Sony Pictures has revised its release strategy for the next Jumanji instalment, moving the film’s debut to December 25. The sequel was initially slated to arrive in theatres on December 11 but will now open on Christmas Day, placing it squarely in the lucrative holiday corridor.
The upcoming film reunites the franchise’s core cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan. Director Jake Kasdan also returns, having co-written the screenplay with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg.
Joining them are returning cast members Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Marin Hinkle, Bebe Neuwirth, Lamorne Morris and Rhys Darby, while Dan Hildebrand and Jack Jewkes are among the new additions. The film is produced by Matt Tolmach alongside Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Kasdan.
Studio insiders suggest the Christmas Day launch offers a strategic advantage, even if opening weekend may be softened by holiday festivities. The period between Christmas and New Year’s is traditionally one of the most profitable windows for cinemas, often allowing multiple films to thrive and extend their runs well into January.
The move also frees up the mid-December slot, which has often been favoured for major releases seeking early momentum and premium-format screens like IMAX.
The Jumanji franchise, originally popularised by the 1995 film starring the late Robin Williams and based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 book, experienced a major revival in the late 2010s. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle became a massive success, earning $404 million domestically and $960 million worldwide after its December 2017 release. Its follow-up, Jumanji: The Next Level, continued that momentum with a global haul of $802 million.
The release shuffle comes amid ongoing speculation over whether other major titles, including Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, will retain their planned December 18 debuts. While Dune is expected to enjoy an exclusive IMAX window, industry observers remain divided on whether it will hold its ground against a potential Marvel blockbuster. Some believe the crowded holiday frame can sustain multiple big-ticket films, while others anticipate further reshuffling.
