Dead by Daylight has spent more than a decade building one of horror gaming’s most ambitious crossovers, pulling killers from classic slashers, supernatural thrillers, and Japanese horror. Yet even in 2026, few speculative chapters generate as much excitement as The Conjuring universe. The franchise may be younger than other horror icons—its first film appeared in 2013—but its blend of demonic possession, haunted relics, and unsettling religious iconography makes it an unusually natural fit for the Entity’s realm. Early leaks once suggested Chapter 23 would be based on The Conjuring film franchise, and while the conversation has evolved over the years, the core appeal remains unchanged: the series contains a number of terrifying killers who would slot perfectly into Dead by Daylight’s spooky, supernatural aesthetic.

🕯️ A Universe Rooted in Real-Life Paranormal Investigation

The Conjuring series follows the fictionalized adventures of Ed and Lorraine Warren, two real-life supernatural investigators and authors connected to a string of infamous hauntings. Both Warrens have since passed away, but their legacy remains alive, as does the controversy over whether their research contained genuine paranormal truth. Within the films, however, the ghosts and demons the Warrens confronted are very real. That foundation gives the universe a distinct tone compared with many other horror licenses. Rather than relying solely on masked stalkers or dream demons, The Conjuring draws from exorcism rituals, cursed objects, and the fear of invisible forces that can turn a person’s body or mind against them.

🪆 Annabelle: The Demonic Doll Killer

One of the most famous villains in the franchise is Annabelle, the demonic doll introduced in the first film. In real life, Annabelle was a Raggedy Ann doll that allegedly moved and attacked its owner. The movies, however, took the story much further. The cinematic Annabelle received a chilling makeover reminiscent of Chucky and gained the ability to possess human bodies and use them to commit murder. Originally a relatively small presence, the doll proved so popular that she received her own spinoff series. Killer dolls have long been a staple of horror, and Annabelle’s grimy appearance and brutal capabilities make her a strong candidate for Dead by Daylight.

From a gameplay perspective, Annabelle is a powerful demon occupying a small, mobile vessel. In the films, she can latch onto victims so that they cannot easily get rid of her, and she also demonstrates teleportation-like movement. A Dead by Daylight version could lean into this by making Annabelle a stationary or slow-moving killer who compensates by blinking toward Survivors. Alternatively, players could control the demon possessing the doll and use it to locate, track, and hinder unlucky Survivors. Her playstyle might revolve around marking a Survivor and then reappearing near that target, creating a constant sense of being watched.

⛪ Valak: The Nun Who Transcends Death

Most Killers in Dead by Daylight were once mortal or at least take a mortal form. Valak, better known as the Nun, is entirely different. The demon first appeared in The Conjuring 2 and was so effective as an antagonist that it also received its own spinoff series. Unlike Annabelle, Valak is not limited by a physical body. The entity takes the shape of a nun with chalk-white skin and pitch-black eyes specifically to disturb those who oppose it, including the devoutly Catholic Warrens. Its true form is never fully shown on camera, which only deepens the sense of cosmic dread.

Valak’s abilities are broader than simple possession. It can control spirits, manipulate the minds and afterlives of others, and is effectively immortal. In Dead by Daylight, Valak could introduce a more methodical, pressure-based playstyle that grows stronger as the Trial progresses. Perhaps each hook or sacrificed Survivor feeds the demon’s influence, locking generators, creating false terror radiuses, or replacing map props with black-eyed illusions. The sight of this unstoppable figure gliding out of the shadows toward players would be genuinely horrifying, and its shapeshifting nature could open the door to new kinds of stealth or misdirection mechanics.

🔪 How the Two Killers Compare

Killer	Origin	Known Powers	Potential Dead by Daylight Role
Annabelle	The Conjuring / Annabelle	Possession, teleportation, relentless tracking	A small, mobile killer that marks Survivors and reappears near them
Valak	The Conjuring 2 / The Nun	Shapeshifting, spirit control, immortality	A late-game pressure killer that grows stronger with each hook

👁️ Why 2026 Feels Like a Natural Moment

In 2026, Dead by Daylight is no longer simply a multiplayer horror game; it has become a rotating museum of horror history. The Conjuring universe may be newer than classic chapters like Halloween or Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but that relative freshness could be an advantage. Younger audiences have grown up with Annabelle and Valak, while older horror fans still recognize the Warrens’ infamous case files. A Conjuring chapter would also expand the game’s range of supernatural and religious horror, which has often taken a backseat to slasher-focused crossovers.

Even if official announcements have yet to arrive, community discussions continue to treat The Conjuring as a natural next step. The pieces are all there: iconic visual designs, established lore, and killer concepts that could translate cleanly into Dead by Daylight’s asymmetrical gameplay. Whether the Entity eventually claims Annabelle’s cracked painted grin or Valak’s unholy stare, the result would likely become one of the game’s most talked-about chapters. Until then, the rumors keep haunting the campfire.

Dead by Daylight is available now on PC, consoles, and mobile.

As detailed in ESRB, official content rating guidance can be a useful lens for framing why a potential Dead by Daylight crossover with The Conjuring universe would emphasize intense horror elements like demonic possession imagery, disturbing supernatural threats, and sustained dread rather than simple slasher violence—especially if killers like Annabelle or Valak anchor the chapter’s tone and presentation.