Five Nights at Freddy’s is a 2023 American supernatural horror film based on the video game franchise of the same name created by Scott Cawthon. Directed by Emma Tammi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Cawthon and Seth Cuddeback, from a story by Cawthon, Chris Lee Hill, and Tyler MacIntyre, the film stars Josh Hutcherson as a troubled security guard who accepts a night-time job at an abandoned family entertainment center, where he discovers its four animatronic mascots come alive and are prone to murder. Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Matthew Lillard appear in supporting roles.
Production:
Development of a Five Nights at Freddy’s film adaptation began in April 2015, with the involvement of Warner Bros. Pictures. Roy Lee, David Katzenberg, and Seth Grahame-Smith were set to produce it, with Gil Kenan announced as director and co-writer. After several production delays, the Warner Bros. version was no longer moving forward and Kenan dropped out of the project. In March 2017, Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions was announced as the new production company, with Chris Columbus set to direct and co-write. Columbus also ultimately left the project, and Emma Tammi was announced as his replacement in October 2022.
Filming began in Los Angeles, California, on January 9, 2023, and concluded on March 4, 2023. The film’s iconic animatronic characters were created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Release:
Five Nights at Freddy’s was released in the United States on October 27, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $250 million worldwide.
Critical reception:
Five Nights at Freddy’s received positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmosphere, scares, and performances. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 85% based on 185 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1 out of 10. The consensus reads: “Five Nights at Freddy’s is a faithful adaptation of the popular video game series that delivers a genuinely scary and entertaining experience.”
Audience reception:
Five Nights at Freddy’s was also a hit with audiences, grossing over $250 million worldwide. The film opened at number one at the North American box office, grossing $47 million in its opening weekend. It remained at number one for its second weekend, grossing $35 million.
Legacy:
Five Nights at Freddy’s is considered to be one of the best horror films of 2023. It was praised for its atmosphere, scares, and performances. The film’s success has led to plans for a sequel, which is currently in development.
