The Nun movies in order
The Nun Marathon

Page Last Modified:

9 December 2025

Most Recent Release:

The Nun II - 2023

Total Runtime:

206 Minutes

Total Items:

2

Average User Score:

(6.5)

The Nun movies in order

The Nun films deliver a thrilling blend of gothic horror, demonic lore, and heart-pounding jump scares. To truly maximize your movie night, it's crucial to understand how these dark tales fit into the larger Conjuring Universe. These aren't just standalone horror flicks; they're integral pieces of a much larger, sinister puzzle. From the cursed monastery in Romania to the demonic manifestations investigated by the Warrens years later, everything is interconnected. So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare for a spine-chilling binge. Here’s the chronological order of The Nun films and why it's vital for your viewing experience.

206 Minutes 2 Movies
  1. The Nun Backdrop 1
    The Nun Movie 96 min. 2018
    A priest with a dark past and a novice nearing her final vows are sent by the Vatican to Romania to investigate a nun's death and face a demonic force.
    USER SCORE 6
  2. The Nun II Backdrop 2
    The Nun II Movie 110 min. 2023
    In 1956 France, a priest is violently murdered, and Sister Irene begins to investigate. She once again comes face-to-face with a powerful evil.
    USER SCORE 7

Why The Nun Films Are More Than Just Horror

The Nun and The Nun II aren't merely standalone horror films featuring a creepy convent and a terrifying demon in a habit. They're the starting point of the entire Conjuring Universe, a film franchise brimming with supernatural possessions, haunted artifacts, and unforgettable church exorcism scenes. These films delve into the origins of Valak the demon, laying the groundwork for the dark events Ed and Lorraine Warren encounter later. Think beyond mere jump scares. This is horror mythology at its finest, wrapped in a 1950s gothic horror setting.

The Nun (2018): The Origin of Evil

Our journey begins in the 1950s, deep within the gothic monastery catacombs of the Carta Monastery in Romania. Directed by Corin Hardy and produced by James Wan, the mastermind behind the Conjuring Universe, The Nun introduces us to Sister Irene, played by Taissa Farmiga, and Father Burke, dispatched by the Vatican to investigate a mysterious death. What they discover is no ordinary case of faith versus science. This is pure, unadulterated dark religious horror.

The film sets the tone for the entire universe with its atmospheric gothic aesthetic and introduces us to Valak, the demonic nun entity that will haunt your nightmares. The cursed convent, supernatural thriller vibes, and Christian symbolism elevate this film to another level. Maurice "Frenchie" (Jonas Bloquet) may seem like comic relief at first, but trust us, his role becomes more significant than you might think.

The Nun II (2023): The Demon Returns

Five years later in the timeline (and in real-time), we return to Sister Irene in The Nun II, this time directed by Michael Chaves. Valak the Nun is far from defeated. Set in 1956, once again in Europe, this film builds on the possessed Maurice storyline subtly introduced in the first film. Irene has grown in her faith and strength, and with new characters like Debra (Storm Reid), Kate (Anna Popplewell), and Sophie (Katelyn Rose Downey), she must confront the evil once more.

What makes The Nun II so compelling is how it weaves Valak's demonic manifestation with themes of faith, sacrifice, and trauma. The demon portal seal plays a central role, shedding new light on how this entity moves through time, creating a solid bridge to later entries in the Conjuring Universe. Watch for the subtle Warren occult connections that are established here. For those keen on watching the Conjuring films in order, The Nun II is essential to understanding how everything ties together.

Why the Chronological Order Matters

Watching The Nun films in release order means missing out on the suspenseful buildup that James Wan and his team have meticulously crafted. By viewing The Nun and The Nun II chronologically before the rest of the Conjuring Universe, you witness how Valak's influence spreads from a cursed convent in Romania to haunted houses in the US. It shows how subtle cursed relics and nun apparition scares spread like a virus through the universe. It's like setting the first stones in a domino line: everything that follows is a result of this origin story.

You'll also gain more context for the later films, such as why Lorraine Warren reacts so strongly to certain visions or how Maurice, as a possessed host, bridges the gap between European horror and the Warrens' American cases. The viewing order is not only more enjoyable but also more logical.

Perfect for a Themed Night of Gothic Vibes

Planning a movie night with friends or a mini-marathon for yourself? The Nun films are perfect for an evening filled with jump scare horror, horror mythology, and plenty of "DEMON!" screams on the couch. Start with The Nun, follow with The Nun II, and if you're ready to dive into the Conjuring Universe, you've laid the perfect foundation. Add some candlelight, serve your snacks in a church-like chalice (or just a bowl of chips), and enjoy a solid dose of creepy cinema with a gothic monastery catacomb twist.

And once you've finished The Nun saga, be sure to check out our complete Conjuring viewing order guide, where you'll find exactly how to watch the rest of this supernatural thriller franchise in the correct sequence.

One Last Tip: Stay Until the End

Without giving anything away, pay close attention to the end scenes of both films. There are subtle connections to later films that you'll only notice if you're observant. And yes, that makes your movie night even more satisfying. Because let's be honest: there's nothing better than spotting an Easter egg others might have missed.

So what are you waiting for? Set up your marathon, start at the beginning, and let the demonic nun entity draw you into one of the most atmospheric horror series of this generation. And remember: in this universe, nothing is mere coincidence. Everything is connected. Even your binge-night.