Dwayne Johnson Kicks Off Final 'Jumanji 3' Adventure, Set for Christmas 2026 Release

Production on the next and supposedly last installment of the popular franchise, 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle' (2017) and 'Jumanji: The Next Level' (2019), has officially begun, according to Hollywood icon Dwayne Johnson. Set for a festive December 2026 release, the new movie, which reunites Johnson with his co-stars and director, promises to wrap up the story that began with the gaming world of Jumanji.

The Franchises' Journey

The Jumanji saga began long ago with the 1995 original film adapted from 'Jumanji' by Chris Van Allsburg, and starred Robin Williams in the lead role. The concept of a board game unleashing jungle-style chaos became a family classic. In 2017, the franchise was reimagined with 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,' in which Dwayne Johnson (as Dr. Smolder Bravestone), Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan played four real-life teenagers who become avatars in the video game. The film grossed nearly USD 962.5 million worldwide.

Image Courtesy: Parade

The 2019 sequel, 'Jumanji: The Next Level,' made over USD 800 million worldwide and included the return of the original cast along with new characters such Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner, and Ser'Darius Blaine. The series became one of Sony's greatest success stories because of its combination of well-known actors, action, comedy, and nostalgia.

With Johnson describing the new film as a "massive, fun, heartfelt adventure…emotionally appropriate for our beloved JUMANJI franchise to end on this beautiful grace note," the stakes are high for this final ride.

Image Courtesy: IGN

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What's New in the Third Installment?

According to the announcements, the third installment—simply referred to as 'Jumanji 3' or the final Jumanji film—has kicked off production in Los Angeles, marking a change from previous locations such as Hawaii and Atlanta. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan are among the returning main cast members. Director Jake Kasdan is back in charge, while writers such as Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg have returned too.

Image Courtesy: India Today

A significant Easter egg was unveiled by Johnson on Instagram: in honour of Robin Williams, his character Dr. Smolder Bravestone is going to wear a dice necklace from the original 1995 'Jumanji' movie. While plot details remain under wraps, speculation suggests the story will build on the post-credits scene of The Next Level—where game-world elements begin to leak into the real world. The movie will be available in IMAX theaters and other high-end formats on 11th December, 2026.

Image Courtesy: Deadline

Johnson's Role and Looking Ahead

Johnson's comeback to the 'Jumanji' franchise highlights his continued dedication to classic blockbusters and the delight of collaborating with seasoned partners. The high-profile cast reunion and the promise of a series-culminating adventure make this a must-see for fans of the franchise. With filming underway and a set release date, excitement is building around how the Jumanji world will evolve—and conclude.

The emotional stakes and well-known comedy could make this 'Jumanji' the largest yet, and it might also be the end of the era for Dr. Smolder Bravestone and his group.

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