Sony Pictures has officially announced that Jumanji 3 (Jumanji: The Last Story) will hit theaters on December 11, 2026, arriving in IMAX and premium large formats. Fans of the franchise are thrilled, as original cast members Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan are all expected to return for the sequel, with Jake Kasdan set to direct once again. Kasdan and the ensemble cast helped revive the franchise in 2017 with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which was a surprising box-office hit, grossing $962 million worldwide. This led to the quick release of the 2019 sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level, which, while not reaching the same heights, still brought in a strong $801 million globally.
Since the last installment, however, it's been a longer wait for a third sequel. Producer Hiram Garcia mentioned back in 2021 that the team was eager to return to the Jumanji universe, describing it as a “family” experience for both the cast and crew. He teased that they had “big plans” for the next film, though specifics remain under wraps. Kasdan has also hinted that taking a break between films has allowed the creative team to step back and consider what exciting directions the next adventure could take.
The Jumanji series began with the beloved 1995 original starring Robin Williams, which has become a cult classic. Although initially, the thought of a reboot was met with skepticism, the franchise's fresh take and high-stakes jungle adventure format won over both new and old fans alike. Given the prior films' success, the upcoming release will likely explore even more innovative ways to keep the dangerous game alive.
The Jumanji franchise has continued to surprise audiences, successfully blending humor, adventure, and nostalgia. It's great to see the core cast returning, as their chemistry has been essential to the franchise's success. While some sequels can suffer from diminishing returns, Jumanji has managed to stay fresh, largely due to the cast's dynamic and Kasdan's direction. I'm curious to see how they'll expand the story further, especially as the last two films wrapped up the central game plot effectively.
There's always the challenge of delivering something new without losing the heart of the series. If Jumanji 3 can balance fresh thrills with the humor and high-energy action fans expect, it could be another win for Sony and a worthy addition to the Jumanji legacy.
What are you hoping to see in Jumanji 3? Do you think the third sequel can match the success of the previous films?
