Even though the sinister doll is not the main villain of the movie, Annabelle makes a surprising return in The Conjuring: Last Rites. Annabelle was introduced in the first Conjuring movie, which was released in 2013. Since then, there have been eight more movies in The Conjuring franchise, and three of these have focused on the infamous doll known as Annabelle.

The first Conjuring movie, as well as Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, and Annabelle Comes Home have showcased the evil of the doll, and Malthus, the demon that possesses it. Since the doll has had such a prominent role in the franchise, it only made sense for her to return in Last Rites, which is being marketed as the final movie in the Conjuring franchise.

From the beginning to the end of The Conjuring: Last Rites, viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they watch the Warrens and the Smurl family get tormented by ghosts and demons, but the return of Annabelle is easily one of the scariest moments in the film. Therefore, here is how Annabelle returns in The Conjuring: Last Rites and what it means for the future of the franchise.

How The Conjuring: Last Rites Reimagines Annabelle

In the first Conjuring movie, the demon known as Bathsheba uses the Annabelle doll to attack Judy Warren. This means that Judy and Annabelle have been connected to each other ever since the beginning of the franchise. While Judy had a minor role in the second and third Conjuring movies, she was one of the main characters in Annabelle Comes Home.

In the third Annabelle movie, which is set in 1972, just one year after the original Conjuring film, Annabelle once again haunts a young Judy Warren. She is one of the doll’s main targets in the movie, but Judy ultimately helps to defeat Annabelle. At the end of the film, the doll is locked in a sacred glᴀss case, which is where she is often seen throughout the franchise.

Even though the Warrens keep Annabelle in the glᴀss case in their artifacts room to make sure she doesn’t haunt anyone ever again, The Conjuring: Last Rites reveals that she is still tied to Judy. In the most recent Conjuring film, which primarily takes place in 1986, it is revealed that a much older Judy is still haunted by the doll and the demon known as Malthus.

Early on in Last Rites, Judy sees Annabelle on a rocking chair in the corner of her childhood bedroom. She convinces herself that it is not real and brushes it off, but towards the end of The Conjuring: Last Rites, Judy sees Annabelle once again in the attic of the Smurl’s family home.

During this terrifying scene, the Annabelle doll grows immensely and pursues Judy down the upstairs hallway of the house. Just as the now-giant doll reaches her, she is brought out by her supposed vision by her mother and father. This sequence connects Last Rites to the first Conjuring movie, as well as Annabelle Comes Home, and suggests that the doll could still return in potential future films in the franchise.

What Annabelle’s Last Rites Role Means For Her Conjuring Future

Since the ending of The Conjuring: Last Rites reveals how Ed and Lorraine Warren spent their final years together after helping the Smurl family, including when they eventually pᴀssed away, it seems like it is indeed the end of an era for the franchise. After the most recent Conjuring movie, there’s not really a reason for Ed and Lorraine to return, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the franchise needs to end.

Even though Ed and Lorraine have always been the heart of the Conjuring franchise, it could continue through various prequels and sequels. After all, there are plenty more supposed demons that the Warrens investigated throughout the course of their career. Additionally, it seems like the franchise still wants to explore Annabelle more.

In real life, the Annabelle doll remained locked in the glᴀss case in the Warrens’ artifacts room, but the Conjuring franchise has always been known to bend the truth. Therefore, perhaps a fifth Conjuring movie will be made and set Annabelle free once again. If this does happen, then Judy Warren could potentially emerge as the franchise’s new main protagonist.

At the end of The Conjuring: Last Rites, Tony, Judy’s husband, curiously lingers by the Annabelle doll while walking through the artifacts room. This moment seems like it was intentionally included in the movie to potentially set up a future sequel involving Tony, Judy, and the Annabelle doll.

Alternatively, we could get more prequels which feature Annabelle terrifying other children. The doll is arguably the most recognizable villain the the entire franchise, so it wouldn’t necessarily be a surprise if the studio wanted to continue to capitalize on her popularity. Therefore, after The Conjuring: Last Rites, it seems very possible that Annabelle will return once again in a future movie.