What made the movies even creepier was the fact that they were based on true stories from the files of famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
The first two 'The Conjuring' movies centered around the Warrens helping those thought to be possessed by demonic entities: the first about a family named the Perrons in Rhode Island and the second, the Hodgson family in Enfield, North London.
And now, the creator of 'The Conjuring' movies, Malaysia's very own James Wan, has revealed the plot and inspiration behind the highly-anticipated third film and boy, it sounds scary af!
Wan told entertainment website Bloody Disgusting that the third movie will be going in a whole different direction, but it's still going to be based on a creepy true story.
"All the 'Conjuring' films are based on the case files, so they’re more based on the true story aspect of the real life Warrens.
"I think that’s important. It’s important that the mothership stays true to the inspiration of the real people," he was quoted as saying.
Staying true to the films' DNA, Wan proceeded to confirm the plot for the third film, which is scheduled for a September 2020 release date.
“It’s this guy who was on trial for committing a murder.
“I think it’s the first time in America’s history where the defendant used possessions as a reason, as an excuse.”
So, who is it based upon?
According to Joe, an entertainment website, 'The Conjuring 3' will be based on the trial of one Arne Cheyenne Johnson, which, by the way, was dubbed the 'Devil Made Me Do It' case.
On 16 February 1981, Johnson, who was then 19 years old, stabbed his landlord Alan Bono more than 20 times with a pocketknife. Bono later died in the hospital from the wounds, and nine months later, Johnson was convicted of first-degree manslaughter.
Sounds like your typical murder case, right? Well, it's not, considering the creepy, mysterious occurences that occured before the murder.
A year before Johnson committed the murder, he moved into his girlfriend Debbie Glatzel's family home.
According to a testimony from the Glatzel family, a month after Johnson moved in, Debbie's 11-year-old brother David allegedly started having visions of a 'demonic beast man' who threatened to "steal his soul".
The exorcism of little David
Soon, David began experiencing night terrors, exhibiting strange behaviours and obtained mysterious scratches and bruises all over his body. David would reportedly also growl, hiss and speak in otherwordly voices.
Terrified, the Glatzels decided to enlist the help of Ed and Lorraine Warren, who reportedly believed the boy was possessed by a demon.
In fact, Lorraine told People Magazine later that she witnessed a black mist, an apparent indication of a malevolent presence, materialise beside David.
Several Catholic priests were called in to perform a series of exorcisms on David, to free him from the demon.
According to eyewitness testimony, the exorcism continued for several days and it ended when an evil entity fled David's body...and into Johnson's.
According to Lorraine, Johnson made the terrible decision of taunting and challenging the demon to enter his body instead.
Soon after the exorcism was complete, the Warrens reportedly contacted the police and advised them to keep an eye on Johnson.
A man possessed
After the incident, Johnson reportedly began displaying the same behaviour little David was when he was possessed. When his condition got worse, Debbie and Johnson decided to move out of her mother's house.The couple rented an apartment from Alan Bono, who also hired Debbie as a dog groomer at his kennel.
Johnson, meanwhile, would reportedly often fall into a trance-like state, growling and hallucinating. His odd behaviour caused Debbie to fear that he had become possessed as well.
Before she could get help, Johnson stabbed and killed Bono several months later during a heated argument.
Putting the devil on trial
The trial, which took the media by storm due to the supernatural element surrounding it, took place on 28 October 1981 in Connecticut's Superior Court.
Johnson's defense lawyer argued that his client was possessed by a demon at the time of the murder and he had no control over his actions.
However, Robert Callahan, the presiding judge, promptly rejected this defense because it could never be proven, therefore infeasible in a court of law.
The jury reportedly deliberated for 15 hours over a period of three days, and on 24 November 1981, Johnson was found guilty for committing first-degree manslaughter.
Johnson was sentenced to 10-20 years in prison, but he served only five years and was released for good behaviour.