Watch: First Trailer For 'The Purge: Election Year' Starring Frank Grillo

The PurgeTrying to predict what will turn into a horror franchise is a fool’s errand, and no one could’ve guessed that three years ago, Universal‘s $3-million cheapie "The Purge" would’ve turned into a nearly $90-million worldwide hit. A year later, "The Purge: Anarchy" did even better, with $111 million globally. And now, the studio is hoping audiences are up for a third with "The Purge: Election Year."

READ MORE: Review: ‘The Purge’ Starring Ethan Hawke & Lena Headey

That’s quite the title for the movie, which finds Frank Grillo back in action in a story that finds a United States Senator campaigning to end The Purge once and for all. As you might guess, there are some folks who aren’t too happy about that. Here’s the official synopsis: 

Expanding the universe introduced in the hit franchise that electrified the culture and earned $200 million at the worldwide box office, Universal Pictures’ The Purge: Election Year reveals the next terrifying chapter that occurs over 12 hours of annual lawlessness sanctioned by the New Founders of America to keep this country great.
It’s been two years since Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) stopped himself from a regrettable act of revenge on Purge Night. Now serving as head of security for Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), his mission is to protect her in a run for president and survive the annual ritual that targets the poor and innocent. But when a betrayal forces them onto the streets of D.C. on the one night when no help is available, they must stay alive until dawn…or both be sacrificed for their sins against the state.

"The Purge: Election Year" opens on July 1st.

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