Movie Review: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2

Five Nights at Freddy's 2

January 12, 2026

Written by Kelli Marchman McNeely

Kelli Marchman McNeely is the owner of HorrorFuel.com. She is an Executive Producer of "13 Slays Till Christmas" which is out on Digital and DVD and now streaming on Tubi. She has several other films in the works. Kelli is an animal lover and a true horror addict since the age of 9 when she saw Friday the 13th. Email: horrorfuelinfo@gmail.com

The Fazbear crew is back! Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 hit theaters on December 5, 2025, and it’s already heading into its next phase for fans at home.

The sequel picks up about a year after the original nightmare. Mike (Josh Hutcherson) is just trying to find some peace, but in a classic “younger sibling” move, Abby sneaks out to find her animatronic “friends.” This time, the terror doesn’t stay trapped in the pizzeria—it spills out into the real world, hugely expanding the lore.

More Action, Less Depth?

The cast for this one feels like a horror fan’s fever dream. Matthew Lillard and Josh Hutcherson return, and they brought icons like Skeet Ulrich, McKenna Grace, and Wayne Knight along for the ride.

The Good:

The anamatronics look more impressive than ever. The crew really outdid themselves, especially with a few new faces (like the Marionette) that are genuinely creepy. The animatronics escape was a great way to expand the story and the possibilities for frights.

Director Emma Tammi definitely cranked up the violence and intensity compared to the first film. However, is that enough to make it a hit? That remains to be seen.

The Not-So-Good:

While the scares are higher, the character depth feels a bit thinner. Mike and Vanessa feel a little like “cookie-cutter” protagonists this time around.

Despite all the hype (and there was a ton of it) about Lillard and Ulrich reuniting on screen, they barely have any screen time at all, just a couple of minutes. Their appearances feel more like brief cameos than major roles, which is a letdown.

 Is it better than the first? Not in terms of story, but it’s a lot of fun if you’re here for the “Faz-fest,” action, and the jumpscares.

If you missed the theatrical run, you can watch it at home on Digital now. You can pick up your physical copy in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on February 17, 2026.

Rumors suggest filming could start as early as mid-2026 for a third movie, with a potential release in 2027. The post-credits scene for FNAF 2 already teased a “horror attraction” vibe, which fans of the third game will recognize. But another sequel hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, so we’ll have to wait and see. Of course, we’ll keep you posted.

Share This Article

You May Also Like…