PARIS / LOS ANGELES — After shattering viewership records and becoming Netflix’s most popular French film of all time, the sharks are returning to the City of Light. Netflix officially confirmed on Friday, May 1, 2026, that production has begun on Under Paris 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2024 breakout hit.
While fans were hoping for a 2026 release, the streamer’s official announcement and teaser poster suggest the film is swimming toward a 2027 release window.
A New Vision: Alexandre Aja Takes the Helm
In a significant move for the franchise, horror maestro Alexandre Aja—the director behind aquatic thrillers like Crawl and Piranha 3D—has taken over directing duties from Xavier Gens. Aja’s attachment signals a potential shift toward a more visceral, high-tension horror experience.
”I love Paris, and I’ve always wanted to make a shark movie,” Aja said in a statement. “When the opportunity came to take this story even deeper into the submerged city, it was an obvious yes.”
The Plot: A Submerged Capital
The sequel picks up three years after the catastrophic “Paris Triathlon Disaster” that ended the first film. The attempted neutralizing of the sharks led to a chain reaction of explosions, leaving the center of Paris completely flooded and teeming with mutated predators.
- The Mission: Marine scientist Sophia (Bérénice Bejo) and river police commander Adil (Nassim Lyes) reunite for a high-risk mission to track down Lilith, the original apex predator.
- The Twist: The logline teases that as they navigate the shark-infested ruins of the capital, they will discover a “surprising reality” hidden within the deadly wildlife that goes far beyond simple mutation.
- The Setting: With the city now a series of interconnected lagoons and flooded landmarks, the sequel promises to expand the “aquatic apocalypse” aesthetic.
Returning Cast and Production Details
Filming is currently underway in the South of France and Paris. Most of the primary surviving cast members are confirmed to return.
The first film, Sous la Seine, garnered more than 102 million views within its first year, making it the second-most-popular non-English language film in Netflix history (behind Troll). Its blend of environmental commentary, political satire, and shark-attack spectacle resonated globally, particularly its controversial ending that saw Paris fall to the waves.
With Aja at the helm and a significantly larger budget, Under Paris 2 is poised to be Netflix’s flagship international release for 2027.
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