“Smile 3 Moves Forward with New Director as Creator Parker Finn Steps Back” — what this page in the network covers. The Smile horror franchise is set to continue with a third installment, but with a significant change behind the camera. Creator Parker Finn, who wrote and directed the first two films, is stepping back from directing duties, though he remains involved as a producer and writer. The new director has not yet been named, but the announcement confirms that Paramount Pictures is moving quickly to capitalize on the series' success.
The first Smile, released in 2022, was a surprise hit, grossing over $217 million worldwide on a $17 million budget. Its 2024 sequel, Smile 2, continued the momentum, cementing the franchise as a modern horror powerhouse. With Finn's departure from the director's chair, questions arise about whether the new director can maintain the unique psychological terror and visual style that defined the first two films. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.