Withered Chica in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’, directed by Emma Tammi. Photo: Universal Pictures.
One of the biggest issues with ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s‘ was that it had a hard time delivering on the scares while giving the long-time fans the lore drops and Easter eggs that they wanted. Many newcomers to the franchise ended up feeling alienated and like they needed to research in order to fully understand what was happening. This time around, Blumhouse was sure to make a movie that everyone could enjoy, no matter how much they know about the Freddy’s games, books, and comics. They also did not hold back when it comes to the scares, offering up a truly terrifying film at times.
Story and Direction
(L to R) Josh Hutcherson and Director Emma Tammi on the set of ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ is a tall order for director Emma Tammi and writer/creator Scott Cawthon, especially when you consider what a massive fan base this franchise has. There are many things that need to be done right, but it is a delicate balance to make sure that newcomers are able to understand the story without leaving feeling confused and frustrated. This movie pulls that off tenfold.
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’, directed by Emma Tammi. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Now that the groundwork has been laid with the previous film, ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ is able to hit the ground running from the start – and it never lets up. The story moves at a fast, but digestible, pace. It never wastes its time and it crams in a lot of Easter Eggs from the games that will have long-time fans jumping up and down in their seats. At the same time, it goes harder in terms of scares. There are multiple, perfectly timed, jump scares and the new villain is downright creepy.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Abby (Piper Rubio), Mike (Josh Hutcherson) and Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) in’ Five Nights at Freddy’s 2′, directed by Emma Tammi. Photo: Universal Pictures.
While the animatronics are not only cool to look at, but extremely impressive, if the human aspect of these films doesn’t work, the movie falls apart. Josh Hutcherson once again proves why he is a great lead actor. He is a very important part of the story, essentially being the eyes and ears for the audience, and portraying the character that everyone plays in the video games. His chemistry with Piper Rubio, who plays Abby, is not only believable, it is unmatched.
Piper Rubio has a lot of ground to cover in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’. She plays a very important role and does so brilliantly. Abby’s is Mike’s younger sister and both Hutcherson and Rubio do a wonderful job of showcasing that, rather than making it feel like a father-daughter relationship.
Elizabeth Lail in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Without giving too much away, this script gives Elizabeth Lail a lot to chew on, right from the first moment we see her. Considering that she is William Afton’s (Matthew Lillard) daughter, it should come as no surprise that she has a lot of trauma to deal with. She delivers a stellar performance, especially in that final scene.
Mckenna Grace doesn’t have a lot of screentime, but when she is on screen, she steals the show.
Final Thoughts
Matthew Lillard in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’, directed by Emma Tammi. Photo: Universal Pictures.
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ gives fans exactly what they want, without making newcomers feel like they have no idea what is going on. This movie is equal parts scary and entertaining. The animatronics are nothing less than impressive and while certain characters could have used more time on screen (looking at you Skeet Ulrich) it was all for a good reason.
There is a massive cliffhanger at the end of the movie that will have viewers begging for more. Of course, there is also a tease at the mid-credit point and at the end of the credits. While Blumhouse has not announced a third film, it would be pretty shocking if a ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 3’ isn’t greenlit.
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ receives 80 out of 100.
(L to R) Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio and Josh Hutcherson in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
What is the plot of ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’?
One year since the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, the stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town’s first ever Fazfest. With the truth about what transpired kept from her, Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, setting into motion a terrifying series of events that will reveal dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy’s, and unleash a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades.
Who is in the cast of ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’?
Moviefone has compiled a list of the most anticipated movies opening in theaters and/or streaming in November and December of 2025, which not only includes major studio releases but also smaller independent films that you won’t want to miss.
Cast out from his clan, a young Predator finds an unlikely ally in a damaged android (Elle Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and her little brother Elliot (Elias Janssen) journey into the wildly absurd landscape of their own dreams to ask the Sandman to grant them the perfect family.
Sydney Sweeney in ‘Christy’. Photo: Black Bear Pictures.
Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia—until she discovered a knack for punching people. Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Ben Foster). But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it—confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death.
Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
In postwar Germany, an American psychiatrist must determine whether Nazi prisoners are fit to go on trial for war crimes, and finds himself in a complex battle of intellect and ethics with Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe), Hitler’s right-hand man.
(L to R) Alexandra Daddario as Hannah and Cole Sprouse as Thomas in ‘I Wish You All The Best’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
In this refreshingly modern coming-of-age story based on the best-selling book by Mason Deaver, a high school junior (Corey Fogelmanis) comes out as nonbinary and is thrown out of their family’s home. With nowhere else to turn, they move in with their estranged older sister (Alexandra Daddario) and her husband (Cole Sprouse). After enrolling in a new school, they find support from an eccentric art teacher (Lena Dunham) and form an unexpected bond with a kindhearted student (Miles Gutierrez-Riley). With the help of their new relationships, they navigate the awkward hurdles of young adulthood in this sweetly funny journey of self-discovery that celebrates the power of being true to yourself.
Stellan Skarsgård in ‘Sentimental Value’. Photo: Kasper Tuxen Andersen.
Sisters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), a once-renowned director who offers stage actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star (Elle Fanning).
(L to R) Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in ‘Die My Love’. Photo Mubi.
Grace (Jennifer Lawrence) and Jackson (Robert Pattinson) move into an old house deep in the country. With ambitions to write The Great American Novel, Grace settles into her new environment, and the couple soon welcome a child. However, with Jackson frequently – and suspiciously – absent, and the pressures of domestic life starting to weigh on her, Grace begins to unravel, leaving a path of destruction in her wake.
Glen Powell stars in Paramount Pictures’ “The Running Man’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
(L to R) Justice Smith as Charlie, Ariana Greenblatt as June, Dominic Sessa as Bosco, Jesse Eisenberg as Daniel Atlas, Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves, and Dave Franco as Jack Wilder in ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes.
The Four Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher) return along with a new generation of illusionists performing mind-melding twists, turns, surprises, and magic unlike anything ever captured on film.
(L to R) Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland in ‘Keeper’. Photo: Neon.
Liz (Tatiana Maslany) and Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland) escape for a romantic anniversary weekend at a secluded cabin. When Malcolm suddenly returns to the city, Liz finds herself isolated and in the presence of an unspeakable evil that reveals the cabin’s horrifying secrets.
Follows Bobby Sanders (Tom Blyth), an ex-pro-hockey-player-turned-junior-banker as he navigates the peculiar and somewhat surreal world of high finance and faces life’s meaning within this gilded cage.
Based on extensive research involving law enforcement and gang members, a never-before-seen, authentic look inside the underworld of fentanyl trafficking from gangs inside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary at McAlester a.k.a. “Big Mac.”
(L to R) Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller and Callum Turner in ‘Eternity’. Photo: A24.
In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.
Mischa Barton as “Miranda Green” in the mystery thriller ‘Murder at the Embassy’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
When a private detective (Mischa Barton) is called to investigate a suspicious murder inside Cairo’s seemingly impenetrable British Embassy, she discovers a second crime has been committed that could spark war across the globe. Everyone within the walls of the embassy is a suspect, but the ultimate evil force is lurking right around the corner.
A father and his son arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco. They’re searching for Mar — daughter and sister — who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. Surrounded by electronic music and a raw, unfamiliar sense of freedom, they hand out her photo again and again. Hope is fading but they push through and follow a group of ravers heading to one last party in the desert. As they venture deeper into the burning wilderness, the journey forces them to confront their own limits.
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Set in the Land of Oz, before and after Dorothy Gale’s arrival from Kansas, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda’s (Arianna Grande) friendship is put to the test as they embrace their new respective identities as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the North, and how the consequences of their actions will change all of Oz forever.
Returning to the house where his family was brutally murdered during the war, ‘the man who refuses to die’ dismantles it, loads it on a truck, and is determined to rebuild it somewhere safe in their honor. When the Red Army commander who killed his family comes back hellbent on finishing the job, a relentless, eye-popping cross-country chase ensues – a fight to the death.
An American actor (Brendan Fraser) in Tokyo struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality.
After cracking the biggest case in Zootopia’s history, rookie cops Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) find their partnership isn’t as solid as they thought when Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) orders them to join the Partners in Crisis counseling program. But it doesn’t take long for their partnership to be put to the ultimate test when they find themselves on the twisting trail of a mystery tied to the arrival of a venomous snake in the animal metropolis.
When young priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) is sent to assist charismatic firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), it’s clear that all is not well in the pews. After a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, the lack of an obvious suspect prompts local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) to join forces with renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to unravel a mystery that defies all logic.
From Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, ‘Hamnet’ tells the powerful love story that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, ‘Hamlet’.
(L to R) Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson in ‘Tinsel Town’. Photo: Brainstorm Media.
Egotistical A-lister Bradley Mack (Kiefer Sutherland) is blindsided when his iconic action franchise is abruptly canceled. His career in freefall and worried his Hollywood days are behind him, Bradley heads to England, hoping to rebuild his image as a serious West End actor. But his long-suffering agent has other plans, sending him instead to a small, snow-dusted village to star in the eccentric town’s production of ‘Cinderella’. As he fumbles through rehearsals with a colorful cast of oddball locals, Bradley begins to discover a spark of new beginnings in the form of no-nonsense choreographer Jill (Rebel Wilson).
John Prine in ‘You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine. Photo: Abramorama.
This concert film was shot in October, 2022, over two nights at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. More than 70 artists gathered with family, the Nashville community, and music fans to remember and pay tribute to the life and songs of John Prine.
Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer) organizes a special Christmas outing when her family forgets her in the shuffle. By the time they realize their mistake, she’s gone missing. Their Christmas is in jeopardy, but Claire has other plans.
One year since the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, the stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town’s first ever Fazfest. With the truth about what transpired kept from her, Abby (Piper Rubio) sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, setting into motion a terrifying series of events that will reveal dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy’s, and unleash a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades.
Kelsey Pribilski in ‘Man Finds Tape’. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.
Pulled in by a series of strange and unexplainable video clips, a brother and sister team up to investigate the events captured in the footage, only to discover a shocking secret that’s overtaking their small-town Texas community.
Famous movie actor Jay Kelly (George Clooney) embarks on a journey of self discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler).
A scene from ‘Frontier Crucible’. Photo: Well Go USA Entertainment.
In 1870s Arizona Territory, a desperately needed wagon full of medical supplies falls victim to an Apache attack. The only man who can guide it through is Merrick Beckford, but in order to get there, he’ll need to enlist the help of a trio of dangerous outlaws hellbent on survival. When they accidentally kill an Apache scout, all bets are off, and survival is the name of the game.
An idealistic young politician (Emma Mackey) juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor (Albert Brooks).
Sydney Sweeney as Millie Calloway in ‘The Housemaid’. Photo: Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate.
Millie (Sydney Sweeney) is a struggling woman who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), an upscale, wealthy couple. She soon learns that the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family—forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.
In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Na’vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang (Oona Chaplin). Jake’s family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits.
A group of friends facing mid-life crises (Paul Rudd and Jack Black) head to the rainforest with the intention of remaking their favorite movie from their youth, only to find themselves in a fight for their lives against natural disasters, giant snakes and violent criminals.
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams.
Amanda Seyfried in ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures .
An epic fable about religious leader Ann Lee (Amanda Seyfried), the founding leader of the Shaker Movement, who was proclaimed by her followers as the female Christ and went on to build one of the largest utopian societies in American history. Lee — one of the rare female religious leaders at the time —and her followers worshipped through exuberant song and dance.
Ralph Fiennes in ‘The Choral’. Photo: Sony Pictures Classics.
Yorkshire, 1916. A choral society’s male members enlist in World War I, leaving the demanding Dr. Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) to recruit teenagers. Together, they experience the joy of singing while the young men grapple with their impending conscription.
Blumhouse brought ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ to San Diego Comic-Con.
Stars Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lillard were in attendance.
Footage was screened for fans.
The first adaptation of cult horror video game ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ was a big hit for Universal and Blumhouse (and became the highest-grossing horror title of 2023), so naturally, a sequel is on the way.
‘Five Night’s at Freddy’s 2’ faces plenty of pressure to deliver, especially in light of recent disappointments such as ‘M3GAN 2.0’. But the enthusiasm for this one certainly appears high.
One year has passed since the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town’s first ever Fazfest.
Former security guard Mike (Hutcherson) and police officer Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) have kept the truth from Mike’s 11-year-old sister, Abby (Piper Rubio), concerning the fate of her animatronic friends.
But when Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, it will set into motion a terrifying series of events, revealing dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy’s, and unleashing a long–forgotten horror hidden away for decades.
What happened at the ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ Comic-Con panel?
With Tammi and Blum taking the stage first, Tammi offered up word that we can expect more than three times the amount of animatronics this time around.
Briones plays a new character, named Alex, who is a videographer with web show about paranormal activity. He’ll get more than he bargains for!
Rubio’s Abby has developed an interest in robotics since her encounters with Freddy and co. last time. She’s lonely, and has no friends to talk to… So she makes some.
As for Hutcherson’s Mike, he’s still trying to live something close to a normal life. This is what the actor had to say:
“Mike and Abby went through a lot… Mike is just wanting to get back to somewhat of a normal life, but that just can’t happen in the ‘Freddy’s’ world. Mike is in a way, trying to fake it till you make it without fully working through all that stuff that happened, and then it happens to him again! Poor Mike.”
Skeet Ulrich is also in the cast for the new movie, and he arrived on stage. He had this to say about his character:
“I play somebody with a very particular and specific past and somebody with a very deep emotional tie to what’s going on.”
Blum, for his part, promises that if audiences embrace the new movie as much as the first, he and his team are excited to make a third.
When will ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ be in theaters?
The sequel will be scaring up more animatronic horror on December 5th.
(L to R) Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Granda is Glinda in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Preview:
‘Wicked: For Good’, ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ and more were showcased at Universal’s CinemaCon show.
There was news of sequels to the live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and ‘The Bad Guys.’
The likes of Jon M. Chu and Scarlett Johansson were on stage to support their movies.
Universal’s 2024 was successful partly thanks to Jon M. Chu’s musical adaptation ‘Wicked,’ and with follow-up ‘Wicked: For Good’ on the way this year, some of the studio’s focus was always going to be on the movie –– which features two new songs not found in the stage source material.
Beyond that, we were expecting peeks at movies from the studio’s various arms and partners at this year’s CinemaCon presentation, including horror home Blumhouse and DreamWorks Animation, which continues to push the likes of the ongoing ‘Shrek’ franchise and others.
And not forgetting dinosaurs: another jewel in Universal’s crown in the ‘Jurassic Park’/‘Jurassic World’ movies, and with ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ headed to theaters this summer, we’d have been shocked to not see something fresh from that.
(L to R) Luna Blaise and the T-Rex in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, directed by Gareth Edwards. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Here’s what happened at the studio’s show and tell…
Universal’s big display kicked off sonically, with the company’s President of music and publishing Mike Knobloch introducing Rickey Minor and an all-star orchestra playing a collection of tunes from the studio’s back catalogue –– ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Fast & Furious,’ ‘Despicable Me,’ ‘Jaws’ and even the likes of DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Shrek’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ with clips from the movies on screens.
And, naturally, last year’s huge smash was among them, with ‘Wicked’ fully represented.
Universal chairman Donna Langley arrived on stage to celebrate the fact that the studio has released more theatrical movies since the pandemic than any other. She bypassed the idea that shrinking theatrical windows were to blame for audiences skipping cinemas.
Pete Levinson, the chairman of Universal distribution took over to essentially praise the company for its $3 billion in grosses last year. And to remind us all that ‘Wicked: For Good’ is on the way in November.
Scarlett Johansson as skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, directed by Gareth Edwards. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Noted dino fan Johansson related how she’s tried to get cast in all three previous ‘Jurassic World’ movies without success, eventually collaring Steven Spielberg to plead her case.
Edwards joked she was probably too expensive for the films –– which didn’t seem to sit well with Scarlet (probably all in good fun?)
The director also recalled watching the original ‘Jurassic Park’ as a kid (10 times in a day!) and how much of an honor it is direct this talented cast in a ‘Jurassic’ movie. He dropped mention that Mahershala is an Oscar winner, to which Ali comically corrected him that he has two!
Mahershala Ali is Duncan Kincaid in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, directed by Gareth Edwards. Photo: Universal Pictures.
‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ filmed in Thailand, with Johansson recalling many “pinch me’ moments on set and on location.
The trio introduced some fresh footage from the movie –– some of it unfinished. Mahershala said he’d seen it, to which Scarlet joked she was supposed to see everything first per her contract.
As for the footage, it largely tracked what we saw in the first trailer, with Johansson’s specialist leading a team to an abandoned ‘Jurassic Park’ staging island to retrieve genetic material to source lifegiving medical cures. A new hybrid dino we’ve yet to meet
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‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ stomps into theaters on July 2nd.
(from left) Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos) and Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’, directed by Pierre Perifel. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Following their short before ‘Dog Man,’ the ‘Bad Guys’ crew will be properly back on our screen later this year.
(from left) Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Stoick (Gerard Butler) in Universal Pictures’ live- action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
The live-action/CG take on the tale (which screened earlier in the day at the event to generally great acclaim) had stars Gerard Butler and Nico Parker on stage alongside director Dean DeBlois to talk it up.
They also announced that a sequel has already been greenlit, and that that one will fly into theaters on June 11th, 2027.
Butler was also given the chance to set the orchestra playing some of John Powell’s recognizable score.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action remake will be flying into cinemas on June 13th.
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The whistlestop presentation moved onto…
‘HIM’
Produced by Jordan Peele, the blend of sports story and horror sees a promising young football player joining an isolated compound to train under a dynasty team’s aging quarterback.
Bob Odenkirk in ‘Nobody.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
The sequel to the 2021 Bob Odenkirk-starring action movie showcased its first trailer, full of more bone-crunching action, with Sharon stone joining the cast. The story this time finds Hutch Parker (Odenkirk) taking the family on vacation, only to run afoul of Stone’s criminal organization. Cue vengeance!
The movie hits cinemas on August 15th.
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Next, it was the turn of Focus Features…
Focus chairman Peter Kujawski took the stage to hype his studio arm’s upcoming titles and say that every film by the company is made for theatrical.
Toy Freddy in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’, directed by Emma Tammi. Photo: Universal Pictures. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures Toy Freddy in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, directed by Emma Tammi. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
The orchestra struck up music of the video game adaptation, which heralded one of the animatronic characters (well, a suit based on them) striding on stage.
After some confusion as to how to remove the head, it turned out to be company boss Jason Blum, who joked he so loves to save money that he was in the costumes the whole time for the original movie.
The original ‘Freddy’s is Blumhouse’s biggest hit of all time, so of course the sequel is already in the works. Blum also apologized for the decision to make that movie day and date on Peacock, so this follow-up will be cinemas only upon release.
And that release? December 5th.
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Blum also cued up a teaser, which sees the return of Josh Hutcherson’s Mike and more animatronic chaos.
Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.
Not done with the costume theatrics, Blum arrived back on stage in a Grabber mask to offer that the sequel to Scott Derrickson’s 2021 kidnap horror thriller will be in theaters on October 17th.
Actor Madeleine McGraw, who returns for the new movie (and is CinemaCon 2025 Rising Star of the Year), joined Blum on stage to talk about the movie, which is Derrickson’s first-ever sequel.
We were treated to a first look trailer for the new movie. The footage finds the two kids (played by McGraw and Mason Thames) dealing with the repercussions of the first movie. Ethan Hawke’s Grabber is back –– even though he died –– but we only hear his voice in the trailer.
‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ director James Wan at CinemaCon 2022. Photos by Eric Charbonneau.
Atomic Monster boss James Wan –– whose company has formed a creative partnership with Blumhouse –– came on stage to talk up ‘Soulm8te,’ which if it sounds like a more grown up take on ‘M3GAN’ (or really, ‘Companion,’ with its story of a female robo-partner who turns out to be an issue), that’s because it’s set in the same universe as the devious doll.
‘Soulm8te’s first look played, followed by word of a January 2md. 2026 release.
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And then…
2026 Universal Preview
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
Jim Orr, the studio’s president of theatrical distribution, came on stage to discuss even further in the future. To coin a phrase, more sequels!
He confirmed the likes of ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie 2′ (April 2026), ‘Minions 3’ (July 2026) and ‘Shrek 5‘ (yes, featuring Zendaya in a voice role, arriving Christmas 2026).
But there are originals too, including Christopher Nolan’s epic ‘The Odyssey’ (July 2026) and a certain Mr. Steven Spielberg’s still-to-be-titled new event movie, which will arrive in June 2026.
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
To the strains of ‘Defying Gravity,’ the presentation wrapped with ‘Wicked’ stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande taking the stage –– and, yes, referring to holding space as per the viral interview meme –– to discuss the follow-up, and thank theater owners for their support.
They were joined by producer Marc Platt and director Jon M. Chu, who joked that this is the third year his movie(s) have closed out a Universal CinemaCon presentation.
Chu quipped:
“It all worked out!”
(Center L to R) Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba), Director Jon M. Chu, and Ariana Granda (as Glinda) on the set of ‘Wicked’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Getting serious to discuss how the new movie follows the ramifications of the young women’s choices from the original.
We got a first look at the movie via an extended trailer, which finds Glinda and Elphaba meeting again after some time has passed since the end of ‘Wicked.’
Elphaba uses her powers to write, The Wizard of Oz Lies!” in the sky, while we get our first clear look at Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.
‘Wicked: For Good’ soars on to screens on November 21st.
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And with that… Universal was done for CinemaCon 2025!
Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
