. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) adapts the 1981 trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson in Brookfield, Connecticut, one of the first cases in which murder defendants cited demonic possession as a defense, according to court records and news reports.
How True the Conjuring Movies Are
Producer Tony DeRosa-Grund and the film team have stated that the movies are inspired by the Warrens' case files, court transcripts, and witness accounts, but the films add fictional dialogue, compressed timelines, and dramatic structure. The Warrens' original reports, photographs, and artifacts are stored in their private museum and referenced in documentaries and books that outline the claims and subsequent investigations. Britannica summarizes the franchise's basis in the Warren files and notes that the films blend fact with horror storytelling.
Sources Used by the Filmmakers
The production team has cited the Warrens' archives, local police reports, and interviews with families as source material for the screenplays. The films also reference real legal proceedings, such as the Johnson trial, and use public records and news coverage to ground their narratives. The New York Times notes that the third film draws on court documents and contemporaneous news coverage of the Brookfield case.
Which Conjuring Movies Are Based on True Stories: Summary
The Conjuring (2013) and The Conjuring 2 (2016) are the two main entries most directly based on documented cases, while The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) adapts a real murder trial that included claims of possession. The franchise continues to use the Warrens' case files and public records as a foundation, even as it adds fictional horror elements for theatrical effect.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for the most fact-based entries in the Conjuring series, the first two films and the third film's trial storyline are the strongest links to real events, with source material that includes case files, court records, and investigative reports. SEC EDGAR and other