I Know What You Did Last Summer Reboot Set to Thrill Audiences July 18, 2025

18 June 2025

The ensemble cast of 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'. Brook Rushton/Columbia Pictures

The iconic horror franchise I Know What You Did Last Summer returns with a new installment arriving in theaters on July 18, 2025. Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson known for her work on Do Revenge, this film revitalizes the series as a legacy sequel. It offers fans a blend of familiar faces and fresh blood while leaning into nostalgia and new scares.

Both Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. embody their characters Julie James and Ray Bronson once again. Now older and scarred by past trauma, they step into mentoring roles for a new generation of teens in modern-day Southport, North Carolina. Their inclusion bridges the original 1997 slasher and this latest chapter, weaving emotional depth into the horror.

Joining them is an ensemble cast of emerging stars including Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Chase Sui Wonders (The Studio), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid), Tyriq Withers (Atlanta), and Sarah Pidgeon (The Wilds). Austin Nichols, Billy Campbell, Gabbriette Bechtel and Lola Tung round out the core cast.

The story picks up after a group of five friends conceal a fatal hit-and-run, only to find themselves stalked a year later by a killer who knows their secret. Seeking guidance, they turn to Julie and Ray survivors of the original Southport massacre who return to aid them in confronting trauma and regret.

Robinson cites her visual inspiration from Spielberg’s Jaws, promising bold, saturated cinematography with striking contrasts between calm seaside scenes and sudden violence. She’s crafted a film that pays homage to horror’s heritage while maintaining a distinct visual identity.

A full trailer released in April introduced viewers to the signature hook-wielding menace stalking rain-soaked streets, while a June trailer highlighted Julie delivering her iconic line, “What are you waiting for?” Both trailers underscore the film’s blend of nostalgia and gore-heavy suspense.

Behind the scenes, Jennifer Love Hewitt has candidly reflected on her experience filming the original movies. She revealed that in both I Know What You Did Last Summer and its 1998 sequel, she sustained on-camera injuries including being accidentally hooked in the eye and ankle but fully recovered and remains passionate about returning.

Production began in October 2024 in New South Wales, Australia, and wrapped in Los Angeles by mid-March 2025. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Lansky, based on an original story shared with Leah McKendrick. The film is produced by Neal H. Moritz, maintaining a throughline from the original franchises under Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, and Original Film.

Principal photography concluded in March, with the final touches on music by Chanda Dancy. The team hopes to deliver a horror hit similar to recent nostalgic revivals like the Scream series combining jump scares with empathetic character arcs.

While Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe’s characters remain deceased reflecting their fate in the original, director Robinson teased that Brandy Norwood, who survived the 1998 sequel, might appear. Gellar, meanwhile, declined to reprise her role despite playful pitches to resurrect her character.

With its July 18 release date fast approaching, I Know What You Did Last Summer blends retro nostalgia with modern frights. Audiences can expect a visually striking, emotionally charged tribute to the original slasher classic. As Julie and Ray reemerge to guide a new cast through terror and redemption, both new viewers and longtime fans can prepare for a summer of chills and catharsis.