Heart Eyes 2 Is More Important to Horror’s Future Than Scream 7

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Now that Scream 7 is out in theaters, the horror world is focused on slasher films once again. While the new Scream sequel has faced some negativity from fans—especially after stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega left the series—another recent announcement might be more significant for the future of horror: Heart Eyes 2. Though Scream 7 will likely do well at the box office, Heart Eyes 2 could have a bigger impact on the genre.

Josh Ruben’s 2025 Valentine’s Day slasher film was a pleasant surprise, performing well in theaters and earning back nearly twice its production cost. It also received a positive 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Starring Olivia Holt (from Totally Killer) and Mason Gooding (Scream franchise), Heart Eyes stood out with its clever story, original killer, and intense violence. Its success both financially and with critics positions it well for a sequel and the potential to launch a new horror series.

Heart Eyes 2 Won’t Outperform Scream 7, but it Should

The Scream movies are a hugely successful horror series, consistently performing well in theaters with each new release. Both the 2022 and 2023 Scream films ranked among the top five highest-grossing horror movies of their respective years.

The later movies in the series don’t offer much that’s new, mostly repeating old plot points – some even call the fifth film a “requel.” Critics generally agree it doesn’t break new ground. In contrast, Heart Eyes delivered a completely original story, an unforgettable villain, and exciting, over-the-top violence that made it stand out.

Slasher movies are starting to feel stale, especially when sequels keep coming out. That’s why films like Halloween Ends, The Strangers, and the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre haven’t resonated with audiences, while movies like Heart Eyes, Thanksgiving, and Netflix’s Fear Street have become popular and gained a large following on streaming platforms.

If movie studios focused on funding and promoting original stories instead of relying on endless sequels, the entire genre would feel fresher and more exciting. This shift would also give opportunities to up-and-coming directors and actors, potentially creating a new wave of beloved, modern films.

The Team Behind Heart Eyes 2 Already Has the Recipe for Slasher Success

Many movie sequels fail because the people making them change, and they don’t build on the original story. They either rehash the same plot or become so different they don’t feel connected to the first film. Fortunately, the team that made the first Heart Eyes movie is returning for the sequel.

Josh Ruben, known for directing popular films like Werewolves Within and Scare Me, has a perfect record on Rotten Tomatoes – none of his films have received negative reviews. Christopher Landon, who helped write Heart Eyes, has consistently achieved success as a writer and director, notably with the Paranormal Activity series, Freaky, and more.

The two actors will return for the next installment, alongside Mason Gooding, who played Jay. While Olivia Holt’s involvement hasn’t been officially announced, many expect her to reprise her role given the ending of the first movie.

The news about Heart Eyes 2 comes at a great time, as the original movie is currently very popular on Netflix – it’s expected to be among the top 10 most-streamed films for February 2026, and ranks third in the horror category, after Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and 28 Years Later. Boosting viewership of the first film will help build anticipation for the sequel, though fans will likely have to wait until late 2027 to see it.

Heart Eyes is now available for streaming on Netflix.

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2026-03-01 08:08