Five Nights at Freddy's 3 reportedly in development
The horror series might receive another sequel as well
After the huge success of "Five Nights at Freddy's" at the box office in 2023, it quickly became clear that the video game adaptation would be continued. "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" will be released this year. But that's probably not the end of the story: According to Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman, another sequel is being planned.
What is "Five Night at Freddy's" about?
The first part tells the story of Mike Schmidt, who takes a job as a night watchman in an abandoned pizzeria called "Freddy Fazbear's Pizza". But he soon realizes that not everything is as it seems: at night, the store's animatronics take on a life of their own and become a threat.
Five Nights at Freddy's 3
According to Richtman, "Five Nights at Freddy's 3" will not be long in coming. He reports that filming is scheduled to start towards the end of 2025. This could mean that the new film in the horror series will be released in cinemas at the end of 2026 or in the course of 2027. The insider also mentions that the third part does not necessarily represent the end of the franchise. A trilogy was originally planned, but a fourth film is also being considered.
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
Next up, however, is "Five Nights at Freddy's 2". The sequel will be released in cinemas on December 5, 2025. It will once again feature some of the stars of the first film. This includes "The Hunger Games" star Josh Hutcherson, "Scream" actor Matthew Lillard, Piper Rubio and Elizabeth Lail, known from the thriller series "You".
The most popular horror films of recent years
The horror genre has experienced a considerable upswing in recent years. From psychological thrills to classic monster movies – modern horror films not only appeal to die-hard fans, but also attract millions to cinemas worldwide. Many of these films show: Horror has long been more than splatter and shock effects – it can be socially critical, artistic and surprisingly successful. Here are some of the biggest horror hits of recent years that have caused a sensation at the box office and among fans.
It
Stephen King's iconic horror novel was remade in 2017 and 2019 with "It". The first part of the two-parter focuses on a group of children who confront the nightmarish clown Pennywise. With its mixture of coming-of-age drama and supernatural horror, "It" was one of the most commercially successful horror films of its time and set new standards for the genre in mainstream cinema.
Get Out
In Jordan Peele's "Get Out", horror meets social criticism. The film interweaves psychological horror with a sharp analysis of racism in American society. Its eerie atmosphere, surprising twists and deeper message have made it a modern classic that is still celebrated today.
A Quiet Place
With "A Quiet Place", John Krasinski has created an unusual, almost wordless horror film in which any sound can mean death. The story of a family fighting for survival in a world full of noisy monsters was not only thrilling, but also emotionally gripping. The film was praised for its creative premise and strong atmosphere – and has so far received both a sequel and a prequel.
Hereditary
With "Hereditary", Ari Aster presented a dark, disturbing contribution to arthouse horror. The story of a family haunted by demonic forces after a death develops into a nightmarish descent into madness. The film was celebrated for its unpredictable plot and Toni Collette's brilliant performance – and is now a modern horror classic.
Midsommar
Ari Aster's second film after "Hereditary" breaks with the usual conventions of the horror genre: instead of gloomy night, "Midsommar" is largely set in the bright daylight of a remote Swedish village. A group of young Americans travel to a pagan Midsommar festival – and witness bizarre and cruel rituals. What begins as a spiritual journey develops into a deeply disturbing cult horror trip. "Midsommar" convinces the audience with its hypnotic imagery, psychological terror and a profound examination of grief, relationships and identity. The film is not a classic jumpscare horror, but an intense, slowly escalating unease – and stays in your head for a long time.
The Conjuring
"The Conjuring" films about Ed and Lorraine Warren are undoubtedly among the most successful horror franchises of recent years. The universe brought to life by James Wan inspires with classic haunted house motifs and atmosphere. The constant success shows that audiences still have a great appetite for this kind of horror.
M3GAN
"M3GAN" mixes sci-fi with classic puppet horror, appealing to a modern audience. The story of an artificial intelligence in doll form that takes on a life of its own not only offered shock moments, but is also an examination of technology and parenthood. The viral marketing hype also contributed to its success.
