The romantic drama landscape experienced a seismic shift with the conclusion of the fifth installment in the "After" franchise. Since the release of After Everything in 2023, fans across the globe have been asking a singular question: Is there going to be a new After movie? While the primary love story of Tessa Young and Hardin Scott—affectionately known as "Hessa"—has reached its cinematic resolution, the universe built by author Anna Todd and brought to life by director Castille Landon is far from over.

Official announcements from the production team have confirmed that the franchise will expand through two distinct projects: a prequel focusing on Hardin Scott’s formative years and a sequel centering on the next generation of the Scott family. These upcoming films represent a strategic pivot for the franchise, moving away from the central volatility of Tessa and Hardin’s college years to explore the roots of trauma and the legacy of love.

The Conclusion of the Hessa Saga

To understand the future of the franchise, it is necessary to examine why the main series ended with the fifth film. After Everything was not originally part of the initial plan; the series was widely expected to conclude with the fourth film, After Ever Happy. However, the creative team recognized a need for a more definitive closing chapter that focused on Hardin’s personal growth and his ultimate redemption without Tessa by his side for a significant portion of the narrative.

In After Everything, the audience sees a mature, albeit struggling, Hardin Scott navigating the consequences of his past actions. The film serves as a bridge, showing that while their love was intense and often toxic, both characters needed individual healing to achieve the "Happy Ever After" hinted at in the epilogues of the source material. By the end of the fifth movie, the narrative arc that began in a college library in 2019 reached its logical conclusion. Consequently, there will be no After 6 featuring Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford as the leads in their early adulthood. Their story, as the central focus of the franchise, is complete.

The Prequel Before and the Origins of Hardin Scott

The first major expansion of the Afterverse is the prequel titled Before. This project is based on Anna Todd’s 2015 novella of the same name, which provides Hardin Scott’s perspective on the events leading up to meeting Tessa, as well as his life before arriving in the United States.

The Narrative Focus of the Prequel

Before aims to peel back the layers of Hardin Scott’s enigmatic and often abrasive personality. The film is expected to delve deep into his childhood in London, his strained relationship with his mother, Trish, and the traumatic events involving his biological father and Ken Scott. For fans who found Hardin’s behavior in the first few films difficult to reconcile, Before is designed to provide the psychological context necessary to understand his character.

The narrative will likely cover:

  1. Early Childhood Trauma: The specific incidents that led to Hardin’s night terrors and his defensive mechanisms.
  2. The London Years: His life as a troubled youth in England before his move to Washington Central University.
  3. Alternative Perspectives: Much like the book, the film may offer glimpses of how Hardin viewed his first encounters with Tessa, contrasting with the perspective audiences saw in the 2019 original film.

The Necessity of Recasting

A significant update regarding the Before movie is the casting. Castille Landon has confirmed that because the story features a much younger Hardin, Hero Fiennes Tiffin will not reprise the role as the lead. The production will seek a younger actor to portray the adolescent Hardin. This move is essential to maintain the chronological integrity of the story, though it presents a challenge for fans who have become synonymous with Fiffin’s portrayal of the character.

The Next Generation Sequel and the Scott Family Legacy

While the prequel looks into the past, the second confirmed project looks toward the future. Often referred to as the "Next Generation" sequel, this film will follow the lives of Tessa and Hardin’s children—Emery and Auden—along with their cousin, Addy.

Exploring Generational Trauma

The central theme of the next generation movie is the idea of "carrying the sins of the parents." The story will explore whether Emery and Auden can break the cycle of dysfunction that characterized their parents' early relationship. Unlike the previous five films, which were heavily rooted in Anna Todd’s novels, the next generation sequel will rely more on original scripts developed by Castille Landon, though they will remain grounded in the world Todd created.

Key plot points expected in the sequel include:

  • Emery and Auden's Personalities: Developing how growing up with "Hessa" as parents influenced their view of romance.
  • The Sibling Dynamic: The relationship between Emery and Auden as they navigate their own high school or college experiences.
  • Caméo Potential: While Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford will not be the leads, the production has hinted at the possibility of them appearing as supporting characters or in cameo roles to provide continuity for the fans.

Production Status and Recent Updates

Despite the initial excitement following the announcement of these two films in 2021, the production timeline has faced significant delays. As of late 2024 and early 2025, official news regarding filming schedules and release dates has been scarce.

Why the Delay?

Several factors have contributed to the quiet period regarding the new After movies:

  1. Script Development: Moving from established novels to original screenplays (especially for the Next Generation project) requires extensive development time to ensure the tone remains consistent with the previous films.
  2. Director Commitments: Castille Landon has been involved in multiple projects, and the production team has expressed a desire to not rush these final additions to the franchise.
  3. Market Shifts: The transition of the franchise from theatrical releases to a hybrid model involving streaming platforms (like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video) has influenced how these movies are greenlit and produced.

Release Date Speculation

While rumors once suggested a late 2024 or 2025 release for Before, it is now more realistic to look toward 2026 for any significant updates. The production has not yet released trailers or official posters, suggesting that principal photography for these projects may still be in the early stages or in pre-production.

The Role of Castille Landon

Director Castille Landon has become the primary steward of the After franchise, having directed the third, fourth, and fifth films. Her involvement in the prequel and the sequel is a point of reassurance for the fanbase. Landon has publicly discussed her vision for the franchise, emphasizing a desire to mature the storytelling.

In various interviews, Landon has noted that the upcoming films will have a slightly different feel. The prequel will be more of a character study, while the next generation sequel will lean into the complexities of modern young adult life. This evolution is seen as a way to keep the franchise relevant for an audience that has grown up alongside the original films.

Where to Watch the Complete After Collection

For viewers looking to refresh their memory before the new movies arrive, the current five-film saga is available across several platforms.

  • After (2019): The introduction to Tessa and Hardin's romance. Available on most major VOD platforms and Netflix in various regions.
  • After We Collided (2020): Focuses on the fallout of the first film's secrets.
  • After We Fell (2021): Explores the complex family dynamics that begin to emerge.
  • After Ever Happy (2022): Deals with the adult consequences of their relationship.
  • After Everything (2023): The final chapter of the main story.

Watching these in order is crucial, as the narrative is strictly linear. The emotional weight of the upcoming prequel and sequel relies heavily on the viewer's understanding of the highs and lows experienced in these five films.

The Evolution of After from Wattpad to Global Phenomenon

The journey of the "After" series is one of the most successful examples of digital fan fiction transitioning into a billion-dollar media franchise. Originally written by Anna Todd on the storytelling platform Wattpad, the story was inspired by the band One Direction, specifically Harry Styles.

The transition from a web-based story to a traditional publishing deal with Simon & Schuster, and eventually to a five-movie deal, highlights the power of fan-driven content. The new movies represent the final phase of this evolution—a move toward an expanded universe that transcends the original source material. By exploring the past and the future, the producers are attempting to turn a singular romance into a multi-generational epic.

What Fans Can Do While Waiting

Since official news is currently limited, the "After" community remains active through several channels:

  • Reading the Source Material: Anna Todd’s books, including Before and the After graphic novels, provide deeper context that the movies sometimes condense.
  • Following the Production Team: Keeping an eye on the social media accounts of Castille Landon and Voltage Pictures is the most reliable way to receive updates.
  • Engaging in Fan Communities: Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Discord continue to host discussions about casting theories and plot predictions for the Next Gen movie.

Summary of the Current Status

The "After" franchise is not ending, but it is undergoing a significant transformation. The main series involving the young adult versions of Tessa and Hardin is finished. However, the expansion into the prequel Before and the untitled Next Generation sequel is officially in development. While fans must adjust to the idea of new actors playing these iconic roles, the creative vision remains in the hands of those who guided the later parts of the original series.

The wait for these new installments may be longer than initially anticipated, but the commitment to expanding the "After" universe ensures that the story of the Scott family will continue to be told for a new era of viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an After 6 movie coming out?

No, there is no direct After 6 that continues the story of Tessa and Hardin as the main characters. Their story concluded in the fifth movie, After Everything.

Will Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford be in the new After movies?

They will not be the lead actors in the upcoming prequel (Before) or the next generation sequel. There is a possibility they may appear in small cameos, but the focus will be on new, younger cast members.

What is the name of the new After movie?

There are two: a prequel titled Before and a currently untitled sequel focusing on the next generation (Emery, Auden, and Addy).

When is the After prequel Before being released?

There is no official release date as of early 2025. Production has been quiet, leading to speculation that the film may not arrive until 2026 or later.

Is the prequel Before based on a book?

Yes, it is based on the novella Before by Anna Todd, which was published in 2015.

What will the Next Generation movie be about?

It will focus on Hardin and Tessa’s children, Emery and Auden, as they navigate their own lives and try to avoid the mistakes their parents made.