Paramount Locks 'Crawl 2' for July 2027, Shifts 'Heart Eyes 2' to February 2028

Key points

• Paramount sets 'Crawl 2' for July 16, 2027, mirroring the original's summer debut.
• 'Heart Eyes 2' moves from February 11 to February 4, 2028, to avoid a Disney event.
• Mason Gooding and Emily Rudd star in the new 'Crawl' entry, directed by Alexandre Aja.
• The sequel is written by Jason Harry Pagan, Andrew Deutschman, Aja, and Gregory Levasseur.
• 'Crawl 2' will compete with Sony's 'Fake Skating' and Warner Bros' 'Man of Tomorrow.'
• 'Heart Eyes 2' is now up against Universal's 'Murder, She Wrote' in early February.

Background

The original 'Crawl' (2019) was a surprise hit, grossing approximately $92 million worldwide against a $15 million budget. It earned an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes. 'Heart Eyes' (2025) grossed $33 million globally against an $18 million budget. These sequels follow a trend of horror franchises returning after several years, similar to recent updates for 'Fast Forever' and 'World War Z' sequels noted in recent industry news.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and Variety report identical release dates and production details, confirming the official schedule. Bloody Disgusting emphasizes the critical and commercial success of the original 'Crawl,' noting its $91 million global take and high critic scores, while highlighting that the sequel's plot remains under wraps but will feature a similar survival scenario set in New York City. Yahoo serves as a syndication source for the Variety report, offering no additional unique details. All sources agree on the creative team returning, including director Alexandre Aja and producers Craig Flores and Sam Raimi.

Why it matters

These release dates signal Paramount's strategy to leverage proven horror IPs in competitive windows. 'Crawl 2' targets the lucrative summer box office, while 'Heart Eyes 2' adjusts its timing to maximize visibility in the winter holiday season. The success of the originals suggests strong potential for these sequels to perform well, especially given the returning creative teams and established fan bases.

What to watch

Production details for 'Crawl 2' remain limited, but the confirmed cast and director suggest filming may begin soon. 'Heart Eyes 2' is in active development with Josh Ruben directing. Fans should watch for trailers and marketing campaigns in the coming months, particularly as the release dates approach. Box office performance will depend on how these films compete against major blockbusters like 'Man of Tomorrow' and 'Murder, She Wrote.'