Don't Breathe 3 Has Entered Production

Director Fede Álvarez returns to lead the third installment of the thriller franchise alongside original stars.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Horror

Graphic illustration of an ajar steel door in a dark, concrete hallway, rendered in high-contrast greyscale to evoke psychological horror.
Production has officially begun on the horror thriller sequel Don't Breathe 3, with director Fede Álvarez reuniting with stars Jane Levy and Stephen Lang. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Production has officially commenced for Don't Breathe 3, the third film in the horror franchise. Original stars Jane Levy and Stephen Lang are set to reprise their roles under the direction of Fede Álvarez.

Why it matters

The franchise has been a notable commercial success, with the two previous films pulling in a combined $211 million globally. The new installment seeks to build on this legacy as the creative team reunites to continue the story.

The first film earned an 88% critics' score and a 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The 2021 sequel received a 43% critics' score while maintaining an 85% audience approval rating.

The players

Fede Álvarez

He is a filmmaker known for directing the original Don't Breathe and returning to helm the third installment.

Jane Levy

She is an actress who will reprise her role as the character Rocky in the upcoming film.

Stephen Lang

He is an actor who will return to play the character of the blind man in the new production.

The details

Fede Álvarez returns to the director's chair for this production, bringing back Jane Levy to play Rocky and Stephen Lang to portray the blind man. The franchise, which features Detroit as its primary setting, continues the narrative following the 2021 sequel.

Timeline

  1. The first film in the horror series was released in 2016.

  2. The second installment of the franchise premiered in 2021.

  3. The development of the third film was officially announced on September 27, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This production signals an ongoing studio strategy to capitalize on established horror intellectual property to drive box office returns. The return of the original director and key cast members highlights an effort to maintain franchise continuity amidst a competitive streaming and theatrical market.

Fans can anticipate future updates regarding theatrical release dates and potential streaming availability for the new film. Access to the movie will depend on future distribution strategies as the project moves through its production phase.

The takeaway

The return of the original creative team suggests a deliberate attempt to align the new sequel with the critical success of the first film. Audiences can look forward to more news as the production schedule and release window are finalized.

Further reading

For more on upcoming films in the genre, visit the Horror section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Movieweb.

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Do you plan to see the third installment of the Don't Breathe franchise in theaters?