The Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) franchise is heading into one of its biggest years yet. After a blockbuster movie debut and years of successful game expansions, 2025 marks a fresh chapter—with a brand-new mainline game, a highly anticipated movie sequel, and new books and crossover events keeping the momentum alive. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s next for FNAF.
Secret of the Mimic Launches June 13, 2025
Steel Wool Studios is back with Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic, arriving June 13, 2025. This marks the next major installment in the FNAF universe, pushing the series into darker and more complex territory than ever before.
Setting: The game is set in Murray’s Costume Manor, an ominous, maze-like facility drenched in atmosphere and built for scares. Players will need to navigate its shifting corridors while avoiding a terrifying new enemy.
The Antagonist – The Mimic: This new animatronic is no ordinary threat. As its name implies, the Mimic can imitate the appearance and behavior of others—turning your knowledge of the game world against you. It’s an AI-driven foe that learns and adapts, making each encounter increasingly unpredictable.
Gameplay Mechanics:
- First-person stealth and exploration
- Puzzle-solving with dynamic environmental clues
- Adaptive enemy AI that can change its form mid-play
- Dynamic sound design that plays tricks on the player’s perception
VR Support in Question: Although Secret of the Mimic was originally announced with support for PSVR2 and PC VR platforms, recent updates from Steel Wool have quietly scrubbed mention of VR compatibility. Fans speculate that either technical constraints or a shift in development focus led to this change.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Hits Theaters December 5, 2025
After the $300M+ success of the first movie, Blumhouse and Universal are back with a sequel directed by Emma Tammi. Returning cast members include:
- Josh Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt
- Elizabeth Lail as Vanessa
- Piper Rubio as Abby
- Matthew Lillard as William Afton (aka Springtrap)
What We Know So Far:
- The teaser trailer suggests the horror won’t be confined to the pizzeria this time. Animatronics are now appearing in homes, public spaces, and dreams.
- Early concept art and leaked stills hint at new animatronic designs and deeper dives into the franchise’s lore, including more backstory on Vanessa and Afton.
This sequel is rumored to draw inspiration from FNAF 3, with Springtrap taking a more central—and sinister—role.
More From the Tales from the Pizzaplex Universe
Volume 2 of the graphic novel series Tales from the Pizzaplex arrives later this year, featuring creepy short stories like:
- “Submechanophobia” – a fear of hidden underwater animatronics
- “Pressure” – set in a crumbling section of the Pizzaplex under maintenance lockdown
- “The Mimic” – expanding the backstory of the titular antagonist in the upcoming game
These books continue to blur the lines between FNAF’s various media and offer fans more insight into characters, timelines, and theories.
Springtrap Joins Dead by Daylight
In a surprise crossover, Springtrap is confirmed to join Dead by Daylight as a playable killer in a 2025 update. This move cements FNAF’s cultural footprint in the wider horror gaming landscape. Springtrap’s unique gameplay is expected to revolve around psychological manipulation and stealth, adding a fresh flavor to the asymmetrical horror game.
Fan Projects Still Going Strong
While official titles dominate the spotlight, fan-led FNAF projects continue to thrive:
- The Joy of Creation: Story Mode Remake is in active development, promising revamped visuals and deeper storytelling.
- Pyro-Illusion, another fan-made game set in an alternate FNAF timeline, has gained traction for its original art style and unique mechanics.
Several of these are targeting 2026, but playable demos are expected later this year.
Quick FNAF Franchise Breakdown (As of April 2025)
| Category | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mainline Games | 11 | Includes classics like FNAF 1–4, Sister Location, Security Breach |
| Spin-offs | 8 | Includes FNAF World, Special Delivery, Help Wanted VR, etc. |
| Books | 30+ | Including Fazbear Frights and Tales from the Pizzaplex series |
| Movies | 2 (confirmed) | 2023 original, and 2025 sequel |
| Crossovers | 1+ | Confirmed: Springtrap in Dead by Daylight |
Between official releases, multimedia expansions, and a thriving fan community, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years for Five Nights at Freddy’s yet. Whether you’re a longtime theorist or a casual horror fan, there’s never been a better time to dive back into Freddy’s world.
Key Takeaways
- The FNAF franchise currently includes 19 games split between 11 main series titles and 8 spin-offs.
- Recent updates include remasters of earlier games for mobile platforms and new content releases.
- More Five Nights at Freddy’s games are in active development with additional titles rumored for release this year.
Overview of the FNaF Franchise
Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNaF) has grown from a single indie horror game into a massive multimedia franchise. The series focuses on haunted animatronic characters and mysterious events at family entertainment venues.
Origins and Developments
Five Nights at Freddy’s began as a solo project by developer Scott Cawthon in 2014. After receiving criticism for his previous games looking too “animatronic,” Cawthon transformed this feedback into the core concept for FNaF.
The first game became an unexpected success, particularly among YouTube content creators who shared their frightened reactions with millions of viewers. This viral popularity helped propel the franchise forward at an unprecedented pace.
Cawthon became known for his rapid development cycle, sometimes releasing multiple games per year. This quick production schedule allowed the franchise to build momentum and a dedicated fanbase. The games feature a distinctive style of jumpscare horror combined with mysterious lore that players piece together through hidden clues.
Main Video Game Titles
The FNaF franchise includes ten main video games in its core series. These games follow a similar gameplay formula where players typically must survive nights while managing limited resources to avoid deadly animatronic characters.
The main titles include:
- Five Nights at Freddy’s (2014)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2014)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (2015)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (2015)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location (2016)
- Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (2017)
- Ultimate Custom Night (2018)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (2019)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (2021)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 (2023)
Beyond these main titles, numerous spin-offs have expanded the gameplay styles and lore. According to some sources, the total number of FNaF games including spin-offs may reach as high as 28.
Expansion into Other Media
The FNaF franchise has successfully branched out into multiple forms of media beyond video games. In 2023, a feature film adaptation was released after years in development, bringing Freddy Fazbear and his animatronic friends to the big screen.
The franchise has also established a significant presence in publishing. There are currently dozens of books, including novels, graphic novels, and guidebooks that expand the lore and story.
Merchandise has become another major component of the FNaF empire. Products range from action figures and plush toys to clothing and collectibles featuring popular characters like Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy.
The series holds a Guinness World Record for its rapid sequel development, with four games released in less than a year between 2014 and 2015. This remarkable expansion demonstrates how the indie horror concept grew into one of gaming’s most recognizable franchises.
Count and List of All FNaF Games
The Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise has expanded significantly since its first release in 2014. According to various sources, there are between 11-19 main games and several spin-offs, totaling around 28 games across all platforms.
Main Series Installments
The core FNaF series consists of these primary games:
- Five Nights at Freddy’s (2014) – The original game that started it all
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2014) – A prequel to the first game
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (2015) – Set 30 years after the original events
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (2015) – Brought the horror into a child’s home
- FNaF: Sister Location (2016) – Expanded the universe significantly
- Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (2017)
- Ultimate Custom Night (2018)
- FNaF: Help Wanted (2019) – The VR experience
- FNaF: Security Breach (2021) – The first free-roam game
Recent updates suggest a new game may be in development for 2025.
Spin-Offs and Collaborations
Beyond the main series, fans can enjoy these additional titles:
- FNaF World (2016) – An RPG spin-off
- Special Delivery (2019) – An AR mobile game
- Security Breach: Fury’s Rage (2021) – A side-scrolling beat ’em up
- Freddy in Space 2 (2019) – A charity game
- Security Breach: Ruin (2023) – DLC expansion
There are also numerous “troll games” released by creator Scott Cawthon. The franchise has inspired many fan games, with some becoming officially recognized. The mobile ports and console adaptations bring the total game count to approximately 28 across all platforms.
Latest Installments and Updates
The Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise continues to expand with multiple new titles in development and recent releases that add to the series’ lore. Fans can expect several new games in the near future, including official releases and fan-made projects supported by creator Scott Cawthon.
Recent Game Releases
The FNAF universe has grown significantly since its initial release. Currently, there are 15 Five Nights at Freddy’s games available, with nine titles forming the main series and six others serving as spinoffs. The franchise has maintained a steady release schedule, keeping fans engaged with new content.
In 2020, Scott Cawthon announced plans to fund and publish fan-developed FNAF games, bundling them with previous installments. This initiative has opened doors for creative expansions to the FNAF universe while maintaining quality control through Cawthon’s oversight.
The most recent official additions have continued to explore the mysterious lore surrounding Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and its animatronic inhabitants.
Upcoming Sequels and Projects
Several new FNAF projects are currently in development. Reports indicate that at least two new Five Nights at Freddy’s games are being worked on simultaneously, expanding the franchise further. Steel Wool Studios is developing a prequel titled “Secret of the Mimic,” which will explore earlier events in the FNAF timeline.
Additionally, a new FNAF game is scheduled to arrive on June 13, 2025. This release may coincide with a Dead by Daylight collaboration, potentially bringing the FNAF characters into the popular asymmetrical horror game.
The franchise is also branching into new media formats following the success of the FNAF movie. These upcoming projects aim to maintain the series’ signature suspense and horror elements while introducing new gameplay mechanics and story elements to keep the experience fresh for longtime fans.
Plot and Lore of FNaF
The Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNaF) story is complex and spans multiple games with interconnected events. The narrative revolves around Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a family restaurant where animatronic characters entertain by day but become deadly by night.
Storyline Overview
The FNaF story begins with a series of murders at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. A man known as the “Purple Guy” kills several children and hides their bodies inside the restaurant’s animatronic mascots. These souls become trapped in the animatronics, causing them to act aggressively toward adult staff members, particularly night security guards.
Players experience this horror through the eyes of various nighttime employees who must survive shifts at different locations related to the Freddy Fazbear franchise.
The timeline is intentionally fragmented across games. What initially appeared to be a simple haunted restaurant story evolved into a complex narrative about family tragedy, corporate cover-ups, and experimental technology.
Character and Animatronic Backgrounds
The main mascots of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza include Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. Each has a distinct personality and role within both the restaurant’s entertainment lineup and the game’s lore.
These animatronics contain the souls of murdered children seeking vengeance. Their behavior is influenced by both their programming and the spirits trapped within.
Key human characters include William Afton (the Purple Guy), a co-founder of the restaurant chain who becomes the primary antagonist. His actions set the entire story in motion, including the deaths of his own children who also become important to the narrative.
Michael Afton, William’s son, appears as a playable character in several games, working to undo his father’s evil deeds and free the trapped souls.
Cultural Impact and Fandom
Five Nights at Freddy’s has grown far beyond just being a video game series, becoming a cultural phenomenon with millions of dedicated fans worldwide. The franchise’s unique horror elements and mysterious storyline have captivated audiences across various media platforms.
Community and Fan Creations
The FNAF community is known for its creativity and passion. Fans have produced countless pieces of artwork, fan fiction, animations, and even full games inspired by the world of Freddy Fazbear and his animatronic friends.
YouTube has been particularly important for FNAF’s growth. According to search results, the game “conquered YouTube” with gameplay videos and theory discussions reaching millions of views. Many content creators built their channels around FNAF theories and gameplay.
Fan theories about the game’s lore have become so extensive that they rival official explanations. The community actively works together to decode hidden messages and piece together the complex storyline spanning across all games.
Cosplay of Freddy Fazbear and other characters is popular at conventions, showing the franchise’s impact beyond digital spaces.
Comparisons to Real-World Inspirations
FNAF draws clear inspiration from real-world entertainment venues like Chuck E. Cheese, where animatronic characters perform for children. This familiar setting helps create the uncanny valley effect that makes the games so frightening.
The concept of friendly mascots turning sinister at night plays on common childhood fears. Many adults who played FNAF recall feeling uneasy around the animatronic performers at pizza restaurants when they were younger.
The game’s setting in a failing pizza restaurant with malfunctioning animatronics mirrors real business failures in the entertainment industry. This grounding in reality helps make the horror more effective.
Several real-life incidents involving animatronic malfunctions have been compared to FNAF scenarios, further blurring the line between fiction and reality for fans of the series.
Merchandise and Partnership
Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) has expanded beyond games into a vast merchandise empire. The franchise has established partnerships with publishers, movie studios, and retail companies to bring the horror experience to fans in different formats.
Books and Literature
The FNAF universe has grown significantly through books published in partnership with Scholastic. The series includes novels, graphic novels, and activity books that expand the lore beyond what players experience in the games.
The “Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Silver Eyes” trilogy introduced readers to new characters while maintaining connections to the game storyline. This collaboration has been highly successful, with books regularly appearing on bestseller lists.
Scholastic continues to release new FNAF literature, with additional titles planned through 2025. These books often reveal backstory elements not explored in the games, making them essential for fans who want the complete FNAF experience.
Media Adaptations
The FNAF franchise achieved a major milestone with its feature film adaptation released in 2023. The movie, now streaming on Peacock, brought the animatronic horror to mainstream audiences and performed well at the box office.
Following this success, a second FNAF movie is currently in development with set photos already circulating online. The film is expected to release in late 2025 or early 2026.
Beyond movies, FNAF has expanded into other media forms including animated content and web series. These adaptations help introduce the franchise to new audiences while giving existing fans fresh ways to engage with the characters and stories they love.
The Future of Five Nights at Freddy’s
The beloved horror franchise is set to expand significantly in the coming years with multiple games in development and a second film on the horizon.
Technological Advancements
The Five Nights at Freddy’s series continues to evolve with technological improvements planned for upcoming titles. New games will likely feature enhanced graphics, more complex AI systems, and immersive gameplay mechanics that build upon the foundation of previous installments.
“Secret of the Mimic” has been teased for a 2025 release, suggesting new horror elements and possibly expanded lore. This game appears to be part of multiple FNAF projects currently in development.
Fans can expect advancements in virtual reality integration, following the success of “Help Wanted.” These improvements may include more realistic animations, better sound design, and potentially more interactive environments that respond to player actions.
Developers seem focused on creating deeper narrative experiences while maintaining the jump-scare horror elements that made the franchise famous.
Anticipated Film Adaptation
Following the success of the first Five Nights at Freddy’s movie, a second film is scheduled for release in late 2025. The sequel aims to build on the established cinematic universe while introducing new characters and locations from the games.
Emma Tammi, who directed the first film, may return to helm the sequel. This continuity would help maintain the tone and style that resonated with fans of both the games and the movie.
The film will likely explore more of the complex FNAF mythology, including the mysterious history of Fazbear Entertainment and the haunted animatronics that terrorize night guards.
Production company Blumhouse has shown commitment to staying faithful to the source material while creating a cinematic experience that appeals to both dedicated fans and newcomers to the franchise.
Notable Themes and Scares
Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) has become famous for its unique approach to horror. The series combines jump scares with psychological terror to create an experience that keeps players on edge.
Horror Elements and Gameplay Mechanics
FNAF’s horror relies heavily on anticipation and limited player control. Players typically must manage resources like power or time while watching security cameras for approaching animatronics. This creates tension through vulnerability.
The animatronics themselves are central to the fear factor. Their uncanny valley appearance—almost human but clearly artificial—triggers instinctive discomfort. Their movements are unpredictable, often occurring when players look away.
Jump scares serve as the primary punishment for failure. When players make mistakes, they’re rewarded with a sudden, loud animation of an animatronic lunging at the screen.
Sound design amplifies the terror with ambient noises, footsteps, and mechanical whirring that signal danger is approaching. Many games also incorporate environmental storytelling through newspaper clippings and hidden lore.
Psychological Effect on Players
FNAF’s psychological impact extends beyond simple jump scares. The games create a sense of helplessness by restricting player movement and actions. This powerlessness mimics nightmare scenarios where you can’t escape danger.
The series plays with perception and paranoia. Players constantly question if they saw movement or heard a sound, creating self-induced anxiety.
Many players report experiencing heightened stress responses while playing. Increased heart rate, sweating, and fight-or-flight reactions are common physical manifestations.
The games also employ a technique called “dread building,” where tension increases gradually until it becomes almost unbearable. This differs from horror movies that rely on constant shock value.
The lore itself contains disturbing themes like child endangerment and murder. These dark narratives add psychological weight beyond the immediate gameplay fears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans of the Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) series often have questions about game counts, release orders, and related media. Here are answers to some common questions about this popular horror game franchise.
What is the total count of FNAF games released to date, including main titles and spin-offs?
The FNAF series currently includes 9 main games and 6 spin-off games. The main series consists of Five Nights at Freddy’s 1-4, Sister Location, Pizzeria Simulator, Ultimate Custom Night, Help Wanted, and Security Breach.
The spin-offs include FNAF World, Special Delivery, Fury’s Rage, Security Breach: Ruin, Help Wanted 2, and the upcoming Secret of the Mimic. This count excludes troll games released by creator Scott Cawthon.
The franchise has also inspired numerous fan games, with some becoming so popular they were officially recognized in the “Fanverse Initiative.”
Can you list all the FNAF games in chronological order of their release dates?
The FNAF games in release order are:
- Five Nights at Freddy’s (August 2014)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (November 2014)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (March 2015)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (July 2015)
- FNAF World (January 2016)
- Sister Location (October 2016)
- Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (December 2017)
- Ultimate Custom Night (June 2018)
- Help Wanted (May 2019)
- Special Delivery (November 2019)
- Fury’s Rage (April 2021)
- Security Breach (December 2021)
- Security Breach: Ruin (December 2023)
- Help Wanted 2 (December 2023)
Secret of the Mimic is scheduled for release on June 13, 2025.
How many FNAF books have been published, and are they related to the games?
There are currently 15 FNAF books published across three main series. The original trilogy consists of “The Silver Eyes,” “The Twisted Ones,” and “The Fourth Closet.”
The “Fazbear Frights” series includes 12 books with short horror stories set in the FNAF universe. The “Tales from the Pizzaplex” series continues this anthology format.
While the books are set in the same universe as the games, they follow different storylines and characters. They expand the lore but are not direct adaptations of the games’ stories.
What is the name given to the 7th installment in the FNAF game series?
The 7th installment in the main FNAF series is officially titled “Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator.” Despite its innocent-sounding name, it continues the horror elements of the series.
The game was released in December 2017 and was initially presented as a simple restaurant management simulator. However, it quickly reveals itself as a full FNAF title with the familiar survival horror gameplay.
Pizzeria Simulator was significant for tying up several storylines from the previous games and providing more lore about the Afton family.
Are there any upcoming FNAF games announced for future release?
Yes, “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic” is scheduled for release on June 13, 2025. It will be available on PlayStation 5 and Windows platforms.
According to search results, multiple new games are in development. These include a brand new Clickteam game and several Fanverse playable releases.
The franchise continues to expand rapidly following the success of the FNAF movie in 2023, which has renewed interest in the game series.
How many characters are featured across all FNAF games?
Across all FNAF games, there are over 50 distinct animatronic characters. The main cast includes Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy, and Golden Freddy from the original game.
Each subsequent game has introduced new animatronics like the Toy versions, Springtrap, Nightmare animatronics, Circus Baby, the Glamrock versions, and many others. Some games also feature human characters like William Afton/Purple Guy.
The roster continues to grow with each new release, with Secret of the Mimic expected to introduce even more characters to the franchise.
