James Wan's 9-Film Franchise Is So Good, It's Getting Turned Into An HBO Max Show

Published Aug 29, 2026, 11:30 PM EDT

Ben is a Senior Writer on the New TV team at Screen Rant. He graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class B.A. Degree in English Literature and History.

Born and raised in Ireland, Ben has always had a love for storytelling in all forms of media and operates multiple projects under the name Benjamin Blogs. Ben is a comic book writer and podcast host, in addition to his work as an entertainment journalist. He has worked as both a writer and editor for Screen Rant, Collider, and other media outlets across various departments, including features, news, reviews, and interviews.

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HBO has long been hailed as the home of prestige TV, and now it's set to transform a popular franchise with a brand-new adaptation. As HBO Max continues to fill out its library with a growing number of franchises and other top-tier TV, it also appears to be developing a select number of IPs into new formats.

Among them is the upcoming TV spin-off of The Conjuring universe from the mind of the incredible James Wan. After the franchise kicked off back in 2013, The Conjuring Universe has grown exponentially to include nine movies, mostly revolving around the paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, as played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.

Now, this supernatural universe is set to appear on the small screen, with a new long-format narrative that is expected to take place after the events of the 2025 film, The Conjuring: Last Rites. Of course, that opens the door to endless possibilities, as new characters can take up the investigative mantle and explore a new set of horrors.

Turning The Conjuring Into A TV Show Is A Great Way To Expand The Franchise

Up to this point, The Conjuring has excelled at building a franchise, with nine movies being released in the last 13 years. Evidently, the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren managed to captivate audiences, and even when they were absent from the story, as seen in Annabelle: Creation, the story was very connected.

As exciting as one extensive narrative built around a single couple and the terrifying creatures, demons, and monsters that they face off against is, it's worth tapping into more of this world, where these supernatural entities exist, and what others are doing to try and fight back against the forces of evil.

That is why a TV show, which can provide several more hours than a typical film over the run of a single season, is a perfect format for The Conjuring Universe to finally spread its wings and look beyond the Warrens. And with confirmation that James Wan and Peter Safran are backing the show as executive producers, it's guaranteed to carry forward the same magic that makes these films so addictive.

The Conjuring Is Also Getting A Prequel In 2027

Having said all of that about moving beyond Ed and Lorraine's story, there is another part of The Conjuring Universe that is moving in the exact opposite direction. The Conjuring: First Communion, is a film that is set to release in late 2027, and it will serve as a prequel to the adventures of Ed and Lorraine Warren, with younger actors expected to appear in these roles.

This is also an exciting and compelling prospect, because as incredible as Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are, after seeing them so frequently in the last 13 years, it feels like the right time to let the stories move beyond these actors. That doesn't mean their legacy won't remain and forever serve as the foundation upon which this entire series was built, but there is room for something new.

Even in the first film, Ed and Lorraine had experience on their side, and they had become established and well-regarded individuals in their field, even if not everyone believed in the exorcisms they performed or the ghosts they professed to fend off. But their story had to start somewhere.

Before they became renowned paranormal investigators, they must have had experiences that sent them down this path. And more than that, their first full-blown investigation must have been a harrowing experience to endure. Which is exactly what makes The Conjuring: First Communion such a fascinating project, and a wonderful accompaniment for the upcoming TV series under the same The Conjuring banner.