Paramount Sets Jan. 14, 2028 Release for New “Longlegs” Film

Paramount announced that Osgood Perkins' next *Longlegs* film will open on Jan 14, 2028, a Martin Luther King weekend. Nicolas Cage returns as star and producer. The film is described as part of the *Longlegs* universe but not a direct sequel or spinoff. No plot details released.

The Wrap

Released July 2024 by Neon, *Longlegs* became an indie breakout, grossing $128 million worldwide on a sub-$10 million budget, net profit $48 million. The marketing campaign hid Cage's appearance, using heart-rate monitor audio. The success established Perkins as a horror filmmaker and set a benchmark for horror marketing.

Hollywood Reporter

Osgood Perkins serves as writer, director and producer; Nicolas Cage returns as star and producer. Producers Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Chris Ferguson and Dave Caplan also back the project. Paramount’s film division, led by Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, oversees the slate. Neon, the original distributor, retains a first-look deal with Perkins, highlighting the franchise’s shift from an indie to a studio.

The Wrap

• First film domestic opening: $22.4 million; total domestic: $74.3 million; worldwide: $127.9 million (or $128 million per other source).

Deadline Hollywood

• Production budget: under $10 million; net profit: $48 million.

Deadline Hollywood

• Paramount's recent MLK weekend openings: *Scream* (2022) $33.8 million, *Mean Girls* (2024) $33.6 million; record: *Cloverfield* (2008) $46.1 million.

Deadline Hollywood

• New film scheduled for MLK weekend, a strong box-office period.

Deadline Hollywood

Paramount confirmed the release date in a statement, emphasizing the film’s place in the “Longlegs” universe and the studio’s commitment to horror. Sources reported that Neon stepped aside because the budget exceeded its typical range, and Paramount assumed the project, aligning with its horror-focused slate. Paramount’s leadership, Greenstein and Goldberg, have added the film alongside other 2028 projects such as a “Heart Eyes” sequel and a “Call of Duty” adaptation.

The Wrap

The move from Neon to Paramount signals a shift of a successful indie horror franchise into a major studio’s portfolio, expanding its audience and marketing resources. Positioning the release on MLK weekend leverages a proven revenue window, aligning with Paramount’s strategy to strengthen its horror lineup. The film’s addition to the 2028 slate complements other franchise releases (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sonic the Hedgehog) and illustrates Paramount’s diversified approach.

The Wrap

Sources agree the new installment is not a direct sequel, yet descriptions vary: one calls it “not exactly a sequel,” another says Paramount is “not calling a sequel or a spinoff.” No plot details have been disclosed, leaving narrative direction uncertain.

The Wrap

Paramount will release promotional material as the date approaches. The studio’s 2028 schedule also includes the “Heart Eyes” sequel (Feb 2028), “Call of Duty” adaptation (Mar 2028), and late-year releases from the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” franchises. Monitoring the marketing rollout will indicate how Paramount intends to capitalize on the *Longlegs* brand.

The Wrap