Hi all!

Today we are delving deep into The Conjuring universe. There are currently eight films in the franchise, so I wanted to share my ranking from least to best movie. This saga offers a range of horror sub-genres to its viewers. You’ve got dolls, haunted houses, possession, folklore and more; all tying together in one way or another. Also, if you didn’t know, a lot of these stories were based on real-life events. Ed and Lorraine Warren worked as actual paranormal investigators. Their occult museum still exists in Connecticut. I hope this series continues. Without further ado, let’s get into it! Spoilers ahead!

8.) The Nun 

In last place, we have The Nun. Ironically, this is the first film in the franchise – if you wish to watch them chronologically. In 1952, Romania, two nuns are attacked in a monastery by an unseen force. The Vatican sends Father Burke and nun in training, Sister Irene (played by Taissa Farmiga – real sibling of Vera Farmiga, who plays Lorraine Warren), to find out what is going on. When the pair arrive at the abbey, they learn about a demon named Valak, that has taken the form of a nun. It murders the Abbess and other residents, until Father Burke and Sister Irene perform a ritual, to banish it back to hell. Twenty years later, Ed and Lorraine present footage at a university seminar of their attempt to exorcise Frenchie/Maurice, a villager who assisted Father Burke and Sister Irene back in Romania. It’s obvious by the ending, that Sister Irene and Father Burke were unsuccessful in vanquishing it the first time. In my opinion, this is the weakest film in the series. It had such potential, but the scares were lame. It also felt very disconnected from everything else. I was really underwhelmed.

7.) The Curse of La Llorona 

In second last place, we have The Curse of La Llorona. Father Perez, whom we first meet in Annabelle, is also present in this movie. This is what ties it to the rest of the franchise. He assists our protagonist, Anna (played by Linda Cardellini), with undoing the curse bestowed upon her family. This story focuses on the Latin American folktale of the Weeping Woman, who drowned her own children. She now roams the earth as a ghost, seeking more boys and girls to bring to the afterlife. If you hear her crying, run! The evil entity, known as La Llorona, sets her sights upon Anna’s kids and it’s up to her, to keep them safe. I will admit, the scares in this movie are really effective. I particularly love the bath scene. However, it did fall quite flat for me. Compared to the rest of the movies coming up, it didn’t quite hit the mark.

Update: This is where I would rank The Nun II.

6.) The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It 

This may be a controversial opinion, but I actually enjoyed The Conjuring 3. I saw it at the cinemas, so that may have helped. In 1981, Ed and Lorraine Warren document the exorcism of 8-year-old, David Glatzel. During the ritual, Arne Johnson, the boyfriend of David’s sister, invites the devil to possess him instead. Ed witnesses this transference and suffers a heart attack. A month later, he wakes up in the hospital, telling Lorraine that demon is now inside Arne. Under the influence of the evil controlling him, Arne murders his landlord. With the support of the Warrens, his case becomes the first American murder trial to claim demonic possession as a defense. It’s up to the Warrens to investigate the curse that tried to claim David and let Arne walk free. The visuals in this film are exquisite. From the opening scene, paying homage to the original Exorcist, to Lorraine’s vision in the woods, to the battle against Isla in the tunnels, I was blown away. There was plenty of action, which kept me entertained the entire way through. Plus, who doesn’t love the water bed scene? It’s also nice to see how in love Ed and Lorraine were. They were spooky couple goals! Sadly, the real-life versions passed away a few years ago.

Update: This is where I would rank The Conjuring: Last Rites

5.) Annabelle Comes Home 

Now we are getting to the good stuff! If you didn’t know, haunted dolls/toys are one of my favourite horror sub-genres. I recommend some of the best ones here. As I’m biased toward these types of movies, it makes sense that the Annabelle instalments are higher on my list. As the title suggests, Ed and Lorraine Warren bring Annabelle home, after confiscating her from two nurses who reported it for paranormal activity. They secure her in a glass case, ensuring the evil is contained. Some time later, a new babysitter named Mary Ellen arrives, to take care of their daughter, Judy. She is tasked with spending the night, as the Warrens need to travel for a job. However, when Mary Ellen’s friend, Daniela, shows up uninvited, things start to go wrong. Daniela sneaks into the artifacts room, where Annabelle is being kept and unlocks her glass case. Needless to say, terror ensues. With no parents around, the three girls must survive the deadly spirits Annabelle unleashes upon them. It’s actually terrifying. There is an occult object in this movie (futuristic television), that really creeped me out. Huge fan of this one!

4.) The Conjuring 2

In fourth place, we have The Conjuring 2. In 1977, paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, arrive at Enfield, London to investigate the possession of Janet Hodgson – a young girl and the second-oldest of four children. Her body becomes host to Bill Wilkins, an elderly man who had previously lived and died in their house. A year earlier, Lorraine experiences a vision of Ed dying, which makes her hesitant about helping Janet. As a further twist, the spirit of Wilkins is merely a pawn for a more sinister entity: Valak (The Nun). We witness flashbacks of Valak haunting Lorraine in her own home, revealing its true name to her. At the climax of the movie, Ed is almost killed the way Lorraine envisioned, but this time, she’s able to stop Valak, successfully banishing it to hell. I must admit, I didn’t love The Conjuring 2 when it first came out. Over time, it has really grown on me. The best parts, in my opinion, involve Valak. That scene with the painting? One of the best in horror movie history.

3.) Annabelle Creation 

Now we are in my top three. As the movie title suggests, we get to witness the origin of Annabelle. In the 1950’s, a doll-maker named Sam Mullins and his wife Esther, grieve the loss of their seven-year-old daughter, Annabelle, who died via a tragic accident. Twelve years later, the Mullins family open their home to Sister Charlotte and six girls, left homeless by the closing of their orphanage. Despite being warned to avoid Annabelle’s former room, Janice (one of the little girls) opens her closet, revealing the eerie porcelain doll. This action releases a powerful demon, that begins to terrorise the girls. The movie ends with Janice’s possession. She relocates to an orphanage in Santa Monica, where she begins to call herself Annabelle. Twelve years later, she joins a Satanic cult, murdering her adoptive parents, which ties into the original Annabelle movie. This instalment is downright chilling. The atmosphere feels oppressive, much like the desert air surrounding the home. I was watching it through splayed fingers. Don’t listen to anybody who says we didn’t need this prequel!

2.) The Conjuring

In second place, we have the film that started it all: The Conjuring. I remember when it came out, people were saying it was one of the scariest movies they had ever seen. I would have to agree. In 1971, Roger and Carolyn Perron, move into a farmhouse on Rhode Island, with their five daughters. Immediately, paranormal events begin to occur. When the girls are attacked in their bedroom by a spirit, Carolyn contacts demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren. Their investigation reveals that the house once belonged to an accused witch named Bathsheba Sherman. When Bathsheba possesses Carolyn, the Warrens decide to perform the exorcism themselves, as they were denied approval from the church. They are successful and the demon is banished to hell. There are some really unique scares in this instalment. It definitely has that James Wan feel, making it extra special. You have the clapping scene, Bathsheba perched on top of the wardrobe, the clothesline scene and more. Also, story is based on true events. The Perron family were real, as was Bathsheba. They claimed the spirit was actually tormenting them. Spooky!

1.) Annabelle  

Are we shocked this movie is in first place? No, we’re not. This was the very first Conjuring spin-off and it was so successful, more of them were made. I don’t care how much hate it gets, I love it. As learned from Annabelle Creation (see above), Janice becomes possessed as a young girl, joining a Satanic cult under the name Annabelle. In 1967, Dr. John Form, presents his pregnant wife, Mia, with a vintage porcelain doll as a gift for their first child. That night, the real Annabelle murders her adoptive parents, who live next door to the Forms. She escapes, hiding in Mia and John’s home. When the police find her, she slits her throat whilst holding the doll, transferring her spirit into it. Not long afterward, deadly paranormal activity begins to occur. Mia gives birth to baby Leah, inciting Annabelle to claim both their souls. Father Perez, from The Curse of La Llorona, tries to take the doll to Ed and Lorraine Warren, but is attacked by the evil entity and hospitalised. A noble sacrifice is made and the doll disappears. The movie ends with it being sold to an antique store. Six months later, it’s bought as a gift for a nursing student, who ends up handing it over to the Warrens in Annabelle Comes Home. As strange as it sounds, this is such a comfort movie for me. I love the scene where young Janice runs at the door, morphing into her adult version. I’m also still haunted by the basement scene. It has the most effective scares. Say what you want, but this film has it all.

 I hope you enjoyed this post. How would you rank the movies? Thank you so much for reading! 

Peace & Love xoxo