The Conjuring Universe Is Better Off Without This Character Despite $793 Million Success (2024)

The Conjuring universe does not need another Annabelle movie, despite the spin-off series' $793 million success. The franchise primarily follows demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren as they handle cases of demonic possession. The fact that their stories are inspired by actual events that the real-life demonologists were a part of makes the franchise stand out among other paranormal horror films as some of the scariest movies of all time. Granted, not every story in The Conjuring universe timeline is based on true events. The ones that do, however, manage to include some nightmarish aspects, including possessed dolls.

When the Annabelle doll appears in the opening scene of The Conjuring, she instantly becomes one of the franchise's most significant figures. She got her own spinoff, Annabelle, which now has its trilogy of films, telling a complete story of the terrifying doll. The Annabelle movies are inspired by a true story and utilize some real events in the films' plots. These films are a huge reason The Conjuring universe is such a powerhouse in horror. However, the time has now come Annabelle films to reach a suitable conclusion.

Annabelle Comes Home Was The Perfect Ending For The Doll's Story

She Is Locked Up In Her Case For Good

At the end of Annabelle Comes Home, the third installment in the subseries, the doll is locked up for good, and the audience is shown the consequences of even trying to let her out. She simply has too much demonic power. Both in the films and in reality, the Annabelle doll is one of the creepiest items in Warren's occult museum, which this movie truly hones in on as she controls the other demonic entities in the museum. Now that she is locked up for good by the film's end, her story can finally conclude.

Annabelle Comes Home also brings the story full circle in relation to the main Conjuring movies. The two nurses receiving the possessed doll are shown in The Conjuring​​​​, while the car troubles the Warrens experienced when taking the doll are in Annabelle Comes Home. Even though the financial rewards are tempting, the Annabelle story now has a neat symmetry that shouldn't be ignored.

No New Annabelle Storylines Will Work For The Conjuring Universe

None Of The Potential Stories Would Make Sense With The Timeline

Since Annabelle Comes Home perfectly wraps up the doll's story, there is no need for another film. Even if another Annabelle movie began production, no story would make the film work. Everything that happened to the real Annabelle doll has already been used for the franchise, and no point in the universe's timeline makes sense for another installment. If another Annabelle movie takes place before any current films, it will disrupt the entire timeline and ruin the series. Therefore, another prequel is out of the picture.

If another Annabelle film took place after all the movies, the storyline still would not work. The only potential option is for Annabelle to escape her glass case again. However, this plot will lead to another showdown between whoever lets this happen and Annabelle and the other museum demons. Ultimately, it will repeat Annabelle Comes Home. The difference is that the third film began with inspiration from true events. Having another movie like this without any reality behind it will cause the film to fall flat, proving that this type of storyline is not an option for another Annabelle installment.

The Franchise Must Focus On Conjuring's Ending & Potentially The Nun Instead Of Annabelle

The Universe Still Has A Lot Of Material To Wrap Up

There are many important stories, besides Annabelle, in The Conjuring universe that need to be wrapped up. The Warrens are the prime example. The Conjuring 4 will be their final movie, and the conclusion of their storyline requires significant attention. They have led the series to where it is today and are so vital that they are often featured in other subseries' within the franchise. Their final film can adequately honor their characters without focusing on another Annabelle movie.

Although this figure is significantly more evil, Valak's story in The Nun movies also needs to be finished. Due to all the films the nun has been in, it is now one of the most prominent demons in The Conjuring franchise. There is not necessarily a need for another installment of The Nun series, but it still has potential after wrapping up The Conjuring 4. Valak always manages to return after being defeated, and there should be a way to keep the demon out of the world until The Conjuring movies. A third film could showcase these events, helping tie up more loose ends in The Conjuring universe in lieu of another Annabelle movie.

Annabelle

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Horror

Thriller

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The 2017 horror film Annabelle is a spinoff of James Wan's Conjuring universe. Starring Annabelle Wallis as Mia and Ward Horton and John, the plot centers on a couple who experiences supernatural events after having their house invaded by members of a satanic cult and bringing home an antique doll. The doll is possessed by a demonic spirit and begins to terrorize them and their newborn daughter.

Director

John R. Leonetti

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Runtime

99minutes

Sequel(s)

Annabelle: Creation , Annabelle 3