The beloved Jumanji franchise is set to thrill audiences once again, with Sony Pictures announcing the release of Jumanji 3 on December 11, 2026. This weekend choice aligns with the pre-Christmas slot that the previous entries, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level, successfully occupied. This strategic timing aims to capture the holiday crowd and revive the excitement that the earlier films generated. With the expanded format of IMAX and Premium Large Format (PLF) screenings, it’s clear that Sony intends to deliver an immersive cinematic experience that draws moviegoers into the adventurous world of Jumanji.
Director Jake Kasdan is expected to return, along with the formidable ensemble cast featuring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan. Their previous performances have made a lasting impression, and their anticipated return has already generated a significant buzz among fans. Additionally, the production team, which includes renowned names like Matt Tolmach, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia, ensures continuity in vision and execution. These familiar faces and voices are instrumental in maintaining the franchise’s trademark blend of humor and heart.
The timing of Jumanji 3’s release is crucial, as it strategically opens just a week ahead of a highly anticipated untitled Star Wars film and a proposed release of Dune 3 on December 18. This positioning signifies Sony’s confidence in its property, believing that Jumanji can hold its own against heavy hitters in the competitive holiday movie landscape. The choice of date not only places it prominently within a high-traffic holiday season but also allows for a potential build-up of word-of-mouth buzz leading into its release.
The original Jumanji, released in 1995, captured the imagination of millions, bringing to life a magical board game that unleashed wild adventures into the real world. Featuring the late Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst, the film was a pioneer of its genre, grossing $262.8 million globally—a remarkable feat for its time. The story centered around the intriguing premise of children finding themselves immersed in a mysterious game, ultimately making it a cultural phenomenon.
In 2017, the franchise saw a remarkable reboot that modernized the concept, shifting from a board game to a video game setting. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle set a new standard, grossing a staggering $962.5 million worldwide, followed by the successful sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level, which also performed admirably with $801.6 million at the global box office. Collectively, the trilogy amassed over $2 billion, underscoring its broad appeal across multiple generations.
As anticipation builds towards the next Jumanji installment, it’s worth noting that this collaboration between Kasdan and Johnson is far from the only project on the horizon. They are currently engaged in the production of Red One, a $200 million Christmas feature for Amazon MGM Studios, which stars an impressive cast, including Chris Evans and Lucy Liu. This film, set to release on November 15, sunlights the creative synergies that result from strong partnerships in Hollywood, hinting at more exciting narratives to come.
In sum, Jumanji 3 is poised to continue a legacy of adventure, humor, and cinematic spectacle. As fans eagerly await the next chapter of this beloved franchise, it is clear that both the filmmakers and the audience are excited for what lies ahead in the fantastical realm of Jumanji.