Horror Maestro Gary Dauberman Penning 'Five Nights at Freddy's 3'
The "Five Nights at Freddy's" film franchise is expanding, with celebrated horror writer Gary Dauberman signed on to script the next installment. Despite significant box office success, previous films faced critical disapproval, and Dauberman's expertise is anticipated to elevate the series' critical standing. This move follows a period of mixed theatrical results for producer Blumhouse Atomic Monster.
The popular "Five Nights at Freddy's" film franchise is set to continue, with Blumhouse Atomic Monster enlisting acclaimed horror writer Gary Dauberman to pen the script for the next installment. The series, known for its killer animatronics terrorizing a haunted, family-friendly themed restaurant, has previously starred Josh Hutcherson and is based on the successful horror video game series created by Scott Cawthon.
Despite their substantial financial success, the first two "Five Nights at Freddy's" films did not fare well with critics. The 2023 original movie achieved a global gross of $297.2 million against a modest $20 million budget, while its 2025 sequel garnered $239.6 million on a $36 million budget. Scott Cawthon co-wrote the first film's script with Emma Tammi and Seth Cuddeback, and solely wrote the second.
Dauberman brings a strong pedigree to the project, having written for some of the past decade's most successful horror franchises, including "It," "Annabelle," and "The Nun." His involvement suggests a potential pivot towards improving the critical reception of the "Five Nights at Freddy's" series, aiming for reviews that are less harsh than those of its predecessors.
Blumhouse Atomic Monster, the studio behind the franchise, has experienced a mixed but ultimately successful year in theaters. They have released summer blockbusters like "Obsession" and "Backrooms," marking a return to form after a challenging 2025 that saw underperforming films such as "Wolf Man" and "M3GAN 2.0." The company also secured a modest hit last year with "The Black Phone 2." Dauberman is represented by WME, Kathleen Remington, Mortimer PR, and Toczek Suddleson. The news of his hiring was initially broken by Dread Central.