Summary
- Smile 2, the sequel to the breakout horror film, has been confirmed by Paramount and is set to have a theatrical release.
- The release date for Smile 2 is October 18, 2024, approximately two years after the release of the original film.
- While it is uncertain whether the sequel will follow the original protagonist or introduce a new character, there is speculation about who will be battling the demonic entity in Smile 2.
Smile 2 is on the way from Paramount after the breakout success of the original, and with a release date set there’s plenty to speculate over what awaits when The Smile Entity Returns. The original Smile follows Dr. Rose Cotter, who has seven days to figure out how to successfully evade demise from a demon after witnessing her patient’s death. Originally slated for a straight-to-streaming release on Paramount+, Smile performed so well with test audiences that it was granted a theatrical release. Due to its unique marketing strategy and success at the box office, the sequel could be a massive success.
While a release date has been set there’s still a healthy dose of mystery surrounding Smile 2. The original was an exploration of grief and trauma, and while the ending of Smile was incredibly shocking it also set up a sequel following Joel. However, it’s still unknown if Smile 2 will follow directly from the original or pick up with a new protagonist trying to escape the sinister curse of The Smile Entity. While Rose didn’t make it out of Smile alive the door was far from shut on the franchise, and now it’s known Smile 2 is going ahead there’s plenty of speculation about who will be battling the demonic entity next.
Most Recent Smile 2 News
The most recent Smile 2 news came in September 2023, around a year after the theatrical release of Smile. Paramount announced the release date of Smile 2 on September 23, confirming the premiere of the Smile sequel would arrive in theaters on October 14, 2023 (via Variety). The confirmation of when to expect the next Smile movie was a welcome update from Paramount, although there weren’t any other details shared about the cast, possible story, or any specific details on what to expect from Smile 2.
Smile 2 Is Confirmed
Smile 2 is confirmed, with the sequel to Smile being announced by Paramount in April 2023. While the runaway success of Smile made a sequel feel inevitable in the eyes of many viewers, a follow-up wasn’t always a certainty. Director Parker Finn had previously stated that even as late as September 2022 there were no plans for a continuation to Smile, but he wasn’t opposed to the idea. “For me…I never want to retread and just do something I’ve already done again the exact same way. In a universe where there could be any potential — more story to tell from Smile, I’d wanna make sure it was surprising and different and not what people were expecting after the first one,” said Finn (via ComicBook.com).
Smile 2 Release Date
The Smile 2 release date has been set for October 18, 2024. This will mean the Smile sequel will arrive around two years after the original, and like the first movie, it will also have a theatrical release. While there’s no news on when it will be available to stream it’s expected that Smile 2 will also make its way to Paramount+.
Smile 2 Cast: Who Can Return?
Due to the eventful ending of Smile, it’s unlikely that Smile 2 could follow Sosie Bacon’s Rose again, but there are still plenty of cast members who could return. Kyle Gallner, who plays Rose’s detective ex-boyfriend Joel, could return for Smile 2, now with a new stake in the story given his exposure to the demon via Rose. Jesse T. Usher (Rose’s fiancé Trevor) and Gillian Zinser (Holly, Rose’s sister) also could both come back for Smile 2 as they grapple with Rose’s tragic fate. Robin Weigert could reprise her role as Rose’s therapist, Dr. Madeline Northcott. Finally, every horror movie needs its monster, which means that Marti Matulis returning as The Smile Monstrosity would be a must for Smile 2.
Smile 2 Story: Where The Franchise Could Go Next
Given the nature of Smile, the plot of Smile 2 could go in multiple directions. One potential follow-up could follow Joel, who would be trying to outrun the demon after witnessing Rose’s death by picking up where Rose left off in her investigation of the Smile curse. Not only would Joel be under the pressure of having seven days to prevent his death, but as the last person who saw Rose alive, he would have lots of questions to answer. However, based on director Parker Finn’s statements, the next installment could also come in the form of a prequel or a spin-off that expands the world of Smile and the horror landscape, so there are limitless possibilities for the Smile 2 story.