The Smile franchise, which quickly established itself as a significant force in contemporary American horror, has achieved impressive box office numbers in just two films. The original two movies, both written and directed by Parker Finn, collectively grossed over $355 million worldwide, attracting a remarkable two million viewers in French cinemas alone. Given this undeniable success, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Paramount Pictures would continue the story.

As reported exclusively by Variety, a third film is indeed in the works. While Parker Finn was instrumental in crafting the first two entries, he will be stepping back from directing Smile 3. Finn is currently deeply immersed in directing a remake of the cult classic Possession, which is slated for a June 9, 2027 release in France. This commitment has opened the door for David Bruckner to lead the next chapter of the Smile saga.

Bruckner is a name well-regarded in the horror community, known for his atmospheric and unsettling works. His directorial credits include the critically praised folk horror film The Ritual, the supernatural thriller The Night House, and the recent reboot of Hellraiser. His experience in crafting suspenseful and visually distinctive horror narratives makes him a compelling choice to guide the franchise forward.

Despite passing the directorial torch, Parker Finn will remain an integral part of Smile 3 as a producer. Variety notes that Finn was also responsible for pitching the core concept and broad outline for the third film, ensuring a degree of continuity in the franchise's vision. Taking on the screenwriting duties for Smile 3 will be Nick Antosca, a busy writer with several high-profile projects in the pipeline, including Apple TV+'s upcoming Cape Fear series and the film Verity, starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson.

For those unfamiliar with the chilling premise, the first Smile film introduced audiences to a psychiatrist haunted by a malevolent entity that manifests itself through the terrifying smiles of those around her. The sequel shifted focus to a pop star grappling with the same horrific manifestations, building upon the unique and unsettling concept.

While the anticipation for Smile 3 is already building among horror fans, Paramount has yet to announce an official release date for the film.