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Five Nights at Freddy's (film)

Five Nights at Freddy's is a 2023 American supernatural horror film based on Scott Cawthon's video game series of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Five Nights at Freddy's is a 2023 American supernatural horror film based on Scott Cawthon's video game series of the same name. Directed by Emma Tammi, it stars Josh Hutcherson as a troubled security guard who takes a night job at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza and discovers that the restaurant's animatronic mascots are haunted. The film was distributed internationally, including in Canada, via theatrical release and streaming.

Premise

The film follows a struggling young man who takes a night security job at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. He soon encounters animatronic mascots that are tied to disturbing events from the restaurant's past.

Production

The film was directed by Emma Tammi and written by Tammi, Scott Cawthon, and Seth Cuddeback. Jason Blum and Cawthon produced the project through Blumhouse-associated production companies.

Cast and characters

Josh Hutcherson plays the lead role of Mike, with Elizabeth Lail as Vanessa, Piper Rubio as Abby, Mary Stuart Masterson as Aunt Jane, and Matthew Lillard as William Afton.

Release and reception

Five Nights at Freddy's was released in 2023 in the United Kingdom and the United States. Coverage and database listings describe it as a commercial horror release with a PG-13 rating in the United States.

Key facts

  • The film adapts the Five Nights at Freddy's video game franchise created by Scott Cawthon.
  • It follows Mike Schmidt, a night security guard at an abandoned pizza restaurant.
  • The story centers on possessed animatronic mascots at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.
  • Emma Tammi directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay.
  • The film was released in 2023 in theatres and on streaming.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally and was widely accessible to Canadian audiences through theatrical exhibition and streaming availability, making it relevant to Canadian viewers as part of a major English-language horror franchise.

Frequently asked questions

What is Five Nights at Freddy's?
It is a 2023 American supernatural horror film based on the Five Nights at Freddy's video game series.
Who directed Five Nights at Freddy's?
Emma Tammi directed the film.
Who stars in the film?
The main cast includes Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Matthew Lillard.
What is the film about?
It follows a security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza who discovers the restaurant's animatronics are haunted.
What is it based on?
It is based on the video game franchise created by Scott Cawthon.
When was it released?
It was released in 2023, including theatrical release dates in October 2023.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Nights_at_Freddy's_(film)
    Supports: Release year, country, director, writers, producers, cast, premise, and release dates.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/five_nights_at_freddys
    Supports: Director, producers, screenwriters, distributor, genre, runtime, rating, and release information.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4589218/
    Supports: Basic plot premise, cast, and adaptation from the video game series.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/five-nights-at-freddys
    Supports: Plot details, principal cast, director, runtime, and MPAA rating.