The sinister smile that turned an ordinary expression into a symbol of terror is returning for another round. Smile 3 is officially moving forward at Paramount Pictures, bringing a new director and screenwriter into the horror franchise while creator Parker Finn remains involved behind the scenes. The change marks a fresh creative direction for a series that has earned more than $350 million worldwide through its first two films. With David Bruckner’s experience in psychological and supernatural horror, the next installment could explore new ways to make the franchise’s unsettling curse even more disturbing.
David Bruckner to Direct Smile 3
David Bruckner has been tapped to direct Smile 3, while Nick Antosca will write the screenplay. Parker Finn, who wrote and directed the first two films, developed the framework for the third installment and will remain involved as a producer alongside Temple Hill Entertainment. Jonathan Fass is attached as an executive producer.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, and Paramount has not yet revealed the cast or a release date. However, the new creative team signals the franchise’s next step as it moves beyond Finn’s first two films.
Bruckner has built a reputation for creating atmospheric horror that blends psychological tension with supernatural threats. His credits include The Ritual (2017), The Night House (2020) and the 2022 reimagining of Hellraiser. His work often explores characters confronting forces they cannot easily understand or escape, making him a fitting choice for a franchise built around an entity that psychologically torments its victims.
What Will Smile 3 Be About?
Although the story remains a mystery, the third film is expected to continue the franchise’s central mythology. Both previous installments followed protagonists whose lives unravel after witnessing a traumatic death involving a person displaying a disturbing smile.
The original Smile introduced Sosie Bacon as Dr. Rose Cotter, a therapist who becomes haunted by a supernatural entity after witnessing a patient’s death. As Rose experiences increasingly terrifying visions, she struggles to distinguish reality from the horrors inflicted by the curse.
Smile 2, released in 2024, expanded the concept by following pop star Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott. As Skye prepares for a major tour, increasingly disturbing events threaten both her career and her grip on reality.
The films have used different protagonists to explore the same malevolent force, allowing each story to stand on its own while expanding the mythology. Whether Smile 3 introduces another unsuspecting victim or takes the curse into a much larger setting remains unknown.
Parker Finn Will Remain Involved in the Franchise
Although Finn is stepping away from directing duties, his involvement means the third film will still draw from the franchise’s original creative vision. He developed the story framework for the new installment and will help guide the project as a producer.
Finn previously expressed interest in expanding the mythology while preserving the personal nature of the horror. The first two films relied not just on disturbing imagery but also on grief, trauma, guilt and the psychological deterioration of their central characters.
That balance helped distinguish Smile from other supernatural horror releases. The curse creates the immediate threat, but the emotional struggles of its victims give the story much of its impact.
Finn is currently preparing his remake of the 1981 supernatural horror film Possession, starring Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 11, 2027, providing a reason for Finn to focus on a different directorial project while remaining connected to Smile 3.
Nick Antosca Joins the Smile Franchise
Antosca brings experience across both film and television horror. His credits include creating Channel Zero and co-creating The Act, as well as working on projects such as Brand New Cherry Flavor and the film Antlers (2021).
His work frequently explores disturbing psychological situations, unsettling characters and the darker aspects of human behavior. Those elements could complement the Smile franchise’s mix of supernatural horror and emotional breakdown.
With Bruckner directing and Antosca handling the screenplay, the third film will have a different creative combination from its predecessors. At the same time, Finn’s continued involvement provides a link to the storytelling approach that established the series.
Smile Franchise Has Earned More Than $350 Million Worldwide
Released in 2022, the original Smile became a major box-office success, earning approximately $217 million worldwide. Its success led to Smile 2, which arrived in 2024 and expanded the franchise’s mythology through a new central character and a larger public setting.
The sequel also performed strongly commercially, pushing the combined worldwide box-office total for the two films beyond $350 million.
The franchise’s success has established Smile as one of Paramount’s significant modern horror properties. Its recurring supernatural entity also leaves room for new stories without requiring every installment to follow the same protagonist.
For now, Smile 3 has no confirmed release date, casting announcements or detailed plot synopsis. With Bruckner directing, Antosca writing and Finn helping shape the story, the next chapter is officially in development, and further details are expected as production moves forward.
