Dead by Daylight has always thrived on its ability to bring horror icons to life within its asymmetrical multiplayer arena. The recent announcement and subsequent positive reception of Chucky from Child’s Play joining the killer roster proved once again that Behaviour Interactive knows how to pick its licensed characters. Chucky, while not the most mainstream slasher compared to heavyweights like Michael Myers, brought a unique, diminutive terror that players in the Public Test Build (PTB) found surprisingly effective ahead of his live server debut back in late 2023. It was a bold move that paid off, showing the developers' willingness to adapt even the most visually distinct horrors. But as the community knows all too well, in the world of Dead by Daylight, the question is never if a new licensed killer is coming, but who is next. And right now, all signs point to one IP being an absolute no-brainer, a slam dunk waiting to happen: Five Nights at Freddy's.

Let's be real, to think Behaviour hasn't already had Five Nights at Freddy's (FNaF) on its whiteboard for years would be, frankly, absurd. The studio has consistently shown it listens to its fanbase, even if balancing patches sometimes cause a ruckus. Every new survivor and killer chapter is designed to tap into some corner of the horror fandom. While not every player was a Child's Play aficionado before Chucky's arrival, his inclusion expanded the game's reach. FNaF, however, is a different beast entirely. It's a video game-born horror phenomenon with a massive, dedicated, and—crucially—current fanbase. With a hugely successful live-action movie adaptation released by Blumhouse in 2023 that smashed box office expectations, the IP's visibility has never been higher. For Dead by Daylight's player base in 2026, which includes a huge cohort of gamers who grew up with FNaF lore, an animatronic stalking the Entity's realm isn't just a cool idea—it feels like an inevitability.

The evidence isn't just circumstantial; it's practically knocking on the door with a creepy, metallic grin. For years, fan wish lists for DLC collaborations have been chock-full of FNaF requests. The community has passionately debated which animatronic would be the perfect fit:

Potential Killer	Why It Would Be Terrifying
Springtrap	The decaying, soul-infused suit of William Afton is the prime suspect. His lore is pure evil, and his jerky movements would create uncanny chase mechanics.
Nightmare Freddy	A towering, teeth-filled monstrosity perfect for the game's darker aesthetic. The 'Freddles' could act as unique map hazards or detection tools.
Withered Bonnie	That missing face and eerie strumming could make for a killer with a uniquely disturbing presence and sound-based powers.
The Puppet/Marionette	A floating, music-box-controlled entity that could manipulate generators or survivor actions from a distance.

The connection goes deeper than fan dreams, though. Here's where it gets interesting: Blumhouse. The production company behind the FNaF movie is also producing the upcoming Dead by Daylight film. This isn't just a coincidence; it's a built-in business relationship. As they say in Hollywood, it's all about who you know. This existing partnership creates a natural conduit for a crossover. It wouldn't be some random, out-of-left-field deal; the groundwork is already laid. While it doesn't guarantee a perpetual crossover, it certainly makes the licensing conversation a whole lot smoother than starting from scratch.

So, what's the holdup? The main potential hurdle likely isn't Behaviour's interest or even Blumhouse's involvement, but the creator himself, Scott Cawthon. He's famously protective of his IP and its legacy. However, given the respectful and high-profile treatment Dead by Daylight has given to legends like Freddy Krueger, Pyramid Head, and Pinhead, it's a safe bet that Behaviour would approach FNaF with the same meticulous care. The potential for an amazing chapter is off the charts. Imagine a survivor like Mike Schmidt or Vanessa, trying to survive in a map based on the dilapidated Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, complete with flickering lights, distant music box melodies, and the constant, gnawing fear of something watching from the shadows.

In the end, Five Nights at Freddy's feels like the final piece of the puzzle for Dead by Daylight's modern horror hall of fame. It represents the bridge between classic movie slashers and the new generation of video game horror. Behaviour undoubtedly has this IP in its back pocket, waiting for the perfect moment to spring it on an unsuspecting community. When it finally happens, it won't just be another chapter; it'll be a cultural event within the game, bringing a fresh wave of terror and proving once again that in the fog, no horror icon is ever truly safe from the Entity's grasp. The wait might be killing us, but for the right animatronic, it'll be worth every second of tension.