Jumanji: Open World Set to Hit Theaters This Christmas

The third installment in the Jumanji franchise, officially titled Jumanji: Open World, was announced during Sony's CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas. The film is set to be released in theaters on December 25, 2026. This follows the success of its predecessors, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), both of which grossed over $950 million and $801 million globally, respectively.

The Wrap

Stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black took the stage at CinemaCon to unveil the first trailer for Jumanji: Open World. The trailer depicts a scenario where the Jumanji game has infiltrated the real world, showcasing the characters in "demo mode." The film features a mix of real-world and video game elements, including a scene where Johnson's character, Dr. Xander "Smolder" Bravestone, speaks in a Spanish accent while interacting with the real-world characters, including Alex Wolff and Danny DeVito.

The Wrap

The Jumanji franchise is based on the 1981 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. The original film, released in 1995 and starring Robin Williams, introduced audiences to a supernatural board game that brings jungle dangers into the real world. The franchise was rebooted in 2017 with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which reimagined the story for a modern audience.

The Wrap

• Dwayne Johnson: Plays Dr. Xander "Smolder" Bravestone.

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• Kevin Hart: Portrays Franklin "Mouse" Finbar.

Deadline Hollywood

• Jack Black: Plays Professor Sheldon "Shelly" Oberon.

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• Karen Gillan: Portrays Ruby Roundhouse.

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• Alex Wolff: Plays Spencer, the teen protagonist.

Deadline Hollywood

• Danny DeVito: Appears as Spencer's grandfather.

Deadline Hollywood

• Jake Kasdan: Returns as director, co-writing the script with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg.

The Wrap

Jumanji: Open World continues the trend of blending video game mechanics with cinematic storytelling, appealing to both younger audiences and fans of the original film. The film's dedication to Robin Williams, with a nod to the original dice from the 1995 film, highlights the franchise's connection to its roots while aiming to attract a new generation of viewers.

Deadline Hollywood

During the CinemaCon presentation, Johnson expressed his excitement for the film, stating, "This one’s for you," referring to Robin Williams. Hart humorously remarked about the challenges of filming, saying, “It was work,” while Black described the experience as his favorite so far.

Hollywood Reporter

• “We are pumped about being back for another Jumanji,” — Kevin Hart

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• “I’ve never had more fun working on a movie. This is my favorite so far.” — Jack Black

Hollywood Reporter

• “Robin, as we like to say, this one’s for you.” — Dwayne Johnson

Hollywood Reporter

As the release date approaches, further promotional materials and marketing campaigns are expected to ramp up, potentially revealing more about the film's plot and character dynamics. The film's release during the holiday season positions it as a significant contender in the box office landscape.

Hollywood Reporter