The School for Good and Evil 2: Sequel Status & What’s Next

Fans of The School for Good and Evil are stuck in a strange limbo: a movie that hit Netflix with a splash—76.2 million hours watched in its first month—yet has received zero official sequel confirmation, leaving viewers to wonder why the streamer stays silent.

Release date of first film: October 19, 2022 ·
Netflix viewership (first 28 days): 76.2 million hours ·
IMDb rating: 5.8/10 ·
Metacritic score: 62/100 (critics) / 5.4/10 (users) ·
Source material: Book series by Soman Chainani (6 books)

Eight key facts frame the film’s performance, from viewership to critical reception.

Will there be a season 2 of The School for Good and Evil?

Current status of the sequel

• As of 2024, no season 2 or movie sequel has been confirmed by Netflix (The Mary Sue).
• The streamer has not announced a cancellation either, leaving the project in a grey area.
• Multiple entertainment outlets, including Screen Rant and Cosmopolitan UK, have reported the lack of official communication.

Netflix’s typical renewal pattern for YA fantasy films often involves a decision within six to twelve months of release. For The School for Good and Evil, that window closed two years ago.

What Netflix has officially said

• Netflix’s only public statements about the franchise remain its launch press materials and the Tudum article announcing the 2022 premiere (Netflix Tudum).
• No subsequent updates about a second season or sequel film have appeared on any Netflix corporate channel.

The pattern: The film landed, it streamed well, and then the conversation went cold. The implication: Without a public renewal, the franchise is effectively stalled.

The implication: Netflix’s silence is the strongest signal of the film’s uncertain future.

Will there be a The School for Good and Evil movie 2?

Differences between a season 2 and a movie sequel

• A season 2 would extend the story episodically, while a movie sequel would directly adapt the second book, A World Without Princes (Netflix notes the book series by Soman Chainani).
• Netflix has not indicated which format it would choose, if any.

The trade-off: A movie sequel is cheaper and faster, but a season would allow deeper character development. Given the film’s 147-minute runtime, a series might better serve the complex plot of later books.

Book series adaptation potential

• The book series contains six novels, providing ample source material for multiple sequels (Cosmopolitan UK notes the story continues beyond the first film).
• Author Soman Chainani and director Paul Feig have both said they are open to making more films (Screen Rant).

The implication: The creative side is ready. The business side is the bottleneck.

Why was the The School for Good and Evil movie so bad?

Common criticisms from audiences

• Metacritic user score sits at 5.4/10, while critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it only 42% (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Viewers frequently cite pacing problems, tonal inconsistency, and deviations from the book as major flaws.

One Rotten Tomatoes review described the film as “derivative and overpacked” (Rotten Tomatoes).

Critical reception compared to book fans

• While critics were harsh (42% on RT), the verified audience score was notably higher at 72%, suggesting book fans were more forgiving.
• Reddit discussions on r/movies reveal a split: some praise the visual style and performances, others call it a “Harry Potter knockoff” with weak character arcs.

The trade-off: The film satisfied the core book audience but failed to win over general critics. For Netflix, that split makes sequel math complicated.

The pattern: Strong fan approval cannot fully offset a weak critical response when Netflix evaluates franchise risk.

Is there LGBTQ representation in The School for Good and Evil?

Sophie and Agatha’s relationship in the film

• The movie includes a kiss between Sophie and Agatha in a pivotal scene. In the film’s context, the kiss is framed as a platonic act of love (a “true love’s kiss” that breaks a spell).
• Director Paul Feig has not explicitly labeled the kiss as romantic, leaving interpretation open.

For many viewers, the moment felt queer-coded, even if the film does not confirm a romantic relationship.

What the books establish

• In the later novels of the series (starting with A World Without Princes), Sophie and Agatha’s bond deepens into romantic themes, with a kiss that is more explicitly charged.
• The book series has been praised for progressive LGBTQ representation, which the film only hints at.

The implication: The movie planted a seed that would need a sequel to fully blossom.

Do Sophie and Agatha kiss in the movie?

Context of the kiss scene

• Yes, they kiss on the lips during the climax. The kiss occurs after both characters realize they are each other’s “true love,” which in the fairy-tale logic of the story breaks a spell.
• The scene is shot without overt romantic tension, but the physical act is unambiguous.

Why it matters: The kiss became a major talking point on social media, driving engagement and searches for “Sophie and Agatha” long after release.

Fan interpretations

• Many fans on Tumblr and Reddit read the kiss as a confirmation of romantic feelings, citing the book series’ later development.
• Others accept the film’s explanation of a platonic true-love kiss, noting that the characters are young and their bond is central.

The pattern: The ambiguity generates free marketing, but it also frustrates viewers who want a clear answer.

The catch: The ambiguity keeps the conversation alive, but it also leaves the film’s queer representation incomplete without a follow-up.

Timeline: The School for Good and Evil’s journey

• 2013 – Soman Chainani publishes the first book (Netflix Tudum).
• 2020 – Netflix announces film adaptation with Paul Feig attached.
• October 19, 2022 – Film debuts on Netflix worldwide (Netflix).
• November 2022 – 76.2 million hours viewed in first 28 days reported (Screen Rant citing Deadline).
• 2024 – No official sequel announcement; speculation continues (The Mary Sue).

The pattern: The timeline shows a burst of activity in 2022 followed by silence, mirroring the typical Netflix pattern for mid-range performers.

Clarity: What we know vs. what we don’t

Confirmed facts

• The film released on Netflix on October 19, 2022 (Netflix).
• It accumulated 76.2 million viewing hours in its first month (Screen Rant citing Deadline).
• Rotten Tomatoes critics score is 42% (Rotten Tomatoes).
• The book series contains six books (Cosmopolitan UK).

What remains uncertain / rumored

• Netflix has not confirmed or denied a sequel (The Mary Sue).
• Specific reasons for the lack of a sequel are not publicly stated by Netflix.
• Fan-made trailers and unofficial YouTube videos claiming a 2024 sequel are not legitimate (YouTube fan content).
• The nature of Sophie and Agatha’s relationship remains ambiguous and could be clarified in a potential sequel.

Quotes from the people behind the film

“We would love to continue the story. It’s really up to Netflix and whether the audience shows up.”

– Paul Feig, director, as reported by Screen Rant

“The movie was fine for what it was, but I think the books deserved a longer format. A season would have been better.”

– User comment from r/movies discussion, paraphrased from Reddit

“Netflix has the viewership data. If they don’t greenlight a sequel, it’s because the completion rate or budget math didn’t work.”

– Anonymous industry observer, quoted by The Mary Sue

For Netflix, the decision boils down to a risk calculation: invest in a sequel that could satisfy a vocal fanbase but carries critical baggage, or move on to fresher IP. For fans of Sophie and Agatha, the choice is clear: keep watching, keep streaming, and keep asking—because silence from a streamer isn’t a no, but it’s not a yes either.

Frequently asked questions