In terms of recent horror film franchises, few have proven more financially viable than The Conjuring Universe's Annabelle spin-off series. With three movies so far and counting, the series revolves around Annabelle, the demonically-possessed doll introduced by paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) in The Conjuring films.
In total, Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017), and Annabelle Comes Home (2019) have amassed roughly $800 million in worldwide grosses. As the world awaits word of a fourth franchise, now is as good a time as ever to look back at all three films in the mega-popular horror franchise.
The Real Annabelle Is A Raggedy Ann Doll
Although Annabelle is portrayed in the film as a large porcelain doll that looks overtly scary, the real-life doll on which the movie is based is just a Raggedy Ann doll. According to real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (the people on who the main characters of The Conjuring are based on), the Raggedy Ann doll was given to a nurse in 1970, who claimed it exhibited malefic supernatural phenomena.
The authentic Annabelle doll still exists to this day and resides in a glass encasement inside the Lorraine family's Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. The case is virtually the same one seen in the films, with the only difference being the doll inside.
Annabelle Was Filmed In Ellen Degeneres's Old Apartment
By some odd coincidence, the apartment complex prominently featured in the first Annabelle happens to be the same location that comedienne and TV host Ellen Degeneres lived in when she first arrived in Los Angeles as an aspiring stand-up comic.
In fact, Ellen did not realize the apartment building was the same one being used for the film's set until a series of guests came on her show to promote Annabelle. When she finally recognized the location, Ellen claimed that the apartment was still scary even before Annabelle dropped by.
Annabelle Is A Homage To Rosemary's Baby
Several references to the classic horror film Rosemary's Baby are alluded to in Annabelle. For instance, the protagonists are named John and Mia after John Cassavettes and Mia Farrow, the stars of the horror classic. John and Mia also name their daughter Leah, the same name as one of the neighbors in the 1968 film.
In addition, the plot closely resembles Rosemary's Baby. Both films center on a couple living in an upscale apartment while expecting a baby, as a host of satanic neighbors plotting to overtake the mother and her child. Moreover, the sound cues of the neighboring apartment are directly taken from Rosemary's Baby.
James Wan Directed Annabelle's Elevator Scene
Another connection to Rosemary's Baby is both films involve a key scene in an elevator. Although Child's Play 3 cinematographer John Leonetti directed Annabelle, James Wan actually directed the elevator scene.
Of course, Wan not only directed the original The Conjuring, but he also served as producer on all three Annabelle films. Wan is set to return to the horror realm with his original movie Malignant, which was actually set to open on August 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 'My Annabelle Creation' Controversy
To promote Annabelle: Creation, Warner Bros. held a short film contest titled My Annabelle Creation, where contestants had to make a short film that felt like it could be a part of the wider Conjuring universe. However, this competition attracted more flak than expected.
The winning filmmaker would get a parsley $100 USD and a chance to meet Annabelle: Creation director David F. Sandberg. In exchange, the studio would legally retain the story idea of the winning film for up to three years, with the ability to option the idea for a feature film. The contest went as planned with Julian Terry's The Nurse getting picked for a feature film, but not without the contest attracting criticism and heat.
Valak The Demonic Nun Makes A Cameo
Another Conjuring Universe spin-off is The Nun, the title monster/demons of which is subtly introduced throughout Annabelle: Creation. The first instance comes when Sister Charlotte shows Mrs. Mullins her Romanian photo, where Valak the demonic-nun appears in the dark background. A post-credit scene also features an image of Valak hovering down a dark corridor.
Bonnie Aarons plays the uncredited character in this teaser, The Nun and most importantly The Conjuring 2, which is where Valak first appeared.
Mrs. Mullins Had A Larger Role In Annabelle: Creation
Annabelle: Creation required reshoots after the final act wasn't working as planned. Originally, Mrs. Mullins (Miranda Otto) was more involved not just in the story but the finale as well.
In the original edit, Mrs. Mullins would resurrect following her grisly demise. Her demonically-possessed corpse would become the primary foe the rest of the way, threatening Linda (Lulu Wilson) in the dumbwaiter and viciously accosting the girls in the barn. For the reshoots, Mrs. Mullins was replaced by the scarecrow and the demon with horns and in the end, she only had a quick scare during the climax.
The Dating Game & The Original Annabelle
In Annabelle Comes Home, a direct homage to the real-life Annabelle doll is made on a television show that Judy watches. Not only that but the TV show she's watching is a real one from a bygone decade.
While watching an episode of the old show The Dating Game (1965-1973), Judy watches a winning couple earn a trip to Las Vegas. In addition to the vacation, the couple wins a large Raggedy Ann doll, which is a direct shoutout to the real Annabelle doll on which the entire franchise is based.
Annabelle Comes Home Didn't Really Warrant Its R-Rating
In terms of the series' critical response, Annabelle Comes Home is the lowest-rated film so far. One of the reasons cited is the lack of gore and terror worthy of an R-rating. According to director Gary Dauberman, his take on Annabelle was always intended to be Rated-R because the previous films were rated as such and fans expected nothing less. However, very little onscreen actually merits an R-Rating.
The only instances that made the MPAA gave it such a rating was the inclusion of the "F-word" used once in the whole film, as well as an illusory shot of Daniela being stabbed. In terms of scares, Annabelle Comes Home really feels more at home with a PG-13 rating.
Annabelle Has 2 DCEU Cameos
In addition to appearing throughout The Conjuring's universe, the Annabelle doll has shown up in two non-horror movies. Specifically, a pair of DC Extended Universe (DCEU) movies, of all places.
The Conjuring creator James Wan snuck the iconic doll in his 2018 blockbuster Aquaman. Annabelle can be seen among wreckage atop at the bottom of the ocean (above, left). Also, Annabelle: Creation director David F. Sandberg put the doll in his 2019 hit film Shazam! The doll can be spotted on the shelf of the antique shop at the beginning of the film (above, right). In reciprocation, Annabelle Comes Home features comics for Swamp Thing and The Demon just lying about.