Smile 3 Is Officially Happening, But Parker Finn Won't Write or Direct

Some of the best horror movies of all time have been released in the past decade. We are currently in the midst of a golden modern age for the genre, illustrated by the acclaimed, varied selection released so far in 2026. Sam Raimi's return to horror with Send Help, Severance star Adam Scott's Hokum, Nia DaCosta's sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and Curry Barker's breakout Obsession have all been released for horror fans so far this year.

But few horror films from this year have lived up to either of director Parker Finn's Smile movies. Released in 2022 and 2024, respectively, the films have both earned widespread critical acclaim, left audiences chilled to the core, and earned more than $350 million in box office revenue. The terrifying ordeals of Sosie Bacon's therapist Rose Cotter and Naomi Scott's pop star Skye Riley have delighted audiences, and now a third demonic game of cat-and-mouse is on the way.

Smile 3 has been officially confirmed by Paramount. However, Finn won't be available to take the director's chair as he's busy with a remake of a horror cult classic. Instead, according to an exclusive from Variety, director David Bruckner has been enlisted to take charge, following his work on the Hellraiser reboot, 2017's The Ritual, and 2020's The Night House. Bruckner has also been charged with helming Warner Bros.' remake of The Blob, as well as Universal's adaptation of The Caretaker, which will star Sydney Sweeney. Nick Antosca, the creator of Apple TV's Cape Fear, will write the screenplay for Smile 3, with Jonathan Fass as executive producer.

Which Cult Classic Remake Is Parker Finn Taking Charge Of?

Although Finn won't be as involved in Smile 3, he is still reported to be working closely with Paramount. Instead, he is directing a remake of Andrzej Żuławski's Possession, a misunderstood cult classic that starred Isabelle Adjani in one of horror's best performances. Set to be released on June 11, 2027, the movie will star The Substance's Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner, alongside an ensemble that includes Diego Calva, Madeline Brewer, Emory Cohen, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, and Paul Dano.