After years of speculation and eager fan anticipation, Sony Pictures has officially locked in a release date for the next chapter of the Jumanji saga: December 11, 2026. The announcement came during CinemaCon 2025, where Sony’s upcoming film lineup drew major attention — and Jumanji 3 was one of the highlights.
This marks the third installment in the rebooted franchise that began with 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and continued with 2019’s Jumanji: The Next Level. Those two films were surprise blockbusters, collectively raking in over $1.7 billion globally and successfully reinventing the 1995 Robin Williams classic for a new generation.
The Core Cast Is Back
Fans will be thrilled to hear that the core cast is set to return. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan are all reprising their roles, continuing their on-screen chemistry that helped propel the first two entries to massive success. Jack Black recently confirmed his involvement, expressing excitement about reuniting with the team.
Director Jake Kasdan is also returning, once again helming the movie and collaborating with producer Hiram Garcia, who has been a driving force behind the project’s development.
What We Know So Far
While the official title and plot are still under wraps, Garcia has revealed that the team has crafted a pitch for the sequel and plans to begin production once Kasdan wraps his work on the upcoming holiday action film Red One, which also stars Dwayne Johnson.
The film is expected to further expand the lore of the in-game universe introduced in the previous movies. There’s been speculation that Jumanji 3 could take things even further—possibly merging the real world and game world in unexpected ways, as hinted at by the ending of The Next Level. Expect new game avatars, real-world stakes, and potentially even legacy nods to the original 1995 film.
Why the Wait?
Fans have been waiting for updates since The Next Level ended on a cliffhanger in 2019. Delays caused by the pandemic, scheduling conflicts among the high-profile cast, and Sony’s reshuffling of its release calendar meant the project remained dormant until now. But the long wait may prove worth it. With the massive success of the first two entries and the return of the original creative team, Jumanji 3 is being positioned as a major holiday blockbuster for 2026.
High Hopes for the Franchise’s Future
The Jumanji reboot series has become one of Sony’s most successful modern film properties, praised for its blend of comedy, action, and clever video game-inspired storytelling. With the original cast back in action and new twists on the horizon, Jumanji 3 could be the franchise’s biggest adventure yet.
Mark your calendars — the jungle comes calling again on December 11, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Jumanji 3 has been officially confirmed for a 2026 release during Sony’s CinemaCon presentation.
- The film will be the third installment in the rebooted Jumanji franchise following two highly successful previous films.
- Placeholder artwork was shown at the convention, though official promotional materials and cast information will be released in the coming months.
Jumanji 3 Reveal at CinemaCon
Sony Pictures officially announced that the third installment in the rebooted Jumanji franchise will hit theaters on December 11, 2026. The announcement at CinemaCon created significant buzz among attendees and fans of the adventure series.
CinemaCon 2026 Overview
CinemaCon showcased numerous upcoming films slated for 2026 release, with Jumanji 3 being one of the most anticipated announcements. The event featured placeholder artwork for several films, including this third Jumanji installment.
Sony’s presentation highlighted the December 11, 2026 release date, positioning the film as a major holiday season blockbuster. This follows the successful strategy used by previous Jumanji films that performed well during the winter months.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, industry insiders expect the core cast including Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan to return. Their chemistry was widely credited for the success of the previous two films.
Initial Reception
The Jumanji 3 announcement generated immediate positive reactions from attendees and across social media. Fans praised the clever title styling of “Jumanji 3” which incorporates the Roman numeral III directly into the title.
The 2026 release date sparked discussions about production timelines. Some observers questioned whether the film might eventually be pushed to 2027, noting the ambitious slate of other major releases planned for 2026.
The holiday release strategy appears strategic, as both previous Jumanji reboot films performed exceptionally well in this timeframe. The December date positions the film to capitalize on family audiences during the school holiday period.
Industry analysts note that the Jumanji franchise has become one of Sony’s most reliable properties, with the previous two films grossing over $1.7 billion worldwide combined.
Anticipated Impact on Film Industry
The announcement of Jumanji 4’s 2026 release at CinemaCon 2025 signals major commercial potential and creative influence across Hollywood. This franchise entry arrives amid shifting theatrical landscapes and evolving audience expectations.
Box Office Predictions
Jumanji 4 is positioned to become a major box office contender in 2026. The previous franchise entries demonstrated remarkable financial success, with “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” earning over $960 million worldwide and its sequel “The Next Level” reaching nearly $800 million.
Industry analysts predict the fourth installment could potentially cross the $1 billion threshold, especially with the franchise’s established global appeal. This performance would be significant as theaters continue recovering from pandemic-era disruptions.
The timing of the release appears strategic, potentially avoiding direct competition with other major franchise films while capitalizing on school holiday periods. Sony Pictures clearly views this as a cornerstone of their 2026 theatrical strategy.
Influence on Future Productions
Jumanji’s continued success has already inspired numerous adventure-comedy productions across the industry. The fourth film will likely reinforce Hollywood’s commitment to family-friendly adventure franchises with cross-generational appeal.
The uncertainty around Jack Black’s return, as mentioned in search results, highlights how studios must balance franchise continuity with talent negotiations. This balancing act will influence how other studios approach long-running series.
Production techniques used in Jumanji 4 could set new standards for blending practical effects with CGI in adventure films. Previous installments successfully modernized the concept while maintaining nostalgic connections.
Studios will closely monitor audience reception to determine if multi-platform franchise extensions (like video games or streaming spinoffs) could follow the theatrical release pattern that Jumanji has established.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the newly announced Jumanji sequel set for release in December 2026. The film was recently revealed at CinemaCon 2025 as part of Sony Pictures’ upcoming slate.
What are the confirmed cast members for the upcoming Jumanji sequel set to release in 2026?
While official casting announcements haven’t been made, speculation suggests Dwayne Johnson may return. The previous films featured Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black, who might reprise their roles.
No formal cast list has been published since the announcement at CinemaCon 2025. Sony Pictures has kept details about casting under wraps.
Has the official plot been revealed for the new Jumanji film announced at CinemaCon?
No official plot details have been revealed for the 2026 Jumanji sequel. Sony Pictures made the announcement at CinemaCon but shared minimal story information.
The studio is likely keeping the storyline secret to build anticipation as the release date approaches. Previous films explored the video game version of Jumanji with players taking on in-game avatars.
Which director is attached to helm the latest entry in the Jumanji franchise?
Jake Kasdan will return to direct the new Jumanji film. This continues his relationship with the franchise after successfully directing both “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” and “Jumanji: The Next Level.”
Kasdan’s return suggests continuity with the previous installments’ style and tone. His familiarity with the world and characters should provide consistency for fans.
What filming locations have been selected for the Jumanji sequel debuting in 2026?
Filming locations for the 2026 Jumanji sequel haven’t been announced yet. The previous films shot in Hawaii, Atlanta, New Mexico, and various international locations.
Production details including shooting schedules and locations will likely be revealed closer to when cameras begin rolling. The franchise typically features diverse settings from jungles to deserts and mountains.
Can we expect any returning characters or new additions to the Jumanji universe in the upcoming film?
While not confirmed, the franchise pattern suggests both returning characters and new additions. Previous films expanded the Jumanji universe with each installment.
Fans might see familiar avatars alongside new game elements and characters. The last film’s ending left several possibilities open for story development and character returns.
What are the production companies involved in the making of the latest Jumanji movie?
Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, leads production of the new Jumanji film. Seven Bucks Productions, Dwayne Johnson’s company, likely remains involved.
Matt Tolmach Productions has also been part of previous Jumanji films and may continue their involvement. The film will release in standard formats along with IMAX and premium large formats on December 11, 2026.
