The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise, a cornerstone of 1990s slasher horror, captivated audiences with its chilling premise and star-studded casts. Based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel, the series kicked off with the 1997 film written by Kevin Williamson, who also penned Scream, cementing its place in the teen horror boom. Known for its suspenseful storytelling and iconic hook-wielding villain, the franchise includes four films and a television series, with a legacy sequel set for release in 2025. In this guide, we’ll explore the I Know What You Did Last Summer movies in order, including their chronological timeline, plot summaries, box office performance, and fun trivia, plus details on the TV series, reboot, and where to watch.
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I Know What You Did Last Summer Movies in Chronological Order
The I Know What You Did Last Summer films generally follow a linear storyline, with each movie progressing in time. However, the third film, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006), is a standalone story unconnected to the original characters, while the 2025 film is a legacy sequel continuing the narrative of the first two films. Below, we list the movies in release order, which aligns with the chronological narrative for the first two films and the 2025 sequel.
1. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Plot Summary: Four teenagers—Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and Barry Cox (Ryan Phillippe)—accidentally hit a man on a coastal road and dump his body into the sea, believing him dead. One year later, Julie receives a chilling note: “I know what you did last summer.” A mysterious fisherman, Ben Willis (Muse Watson), begins stalking and killing them in a vengeful rampage, forcing the group to confront their dark secret.
Box Office: Grossed $125.6 million worldwide against a $17 million budget.
Fun Fact: The film was written by Kevin Williamson, who adapted Lois Duncan’s novel into a slasher format, diverging from the book’s slow-burn mystery to capitalize on the 1990s horror craze.
2. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
Plot Summary: Julie James, still haunted by the events of the first film, heads to a luxurious Bahamas resort with her friend Karla (Brandy), new boyfriend Tyrell (Mekhi Phifer), and others. The fisherman, Ben Willis, returns, revealing he survived the previous encounter. He orchestrates a deadly trap at the isolated resort, targeting Julie and Ray for another murder spree.
Box Office: Earned $84 million worldwide on a $24 million budget, performing solidly but less successfully than its predecessor.
Trivia: The film’s tropical setting was a departure from the coastal North Carolina backdrop of the first, adding a fresh yet isolated vibe to the horror.
3. I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
Plot Summary: In a standalone story, a group of Colorado teens—Amber (Brooke Nevin), Colby (David Paetkau), and others—stage a prank that accidentally kills a friend. They cover up the death, but a year later, a hook-wielding figure begins killing them one by one. Unlike the first two films, this direct-to-video sequel introduces a supernatural element to the fisherman’s identity.
Box Office: Released straight to DVD, so no theatrical box office data exists.
Fun Fact: This film has no returning cast from the first two movies and was criticized for its 0% Rotten Tomatoes score, making it the least popular in the franchise.
4. I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
Plot Summary: This legacy sequel picks up years after the events of the first two films, with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. reprising their roles as Julie James and Ray Bronson. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the story continues the saga of the fisherman’s terror, blending nostalgia with new characters and modern twists. Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, it promises to honor the original while updating the horror for today’s audience.
Box Office: Not yet released; box office data unavailable.
Trivia: Initially planned as a reboot in 2014 by Mike Flanagan, the project evolved into a legacy sequel after years in development hell, exciting fans with the return of Hewitt and Prinze Jr.
How many I Know What You Did Last Summer movies are there?
There are four I Know What You Did Last Summer movies: 1997, 1998, 2006, and the upcoming 2025 legacy sequel, plus a 2021 TV series.
All I Know What You Did Last Summer Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is the list of I Know What You Did Last Summer movies in order of release date:
- I Know What You Did Last Summer — October 17, 1997
- I Still Know What You Did Last Summer — November 13, 1998
- I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer — August 15, 2006
- I Know What You Did Last Summer — July 18, 2025
I Know What You Did Last Summer Reboot & TV Series
The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise expanded beyond the films with a 2021 television series and an upcoming legacy sequel.
Released on October 15, 2021, the I Know What You Did Last Summer TV series, developed by Sara Goodman, is a modern reimagining rather than a direct continuation of the films. Starring Madison Iseman, Brianne Tju, and others, it follows a new group of teens in Hawaii who are stalked by a killer after a fatal accident they cover up. The series retains the core premise but introduces new characters and a more diverse, contemporary setting. It ran for one season (eight episodes) on Amazon Prime Video but was canceled in January 2022 due to mixed reviews (41% on Rotten Tomatoes).
I Know What You Did Last Summer Reboot Future Installments
The 2025 film, set for release on July 18, is a legacy sequel, not a reboot, featuring returning stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Hawkins Freddie Prinze Jr. An earlier reboot attempt in 2014 by Mike Flanagan was canceled, but the current project, directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, has sparked excitement. As of June 22, 2025, no further films or series have been officially announced, but the franchise’s enduring popularity suggests potential for more projects if the 2025 film succeeds.
Where to Watch I Know What You Did Last Summer
As of June 22, 2025, here’s where you can watch the I Know What You Did Last Summer movies:
- I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997): Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video (with a subscription), and Hulu (with premium add-ons). Also available for rent/purchase on platforms like YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV.
- I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998): Streamable on Amazon Prime Video and Hulu (with add-ons), or rentable on YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV.
- I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006): Available on Amazon Prime Video (with a subscription) or for rent/purchase on YouTube and Google Play.
- I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021 TV Series): Exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
- DVD/Blu-ray: All three released films are available on DVD and Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or specialty stores for collectors. The 2025 film will likely be available digitally and physically post-release.
Note: Streaming availability may vary by region and change over time; check platforms for the latest updates.
Conclusion:
The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise remains a beloved part of 1990s horror, blending suspense, teen drama, and slasher thrills. From the iconic 1997 original to the upcoming 2025 legacy sequel, the series offers a mix of nostalgia and fresh scares. Whether you’re revisiting the films on streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime, or collecting them on Blu-ray, this guide to the I Know What You Did Last Summer movies in order ensures you won’t miss a single hook-wielding moment. Stay tuned for the 2025 release to see how Julie and Ray face the fisherman once more! For more: Wikipedia.org
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