Decades after Breaking Dawn, Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy) awakens a dormant vampire gene, triggering a terrifying transformation that threatens the Cullen family’s fragile peace. When ancient texts reveal her condition is tied to the original vampire curse, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) must seek out the first vampire—a primordial being hidden in the Amazon rainforest. The film’s climax features a brutal showdown between the Cullens and a new breed of feral, blood-maddened vampires, ending with Renesmee making an unthinkable choice: drinking Bella’s immortal blood to stabilize her mutation. The post-credits scene teases the arrival of werewolf-vampire hybrids.
Budget & Production:
With a $150 million budget, The New Chapter became the most expensive Twilight film yet. Director Catherine Hardwicke returned to helm this dark, R-rated evolution of the saga, shooting in Brazil’s rainforests and Scotland’s highlands. The production used practical effects for gory vampire transformations, while cutting-edge CGI brought the primal first vampire to life. Stewart and Pattinson reportedly trained for 6 months to perform their own high-speed fight choreography.
Release Date & Box Office:
The film premiered on November 21, 2025, dominating the pre-Thanksgiving box office with a 140milliondomesticopening∗∗—thebiggestforthefranchise.Itgrossed∗∗140milliondomesticopening∗∗—thebiggestforthefranchise.Itgrossed∗∗750 million worldwide, outperforming Breaking Dawn Part 2. Midnight screenings saw fans camping out for days, echoing 2008’s Twilight mania.
Critical & Fan Reception:
Critics praised its “shockingly mature tone” (85% on Rotten Tomatoes) but mocked the “absurd” hybrid lore. Fans went wild for Bella’s new vampire ferocity and a steamy Edward/Jacob (Taylor Lautner) team-up fight scene. The controversial ending sparked #RenesmeeChoice debates across social media.
Merchandising & Legacy:
The film drove $500M+ in merch sales, including “Team First Vampire” apparel and a New Chapter-inspired perfume line. Summit Entertainment fast-tracked a Renesmee spinoff, while Stephenie Meyer announced a companion novel. The post-credits hybrid tease broke the internet, proving the saga’s enduring fandom power.
