Paramount Dates Alligator Thriller Follow-Up for Summer 2027
Paramount has scheduled the untitled sequel to the 2019 horror hit 'Crawl' for July 16, 2027, with Alexandre Aja returning to direct. Mason Gooding and Emily Rudd will star in the film, which Aja also produces with Craig Flores and Sam Raimi. The studio also moved 'Heart Eyes 2' up a week to Feb. 4, 2028.
The untitled "Crawl" sequel lands in theaters July 16, 2027, with Alexandre Aja returning to direct after helming the 2019 original, which became a surprise box office hit. Mason Gooding and Emily Rudd headline the cast, while Aja produces alongside Craig Flores and Sam Raimi. The screenplay credits Jason Harry Pagan, Andrew Deutschman, Aja, and Gregory Levasseur, with Levasseur, Kevan Van Thompson, and Zainab Azizi serving as executive producers.
Paramount also shifted "Heart Eyes 2" forward one week to Feb. 4, 2028. The sequel to the 2025 Valentine's Day slasher, which earned $33 million globally against an $18 million budget, is co-produced and co-financed with Spyglass Media Group. Sony distributed the first film, while Paramount handles worldwide release for the follow-up.
These release-date moves signal studios' ongoing reliance on established horror franchises to anchor their calendars. Horror titles typically draw dependable audiences across seasons, making them lower-risk investments. The "Crawl" sequel's summer placement could attract thrill-seeking moviegoers during peak season, while "Heart Eyes 2" may leverage its Valentine's Day hook for holiday-weekend box office. Together, these films could reinforce horror's steady commercial appeal and encourage further franchise development in the genre.