While September is packed with hit releases on Netflix, “Uglies” is set to become one of the standout trends, not just for the month but likely for the entire second half of 2024. Joey King first pitched the idea of adapting Scott Westerfeld’s young adult novel to the streamer when she was just seventeen, and nearly a decade later, it’s finally a reality!
The “Kissing Booth” star’s instincts were spot-on, as the sci-fi film quickly became the most-watched movie worldwide within hours of its September 13 release, according to FlixPatrol metrics.
With its stellar cast of rising stars and gripping storyline, viewers are now eagerly wondering if a sequel to “Uglies” is in the works, and if so, when it might be released. Here’s everything we know so far—but be warned, there are spoilers ahead!
All that is known about the ‘Uglies’ sequel
If you’ve watched “Uglies,” you’ll know that the ending is quite open and clearly sets the stage for a continuation. The picture concludes with Tally living as a Pretty in the city, yet it’s evident she has remained true to her promise, as her childhood scar remains intact.
This ending aligns with the broader plan for the film series, as “Uglies” is based on Scott Westerfeld’s written universe. So, Netflix is expected to next adapt “Pretties,” the second book in the series, where Tally fully rebels against society’s dangerous obsession with perfection.
While a sequel seems likely, it needs to be remembered that the streamer has strict criteria for greenlighting projects, and a few weeks at the top of the charts, as “Uglies” is bound to achieve, may not be sufficient. This was evidenced by the cancellation of “Dead Boy Detectives,” despite its initial success.
Joey King, however, is optimistic about the future of the title. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, she shared, “We’re really excited for people to see this one, and we’re excited for the future of these characters and to see what people enjoy. And really enjoying the moment here.”
Considering all factors, if “Uglies” achieves the success needed for a sequel, it’s likely “Pretties” could arrive by early 2026 at the earliest. This math is based on the fact that the first film took two and a half years to produce, as Joey King revealed. Thus, the future installment is likely to take a similar amount of time to make. We’ll keep you updated on any developments!