The Revenge of La Llorona: Sequel to the horror hit

The most successful horror franchise in film history is getting a new addition: according to industry magazine The Hollywood Reporter, "The Revenge of La Llorona" is officially in the works.

The first part already caused a stir in 2019. Even before "The Curse of La Llorona" was released in cinemas, it was revealed that the film is closely linked to the "Conjuring" universe – the horror cosmos that celebrated worldwide success with series such as "Annabelle" and "The Nun". This connection is likely to have contributed significantly to the film becoming a real crowd-puller.

Despite a modest production budget of around nine million US dollars, the film grossed an impressive 123 million dollars worldwide. For years, "Llorona's Curse 2" was a project with an uncertain future: production was halted several times, most recently in 2024 due to financial bottlenecks. However, it is now certain that the sequel will be made.

In the sequel, "Hostel" actor Jay Hernandez will play the male lead. Monica Raymund will be seen alongside him as the female counterpart. In addition, Raymond Cruz returns in his role as Curandero Rafael – the ghost healer who had already declared war on the murderous apparition in the first part. Edy Ganem, Martín Fajardo, Acston Luca Porto and Avie Porto are also part of the cast.

A lot has changed behind the scenes: While James Wan and Gary Dauberman are once again serving as producers, this time Santiago Menghini is stepping into director Michael Chaves' shoes. Sean Tretta, who also worked on "12 Monkeys", is responsible for the screenplay. A start date has yet to be set.

The most successful horror universe in the world

What began in 2013 with a small haunted house has developed into the biggest and most successful horror franchise of all time in just twelve years: the "Conjuring" universe. Inspired by the true cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, it combines ghost stories, religious horror and urban legends to create a cinematic cosmos that has grossed over two billion dollars worldwide. The universe now comprises nine films – from "The Conjuring" to the new "The Conjuring: Last Rites", which was released in 2025 and grossed almost 500 million dollars at the box office. So it's time to take a look at the development, the most important chapters and the future of this eerily successful project.

The origin: The Conjuring (2013)

The first film, directed by James Wan, laid the foundations for what later became a phenomenon. "The Conjuring" tells the story of the Perron family, who are terrorized by a malevolent presence in their remote farmhouse in Rhode Island. Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, take on the case and discover traces of a witch who has cursed their land.

What made the film so successful was its mixture of classic haunted house horror and emotional credibility. Wan relied on subtle shocks instead of blood orgies – and created characters that people liked and believed in. With a budget of just 20 million dollars, the film grossed over 300 million. It was clear that this was just the beginning.

Annabelle: the birth of a horror icon

The first spin-off followed just one year later: "Annabelle" (2014). The cursed doll, which was introduced in the prologue of "The Conjuring", got her own movie. Although the reviews were mixed, the theatrical release proved to be a financial hit.

With "Annabelle 2" (2017), director David F. Sandberg told the prequel story – and struck a chord with fans. The dark prequel about an orphan girl who unintentionally unleashes evil is still considered one of the best parts of the entire universe. "Annabelle 3" (2019) finally brought the story right into the Warrens' house and combined all the previous motifs: cursed artifacts, ghosts and the eternal battle between light and darkness.

The Conjuring 2 and the return of evil

In 2016, Ed and Lorraine Warren returned - this time to England. In "The Conjuring 2", they investigate the infamous Enfield poltergeist case. James Wan handled the story with his usual flair, adding emotional depth while introducing a new terrifying character: the demonic nun Valak.

This character became so popular that he was soon given his own spin-off. "The Nun" (2018) took viewers to a Romanian monastery in the 1950s and told how Valak became one of the most powerful entities in the universe. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box office hit and was followed up in 2023 with "The Nun 2", in which Taissa Farmiga once again took on evil – subtly building a bridge to the events of the "Conjuring" films.

Conjuring 3: Courtroom meets exorcism

With "The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It" (2021), the franchise took a new narrative approach. Instead of a classic haunted house, this time the focus was on a real-life murder trial in which the perpetrator claimed to have been possessed by the devil.

Director Michael Chaves took over from James Wan for the first time and staged a dark mixture of occultism, judicial drama and family fate. Critics complained that the film lost some of the subtle horror of its predecessors, but at the box office this part was also a hit – with over 200 million dollars in worldwide takings.

A franchise that knows no fear

The "Conjuring" universe works because it consistently expands its mythology. While the main series follows the Warrens, the spin-offs tell the stories of individual demons, artifacts or victims. This interweaving is what makes the whole thing so appealing: Each new character can later get their own chapter. Even "Curse of La Llorona" (2019), officially not part of the canon, was connected to the universe via a minor character – proof of how far the threads reach.

Conclusion

After more than a decade, nine films and billions in revenue, the Conjuring universe has long been more than just a horror series. It's a brand that shows how to turn classic spooky stories into a modern, cohesive cinematic experience. With "The Conjuring 4 ", the story of the Warrens seems to be over for the time being. However, producer James Wan has already hinted that the universe could live on – perhaps with new investigators, new demons or a return of old acquaintances. One thing is for sure: as long as there is darkness, there will be another case waiting somewhere. And the "Conjuring" universe will be ready to bring it to the big screen