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{{Infobox film
| name           = Annabelle
| image          = Annabelle_film_poster.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[John R. Leonetti]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Peter Safran]]
* [[James Wan]]
}}
| writer         = [[Gary Dauberman]]
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!---DO NOT change order per poster billing block--->
* [[Annabelle Wallis]]
* [[Ward Horton]]
* [[Alfre Woodard]]
}}
| music          = [[Joseph Bishara]]
| cinematography = James Kniest
| editing        = Tom Elkins
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[New Line Cinema]]
* [[RatPac-Dune Entertainment]]
* [[Atomic Monster]]
* [[The Safran Company]]
}}
| distributor    = [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|2014|9|29|[[TCL Chinese Theatre]]|2014|10|3|United States}}
| runtime        = 99 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 98:49--><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/annabelle-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zotqxnzg |title=''Annabelle'' (15) |work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |date=September 26, 2014 |access-date=September 26, 2014}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $6.5{{nbsp}}million<ref name="BOM"/>
| gross          = $257.6{{nbsp}}million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=newlinehorror.htm |title=Annabelle (2014) |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref>
}}

'''''Annabelle''''' is a 2014 American [[supernatural horror film]] directed by [[John R. Leonetti]], written by [[Gary Dauberman]], and produced by [[Peter Safran]] and [[James Wan]]. Starring [[Annabelle Wallis]], [[Ward Horton]] and [[Alfre Woodard]], the film is a [[Spinoff (media)|spin-off]] and [[prequel]] to the 2013 film ''[[The Conjuring]]'', serving as the second installment in ''[[The Conjuring Universe]]''. It was inspired by a story about a doll named [[Annabelle (doll)|Annabelle]] popularized by [[paranormal]] investigators [[Ed and Lorraine Warren]].

[[Principal photography]] began in January 2014 in [[Los Angeles]]. The film premiered at the [[TCL Chinese Theatre]] on September 29, 2014, and was released theatrically in the United States on October 3, 2014, by [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] and [[New Line Cinema]]. Produced on a $6.5 million budget, ''Annabelle'' grossed over $257 million worldwide despite negative reviews from critics. A prequel, ''[[Annabelle: Creation]]'', was released on August 11, 2017.

==Plot==
In 1967, in [[Santa Monica, California]], a medical student, John Form, presents his expectant wife, Mia, with a rare vintage porcelain doll as a gift for their first child, to be placed in a collection in their daughter's nursery.

That night, after watching the news about [[Wolves at the Door|the Tate murders and the Manson Family]], the couple is disturbed by the sounds of their next-door neighbors, the Higginses, being murdered during a home invasion. While Mia calls the police, she and John are attacked by the Higginses' killers. The police arrive and shoot one killer, a man, dead while the female killer kills herself by slitting her throat inside the nursery while holding the doll. News reports identify the assailants as the Higginses' estranged daughter, Annabelle, and her boyfriend, both members of a cult. Annabelle's blood falls and is absorbed by the doll's right eye, indicating that she has been possessed.

In the days following the attack, a series of paranormal activities occur around the Forms' residence. Afterwards, Mia gives birth to a healthy baby girl, whom they name Leah. The family moves to an apartment in [[Pasadena, California]]. After finding the doll (which John had discarded since Annabelle's previous attack) in one of their boxes, another set of paranormal events plagues Mia and her daughter.

Mia calls the detective who handled the original case and learns that the cult intended to [[Evocation|summon a demonic spirit]]. With the help of bookseller and fellow tenant Evelyn, Mia realizes that the cult practiced [[Theistic Satanism|devil worship]], which summoned a [[demon]] who followed the family after they moved to their apartment to claim a soul.

Upon returning home, Mia and Leah are attacked by the demon, which reveals itself while manipulating the doll. Mia and John contact their parish priest, Father Perez, who explains that demons sometimes attach themselves to inanimate objects to achieve their goals, and that a human soul must be offered for a purpose. Unable to exorcise the demon, Father Perez takes the doll to seek help from [[Ed and Lorraine Warren|the Warrens]]. But before he can enter the church, the demon impersonating Annabelle's spirit attacks him and grabs the doll.

Father Perez is hospitalized, and when John checks on him, the priest warns him that the demon's true intention is to claim Mia's soul. That night, while Evelyn is visiting Mia, the demon uses Father Perez's physical form to sneak into the apartment and abduct Leah for her mother's soul. To spare her daughter, Mia attempts to jump out of the window with the doll, but John and Evelyn arrive in time to stop her. Evelyn decides to take her life in Mia's place instead as an atonement for causing a car accident that killed her daughter, Ruby, years ago. As Evelyn lies dead on the road, the demon and the doll disappear. Mia and John never see or hear of the doll again, and Leah is safe inside her crib.

Six months later, a mother buys the doll from an antique shop as a gift for her daughter Debbie, a nursing student. It is seen stored and locked away in a glass case in the Warrens' artifact room.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[Annabelle Wallis]] as Mia Form
* [[Ward Horton]] as John Form
* [[Tony Amendola]] as Father Perez
* [[Alfre Woodard]] as Evelyn
* [[Kerry O'Malley]] as Sharon Higgins
* [[Brian Howe (actor)|Brian Howe]] as Pete Higgins
* [[Eric Ladin]] as Detective Clarkin
* [[Ivar Brogger]] as Dr. Burgher
* [[Gabriel Bateman]] as Robert
* [[Shiloh Nelson]] as Nancy
* Tree O'Toole as Annabelle Higgins
* [[Robin Pearson Rose]] as the mother
* [[Amy Tipton]] as Camilla
* [[Joseph Bishara]] as the demonic figure
}}

==Production==

The film is a spin-off and prequel of the 2013 horror film ''[[The Conjuring]]'', focusing on the origins of the Annabelle doll found in that film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Lexy |author2=THR staff |date=2022-10-14 |title=25 Horror Films Inspired by Real-Life Events |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/horror-movies-based-true-stories/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> The project was designed to be stand alone yet collectively catering to fans of ''The Conjuring''.<ref name="Backstage"/> It was announced in November 2013, with [[John R. Leonetti]] attached as director.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miska |first=Brad |author-link=Brad Miska |date=November 8, 2013 |title='The Conjuring' Gets A Spinoff About Annabelle, and A Director |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3264148/the-conjuring-gets-a-spinoff-about-annabell-and-a-director/ |access-date=November 8, 2013 |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]}}</ref> To Backstage.com, the film was one of the first in a new strategy by distributors Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema "that capitalizes on the built-in fan bases for successful films, allowing for smaller budgets and production time with a bigger payout on the back end."<ref name="Backstage">{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Briana |title=1 Strategy That Helps ''Annabelle'' Director John R. Leonetti |url=http://www.backstage.com/interview/1-strategy-helps-annabelle-director-john-r-leonetti/ |website=Backstage.com |access-date=February 14, 2016}}</ref> Casting was announced in January 2014, with [[Annabelle Wallis]] and [[Ward Horton]] playing the lead roles.<ref name="Leads">{{cite web |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |title=New Line's ''Conjuring'' Spinoff ''Annabelle'' Casts Its Leads |url=https://thewrap.com/new-lines-conjuring-sequel-annabelle-casts-leads-exclusive/ |access-date=February 2, 2014 |website=[[TheWrap]] |date=January 15, 2014}}</ref> with actors [[Eric Ladin]], [[Brian Howe (actor)|Brian Howe]] and [[Alfre Woodard]] also being announced that month.<ref name="Alfre">{{cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |date=January 30, 2014 |title=Alfre Woodard Materializes in Horror-Thriller ''Annabelle'' |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/alfre-woodard-materializes-in-horror-thriller-annabelle-exclusive-1201078993/ |access-date=February 2, 2014 |website=Variety}}</ref><ref name="TwoMore">{{cite web |last=Creepy |first=Uncle |date=January 28, 2014 |title=Two More Actors To Be Haunted By Annabelle |url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/73607/2-more-haunted-annabelle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305004026/https://dreadcentral.com/news/73607/2-more-haunted-annabelle |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=February 2, 2014 |website=Dread Central}}</ref>

[[Principal photography]] began on January 27, 2014, at The Book Shop in [[Covina, California]].<ref name="Alfre"/><ref name="Filming in Covina">{{cite web |url=http://www.covinaca.gov/for-businesses/filming-in-covina |title=Filming in Covina |access-date=September 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919153105/http://www.covinaca.gov/for-businesses/filming-in-covina |archive-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Jan.27">{{cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |date=January 15, 2014 |title=''The Conjuring'' Spinoff ''Annabelle'' Starts Shooting Jan. 27 |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/the-conjuring-spinoff-annabelle-starts-shooting-jan-27-1201059109/ |access-date=February 2, 2014 |website=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bussey |first=Ben |title=The Conjuring spin-off Annabelle starts production |url=http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/conjuring-spin-off-annabelle-starts-production-160400075.html |access-date=February 2, 2014 |website=Yahoo! Movies |date=January 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305232220/http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/conjuring-spin-off-annabelle-starts-production-160400075.html |archive-date=March 5, 2014}}</ref> On February 25, 2014, filming continued at an apartment on [[Normandie Avenue|South Normandie Avenue]] in [[Los Angeles County]], where the 55-member crew shot for several days.<ref>{{cite web |last=Verrier |first=Richard |title=''Conjuring'' spinoff ''Annabelle'' is filming in Los Angeles |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-conjuring-spinoff-annabelle-location-production-los-angeles-20140225,0,5749489.story#axzz2uSKZXNiU |access-date=February 26, 2014 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 25, 2014}}</ref> Director Leonetti and producer Safran told reporters that the ''Annabelle'' set was "haunted" and that they thought "supernatural phenomena" had occurred there.<ref name="haunted">{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/annabelle-director-john-leonetti-talks-736762 |title=''Annabelle'' Director John Leonetti Talks About Shooting on a Haunted Set |last=Casas |first=Alyssa |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref> The film was shot in sequence so that the actors were always aware of their emotional arcs.<ref name="Backstage"/>

==Music==
{{Further|Annabelle (soundtrack)}}
On April 24, 2014, [[Joseph Bishara]] was hired to compose the music for the film.<ref>{{cite news |title=Joseph Bishara Scoring ''Annabelle'' |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2014/04/24/joseph-bishara-scoring-annabelle/ |access-date=October 31, 2014 |work=Film Music Reporter |date=April 24, 2014}}</ref> WaterTower Music released the soundtrack album on September 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=''Annabelle'' Soundtrack Details |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2014/09/17/annabelle-soundtrack-details/ |access-date=October 31, 2014 |work=Film Music Reporter |date=September 17, 2014}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
''Annabelle'' grossed $84.3{{nbsp}}million in North America and $172.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $257{{nbsp}}million, against a production budget of $6.5{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="BOM"/>

Early tracking projected ''Annabelle'' would gross around $25–27{{nbsp}}million in its opening weekend. However, estimates declined shortly after to a range between $20–22{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="Pamela_McClintock">{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/entry/view/id/665602 |title=Box Office: Will David Fincher's ''Gone Girl'' Be Upstaged By a Demonic Doll? |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thewrap.com/annabelle-about-to-raise-the-dead-horror-movie-box-office/ |title=''Annabelle'' Is Ready to Raise the Dead Horror Movie Box Office |first=Todd |last=Cunningham |work=TheWrap |date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=October 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/gone-girl-annabelle-box-office-prediction/ |title=Box Office Prediction: ''Gone Girl'' vs. ''Annabelle'' |first=Chris |last=Agar |work=Screen Rant |date=October 1, 2014 |access-date=October 1, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Scott Bowles">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/gone-girl-annabelle-left-behind-box-office-844782/ |title=Box Office Preview: ''Gone Girl'', ''Annabelle'' To Dominate Weekend |first=Scott |last=Bowles |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/gone-girl-annabelle-in-dead-heat-at-weekend-box-office-1201318763/ |title=''Gone Girl'', ''Annabelle'' in Dead Heat at Weekend Box Office |first=Brent |last=Lang |date=October 1, 2014 |access-date=October 2, 2014 |website=Variety}}</ref> ''Annabelle'' was released on October 3, 2014, in 3,185 theatres in North America.<ref>{{cite web |title=Widest Releases (or The 3,000+ Club) |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/widest.htm?page=WIDEST&p=.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629131959/http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/widest.htm?page=WIDEST&p=.htm |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=October 3, 2014 |work=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> It topped the box office in its opening day earning $15.4{{nbsp}}million (including its $2.1{{nbsp}}million midnight previews).<ref name="Pamela_McClintock"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/ben-affleck-gone-girl-annabelle-opening-weekend-1201321282/ |title=''Gone Girl'' Headed for $38 Mil Weekend Win, ''Annabelle'' Tops Friday Box Office |first=Maane |last=Khatchatourian |website=Variety |date=October 4, 2014 |access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |date=October 3, 2014 |title=Box Office: ''Annabelle'' Tops ''Gone Girl'' with $2.1{{nbsp}}Million Thursday Night |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/box-office-annabelle-gone-girl-thursday-1201320352/ |access-date=October 3, 2014 |website=Variety}}</ref> In its traditional three-day opening the film debuted at #2 at the box office with $37.1{{nbsp}}million, at an average of $11,659 per theater from 3,185 theaters after a neck-and-neck competition against ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]'' that earned $37.5{{nbsp}}million. The two releases were separated by $378,854.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3921&p=.htm |title=Weekend Report: Moviegoers Thrill to ''Gone Girl'', ''Annabelle'' This Weekend |first=Ray |last=Subers |work=Box Office Mojo |date=October 5, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> Its opening weekend gross is the 11th highest in October and the biggest for a horror genre film of 2014, surpassing ''[[The Purge: Anarchy]]''{{'}}s $28.9{{nbsp}}million opening. Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at Warner Bros., said about the opening box-office performance, "we had a wonderful campaign for the film and a good date"; she added "being a spinoff of ''[[The Conjuring]]'' set it up really well and we just hit the right note."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/box-office-gone-girl-annabelle-stun-with-big-debuts-1201321788/ |title=Box Office: ''Gone Girl'', ''Annabelle'' Stun With Big Debuts |first=Brent |last=Lang |website=Variety |date=October 5, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> It is the second time that an October weekend has produced two $30{{nbsp}}million or more debuts; the first was in 2008: ''[[High School Musical 3]]'' ($42{{nbsp}}million) and ''[[Saw V]]'' ($31{{nbsp}}million).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2014/10/05/weekend-box-office-gone-girl-scores-38m-and-annabelle-opens-to-37-2m/ |title=Weekend Box Office: ''Gone Girl'' Scores $38M, ''Annabelle'' Nabs $37.2M |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |work=Forbes |date=October 5, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> To [[Rentrak]], the opening weekend crowd was evenly split between females with 51% and under 25 years with 54%. The film's theatrical run ended on December 18, 2014, and it earned a total of $84{{nbsp}}million, becoming the 35th-highest-grossing movie of 2014 in the US.<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 Domestic Grosses |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002200224/https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2014 |archive-date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=January 1, 2015 |work=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>

The film was released in Russia on September 26, 2014, a week prior to its [[wide release]] and earned $2.1{{nbsp}}million on its opening weekend, debuting at No. 3 at the Russian box office.<ref name="russia">{{cite web |url=http://www.screendaily.com/5078022.article |title=Maze Runner adds $29m int'l |first=Jeremy |last=Kay |work=Screen Daily |date=September 28, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/09/equalizer-box-office-results-boxtrolls-841650/ |title=Box Office Final: ''The Equalizer'' $34.1M; ''Boxtrolls'' $17.2M For No. 3 Behind ''Maze Runner''{{'}}s $17.4M |first=Anita |last=Busch |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 29, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2014}}</ref> Overseas, in its opening weekend the film earned $23.6{{nbsp}}million from nearly 3,300 screen and 39 foreign markets for a first-weekend worldwide total of $60.8{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=October 5, 2014 |title=Int'l Box Office Update: ''Breakup Buddies'' In Huge China Debut; ''Gone Girl'' A Beaut With $24.6M; ''Bang Bang'' Holsters $25.4M; More |url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/international-box-office-gone-girl-bang-dracula-untold-annabelle-846119/ |access-date=October 6, 2014 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=October 7, 2014 |title=Box Office Final: David Fincher's ''Gone Girl'' Narrowly Beats ''Annabelle'' |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/entry/view/id/692912|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203093921/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-final-david-finchers-738432 |archive-date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thewrap.com/annabelle-rakes-in-nine-times-its-production-budget-in-first-weekend-box-office/ |title=''Annabelle'' Rakes In Nine Times Its Production Budget in First Weekend Box Office |first=Todd |last=Cunningham |work=TheWrap |date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref>

High openings of ''Annabelle'' internationally were reported in France ($3.4{{nbsp}}million), Brazil ($3{{nbsp}}million), the UK ($3.1{{nbsp}}million), Argentina ($1.2{{nbsp}}million), Spain ($1.45{{nbsp}}million) and Germany ($1.14{{nbsp}}million). In India ''Annabelle'' debuted at #2 behind ''[[Bang Bang!]]'' and collected $1.3{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="Jeremy Kay">{{cite web |url=http://www.screendaily.com/5078554.article |title=Dracula Untold grossed $33.9m from 42 territories as the early tally climbed to $62.6m. Separately Fox International executives said the company's box office has amassed more than $3bn for the year-to-date. |first=Jeremy |last=Kay |work=Screen Daily |date=October 12, 2014 |access-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> It set an all-time opening record for a horror film in [[Peru]] with $1.34{{nbsp}}million which is also Warner Bros. second-biggest opening weekend of all time there overall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/international-box-office-fury-annabelle-hercules-happy-new-year-china-guardians-861602/ |title=Int'l Box Office: ''Annabelle'' Still A Doll With $26.5M Frame; ''Fury'' Wages $11.2M; ''Lucy'' Outmuscles ''Hercules'' In China; ''Guardians'' Warps To #3 On 2014 Global Hit List; More |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 26, 2014 |access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> In Mexico, the film earned $10.9{{nbsp}}million (including previews) on its opening weekend and broke the record for the biggest debut ever for a horror movie, and the best 2D opening. Its opening weekend gross is also the third-biggest opening overall of 2014 behind ''[[Maleficent (film)|Maleficent]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction]]'' there. In total, the film took 59% of the total market share.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3944&p=.htm |title=Around-the-World: ''Annabelle'' Rules In Mexico, ''Guardians'' Passes ''X-Men'' |first=Ray |last=Subers |work=Box Office Mojo |date=October 26, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref>

As of October 13, 2014, ''Annabelle'' has become the highest-grossing horror film in the [[Philippines]], earning over ₱121.33{{nbsp}}million. The film surpassed ''[[Insidious: Chapter 2]]''{{'}}s record (₱113{{nbsp}}million), doing so after 12 days of release.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 15, 2014 |title=''Annabelle'' now the highest-grossing horror film in Philippines |url=http://www.philstar.com/314190/show/a62f10dc4eddae6d9fd2dc9e72517186/? |url-status=dead |access-date=October 16, 2014 |website=[[The Philippine STAR]]}}</ref> The film has also become the highest-grossing horror movie in [[Lebanon]] after staying atop the box office for two weekends.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/international-box-office-fury-annabelle-hercules-happy-new-year-china-guardians-861602/ |title=Int'l Box Office Final: ''Happy New Year'' Uncorks Record Bollywood Bow; ''Annabelle'' Still A Doll With $26.2M; ''Lucy'' Outmuscles ''Hercules'' In China; More |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=November 2, 2014}}</ref>

===Critical response===
''Annabelle'' received generally negative reviews from critics, many of whom considered the film inferior to its predecessor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-annabelle-movie-reviews-critics-20141002-story.html |title=''Annabelle'': Horror prequel scares up lackluster reviews |first=Oliver |last=Lackluster |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=October 3, 2014 |access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|28|4.5|137|''Annabelle'' borrows unabashedly from better horror films, content to leave viewers with a string of cheap jolts that fail to build on the far more effective ''The Conjuring''.|access-date=September 19, 2024|ref=y}}{{cbignore}} {{Metacritic film prose|37|27|ref=yes|access-date=September 19, 2024}}{{cbignore}} Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemascore.com |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com}}</ref>

Frank Scheck of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' criticized the film for its cheap production and screenplay, saying, "the film is ultimately so generic and formulaic that you won't forget it." He was also critical of the lead actors, calling their acting "unmemorable" and "bland."<ref>{{cite web |last=Scheck |first=Frank |date=October 2, 2014 |title=''Annabelle'': Film Review |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/movie/annabelle/review/737562|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005080606/https://hollywoodreporter.com/movie/annabelle/review/737562 |archive-date=October 5, 2014 |access-date=January 16, 2015 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

Scott Foundas of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' gave the film a negative review, calling the film "a cut-rate spinoff from James Wan's superlative haunted-house hit ''The Conjuring'' that (partly) makes up in crude shock effects what it lacks in craft, atmosphere, and just about every other department."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-annabelle-1201319522/ |title=Film Review: ''Annabelle'' |first=Scott |last=Foundas |website=Variety |date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2014}}</ref>

Pete Hammond of ''[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]'' also gave the film a negative review and said that the "not-scary doll show" has left him pining for [[Chucky (Child's Play)|Chucky]] in ''[[Child's Play (1988 film)|Child's Play]]''. He further added, "''Annabelle'' may still draw horror fans in this Halloween month, but they won't be quaking over the scares in this film."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/annabelle-review-the-conjuring-prequel-pete-hammond-845104/ |title=''Annabelle'' Review: Pete Hammond On Scary ''The Conjuring'' Prequel |last=Hammond |first=Pete |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
|-
| rowspan="6" |2015
|[[Empire Awards]]
| Best Horror
|''Annabelle''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Fangoria Chainsaw Awards|''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Awards]]
| Worst Film
|''Annabelle''
| {{nom}}
|- 
| [[Golden Trailer Awards]]
| Best Horror Poster
| [[New Line Cinema]] / Ignition Print
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[MTV Movie & TV Awards]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Scared-As-Shit Performance|Best Scared-As-S**t Performance]]
| [[Annabelle Wallis]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[People's Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Thriller Movie
|''Annabelle''
| {{nom}}
|-
|[[41st Saturn Awards|Saturn Awards]]
|[[Saturn Award for Best Horror Film|Best Horror Film]]
|''Annabelle''
| {{nom}}
|}

== Home media ==
On January 20, 2015, the film was released in DVD and Blu-ray by [[Warner Home Video]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Annabelle Blu-ray (Blu-ray + DVD) |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Annabelle-Blu-ray/114185/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |publisher=blu-ray.com}}</ref> On May 31, 2022, it was re-released on Blu-ray alongside all other films in [[The Conjuring Universe]] released at that point.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Conjuring Universe 7-Film Collection Blu-ray (The Nun / Annabelle: Creation / Annabelle / The Conjuring / Annabelle Comes Home / The Conjuring 2 / The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Conjuring-Universe-7-Film-Collection-Blu-ray/314986/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |publisher=blu-ray.com}}</ref>

== Future ==
{{Main|The Conjuring Universe}}

=== Prequel ===
{{main|Annabelle: Creation}}
In October 2014, Fellman told ''[[The Washington Post]]'' that the studio was considering a series based on the film, with a sequel already in the works.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/2014/10/09/436984a0-4e4a-11e4-aa5e-7153e466a02d_story.html |title=The sums of all fear: Horror makes a Hollywood comeback |last=Kang |first=Cecillia |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 9, 2014 |access-date=October 19, 2014}}</ref> In October 2015, it was reported that Gary Dauberman would be returning to write the script.<ref>{{cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |date=October 16, 2015 |title=''Anabelle'' Sequel Moving Forward at New Line |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/anabelle-sequel-moving-forward-new-line-1201620464/ |access-date=October 17, 2015 |website=Variety}}</ref> On March 22, 2016, Warner Bros. slated the film for release on May 19, 2017,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/live-by-night-release-date-2/ |title=Ben Affleck's ''Live By Night'' and ''Annabelle 2'' Get Release Dates |work=/Film |first=Angie |last=Han |date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> with ''[[Lights Out (2016 film)|Lights Out]]'' director [[David F. Sandberg]] directing the film.

In June 2016, [[Miranda Otto]] and [[Stephanie Sigman]] were cast to star in the prequel. The story centers on a dollmaker, and his wife (Otto) whose daughter tragically dies. Twelve years later they decide to open their home to a nun (Sigman) and several girls from a shuttered orphanage. When the dollmaker's possessed creation Annabelle sets her sights on the children, it turns their shelter into a storm of horror.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comingsoon.net/movies/news/697665-annabelle-2-cast |title=Annabelle 2 Cast Adds Miranda Otto and Stephanie Sigman |date=June 22, 2016 |work=ComingSoon.net}}</ref>

=== Sequel ===
{{main|Annabelle Comes Home}}
In April 2018, Warner Bros. announced July 3, 2019, as the release date for an as-yet untitled new film in ''The Conjuring'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/conjuring-3-just-mercy-superintelligence-release-dates |title=New Conjuring Film, Just Mercy & More Set Release Dates |first=Sandy |last=Schaefer |date=April 20, 2018 |work=Screen Rant |access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref> Later that month, it was announced that the film would be a third ''Annabelle'' film, with Gary Dauberman signed on to write and direct, in his directorial debut. James Wan and Peter Safran would co-produce the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/annabelle-creation-sequel-works-gary-dauberman-directing-1106622 |title='Annabelle: Creation' Sequel in the Works With Gary Dauberman Directing (Exclusive) |first=Borys |last=Kit |date=April 27, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref> The film's title, ''Annabelle Comes Home'', was revealed in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/annabelle-3-comes-home-title-revealed-first-teaser-released/ |title=''Annabelle 3'' Title Revealed, First Teaser Released |last=Schmidt |first=JK |work=Comic Book |date=March 15, 2019 |access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref> In May 2019, the film's release date was changed to June 26, 2019.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/space-jam-2-release-date-godzilla-vs-kong-annabelle-sequel-warner-bros-1202562428/ |title=Warner Bros Dates ''Space Jam 2'', Shifts ''Annabelle'' Sequel & ''Godzilla Vs. Kong'' |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref>

==Popular culture/short film==
On October 27, 2021, Warner Bros CEO [[Jason Kilar]] announced a YouTube video titled "Annabelle in Quarantine". The short film follows Annabelle in the Warner Bros. headquarters while bored in quarantine during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ign.com/videos/annabelle-in-quarantine |website = [[IGN]] |date = August 14, 2020 |title = Annabelle in Quarantine}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}

{{The Conjuring}}
{{John R. Leonetti}}
{{Gary Dauberman}}


[[Category:2014 films]]
[[Category:2014 horror films]]
[[Category:2010s pregnancy films]]
[[Category:2010s supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:American pregnancy films]]
[[Category:American prequel films]]
[[Category:American supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:Demons in film]]
[[Category:Film spinoffs]]
[[Category:Films about haunted dolls]]
[[Category:Films about Satanism]]
[[Category:Films about sentient toys]]
[[Category:Films directed by John R. Leonetti]]
[[Category:Films produced by Peter Safran]]
[[Category:Films produced by James Wan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Joseph Bishara]]
[[Category:Films set in 1967]]
[[Category:Films set in 1968]]
[[Category:Films set in apartment buildings]]
[[Category:Films set in Santa Monica, California]]
[[Category:Films set in Pasadena, California]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Gary Dauberman]]
[[Category:Films about murder–suicide]]
[[Category:The Conjuring Universe]]
[[Category:2014 English-language films]]
[[Category:Atomic Monster films]]
[[Category:Dune Entertainment films]]
[[Category:New Line Cinema films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Horror films about toys]]
[[Category:2014 American films]]
[[Category:American religious horror films]]
[[Category:English-language horror films]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Annabelle (film)|access_date=2026-02-25}}