Heart Eyes 2 (2028): Release Date, Cast, Story and Everything We Know

Heart Eyes 2 is bringing the Valentine's Day killer back to the big screen in 2028.

The sequel to the 2025 horror-romance Heart Eyes is officially in development and is scheduled to arrive in theaters on February 11, 2028. The release date once again places the franchise directly around Valentine's Day, continuing the unusual tradition of turning the most romantic holiday of the year into a setting for a slasher movie.

Josh Ruben is returning as director and will also co-write the screenplay with Darcy Fowler. The story comes from Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy, who were involved with the original film.

The sequel is being produced by Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group, with Paramount handling the theatrical release.

While the project has a confirmed release date and creative team, the filmmakers are keeping the new story largely secret. The official plot has not yet been revealed, so details about the new murders, locations and characters remain unknown.

When Is Heart Eyes 2 Coming Out?

Heart Eyes 2 is currently scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on February 11, 2028.

The date is almost perfectly positioned for the franchise. Valentine's Day falls just a few days later, allowing the sequel to return to the same holiday-focused release strategy used by the first movie.

International release dates may differ by country, but the North American theatrical release is currently set for February 11.

What Is Heart Eyes 2 About?

At the moment, the exact story of Heart Eyes 2 has not been officially revealed.

What is confirmed is that the movie will continue the horror concept established by the original Heart Eyes, which introduced a masked serial killer who targets couples around Valentine's Day.

The first movie combined slasher horror with romantic comedy, creating a deliberately unusual contrast between romance and violence.

The sequel is expected to continue that identity, but the filmmakers have not yet explained exactly what new situation will bring the Heart Eyes Killer back.

For now, the plot remains TBA.

Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding Return

Current production information lists Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding among the returning stars.

Holt played Ally McCabe, while Gooding played Jay Simmonds in the first film.

Their characters were at the center of the original story after the Heart Eyes Killer mistook them for a romantic couple.

The two were forced to survive the killer's attacks while their relationship gradually developed into something more complicated.

Their reported return gives the sequel an important connection to the original movie, although the filmmakers have not yet revealed exactly how Ally and Jay will fit into the new story.

Gigi Zumbado Also Returns

Gigi Zumbado, who played Monica in the first film, is also currently listed among the returning cast.

Beyond the returning actors, additional casting information could be announced as production moves forward.

For now, the known returning cast gives the sequel a clear connection to the characters audiences already met in 2025.

Josh Ruben Is Back to Direct

One of the most important pieces of continuity is behind the camera.

Josh Ruben is returning to direct Heart Eyes 2.

He directed the original movie and helped establish its unusual mixture of horror, romance and comedy.

Ruben will also co-write the sequel's screenplay with Darcy Fowler, working from a story developed by Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy.

Keeping the original director involved should help the sequel retain the tone and personality of the first film while allowing the story to expand.

A Horror Movie Built Around Valentine's Day

The most recognizable idea behind Heart Eyes is its use of Valentine's Day as a horror setting.

Instead of treating February 14 as a simple romantic holiday, the franchise turns it into a recurring period of danger.

Couples become targets, romantic gestures become potential traps, and the familiar imagery of hearts and love takes on a much darker meaning.

That concept gives Heart Eyes 2 a natural identity within the horror genre.

It also makes the February release date particularly appropriate.

What Happened in the First Heart Eyes?

The original Heart Eyes introduced Ally and Jay, two coworkers who became targets after the Heart Eyes Killer believed they were romantically involved.

The killer's specialty was hunting couples on Valentine's Day.

As the story progressed, Ally and Jay were forced to work together to survive.

At the same time, the situation created an unexpected romantic connection between them.

The movie therefore operated on two levels: it was a slasher about surviving a serial killer, but it was also a romantic comedy about two people discovering their feelings for each other.

That combination became the defining characteristic of the franchise.

Who Is the Heart Eyes Killer?

The Heart Eyes Killer is the masked murderer at the center of the franchise.

Unlike a conventional slasher villain who may target anyone, the killer has a specific obsession with romantic couples.

Valentine's Day is therefore the perfect time for the character to appear.

The killer's visual identity also plays with the familiar symbols of romance, turning hearts and Valentine's imagery into something threatening.

The exact role and story of the killer in the sequel have not yet been revealed.

That mystery is likely to remain an important part of the movie's marketing.

Will Heart Eyes 2 Be More Horror or Romance?

The sequel is currently classified around the same general genre combination as the original, with horror and romance at its core.

That means audiences should not expect the franchise to suddenly become a conventional serious slasher.

The contrast between romance and horror is one of the reasons the concept works.

A Valentine's Day date can become a murder scene.

A love story can develop while two characters are trying to escape a masked killer.

That unusual balance is likely to remain central to the sequel.

The Success of the First Movie

The original Heart Eyes was released in 2025 and performed solidly against its production budget.

The movie earned approximately $33 million worldwide from a reported budget of around $18 million.

Its financial performance, combined with the potential of the concept, helped create the foundation for a sequel.

Rather than being a massive franchise from the beginning, Heart Eyes was a relatively contained horror movie that found enough of an audience to justify another installment.

That makes the sequel an interesting test for the franchise.

Why the Sequel Makes Sense

The basic concept behind Heart Eyes can easily support another movie.

The franchise has a recognizable killer.

It has a distinctive holiday.

And it has a simple premise that can introduce new characters and new situations without requiring an enormous mythology.

At the same time, the return of characters from the original movie gives the sequel continuity.

This combination allows Heart Eyes 2 to feel familiar while still leaving plenty of room for a new mystery.

Is There a Trailer for Heart Eyes 2?

No official trailer has been released yet.

The movie is still in the early stages of production, so audiences will have to wait for the marketing campaign to begin.

A future trailer should provide the first substantial look at the sequel's setting, returning characters and new conflict.

It may also offer the first clues about how the Heart Eyes Killer returns.

Until then, there is no reliable official information about the full storyline.

When Will Heart Eyes 2 Start Filming?

Current production information lists the movie in pre-production.

That means the project is still being prepared for principal photography.

As production gets closer, more details about the cast, locations and characters are likely to emerge.

The film is already scheduled for February 2028, giving the production considerable time to complete filming and post-production before its theatrical release.

Where Can You Watch Heart Eyes 2?

Heart Eyes 2 is being developed as a theatrical movie.

The current U.S. release date is February 11, 2028.

There is no confirmed streaming release date at this time.

The movie will therefore first be available to audiences through cinemas, with information about digital and streaming availability expected closer to or after the theatrical release.

What Makes Heart Eyes 2 Different?

The franchise has a simple but memorable hook.

Most romantic movies use Valentine's Day as a symbol of happiness and relationships.

Heart Eyes uses the same imagery for something completely different.

The result is a movie that can move between romantic comedy and slasher horror without completely belonging to either genre.

That identity gives Heart Eyes 2 a clear advantage.

It does not have to invent an entirely new concept.

It simply needs to find another entertaining way to use the Heart Eyes Killer and the Valentine's Day setting.

What We Still Don't Know

Despite the confirmed release date and creative team, many important details remain unknown.

The filmmakers have not yet revealed:

• The full plot
• The new location
• The complete cast
• New characters
• The main victims
• The killer's exact storyline
• The official rating
• The trailer
• The ending

That information should become available gradually as production continues.

For now, keeping the story secret is probably the best approach for a movie built around a mystery and slasher concept.

Heart Eyes 2 Frequently Asked Questions

When is Heart Eyes 2 coming out?

Heart Eyes 2 is scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters on February 11, 2028.

Is Heart Eyes 2 a sequel?

Yes. It is the follow-up to the 2025 horror-romance Heart Eyes.

Who is directing Heart Eyes 2?

Josh Ruben is returning as director.

Who is writing the sequel?

Josh Ruben and Darcy Fowler are writing the screenplay from a story by Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy.

Is Olivia Holt returning?

Yes. Olivia Holt is currently listed as returning as Ally McCabe.

Is Mason Gooding returning?

Yes. Mason Gooding is currently listed as returning as Jay Simmonds.

Is Gigi Zumbado returning?

Yes. Gigi Zumbado is currently listed among the returning cast.

Will the Heart Eyes Killer return?

The killer is central to the franchise, but the sequel's exact storyline has not yet been officially revealed.

Has the trailer been released?

No official trailer has been released yet.

What genre is Heart Eyes 2?

The movie continues the franchise's horror and romance combination.

Will Heart Eyes 2 be in theaters?

Yes. It is currently scheduled for a theatrical release on February 11, 2028.

Is the plot known?

No. The official plot has not yet been revealed.

Final Thoughts

Heart Eyes 2 is returning to the big screen with the same basic ingredient that made the original stand out: taking Valentine's Day, one of the most romantic days of the year, and turning it into the perfect night for a slasher.

The sequel is currently scheduled for February 11, 2028, just days before Valentine's Day.

Josh Ruben is returning to direct, while Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding and Gigi Zumbado are currently listed among the returning cast. The screenplay is being developed by Ruben and Darcy Fowler from a story by Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy.

Beyond those confirmed details, the filmmakers are keeping the new story under wraps.

That leaves plenty of unanswered questions about the next victims, the central mystery and the return of the Heart Eyes Killer.

For now, one thing is certain: Valentine's Day 2028 is going to be a little less romantic and a lot more dangerous.