In 1968, renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren are investigating the Annabelle

case, in which friends Debbie and Camilla say they have a possessed doll. They explain that
after they contacted a medium, they allowed the spirit, who claimed to be a seven-year-old
girl named Annabelle Higgins who died in the apartment, to possess the doll. Unable to get
rid of the doll as the hauntings became more disturbing, Debbie and Camilla decided to
desperately reach out to the Warrens. The Warrens then explain how the doll was never
really possessed, and was a conduit for a demonic spirit that manipulated Debbie and
Camilla so that it could eventually take over one of their bodies.

Three years later in 1971, Roger and Carolyn Perron move into a farmhouse in Harrisville,
Rhode Island, with their five daughters: Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy, and April. Their
dog, Sadie, refuses to enter the house. A minor mishap during a game of hide and seek
results in the discovery of the boarded up entrance to an unknown cellar. Paranormal events
occur within the first few nights. Every clock in the house stops at 3:07 a.m. Carolyn
awakens with additional large bruises each morning. One day, Sadie is found dead in the
yard. Carolyn and Christine both encounter a malevolent spirit.

Carolyn contacts the Warrens, who meet with her and agree to conduct an initial
investigation, during which Lorraine, a clairvoyant, sees that dark forces have latched on to
the Perron family. She explains that leaving the house will not free them. To gather evidence,
they place cameras and bells around the house with the help of their assistant Drew Thomas
and police officer Brad Hamilton.

The Warrens conclude it is sufficient evidence to receive authorization from the Catholic
Church to perform an exorcism, but Father Gordon explains that approval would have to
come directly from the Vatican because the Perron family are not members of the Catholic
Church.

Returning to his home, Ed adds the haunted music box from the Perron home to their room
of cursed artifacts that they have collected from past cases. As he leaves, the music box
starts playing on its own.