Happy Death Day 3 story confirmed Universal and Blumhouse wait

Jackson Turner 09/15/2026

The wait is about to get a whole lot shorter. After years of anticipation, the creative engines behind the beloved franchise Happy Death Day have finally cracked the code for the long-awaited third installment, putting the project squarely in the hands of the studios for the final green light.

Franchise star Jessica Rothe and director Chris Landon have officially broken the story for Happy Death Day 3. This major creative milestone signals that the hurdle of developing the narrative is cleared, and now the focus shifts entirely to securing the necessary financing from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse.

Rothe provided a glimpse into this exciting development, revealing that the creative work is no longer holding the sequel back. She shared that the team spent hours breaking the story in an undisclosed location, marking a significant step in finalizing the direction for the next chapter of the story.

For fans who have followed the journey of Tree Gelbman, this update is immensely encouraging. The core of the trilogy involves Tree waking up in a deadly time loop, forced to relive the day of her murder until she can uncover the killer. Now, the focus is on extending that deadly narrative.

Rothe remains fiercely committed to continuing Tree’s story, stressing that they are dedicated to doing all the necessary legwork to make the project a “no-brainer” for the studio. She and Landon feel that they have crafted an incredible ending to the trilogy that perfectly caps the previous films.

Meanwhile, Rothe’s visibility in the horror sphere continues to grow. She recently starred alongside Jane Levy and Max Mattern in the survival slasher River, a film that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

River recently secured a major deal with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, reportedly worth more than $10 million. This acquisition positions Rothe in a new, highly anticipated horror movie, demonstrating the ongoing interest studios have in her work.

Ultimately, the story for Happy Death Day 3 is established. All that remains is for Universal and Blumhouse to decide if it is finally time to let Tree Gelbman experience one last deadly day. The creative groundwork is laid, and the countdown to the final movie is officially on.