Frogman Returns (2026) Review: Toronto After Dark

Time to croak, bitch!

We kicked off our coverage for Toronto After Dark with an the iconic return to Loveland, the home of Frogman. Written and directed by Anthony Cousins, with John Karsko as co-writer, the film picks up almost two years after the first film with Dallas (Nathan Tymoshuk) and Amy (Chelsea Grant) now on the outs with each other. The film primarily follows Dallas, now hosting a reality show hunting other cryptids. However, when circumstances draw him back to Loveland, he finds himself searching for Amy and confronting the strange events that originally brought them together.

One of the more noticeable differences between the two films is the visual presentation. Feeling a lot less like the gritty, chaotic found-footage style that made the original stand out, Frogman Returns feels more grounded and visually cleaner. While some of that raw, unsettling quality is missing, the shift gives the sequel room to explore its characters and expand on the mythology established in the first film. It also allows Cousins to take the story in some interesting new directions without feeling like he's simply trying to recreate what worked before.

The transition from the events of the first film to Dallas's new life as a cryptid-hunting reality TV personality is an interesting one. There's something entertaining about seeing how his experiences have shaped the direction of his life, even as it becomes clear that there's still unfinished business back in Loveland. His search for Amy provides the emotional thread that keeps the story moving, while the larger mystery surrounding Frogman continues to give the film its creature-feature appeal. The dynamic between Dallas and Amy also adds another layer to the story, reminding us that beneath all the weirdness and cryptid encounters, there are personal relationships and consequences that haven't simply disappeared.

Armed with a balanced script and strong performances from the entire cast, Frogman Returns is a solid follow-up. Tymoshuk and Grant bring enough familiarity and personality to their respective roles to make their return worthwhile, while the supporting cast helps round out the expanding world. The film manages to balance its humor, character moments, and creature-feature elements without leaning too heavily in one direction. It understands what kind of movie it wants to be, and there's a genuine sense of fun in watching this strange little corner of the cryptid world continue to grow.

That said, it's the final act where the story really takes on a whole new level. Without giving too much away, the film opens the door to some exciting possibilities that make you reconsider just how big this universe could become. What initially feels like a relatively straightforward return to familiar territory gradually develops into something much more ambitious. It's the kind of ending that leaves you wanting more, not necessarily because everything needs an explanation, but because there's clearly more of this world worth exploring.

More Frogman? More cryptids? Perhaps something even stranger? All we know is that we're in for the ride, whatever that looks like. Cousins has given us another reason to return to Loveland, and we're certainly interested in seeing what he's cooking up next.

Frogman Returns has a bigger budget and bigger stakes. Does it get a little goofy at times? Sure. But it's a vibe and tonally on par with what to expect from this now budding franchise. In an interview with Sharai Bohannon for Dread Central, Cousins stated how the idea of Frogman returning was originally a joke and he had no real intentions of making a sequel, but we are so glad he did.