Black Phone 3: Could This Horror Trilogy Actually Happen?

After Black Phone 2 delivered its scares, everyone's buzzing about a third installment. But director Scott Derrickson, star Ethan Hawke, and author Joe Hill have some big conditions and even bigger ideas for another round with The Grabber.

TL;DR

• Director Scott Derrickson insists any Black Phone 3 must be better than its predecessors, citing only two successful horror trilogies.
• Ethan Hawke and Joe Hill have exciting pitches for a third film, including exploring The Grabber's past or a dual-protagonist story for Finney and Gwen.
• While a report suggested filming in Mississauga, the creators state no official conversations for a third movie have happened yet.

The scares just keep coming, right? Black Phone 2 recently hit theaters, bringing back the terrifying Grabber and our resilient heroes, Finney and Gwen, for another round of supernatural chills. But before the dust even settles on this sequel, the big question on every horror fan's mind is already swirling: What about Black Phone 3?

Turns out, the folks behind the franchise—director Scott Derrickson, co-writer C. Robert Cargill, original author Joe Hill, and even The Grabber himself, Ethan Hawke—are all thinking about it. They've got some fascinating ideas, but also some seriously high standards for a potential third film.

Did Black Phone 2 Just Raise the Bar for Horror Sequels?

Black Phone 2, which dropped in theaters around October 16-17, 2025, wasn't just a simple repeat of the first film. Director Scott Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill consciously aimed to evolve the story. The sequel fast-forwards four years, catching up with Finney (Mason Thames) and Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) as high schoolers, still deeply traumatized by their encounter with The Grabber.

Finney's dealing with anger and pot-smoking, while Gwen's psychic abilities are intensifying, bringing vivid night terrors and visions of the Grabber and their deceased mother. The story takes them to a Christian youth camp in the Rocky Mountains—a deliberate nod to '80s winter camp slashers, a genre Derrickson grew up on. He wanted to make a high school horror film that demanded "more violence and more scariness" than the middle school supernatural thriller of the first movie.

The film also uses Super 8 footage for Gwen's dream sequences, creating a distinct visual style that helps differentiate between reality and her terrifying visions. Derrickson describes making sequels as a "balancing act," trying to deliver on fan expectations without rehashing the past, while also not straying too far from the original's world.

"If you stray from it too much, you’re in danger of losing [the audience] because it doesn’t feel like it belongs in the same world. I think I stretched my balance to the right on this one. But I feel like I was still making a movie that was going to elevate and not lessen appreciation for the first film." — Scott Derrickson (via Variety)

Financially, Black Phone 2 had a strong start, pulling in $2.6 million in Thursday previews and an estimated $42.01 million worldwide during its opening weekend, surpassing the first film's global opening of $35.89 million. While critical reception has been "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes, some reviews, like ScreenRant's, questioned the necessity of the sequel, suggesting it trails the original in scores.

The Grabber's Legacy: What About a Black Phone 3?

Despite the mixed reception for the sequel, the buzz around a third film is undeniable. But for Derrickson, making another sequel isn't just about cashing in; it's about pushing the boundaries of horror storytelling.

He's got a very strict philosophy: "There’s really no justification for making a sequel unless you are genuinely attempting to make a movie that’s better than the first movie you’re making a sequel to. If you’re going to make a third one, it needs to be better than the second one, which is better than the first one."

Co-writer C. Robert Cargill echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a truly "great and inspiring" idea to justify devoting another year of their lives to the project. They're open to "getting the band back together" with Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and Ethan Hawke, but only if the concept is strong enough.

Exciting Ideas from the Creators Themselves

Original short story author Joe Hill, who pitched the core idea for Black Phone 2 (The Grabber calling from Hell!), already has a vision for a third film. He suggests a "dual stars" approach, where Finney and Gwen are both equally central, actively "trying to save each other." This would evolve their dynamic, as the first film focused on Finney as the lead and Gwen as the secondary, while the sequel flipped it to Gwen as the lead.

And what about The Grabber? Ethan Hawke, who brings chilling life to the villain, has his own "bonkers" idea. He told Entertainment Weekly that he'd "like to go to hell with the Grabber." Hawke envisions a Black Phone 3 as a deeper "character piece" that explores "what made him, who he is now, and how he’s haunting other people’s dreams." He even praised Black Phone 2 for feeling like a "spiritual evolution" rather than just a "corporate money grab," which is why he's open to returning.

Is Black Phone 3 Officially in the Works?

While one report from The Cinema Times suggested that "The Black Phone 3" is "reportedly in the works" and set to film in Mississauga, Ontario, with the main cast expected to return, this conflicts with direct quotes from Derrickson and Cargill. They've stated they haven't had any official conversations about a third movie, reinforcing that the commitment would only come with a truly groundbreaking idea. So, for now, consider it enthusiastic speculation and hopeful rumors rather than a confirmed greenlight!

Can The Black Phone Franchise Join Horror's Elite Trilogies?

Derrickson doesn't take the idea of a horror trilogy lightly. He points to only two examples in cinema history where all three films are excellent and progressively get better: Sam Raimi's Evil Dead trilogy and George A. Romero's original Night of the Living Dead trilogy (including Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead).

This is the high bar he's setting for Black Phone 3. It can't be a "retread," simply establishing a new rule for The Grabber and repeating it. It needs to genuinely advance the story, characters, and scares in a meaningful way. Given his cautious approach and the team's dedication to quality, if Black Phone 3 ever sees the light of day, you can bet they'll be aiming for cinematic greatness.

So, will Finney and Gwen face The Grabber for a third, even more terrifying time? It all hinges on finding that perfect, inspiring idea that not only justifies another film but aims to surpass everything that came before it. Until then, we'll be waiting with bated breath!

Black Phone Franchise FAQ

When did Black Phone 2 come out? Black Phone 2 premiered in theaters on October 16 or 17, 2025 (depending on the source). Where can I watch Black Phone 2? Black Phone 2 is currently playing in theaters. Streaming release details have not been announced yet, but typically, Blumhouse films eventually land on Peacock or other major VOD platforms. What is Black Phone 2 rated and how long is it? The rating for Black Phone 2 is R, and it has a runtime of 114 minutes. Will there definitely be a Black Phone 3? As of now, there is no official confirmation for Black Phone 3. Director Scott Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill have stated they are open to the idea but only if a truly great and original concept emerges that can surpass the previous films.

Sources

• Variety
• Polygon
• ComingSoon.net
• Movie News Chat
• ScreenRant
• The Cinema Times