SMILE 3 IS HAPPENING: 5 Crucial Updates On The Next Chapter Of The Terrifying Horror Franchise

The demonic, chilling grin of the 'Smile' entity is far from fading. As of December 2025, the highly anticipated third installment in the breakout horror franchise, tentatively titled Smile 3, is officially moving forward, with reports indicating that production is either imminent or already underway. Following the massive, back-to-back commercial and critical successes of Smile (2022) and Smile 2 (2024), Paramount Pictures is keen to continue the terrifying saga, and director Parker Finn has already set the stage for a fresh, "unexpected" new direction.

This article provides the most current and essential updates on the development of the next sequel, covering everything from the likely release window to the director's vision for expanding the horrifying cinematic universe. If you're a fan of the supernatural horror and the cursed entity that spreads through a simple, yet sinister, smile, here is everything we know about the future of the franchise.

The Undeniable Box Office Success That Demanded a Sequel

The question of "will there be a Smile 3?" has been answered not by an official announcement, but by a mountain of box office receipts. The financial performance of the first two films created an undeniable mandate for a third chapter, cementing the Smile series as Paramount’s newest flagship horror property.

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• Smile (2022): The original film, starring Sosie Bacon, was a massive sleeper hit. Produced on a modest budget of around $17 million, it went on to gross a stunning $217 million globally, turning it into one of the most profitable horror movies of the decade.
• Smile 2 (2024): The sequel, which followed pop star Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott), proved that the first film was no fluke. It debuted at the top of the North American box office with an impressive $23 million opening weekend and quickly hit a major global milestone, demonstrating the franchise's sustained appeal and strong audience connection to the cursed entity.

The consecutive triumphs of the first two movies make a third installment a certainty in the eyes of the studio. The two-year gap between the first two films also sets a strong precedent for the next release, leading to significant speculation about the Smile 3 release date.

What We Know About the Smile 3 Production and Release Window

While Paramount Pictures has yet to nail down a specific theatrical release date, recent industry reports provide a very clear picture of the movie's development timeline. This information suggests fans won't have to wait long to see the cursed smile return to the big screen.

Production Status: Filming in 2025

According to a production listing that surfaced in late 2024, Smile 3 was scheduled to begin principal photography in 2025. Given that the current date is December 2025, this means the movie is either in the final stages of filming, or the production window is set to open very soon. The rapid turnaround from greenlight to production start highlights the studio's confidence and desire to capitalize on the franchise's momentum.

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The Likely 2026 Release Date

The first two films both followed a similar release pattern, arriving in theaters in the early October slot, perfectly timed for the Halloween season (Smile in 2022 and Smile 2 in 2024). Following this two-year cycle, industry analysts and fans alike are strongly predicting that the Smile 3 release date will be in October 2026. This timing would allow ample post-production time for director Parker Finn to craft the film and would maintain the franchise's successful presence during the lucrative fall horror movie season.

The continuation of the story, which focuses on a supernatural entity that latches onto trauma and manifests as a terrifying smile before causing its victims to commit brutal suicide, offers endless possibilities for new narratives and characters. The first two films successfully established the rules of the curse, but the third installment is expected to delve deeper into the entity's origins or perhaps introduce a new mechanism for its spread.

Parker Finn's Vision: Keeping Smile 3 "Fresh and Unexpected"

The key to the franchise's success lies with writer and director Parker Finn. He has been the creative force behind both films, and his involvement is seen as essential for maintaining the high quality and intense scares that define the series. Finn has made it clear that he is open to a third movie, but only if it serves a creative purpose and avoids the pitfalls of unnecessary sequels.

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No Repetition, Only Innovation

Finn has consistently stated that any continuation of the story must be "fresh and unexpected." He is not interested in simply repeating the formula of the first two films. His aim is to evolve the supernatural entity's mythology and explore new facets of the curse that will genuinely surprise the audience.

The director's careful approach suggests that Smile 3 could break new ground, potentially moving away from the direct victim-to-victim transmission model and exploring how the cursed entity might adapt to a more public, modern world—a theme touched upon with the celebrity setting of Smile 2. This commitment to innovation is a major reason why the franchise maintains such high topical authority and fan anticipation.

Potential Plot Directions for the Next Sequel

While no plot details have been revealed, there are several tantalizing narrative paths the third movie could take to keep the horror fresh:

• The Entity's Origin: A deep-dive into the ancient history or source of the smiling demon, perhaps showing its first-ever appearance and how the curse began.
• The Investigator's Return: A focus on a character like Kyle Gallner’s Detective Joel, who survived the first film and is now an expert on the curse, attempting to find a way to stop it permanently.
• Global Scale: Expanding the scope beyond a single city or country, showing the entity's spread on a global scale, making it a worldwide horror phenomenon.
• The Cure/Solution: Introducing a character or group who believes they have found a way to stop the entity, leading to a desperate, high-stakes battle against the supernatural force.

The core theme of the franchise—the manifestation of trauma and mental health struggles as a literal, terrifying monster—provides a rich foundation for continued, emotionally resonant horror. The use of the unsettling, wide-mouthed smile as a visual cue is a simple yet brilliant mechanism that has become instantly recognizable in the horror genre.

Key Entities and Cast Speculation for Smile 3

As the film is still in the early stages of production, the cast list remains a mystery. However, the nature of the franchise, which typically features a new protagonist for each installment, suggests a fresh ensemble will be introduced to carry the weight of the curse.

The New Protagonist

It is highly likely that Smile 3 will follow a new character who becomes the latest victim of the supernatural entity. This allows the franchise to maintain its anthology-like structure while keeping the core mythology intact. The new protagonist will likely be an LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keyword for the film, similar to how Sosie Bacon's Dr. Rose Cotter and Naomi Scott's Skye Riley anchored the previous movies.

Returning Characters

The only character with a strong possibility of returning is Kyle Gallner as Detective Joel. Having survived the events of the first film and being aware of the curse, he could serve as a connective tissue between the movies, providing exposition or acting as a reluctant guide to the new lead.

Ultimately, the success of the Smile horror franchise is a testament to Parker Finn's ability to take a simple, unnerving concept and execute it with relentless tension and psychological depth. With production for Smile 3 reportedly set for 2025, horror fans can confidently expect to be terrified by the next chapter of this chilling cinematic universe in October 2026. Keep your eyes peeled for the first official teaser trailer and the announcement of the new cast, which will undoubtedly kick off the next wave of hype for the cursed entity's return.