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Annabelle

Annabelle is a 2014 American supernatural horror film that serves as a spin-off and prequel to The Conjuring.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Annabelle is a 2014 American supernatural horror film that serves as a spin-off and prequel to The Conjuring. It is the second film in The Conjuring Universe and was inspired by accounts surrounding a reportedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Premise

The film follows a young couple whose lives are disrupted after a vintage doll becomes linked to violent supernatural events. Its plot expands the mythology introduced in The Conjuring.

Production and release

Annabelle was released in 2014 as a studio horror film from New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. It later became part of a larger franchise that continued with Annabelle: Creation and Annabelle Comes Home.

Reception and box office

The film had a wide theatrical release in the United States on October 3, 2014, and later had a streaming release date listed in 2016.

Franchise context

Annabelle is the second film in The Conjuring Universe and helped establish the doll as one of the franchise’s central recurring elements.

Key facts

  • Annabelle is a prequel spin-off of The Conjuring and is set within The Conjuring Universe.
  • The film was directed by John R. Leonetti and written by Gary Dauberman.
  • It stars Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, and Alfre Woodard.
  • The story centers on a haunted doll that becomes associated with supernatural violence and cult activity.
  • The film was released theatrically on October 3, 2014.
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Canadian context

The film is relevant to Canadian audiences as part of the internationally distributed Conjuring horror franchise, which has had wide theatrical and home-entertainment availability in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Annabelle?
Annabelle is a 2014 American supernatural horror film and a prequel spin-off of The Conjuring.
Who directed Annabelle?
John R. Leonetti directed the film.
Who wrote Annabelle?
Gary Dauberman wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in Annabelle?
The film stars Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, and Alfre Woodard.
When was Annabelle released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on October 3, 2014.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annabelle_(film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, release date, and franchise placement.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/annabelle
    Supports: Plot synopsis, release information, genre, runtime, and box office data.