The journey to the release of the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie was a long and complicated one. Based on the game series, it seemed like a given that bringing the unsettling animatronic mascots to life would be a no-brainer. In 2015, development on the project began, but after bouncing around between different studios and different filmmakers, Emma Tammi‘s movie didn’t land in theaters until 2023. Luckily, the wait for the inevitable sequel wasn’t quite as long, with Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 debuting just last year.
Even though Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 doesn’t have an official release date, even with some creative changes behind the scenes, there’s still significant progress being made. Star of the first two movies, Matthew Lillard, is set to return for the next chapter. While speaking with Bloody Disgusting in support of Mike Flanagan‘s Carrie TV series on Prime Video, the actor confirmed that the plan is to shoot next year.
“I know the early version of the script came through and everyone’s really excited about it,” the actor shared. “And I know they’re moving to the next level, so we will be shooting in 2027.”
If the plan is to shoot in 2027, it doesn’t seem likely that we’ll get the sequel before the end of next year, though if production starts as early as January, we can’t rule out the sequel’s release in 2027. Luckily, the creative shifts don’t seem quite as severe as the obstacles faced by the original movie.
This past June, a report claimed that Gary Dauberman (IT, The Nun, Salem’s Lot, Until Dawn) had been enlisted to pen the next chapter of the saga. Dauberman replaces creator of the series Scott Cawthon, who wrote the previous two entries, with two-time director Tammi expected to return for the next sequel. While Lillard and costar Skeet Ulrich both teased their returns for the upcoming installment, it’s unknown if stars Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, and Elizabeth Lail will return.
Given Dauberman’s horror legacy, hopes are high for the next chapter. Despite poor critical reactions, the first movie took in $297.2 million worldwide, while the second scored $239.6 million. If the next entry resonates more strongly with viewers, its box-office performance could go even higher and potentially reinvigorate the film series.
As we wait for Five Nights at Freddy’s 3, we can see Lillard in Carrie when it premieres on Prime Video on October 7. Prime Video describes the new series, “Misfit high‑schooler Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) has spent her life hidden away inside the walls of her home with her fiercely protective mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan). After her father’s sudden, untimely death thrusts her into the unforgiving ecosystem of public high school, Carrie is forced to navigate a viral bullying scandal that tears through her community, the relentless pressure and casual cruelty of the social‑media age, and the awakening of mysterious telekinetic powers that rise alongside her adolescence.”
Are you looking forward to Five Nights at Freddy’s 3? Let us know in the comments below!
