Paramount has set release dates for two films: ‘Crawl 2’ arrives in summer 2027 while ‘Heart Eyes 2’ moves up a week to February 2028.
On September 18, 2026, Paramount Pictures officially announced that ‘Crawl 2’ is slated for release on July 16, 2027. This sequel to the successful 2019 horror film 'Crawl,' which grossed nearly $92 million globally, promises a new survival story against the dangers of alligators. Additionally, the studio revealed that ‘Heart Eyes 2’ will now premiere a week earlier on February 4, 2028, moving up from its originally scheduled date of February 11, 2028.
The highly anticipated ‘Crawl 2’ is directed by Alexandre Aja, returning to helm this sequel. The film stars Mason Gooding and Emily Rudd in leading roles, though the storyline has yet to be fully unveiled. The original film was notably set against the catastrophic backdrop of a hurricane that flooded the protagonist’s surroundings, leading to life-threatening encounters with alligators. Paramount's announcement, reported by Deadline, reveals that Aja is joined by producers Craig Flores, Sam Raimi, and Aja himself. Gregory Levasseur, Kevan Van Thompson, and Zainab Azizi are also credited as executive producers.
The adjustment of the release date for ‘Heart Eyes 2’ positions it directly against Universal's anticipated project ‘Murder, She Wrote’. Directed by Josh Ruben, with a screenplay co-written by Darcy Fowler, the film will now debut a week earlier than its previous timeline, indicating a strategic shift by Paramount as they aim to maximize box office potential. The film is produced by Christopher Landon and Divide/Conquer, reflecting Paramount's confidence in the sequel's ability to perform well in the competitive landscape.
‘Crawl 2’ is set to compete directly with Sony's ‘Fake Skating’, which is also scheduled for release on the same day. It is important to note that this summer weekend follows the release of Warner Bros/DC’s Superman sequel, ‘Man of Tomorrow’, suggesting that Paramount has analyzed its window carefully amidst a robust summer lineup.
Given the original film's commercial success and the continued popularity of survival horror narratives, ‘Crawl 2’ is positioned to attract both fans of the genre and new viewers. The combination of familiar faces and a well-regarded director may bolster interest further. The decision for ‘Heart Eyes 2’ to open earlier suggests confidence from Paramount that it can draw audiences without competing with larger tentpole releases typical of the summer season.
The announcement of specific release dates for ‘Crawl 2’ and ‘Heart Eyes 2’ indicates Paramount's proactive approach to scheduling in a competitive movie landscape. It clearly defines the studio's strategy as they aim to leverage existing franchises to sustain audience interest and box office performance. As release dates approach, it will be interesting to see how marketing strategies unfold and whether these sequels can replicate or exceed the success of their predecessors.
For more industry insights, check out our articles on Nateland Promotes Adrian Kulp to EVP and A24 Confirms Release Date for Elizabeth Holmes Documentary.
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