The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise is a popular horror series that started with a novel and grew into multiple movies and a TV show. This slasher series follows groups of teenagers who are stalked by a killer after hiding a deadly secret. Here’s everything you need to know about all the movies and the TV series in this franchise.
The Original 1997 Movie
The first I Know What You Did Last Summer movie came out in 1997. It was based on a 1973 novel by Lois Duncan. The film was directed by Jim Gillespie and written by Kevin Williamson, who also wrote Scream. The story follows four friends – Julie, Helen, Barry, and Ray – who accidentally hit a man with their car and dump his body in the water. A year later, someone starts hunting them with a hook.
The movie starred Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Helen Shivers, Ryan Phillippe as Barry Cox, and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson. It was a big hit, making $125 million worldwide. The success led to more movies in the series.
“I wanted an actress that had a warmth to her, but could still…” said director Jim Gillespie about casting Sarah Michelle Gellar.
The 1998 Sequel
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer came out just one year later in 1998. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. returned as Julie and Ray. This time, Julie wins a trip to the Bahamas with her new friends. But the killer follows them to the island resort.
The sequel added new cast members like singer Brandy and actor Mekhi Phifer. While it didn’t make as much money as the first film, it still earned $40 million at the box office. The movie revealed more about the Fisherman killer’s backstory.
The 2006 Straight-to-Video Sequel
After an eight-year break, the franchise returned with I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer in 2006. This movie went straight to DVD and had a completely new cast. The story followed a different group of teens in Colorado who cover up a friend’s death during a prank.
The film starred Brooke Nevin, David Paetkau, and Torrey DeVitto. Unlike the first two movies, this one wasn’t connected to the original characters. It received poor reviews and is often considered the weakest entry in the series.
The 2021 TV Series
In 2021, Amazon Prime Video released a TV series version of I Know What You Did Last Summer. This modern take on the story featured a new group of teens in Hawaii. The show starred Madison Iseman as twins Allison and Lennon, with Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, and others.
The series stretched the story across 8 episodes, adding more character development and modern themes like social media. However, it was canceled after just one season due to mixed reviews. Some fans liked the twists, while others found the characters unlikable.
“Fantastic deaths and a gripping murder mystery pull you in, even when its mostly unlikeable leads tend to polarize,” wrote one reviewer.
The 2025 Legacy Sequel
The newest entry is I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025), which brings back Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Julie and Ray. This movie follows a new group of friends who accidentally kill someone and are stalked a year later. They seek help from Julie and Ray, who survived the original attacks.
The film stars Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, and Jonah Hauer-King as the new group. Early box office reports show it had the lowest opening in the franchise, making about $13 million in its first weekend. Some fans enjoyed seeing the original stars return, while others felt the new characters weren’t as strong.
“It’s nice to see a sequel years later of one of my favorite movies ever, but is it really necessary?” one fan commented online.
Franchise Box Office and Impact
All the I Know What You Did Last Summer movies together have made about $189 million worldwide. The first film remains the most successful, both financially and culturally. It helped bring back slasher movies in the 1990s along with Scream.
The series is known for its hook-wielding killer, the Fisherman, and stories about guilt and secrets. While not all entries were hits, the franchise has maintained fans over nearly 30 years. The return of the original stars in the 2025 film shows there’s still interest in these characters.
Where to Watch the Movies and Series
Here’s where you can find all the I Know What You Did Last Summer content:
- The 1997 original and 1998 sequel: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
- The 2006 sequel: Also on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
- The 2021 TV series: Streaming only on Amazon Prime Video
- The 2025 sequel: Currently in theaters
The franchise continues to attract new fans while keeping longtime viewers interested with returns to the original story. Whether you’re watching for the first time or revisiting, these movies offer classic slasher thrills with teen drama mixed in.
Also read: Nobody 2 Release Date, Cast, Trailer, and Everything You Need to Know About the Action Sequel
Credits: Information gathered from Wikipedia, IMDb, Box Office Mojo, and entertainment news sources.
