Production on Jumanji 3 Has Begun!

The wait is finally over! After years of anticipation, production on "Jumanji 3" has officially begun. This was announced by Dwayne Johnson and Jack Black on their social media channels.

Johnson wrote:

"Officially kicking off production of "JUMANJI", at our cast table read in Los Angeles – where we will film as well. What a massive, fun, heartfelt adventure. Feels emotionally appropriate for our beloved "JUMANJI" franchise to end on this beautiful grace note of our final film."

With this, Johnson officially confirms that the new installment will indeed serve as the finale of the current "Jumanji" trilogy. In addition to the familiar lead actors, the cast now includes some fresh faces. Burn Gorman, known from "The Expanse" and "Pacific Rim", as well as Brittany O'Grady from "The White Lotus", are joining the cast. Their specific roles have not yet been revealed.

"Jumanji 3" is still scheduled to hit theaters on December 11, 2026.

The "Jumanji" franchise: From mystical board game to modern action universe

Hardly any other adventure film has burned itself so deeply into the collective memory as "Jumanji". What began in 1995 with a mysterious board game that draws its players into a dangerous jungle world is now a global franchise with several films, series and modern reboots. The brand has reinvented itself again and again over almost three decades – and has mastered the balancing act between nostalgia, humor and contemporary action surprisingly well.

The original from 1995: a dark fairy tale for an entire generation

When "Jumanji" was released in cinemas in 1995, the idea was as simple as it was fascinating: an enchanted board game brings the jungle into the real world – complete with dangerous animals, natural disasters and ancient curses. Director Joe Johnston staged the film as a mixture of family adventure and fantasy thriller.

Robin Williams took center stage as Alan Parrish, a boy who is swallowed up by the game and only released decades later. Together with siblings Judy and Peter (played by Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce), he must undo the chaos that "Jumanji" has unleashed.

The film combined spectacular special effects with emotional depth: themes of fear, loss and courage were explored as well as friendship and responsibility. Although the CGI effects of the time seem nostalgic from today's perspective, "Jumanji" was ahead of its time and quickly became a cult classic.

From board game to sequel: "Zathura" as spiritual successor

Few people know that the "Jumanji" universe was given a spin-off back in 2005 – albeit without the famous name in the title. "Zathura: A Space Adventure", directed by Jon Favreau, is also based on a children's book by author Chris Van Allsburg, who had already written the original for Jumanji.

In "Zathura", two brothers find an old space game that catapults their house into an intergalactic danger zone. Instead of jungle chaos, there are meteor storms, alien creatures and black holes. Although the film fell short of expectations at the box office, it is now regarded as a charming, visually strong sequel idea – a "Jumanji in space" that cleverly varies the basic concept.

"Welcome to the Jungle": the successful 2017 reboot

More than twenty years after the original, Sony Pictures dared to reboot the film in 2017 – and the concept was radically modernized. Instead of a mystical board game, "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" now focuses on a cursed video game console. Those who play it are literally drawn into the game and take on the avatar of their character.

This creative twist brought the franchise into the present, not only technically but also narratively. Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan embodied the game characters, while the actual teenagers remained in the real world. The body swap provided plenty of humor, self-irony and charm – a successful mix of adventure, comedy and retro gaming flair. The film was a surprise success, grossing over 960 million US dollars worldwide. It struck a chord with an audience that both remembered the 90s and enjoyed modern action comedies.

"The Next Level": more stars, more action, more chaos

"Jumanji: The Next Level", the direct sequel, followed in 2019. The basic principle remained the same, but this time the game had new rules. The characters involuntarily swapped avatars and two new characters were added in the form of Danny DeVito and Danny Glover, taking the humor to the next level.

The movie also improved visually: instead of just being set in the jungle, this time the adventure took the heroes to deserts, mountains and snowy landscapes. Despite the familiar concept, the film succeeded in providing fresh impetus – and once again thrilled a wide audience. Worldwide, "The Next Level" grossed over 800 million dollars and cemented "Jumanji" as one of the most successful modern adventure franchises.

Why "Jumanji" is so successful

The recipe for success of "Jumanji" lies in its universal idea: a game that comes to life and sends players on a dangerous adventure. This concept is timeless and can be adapted to new generations at will – from the board game of the 90s to the video game aesthetics of the 2010s and future virtual reality versions.

There is also the successful balance of humor, action and heart. Whether Robin Williams or Dwayne Johnson – the films live from characters who have to rise above themselves. The moral message always remains the same: courage, solidarity and self-confidence are the keys to victory, no matter how dangerous the game is.

Related formats and influences

The success of "Jumanji" has also inspired other studios to develop similar concepts. Films such as "Zathura", "Ready Player One" or "Free Guy" also play with the idea of games or virtual worlds spilling over into reality. Board game adaptations such as "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" also show how popular the basic motif has remained: fantasy as an escape route that ultimately reveals the real character. "Jumanji" is at the origin of this modern hybrid world – between fantasy adventure and a journey of self-discovery.

Conclusion: A game that never ends

Almost 30 years after its first theatrical release, "Jumanji" has long been more than just a movie – it is a cult symbol for the spirit of adventure and childlike imagination. Every generation gets its own game, its own heroes and its own morals.

Whether as a gritty board game, a video game or perhaps soon as a VR experience – the principle remains the same: Those who play must face their fears. And that is precisely what makes "Jumanji" one of the most enduring and fascinating film franchises of our time.