Lights Out: Sleeper horror smash gets the sequel green-light before it's even released in the UK

The supernatural film is based on an award-winning short the director made in 2014

Back when David F. Sandberg created short film Lights Out in 2014, we're sure he never dreamed in two short years he'd have a successful big-screen version under his belt let alone the opportunity to make a sequel.

Since its release overseas earlier this month, the supernatural horror has been doing big business both critically and commercially. Distributor New Line has taken notice - it probably has something to do with the way Sandberg's turned his $4 million budget into a $60 million profit (and counting) - and green-lit a sequel, confirms Deadline.

This is all the more impressive when considering the film is yet to reach the UK; it's due to be released here on 19 August.

The plot is frighteningly simple: a woman is haunted by a ghostly figure that appears only in darkness.

Lights Out stars Teresa Palmer, Maria Bello and Lotta Losten, Sandberg's wife who co-created the short it's based on (which you can - and should - watch below).

Sandberg has also been tapped up to oversee Annabelle 2, a continuation of The Conjuring spin-off, carving himself out as one of the most exciting horror filmmakers around alongside Adam Wingard whose new film The Woods was revealed to be a secret Blair Witch sequel at Comic-Con 2016 last weekend.