- Five Nights at Freddy’s was a surprise hit in 2023
- Sequel is set to be released in December this year
- Matthew Lillard is returning as the villainous William Afton
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the creepy abandoned pizzeria, Five Nights at Freddy’s will be back with a sequel to the 2023 box office hit.
Five Nights at Freddy’s, which was based on the popular horror video game franchise, was a surprise hit in 2023. The Universal/Blumhouse production was filmed for a measly $20 million, but grossed $300 million worldwide when it was released at the cinema and on streaming service Peacock.
Five Nights at Freddy’s centred on security guard Mike Schmidt (played by Josh Hutcherson), who takes a job as a security guard at an abandoned entertainment center, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, but finds that the four animatronic mascots left there come to life and kill anyone still on the premises after midnight.
Horror then ensues as Mike finds out more about the animatronics and the story behind them – and his connection to them – as the bodies start to pile up.
While reviews were mixed, it was popular with movie-goers, especially Gen Z, who have grown up with the game – and liked how it stuck largely to the lore of the games – and with such box office success, a sequel was inevitable.
When is Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 released?
Five Night’s at Freddy’s 2 is currently set for December 5, 2025. At yet, Universal/Blumhouse haven’t revealed their plans for the release – last time it was released simultaneously in theaters and on streaming service Peacock.
What is the plot
The team behind the movie so far haven’t said a lot about what the plot of the sequel will be. It is likely to be set in a Freddy Fazbear Pizzeria, but it isn’t clear if it will be the same as the first or a different outlet in the franchise. There have been leaked pictures, but it isn’t known if these are genuine or a red herring.
But given how the first movie stuck largely to the lore of the video games, it is likely that the sequel will also not depart too much from that.
It is likely that we wont know much more until the first trailer drops, which won’t be until later this year.
Who is in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Thus far, there haven’t been many names confirmed for the sequel. However, significantly, Matthew Lillard, who played the villainous William Afton, has confirmed he is filming scenes for the film. Afton did appear to meet his maker at the end of the first film, but as any FNAF fan knows (and horror fan in general) that unless the death is seen, then don’t assume anything. In the games, Afton has found a way to return for the next instalment.
Hutcherson has previously spoken about his excitement about the sequel. In an interview with Variety, he said it would be “scarier” than the first. So it can be assumed he is also coming back, but there hasn’t been official confirmation yet.
It is also thought likely that Piper Rubio will return as Schmidt’s sister, Abby.
Elizabeth Lail, who played police officer Vanessa, is also expected to return, despite Vanessa being left in a coma at the end of the first film.
