Annabelle (2014)

John Form has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia - a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure white wedding dress. But Mia's delight with Annabelle doesn't last long. On one horrific night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind. The cultists have conjured an entity so malevolent that nothing they did will compare to the sinister conduit to the damned that is now... Annabelle, turning the innocent gift into a vessel of pure evil that relentlessly terrorizes the young family. For director John R. Leonetti, *Annabelle* represents a crucial and arguably his most commercially successful directorial outing. As the first spin-off from the hugely popular *The Conjuring* universe, Leonetti skillfully helmed a film that expanded the terrifying lore, delivering a chilling prequel that captivated audiences worldwide. Despite mixed critical reception, the movie was a massive box office hit, proving its effectiveness in crafting pervasive dread and delivering impactful jump scares that are hallmarks of the franchise. Leonetti, with his background as a cinematographer for *The Conjuring* and *Insidious*, brought a keen visual eye to *Annabelle*, establishing a dark, unsettling atmosphere that solidified its place not just within the larger universe, but also as a significant entry in his directorial filmography.