‘Smile 3’ Reportedly in the Works, Parker Finn to Return to Direct Horror Sequel

After the success of one of the year’s best horror movies, Smile 2, Paramount Pictures has decided not to let the curse end, reportedly greenlighting a third entry in the franchise, which, for now, we’ll call Smile 3. At least until some “genius” in the marketing department proposes Smil3, and Google is forced to tweak its algorithm once again. Per World of Reel, Production Weekly has listed the project in their 2025 catalog of productions, and this could be the official confirmation that Paramount Pictures is continuing the franchise. Smile was a massive blockbuster in 2022, making over $217 million at the box office from a $17 million production budget. Smile 2 was set to capitalize on the success of one of the year’s most original films, and that it did.

While this year’s Smile 2 made much less at the box office (the budget was reported at $28 million and, to this day, it has grossed just over $137 million), both films now hold an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which means critics absolutely fell for the creepy smiles. Will a Smile 3 accomplish the same? We don’t see why not.

In Smile 2, international pop star Skye Riley comes in contact with the entity when she sees her former classmate Lewis commit suicide in gruesome fashion. As she’s about to begin her world tour as a refreshed celebrity (she was involved in an accident where her boyfriend lost his life), Skye starts seeing things – people creepily smile at her – and begins to lose control of reality. What she doesn’t know is that it won’t stop until she dies.

‘Smile’ is Officially a Horror Franchise

While the premise for the Smile franchise didn’t necessarily feel like it could be properly recycled in a sequel, everyone was left grinning from ear to ear, with Smile 2 blowing everyone’s minds with a multilayered lead character whose fragile spirit made the best victim for the malevolent entity. Skye Riley is simply a better “final girl.” Skye Riley is not only an unreliable witness, but she’s also someone famous whose influential aspect is a cesspool for the entity to indulge in: as the film’s conclusion shows, Riley’s final concert was probably the perfect channel for the smiling demon to conquer the world one teen at a time.

Horror franchises are usually based on an exploitable premise, a good villain, and solid lead characters. What Smile doesn’t have is an iconic slasher villain like Freddy, Michael or Jason. But perhaps the franchise has something much more important. Something that was part of Skye’s journey, and which made her more interesting: what if the villain is actually the victim? With that in mind, there’s ample ipportunites for Smile to expand elsewhere in books, TV series, or more sequels. This is a powerful entity, and it won’t stop with 2025’s Smile 3.

Director Parker Finn, who helmed both Smile, the sequel, and is expected to return for the threequel, will tackle the Possession remake next, with Robert Pattinson both starring in the film and producing. While details remain under wraps at present, Finn has previously revealed some of his ideas regarding where a third outing would go.