Blumhouse Productions is officially expanding its Five Nights at Freddy's film series into a trilogy. The studio has confirmed that Five Nights at Freddy's 3 is in active development, and they've brought in a heavyweight horror writer to craft the next chapter: Gary Dauberman, the scribe behind the blockbuster IT adaptations.
Dauberman, who also wrote The Nun and Annabelle Comes Home, is no stranger to turning beloved horror properties into box office gold. His involvement signals that Blumhouse is aiming for a bigger, scarier, and more cohesive narrative arc for the franchise, which has been one of the most polarizing video game-to-film adaptations in recent memory.
A Divisive Franchise Gets a Third Act
The Five Nights at Freddy's movies have sparked heated debate among fans and critics alike. The first film, released in 2023, was a massive commercial success, raking in over $290 million worldwide on a modest budget. Yet it earned mixed reviews, with some praising its eerie atmosphere and faithful nods to the games, while others criticized its pacing and reliance on jump scares. The sequel, Five Nights at Freddy's 2, arrived in 2025 and doubled down on the lore, introducing new animatronics and deepening the mystery of the haunted pizzeria. It too divided audiences, but its box office performance—north of $200 million—ensured a third installment was inevitable.
Now, with Dauberman at the keyboard, the franchise is poised to potentially win over skeptics. His track record with IT (both chapters) demonstrated a knack for balancing character-driven horror with crowd-pleasing scares, a skill that could help unify the FNAF fanbase.
What Gary Dauberman Brings to the Table
Dauberman's IT films were praised for their emotional depth and terrifying set pieces, turning Stephen King's novel into a cultural phenomenon. He also co-wrote The Conjuring universe entries, proving he can handle sprawling mythology. For Five Nights at Freddy's 3, he'll be tasked with wrapping up the storylines introduced in the first two movies while delivering a satisfying conclusion—or perhaps setting up even more sequels.
Blumhouse has not yet announced a director or cast for the third film. However, the studio is likely to retain key players from the previous installments, including director Emma Tammi and star Josh Hutcherson, who plays the beleaguered security guard Mike Schmidt. The plot remains under wraps, but given the games' lore, fans can expect the return of Springtrap, the series' most iconic villain, and deeper exploration of the Afton family tragedy.
The Future of Horror Game Adaptations
The Five Nights at Freddy's trilogy is part of a larger trend of video game movies finding mainstream success. Blumhouse has been at the forefront, with projects like The Last of Us (on HBO) and upcoming adaptations of Until Dawn and Dead by Daylight. The studio's ability to turn niche horror games into blockbuster films has reshaped Hollywood's approach to the genre.
For fans of the franchise, the announcement of Five Nights at Freddy's 3 is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Will Dauberman's script deliver the scares and emotional payoff that the series has been building toward? Or will the trilogy end on a divisive note? Only time—and a trip to the pizzeria—will tell.
In the meantime, horror enthusiasts can check out other spine-tingling content, such as The Borderlands 2013 Horror Movie Ending Explained: A Lovecraftian Nightmare or explore Terrifying Reads: 6 Horror Books That Still Haven't Hit the Screen. For those who love classic scares, Dust Off Your VCR: 10 Classic Horror Films That Demand a VHS Rewind in 2026 is a must-read.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Five Nights at Freddy's 3 and all your favorite horror franchises.
