“I Know What You Did Last Summer” has always been a second-tier slasher franchise. It’s nowhere near as iconic as “Scream,” “Halloween” or “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” But with the release of a 2025 legacy sequel, it does join those three series in getting a modern revival.
With The Fisherman’s hook sharpened once more, here’s how all four “I Know What You Did Last Summer” films rank.
4. ‘I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer’ (2006)
“I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer” is a dull experience — literally. The film has a colorless feel that extends past the lifeless visuals.
Rather than remaining grounded, this installment attempts to take the franchise in a supernatural direction. To say the least, this is an underwhelming turn of events.
The flick does feature some pulse-pounding moments, having a more hands-on approach with The Fisherman. Still, it lacks suspense — and most of all creativity.
“I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer” is easily the weakest entry in the franchise. It’s overly predictable, visually insulting and boring.
3. ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ (1997)
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” features a phenomenal setup that blossoms into… generic slasher tropes. The film takes its time developing an intriguing set of characters, but is ultimately an uneven and forgettable experience.
Still, it does introduce an iconic — yet basic — villain. It’s partly because of this simplicity that The Fisherman is so visually memorable. The character isn’t overly flashy, but the bleak costume and ice hook makes for a haunting figure.
An eerie atmosphere, well-rounded cast and a hint of nostalgia keep this flick afloat.
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” isn’t on-par with other slasher greats, but… it’s good enough.
2. ‘I Still Know What You Did Last Summer’ (1998)
“I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” is pure camp. It builds off the mild success of the original, going bigger in virtually every aspect — gore, humor, action and more.
The film goes for over-the-top characters, large set pieces, non-stop reveals and a higher body count. It’s all the better for this, resulting in a viewing experience that is genuinely fun.
While this entry doesn’t have the fresh setup of the original, it does take the story in wild directions. The Fisherman is just as iconic as before, used in a slightly different way.
“I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” is tacky and unserious… in all the right ways.
1. ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ (2025)
Unlike the more iconic slashers, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” never had a particularly high bar to clear. That works to its benefit in this modern revival.
With a stronger sense of menace and a bold new direction, this entry takes risks that many legacy sequels avoid. While the creative swings may frustrate some, they inject energy into a franchise that never quite lived up to its potential.
The younger cast, led by Chase Sui Wonders and Madelyn Cline, brings some freshness – despite leaning too hard into Gen Z humor. The tone suffers at times, especially when jokes undercut the tension.
Still, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (2025) is bigger, bloodier and more confident than all of the first three entries.
Final Thoughts
Even with the 2025 legacy sequel, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” still isn’t a top-tier horror franchise. But… there’s finally potential here.
The latest installment proves that with the right cast, tone and creative risks, The Fisherman can matter again. For the first time, there’s something worth looking forward to in this series’ future.
