Orphan (film series)

Orphan (2009)

Kate and John Coleman begin to rebuild their estranged marriage, after the passing of their stillborn baby named Jessica. Together they determine to adopt, welcome a 9-year-old Estonian orphan named Esther into their family. The family works together to have meaningful relationships with Esther, though this proves difficult as their son Daniel has strained interactions and their deaf and mute daughter Max struggles to have a legitimate bond. Through a series of troublesome events, Kate begins to question Esther's mental state. As he continues to grow closer to his adoptive daughter, John refuses to acknowledge the concerns that the rest of the family sees as behavioral trouble. Kate begins to investigate the background of her adoptive daughter and to her horror discovers that Esther is actually a full-grown woman named Leena Klammer and violent serial killer with a hormonal hypopituitarism which caused a rare medical case of proportionate dwarfism, and previously escaped the Saarne Institute mental hospital. Realizing her family is in danger, Kate frantically works to save the lives of those closest to her before Leena can kill again.^[15][16][17]

Orphan: First Kill (2022)

Prior to being adopted by the Coleman family, Leena Klammer expertly orchestrates her escape from the Estonian mental hospital known as the Saarne Institute by seduction and murder. Making her way to Russia, Leena cons local authorities into believing she is a missing American child named Esther Albright. Upon notification that their lost daughter has been found, the wealthy couple Allen and Tricia Albright travel to retrieve her before returning home. As questions begin to arise, Tricia and their son Gunnar rightfully doubt that Esther has returned to them. As the truth is revealed, Tricia frantically works to protect her family from the mechanicians for the socio-psychopath determined to murder again.^[18][19][20]

Orphans (TBA)

In August 2022, when asked about his approach to making the sequel, Bell stated that there would need to be a third film in order for Orphan to be considered a franchise.^[21] Later, Fuhrman expressed interest in continuing to portray the character in additional films. Bell later stated that should the prequel prove to be successful, a third film could be developed. The filmmaker expressed interest in exploring a darker third installment that would complete a full story of Leena Klammer/Esther, while stating that there could be multiple sequels: "...Isabelle [Fuhrman] is so passionate about the character – [she] can play this character forever… there's a lot to that character, and I think in the future stories, she would probably become a bit more cold-hearted again.^[22] Fuhrman confirmed that discussions for a third film, among the creatives and studio are ongoing, stating that there would not be another "13 years this time around" before a sequel is developed.^[23] In December 2023, it was announced that a third film was officially in development.

In November 2024, Dark Castle announced that a third film had been green-lit by Lionsgate, which would launch the project at the American Film Market. Brent Bell and Coggeshall is set to return as director and screenwriter, while Isabelle Fuhrman reprises her role as Leena Klammer/Esther.^[24] Fuhrman later expressed excitement, stating that the quality of the script is what convinced her to sign on to the project.^[25] By April 2025, the actress stated that the next installment will be an 'inbetweenquel' as it will depict separate events that take place after Orphan (2009), as well as the prequel Orphan: First Kill (2022).^[26] Later, it was clarified that Orphans will be a prequel to both movies. Stephen Moyer, Susanne Wuest, and Simon Man will feature in supporting roles. Alex Mace, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, and Norman Golighty serve as producers; Fuhrmann, Kelly Gallagher, and Victor Moyers are executive producers, while Robert Bell, Josh Ethier, Jonathan Halperyn, and Daniel Kresmerywhile serve as co-producers. The project is a joint-venture production between Lionsgate, Dark Castle Entertainment, Republic Pictures, Gnosis Moving Pictures, and Hero Squared Productions.^[27]

Principal photography commenced on November 10, 2025;^[28] with production wrapping by December 12 of the same year.^[29]

Box office and financial performance

Critical and public response