'Knives Out 3' Is Coming Soon: Everything We Know About 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'

Don't worry, murder-mystery movie fans: Knives Out is returning for a third film. Directed by Rian Johnson and inspired by mystery novels à la Agatha Christie, the Knives Out franchise has become a must-watch for both fans of classic films and casual viewers who've fallen in love with Daniel Craig's performance as the suave Southern detective Benoit Blanc. Arguably, the best thing about the series of films is their variety; after the original movie about the death of a wealthy patriarch became a 2019 box office hit (and cemented itself as a perfect fall movie), Netflix produced the 2022 follow-up Glass Onion, which put Blanc at odds with eccentric billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton). Whether it's the near-absurd settings, A-list ensemble cast, or mind-blowing plot twists, you can bet whodunnit fans would tune into these movies as long as they keep making them.

Luckily, Johnson and Netflix confirmed in 2021 that Knives Out would get not one but two sequels on the platform, and the stage is just about set for Blanc's next case. Below, we're keeping track of everything we know about the third Knives Out film so far.

When will 'Knives Out' 3 be released?

Netflix has confirmed that the third Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man, will arrive on the streaming giant on December 12, 2025. The streamer revealed the news during its live Tudum fan event on May 31, along with an ominous teaser for the new film (more on that below).

It's unclear whether the film will hit theaters before it arrives on streaming. As fans may recall, Lionsgate released the first Knives Out movie in theaters, and then the sequel had a limited one-week release before it landed on Netflix. The cast and crew at least have expressed hope that fans will be able to enjoy a theatrical experience for Wake Up Dead Man. Daniel Craig told Variety in a November 2024 cover story, "Hopefully, Netflix will push it out a bit, and people will get to see it. The people I speak to—the fans, I suppose—all they want to do is take their families and go see it at the cinemas. That’s all they want to do. Hopefully, we can give them that experience."

It has been known for some time that Wake Up Dead Man would release in 2025. In late May 2024, Johnson and Netflix offered a loose release date by sharing a motion-art teaser on X (formerly Twitter) in which the new title appeared, paired with an ominous black casket. In a separate post, Johnson confirmed that the film was set to start production soon.

"I love everything about whodunnits, but one of the things I love most is how malleable the genre is," he wrote in a thread. "There’s a whole tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie, and getting to explore that range is one of the most exciting things about making Benoit Blanc movies."

A little less than a month later, in June 2024, Netflix announced that Wake Up Dead Man had officially begun filming outside London. Johnson paired the news with a first-look image of Benoit Blanc; in the black-and-white pic, the detective has noticeably longer, perhaps even blonder hair while standing on a soundstage.

"Aaaaand we’re off! Today is day 1 of shooting on the next Benoit Blanc mystery 'Wake Up Dead Man' - see you on the other side," Johnson wrote in a post on X about the news.

Who has been cast in 'Knives Out' 3?

In addition to franchise star Daniel Craig, Wake Up Dead Man will also include Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.

Though he isn't part of the official cast list, we're hopeful that Hugh Grant can make a surprise return to the franchise in another cameo as Blanc's live-in partner Philip, who was introduced in Glass Onion. (Please give us more Phenoit!)

Details about the cast's roles remain scarce, but Netflix has shared a first-look photo of some stars in the forthcoming film (which you can see at the top of this story). When the streamer announced the movie's fall 2025 premiere date, it released a shot of O'Connor and Craig, reprising his role as Benoit Blanc, in a church. It appears the Challengers star is playing a priest, as he's seen wearing a clerical collar under casual clothing in the image, while Blanc looks dapper as ever. Now put on your detective's cap and start theorizing about what they're looking at off in the distance and what church-related case they might be on.

The new list of cast members will follow in the footsteps of the casts from both the original 2019 film (Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, and Katherine Langford) and Glass Onion (Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, and Edward Norton).

What is the plot of 'Knives Out 3?'

Like with Glass Onion, Johnson and Netflix are tight-lipped about any possible plot for Wake Up Dead Man. All fans currently have to speculate over is the title and a couple of brief clips, including one Netflix shared in its official Tudum announcement. In the video, Craig says in his iconic Southern drawl, "In the beginning, the knives came out. Then, behold, the glass was shattered. But my most dangerous case yet is about to be revealed."

Is there a trailer for 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?'

There isn't a full-length trailer yet, or even an official teaser, but Netflix did share footage along with the official date announcement. In the clip, which appears to take place in and around an old church in the English countryside, Benoit Blanc says, "The impossible crime. For a man of reason, this is the Holy Grail." He then adds, "This was dressed as a miracle, but it's just a murder. And I solve murders."

The streamer also posted a shorter teaser on social media and shared an eerie note...or rather, a Bible verse to hint at how the film is likely set around the happenings at a Catholic church. "The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures," the post says, which is Proverb 12:12. Start theorizing and saying your prayers so more information on the highly anticipated film comes soon!

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery | Date Announcement | Netflix - YouTube

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