The legendary late-’90s slasher series I Know What You Did Last Summer is returning for a legacy sequel, and it has already scared up exciting news and updates. Based on the eponymous novel by Lois Duncan, the 1997 slasher follows a group of young adults who are hunted by a hook-wielding killer out for revenge a year after they covered up an accidental murder. With its mix of classic slasher tropes and just a tinge of classic American folklore, I Know What You Did Last Summer had all the makings of a bona fide franchise.

Though critics were notoriously low on the film, it nevertheless proved to be a moneymaker, and earned profits that far exceeded its budget (via Box Office Mojo). That naturally led to a string of sequels across the 2000s which were of a generally declining quality. A short-lived TV series attempted to keep the ’90s time capsule alive, but it seemed that I Know What You Did Last Summer didn’t have the staying power. However, the classic ’90s hidden gem has become something of a cult favorite, and a fourth movie is aiming to cash in on the legacy sequel trend of the 2020s.

I Know What You Did Last Summer Sequel Latest News

Story Details & A New Poster Are Revealed

With anticipation building for the legacy sequel’s arrival in summer 2025, the latest news confirms story details for the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel. In true legacy sequel fashion, the upcoming horror opus is a mix of old and new and seems to be following the classic films to the letter. According to the synopsis, five friends will accidentally take a life, and together they decide to cover up their deeds instead of facing consequences. Much like the original films, their past comes back to haunt them, and they seek out the survivors of the original film for help.

Read the full synopsis here:

When five friends inadvertently cause a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. A year later, their past comes back to haunt them and they’re forced to confront a horrifying truth: someone knows what they did last summer…and is hell-bent on revenge. As one by one the friends are stalked by a killer, they discover this has happened before, and they turn to two survivors of the legendary Southport Mᴀssacre of 1997 for help.

Along with the synopsis, a new poster for I Know What You Did Last Summer was revealed:

I Know What You Did Last Summer Sequel Release Date

The Slasher Series Returns In Summer 2025

Even with many important details about the legacy sequel still uncertain, a release date for the new I Know What You Did Last Summer movie has been revealed. Perhaps in an attempt to take on major sequels like Scream 7, the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel is currently scheduled to premiere on July 18, 2025. With the film having the potential to be a bona fide blockbuster, it only makes sense to schedule the film during Hollywood’s most profitable period of the year.

I Know What You Did Last Summer Sequel Cast

Will Any Original Stars Return?

Original star Jennifer Love Hewitt will reprise her role as Julie, and co-star Freddie Prinze Jr. is confirmed to return as Ray. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer star Brandy (Karla) has also expressed interest in returning, saying “I need them to give me a call.” That call has taken place, but it’s unclear if Brandy will return officially. However, with production already wrapped, it’s unlikely that any more original stars will be returning.

Aside from returning stars, the cast of I Know What You Did Last Summer is already growing with the addition of several new stars. Though nothing is known about their roles yet, Madelyn Cline, Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon, and Tyriq Withers have all been cast. Since all the newcomers are younger actors, it stands to reason that they will play the new protagonists being terrorized by the Fisherman. Riverdale star Camila Mendes was also cast, but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. Chase Sui Wonders (Bodies Bodies Bodies) has been cast to replace Mendes.

A few months later, several other new names were added, including Monsters star Nicholas Alexander Chavez, and Lola Tung (The Summer I Turned Pretty). Austin Nichols (The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ) has also joined the movie, as has singer Gabbriette (formerly of the band Nasty Cherry). As with the other cast members, nothing is known about the roles they’ll be playing.

The known cast of I Know What You Did Last Summer includes:

Actor	I Know What You Did Last Summer Role
Jennifer Love Hewitt	Julie James
Freddie Prinze Jr.	Roy Bronson
Madelyn Cline	Unknown
Jonah Hauer-King	Unknown
Sarah Pidgeon	Unknown
Tyriq Withers	Unknown
Billy Campbell	Unknown
Nicholas Alexander Chavez	Unknown
Lola Tung	Unknown
Austin Nichols	Unknown
Gabbriette	Unknown

I Know What You Did Last Summer Sequel Story

The Fisherman Returns To Terrorize A New Generation

Almost nothing was known about the plot of the new film, and there was speculation that the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel could turn to the novel for inspiration. However, a synopsis for the sequel was finally revealed in March 2025, and it paints a pretty clear picture of what’s coming. The new movie will follow a group of friends who accidentally kill someone with their car. Instead of turning themselves in and facing consequences, the group decides to cover up the accident and move on with their lives.

The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise includes:

Unfortunately for them, the next summer rolls around, and they are suddenly being picked off by a hook-wielding figure out for revenge. In order to save themselves, the youngsters seek out the survivors of the 1997 movie, and try to get to the bottom of the Fisherman’s evil rampage. Based on what’s been revealed about the movie, it seems as if I Know What You Did Last Summer is a true legacy sequel in that it is essentially copying the formula of the original while existing in the same universe.