Not many found footage movies get to have a sequel. The very nature of the subgenre normally means that the majority of the main characters don’t make it out alive. However, if Frogman was no ordinary found footage film, then Frogman Returns is, in its own way, quite a different beast of a film that takes the low-budget cryptid concept in a whole different direction.
Frogman Returns follows on from the events of the first film with Dallas, now a well-known film director and media personality, fronting his own cryptid hunting reality show in the wake of the success of his Frogman film. While filming is progressing, the crew ends up reuniting with Amy, who is estranged from Dallas, as they go in search of Frogman once again, and their friend Scotty who went missing during the events of the first film. As things escalate they delve further into the mythos surrounding Frogman, uncovering a cult-like organisation who have their own agenda.
Frogman Returns is a very different beast from Frogman. Pun intended. The sequel has a far larger budget which gives the story a lot more room to expand on the original premise. This also feels like a less gritty found footage film, but that is explained by the use of the cameras for filming the reality show, which fills a logical hole very easily. The mixture of practical effects and CGI is well balanced, and the return of characters from Frogman is a welcome sight, allowing both Dallas and Amy to explore the impact of their experience in Loveland, and providing a redemption arc for Dallas.
The tone of the film is far lighter, and there’s a lot more humour integrated which is helpful, but there’s also a much bigger focus on world building employed, especially when it comes to the legacy of Frogman, with the cult of the Children of Frogman providing a horrifying but fascinating new angle on the existing story. Frogman Returns is also a film that feels like it expands beyond the bounds of traditional horror, moving into a wider cryptid-based universe and adopting a broader science fiction vibe, which in the hands of a lesser director could have been a difficult transition, but Anthony Cousins handles this with ease making that transition, as well as the move towards the bigger budget seamless. It really levels up the Frogman franchise and gives it a huge world in which to expand its wider story.
Frogman Returns is a fun, slightly silly, but ultimately very entertaining movie. The production is slick, the acting very good and the found footage aspect is really well integrated despite the clear ramp up in budget from its predecessor. All in all, a very strong entry into what could be a long-running and wide ranging horror franchise for years to come. It’s funny, it’s dark in places and also quite mad. In a good way. Frogman Returns is well worth a punt, you will not be unhappy you did.
Frogman Returns had its UK premiere at FrightFest 2026 on Sunday, August 30
