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The Unofficial History Of The 'Sex And The City' Movies: Why The Third Film Died And What Season 3 Of 'And Just Like That...' Reveals About The Future

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The cinematic journey of Carrie Bradshaw and her Manhattan-based friends is far from over, but the original "Sex and the City movie" trilogy that fans craved is a story of dramatic success, critical failure, and a highly publicised cancellation. As of December 2025, the franchise's focus has completely shifted, with the revival series, And Just Like That…, now serving as the de facto "third movie" and beyond, bringing fresh drama and complicated new love interests to the forefront for its highly anticipated third season.

The original two films, released a decade ago, were global cultural phenomena that cemented the legacy of the HBO series. However, the planned third installment was derailed by a long-standing feud and creative differences, forcing the narrative to evolve into a new streaming format that has redefined the lives of Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte for a modern audience.

The Original Four: Cast & Character Biography

The heart of the Sex and the City universe is its quartet of iconic characters and the actresses who brought them to life, navigating friendship, fashion, and romance in New York City.

  • Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw): A successful writer and fashion icon known for her distinctive style and complex relationship with Mr. Big. Parker is also an executive producer on the revival series.
  • Kim Cattrall (Samantha Jones): The fiercely independent, sexually liberated publicist whose absence and eventual brief return became the central drama of the franchise's continuation.
  • Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes): The cynical, career-driven lawyer. In the new series, her character undergoes a significant personal evolution, exploring her sexuality and leaving her marriage to Steve Brady.
  • Kristin Davis (Charlotte York Goldenblatt): The optimistic, romantic art dealer, focused on family life and navigating motherhood and marriage to Harry Goldenblatt.
  • Chris Noth (Mr. Big / John James Preston): Carrie's main love interest and eventual husband, whose shocking death in the first season of And Just Like That… fundamentally changed the direction of the franchise.
  • Michael Patrick King: The main writer and director for the two original films and the showrunner for the And Just Like That… series, serving as the primary creative voice for the entire cinematic universe.

The Box Office Blitz: A Look Back at the First Two Films

The transition from a beloved HBO series to a major motion picture was a massive gamble that paid off handsomely, proving the enduring appeal of the characters and their stories.

Sex and the City (2008)

The first feature film, simply titled Sex and the City, premiered four years after the series finale and was an immediate commercial smash. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, who often described it as an extended episode, the film resonated deeply with its global fanbase. It followed Carrie and Mr. Big's tumultuous path to marriage, which was nearly derailed by Big's cold feet, culminating in a dramatic reunion at the iconic brownstone apartment.

  • Global Gross: The film was a major commercial success, grossing an impressive $418.8 million worldwide.
  • Plot Focus: The story centered on Carrie’s near-wedding, Samantha’s monogamous relationship with Smith Jerrod, Charlotte’s happy family life, and Miranda’s marital struggles with Steve.
  • Cultural Impact: It successfully brought the high-fashion, emotional drama, and friendship focus of the series to the big screen, satisfying a massive, underserved female audience.

Sex and the City 2 (2010)

The second movie, Sex and the City 2, took the core group on an extravagant trip to Abu Dhabi (filmed in Morocco) as a form of escapism. The film was even more critically panned than its predecessor, with many reviewers calling it excessive and culturally tone-deaf. The plot focused on the women grappling with middle-age anxieties, marital doldrums, and the reappearance of Carrie's ex, Aidan Shaw.

  • Box Office Performance: While still financially successful, the sequel saw a significant drop from the first film, grossing $294.6 million worldwide.
  • Controversy: The film sparked considerable debate over its portrayal of Middle Eastern culture and its over-the-top, recession-era opulence.

The Cancellation of 'Sex and the City 3' and the Samantha Jones Saga

The planned third movie, Sex and the City 3, became one of Hollywood’s most notorious canceled projects. It was approved by Warner Bros. as far back as 2016, but production was ultimately shelved, a decision that Sarah Jessica Parker confirmed publicly.

The Feud and the Fallout

The primary reason cited for the cancellation was the refusal of Kim Cattrall to reprise her role as Samantha Jones. Cattrall had long expressed her disinterest in returning to the character and reportedly had a strained relationship with her co-stars, particularly Sarah Jessica Parker. The studio ultimately halted the project, leading to a public dispute over whether Cattrall's "outrageous demands" were the cause of the film's demise, a claim she strongly rebutted.

Cattrall herself stated that she had survived without Sex and the City and had no intention of doing a third film. The cancellation of Sex and the City 3 effectively ended the film franchise, paving the way for the television revival.

The Revival: And Just Like That…

In lieu of a third movie, the franchise was reborn as the Max original series, And Just Like That… (AJLT). This series picked up with Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte navigating life in their 50s, dealing with widowhood, identity crises, and a rapidly changing social landscape. The series addressed Samantha’s absence by establishing a rift between her and Carrie, with the character having moved to London.

However, the biggest news of the revival came in Season 2: Kim Cattrall made a surprise, non-filmed cameo as Samantha Jones, ending her public estrangement from the character. While this single scene was a massive fan moment, Cattrall has since confirmed that she will not be returning for the third season of AJLT.

What to Expect from 'And Just Like That...' Season 3 (2025)

The future of the Sex and the City universe is firmly rooted in the television series, with Season 3 of And Just Like That… scheduled to premiere sometime in 2025. This new season acts as the latest chapter in the story, offering the most current updates on the beloved characters.

Plot Developments and New Beginnings

Season 3 promises to delve deeper into the new lives of the core three women. Carrie, now a successful podcaster and author, has moved into a luxurious and mostly unfurnished townhouse, signaling a major fresh start following the death of Mr. Big.

  • Carrie’s Love Life: Sarah Jessica Parker has teased that fans can expect "new men" in the upcoming season, suggesting that Carrie will continue to explore complicated new love after her brief reunion with Aidan Shaw in Season 2.
  • Miranda’s Journey: Miranda, having explored her sexuality and relationship with Che Diaz, will be accompanied by Carrie and Charlotte to a lesbian bar, suggesting she is continuing her journey of self-discovery and meeting new people.
  • The Supporting Cast: The storylines of the new, more diverse supporting cast, including Seema Patel, Lisa Todd Wexley, and Nya Wallace, are expected to be further developed, adding new dynamics to the classic friendship group.

While the dream of a true "Sex and the City 3" movie remains officially canceled, the ongoing success and evolution of And Just Like That… ensures that the themes of friendship, fashion, and the ever-changing landscape of love in New York City will continue to be explored for years to come. The series is now the definitive, up-to-date continuation of a franchise that has proven its ability to reinvent itself for every new stage of life.

sex and the city movie
sex and the city movie

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