Netflix reveals first look at spin-off to one of its biggest movies ever

The original was quite the sensation upon its release.

Netflix has unveiled the first teaser trailer for the second movie in its Bird Box franchise. Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Josh Malerman, the original post-apocalyptic horror thriller told the story of a woman (played by Sandra Bullock) and two children who must trek through a haunted forest and river whilst blindfolded in order to avoid the supernatural perils within. While mostly garnering mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, the movie was a massive hit for the streamer. Within the first 28 days of its release in 2018, it racked up 282,020,000 hours viewed by subscribers - making it the third most popular English-language original Netflix movie behind Red Notice (364,020,000) and Don't Look Up (359,790,000). Two years ago, JOE reported that the streamer was returning to the world of Bird Box with a Spanish spin-off. Now, Netflix has revealed that the follow-up is titled Bird Box Barcelona and shared the following plot synopsis:

"From the producers of the global phenomenon, Bird Box, comes Bird Box Barcelona, an expansion of the film that riveted audiences in 2018. After a mysterious force decimates the world’s population, Sebastian (Mario Casas, The Invisible Guest) must navigate his own survival journey through the desolate streets of Barcelona. As he forms uneasy alliances with other survivors and they try to escape the city, an unexpected and even more sinister threat grows."

Brother filmmaking duo Àlex Pastor and David Pastor wrote and directed the spin-off, having previously helmed 2009's Carriers, another post-apocalyptic flick, which starred Chris Pine. Along with Casas, the cast for Bird Box Barcelona features the Hollywood stars Diego Calva (Babylon) and Georgina Campbell (Barbarian), as well as a host of Spanish actors including Gonzalo de Castro (The Innocent), Leonardo Sbaraglia (Wild Tales), Lola Dueñas (Volver), Michelle Jenner (The Ministry of Time) and Patrick Criado (Money Heist). Bird Box Barcelona will arrive on Netflix on 14 July. You can check out its teaser right here: Earlier in the week, JOE covered the teasers for the upcoming blockbusters Meg 2: The Trench and Oppenheimer in separate articles. Meanwhile, for more of the big trailer releases in the world of film and TV this week, see below.

Flamin' Hot

Based on the memoir of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), who claims to have invented the Flamin' Hot Cheetos snack, this comedy-drama will be released on Disney+ on 9 June.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

This third installment in the hit rom-com franchise will arrive in cinemas on 8 September.

Poor Things

Reteaming her with Yorgos Lanthimos, the director of The Favourite, Emma Stone leads the cast of this surrealist sci-fi rom-com as Bella, a woman brought back to life by a scientist (Willem Dafoe). Co-starring Mark Ruffalo as a man Bella runs off with, Poor Things will also be released in theatres on 8 September.

Run Rabbit Run

Succession's Sarah Snook stars in this Australian horror as a single mother frightened by her young daughter's inexplicable memories of a past identity. It lands on Netflix on 28 June.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

This sequel to the Oscar-winning animated comic book movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse arrives in cinemas on 2 June.

Arnold / McGregor Forever

Moving onto TV, Netflix released trailers for two documentary series this week - one about Arnold Schwarzenegger and the other about Conor McGregor. Arnold premieres on 7 June, while McGregor Forever is out on 17 May.

The Crowded Room

Tom Holland leads the cast of this Apple TV+ series as a man with a mysterious past who finds himself arrested for a shooting in New York in the '70s. From the Oscar-winning writer of A Beautiful Mind, Amanda Seyfried co-stars in the thriller show which will premiere on 9 June.