Gary Dauberman is returning to one of Hollywood’s biggest horror franchises. After writing some of the genre’s most successful films, including It, It Chapter Two, the Annabelle trilogy and The Nun, Dauberman has been tapped to write Blumhouse and Atomic Monster’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 3.
Over the past decade, Dauberman has established himself as one of modern horror’s most accomplished screenwriters, with credits spanning some of the industry’s biggest franchises. His work includes It, It Chapter Two, Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle Comes Home, The Nun, and Salem’s Lot, making him a natural addition to one of Blumhouse’s most commercially successful horror properties.
The first two Five Nights at Freddy’s films proved to be major box office successes. The original film grossed approximately $297 million worldwide against a reported $20 million budget following its release in 2023, while the sequel, released in 2025, reportedly earned around $239.6 million worldwide on a reported $36 million budget, further cementing the franchise as one of Blumhouse’s biggest theatrical successes.
Emma Tammi, who directed the first two films and co-wrote the original Five Nights at Freddy’s, is reportedly expected to return to direct the third installment. Franchise creator Scott Cawthon, who co-wrote the first film and received sole screenplay credit on the second, is also expected to remain involved as a producer.
No casting announcements have been made for the third film. However, Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio and Elizabeth Lail have been widely reported to be in line to reprise their roles, although their return has not yet been officially confirmed.
While the first two Five Nights at Freddy’s films achieved significant commercial success, both received mixed reviews from critics. Dauberman’s appointment brings one of the horror genre’s most experienced screenwriters to the franchise as Blumhouse looks to continue its successful adaptation of Scott Cawthon’s popular video game series.
The original game and the first film followed a troubled security guard who begins working overnight at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, where seemingly harmless animatronic mascots—including Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy—come to life after dark with deadly consequences.
The third game, Five Nights at Freddy’s 3, is set 30 years after the closure of the original Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza restaurant. The story takes place inside Fazbear’s Fright, a horror-themed attraction built around the dark legend of the abandoned restaurant. However, story details for the third film have not been officially revealed, and it remains unconfirmed whether the screenplay will directly adapt the events of the third video game.
Blumhouse and Atomic Monster continue to be among Hollywood’s most successful horror producers. The companies have enjoyed major commercial success with franchises such as Five Nights at Freddy’s, M3GAN, The Black Phone, The Conjuring Universe, and more recently Obsession, reinforcing their position as leading forces in contemporary horror cinema.
Dauberman’s horror credentials extend well beyond the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise. He wrote the screenplay for Warner Bros.’ 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s It, which remains the highest-grossing horror film of all time worldwide. He also executive produced and wrote It Chapter Two, continuing his long association with one of the genre’s most successful modern franchises.
Beyond the It films, Dauberman played a key creative role in expanding The Conjuring Universe by writing Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle Comes Home and The Nun, helping shape one of the highest-grossing horror franchises in cinema.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 is currently scheduled to be released on October 15, 2027. Production is reportedly expected to begin in 2026 as Blumhouse and Atomic Monster prepare the next chapter in one of the most commercially successful video game horror franchises of recent years.
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