Jumanji: Open World is officially ready to bring the beloved game back for one final adventure. Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for the upcoming action-comedy, confirming that the fifth film in the franchise will now arrive in cinemas on December 25, 2026. The movie was previously scheduled for a December 11 release.
The new film reunites Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan for another round of Jumanji chaos. But this time, the biggest problem is not getting trapped inside the game. The game itself has escaped into the real world.
Jumanji: Open World Brings the Game Into the Real World
The trailer introduces a major change to the formula established by Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level. Instead of pulling players into a virtual jungle, the malfunctioning game begins spilling its dangers into everyday life.
That means wildlife, giant creatures and unpredictable environmental hazards can suddenly appear outside the game’s digital boundaries. The result is a world where the rules of Jumanji are no longer restricted to a screen or console.
The film also plays with the franchise’s familiar body-swap comedy. The avatars are now operating in reality while their game mechanics appear to be malfunctioning. Dr. Smolder Bravestone, played by Dwayne Johnson, is shown behaving in unexpected ways, including suddenly speaking Spanish, while Professor Shelly Oberon and Franklin “Mouse” Finbar struggle with the very different rules of the real world.
Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Original Cast Return
Jake Kasdan returns as director after helming the previous two Jumanji films. The screenplay comes from Kasdan alongside franchise writers Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg.
The returning avatar lineup includes Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Smolder Bravestone, Kevin Hart as Mouse Finbar, Jack Black as Professor Shelly Oberon and Karen Gillan as Ruby Roundhouse.
They are joined by the real-world players played by Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner and Ser’Darius Blain. The wider returning cast includes Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Rhys Darby and Bebe Neuwirth.
The new chapter also adds Brittany O’Grady and Burn Gorman to the ensemble.
Jumanji Trailer Teases More Body-Swap Madness
One of the trailer’s biggest comedic ideas involves the game’s mechanics becoming increasingly unpredictable. Real-world characters can be pulled into the chaos and end up occupying the bodies of the larger-than-life avatars.
That creates another round of identity confusion for the characters, but this time the stakes are raised because the Jumanji rules are spreading beyond the game itself.
The story also appears to bring the original players and their virtual counterparts together again, giving the final installment an opportunity to revisit the relationships that helped drive the modern trilogy.
Jumanji: Open World Release Date Moves to Christmas Day
Sony Pictures has moved Jumanji: Open World from December 11 to December 25, 2026. The Christmas Day launch puts the film in the middle of a particularly competitive holiday movie season.
The new Jumanji adventure is expected to compete for audiences alongside major releases including Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, setting up a major holiday box-office battle.
Jumanji: Open World Pays Tribute to the Franchise’s Past
While the new movie is designed as the concluding chapter of the rebooted trilogy, the filmmakers are also looking back at the franchise’s origins. The story reportedly contains references to the original Jumanji board game and the 1995 movie starring the late Robin Williams.
Dwayne Johnson is also reportedly seen wearing a dice necklace as a tribute to the original film, adding another connection between the new adventure and the franchise’s roots.
Jumanji Franchise Heads Toward Its Final Chapter
The modern Jumanji films have become major global box-office successes, with Welcome to the Jungle and The Next Level together earning more than $1.7 billion worldwide.
Now, Jumanji: Open World is aiming to close out the rebooted trilogy with its biggest premise yet. By allowing the game to escape into the real world, the film expands the franchise beyond its established jungle setting while retaining the action, comedy and body-swapping elements audiences have come to expect.
Jumanji: Open World Release Date, Cast and Director
- Film: Jumanji: Open World
- Release Date: December 25, 2026
- Previous Release Date: December 11, 2026
- Director: Jake Kasdan
- Main Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan
- Additional Cast: Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Rhys Darby, Bebe Neuwirth, Brittany O’Grady and Burn Gorman
- Release: Theatrical
- Status: Final installment of the rebooted Jumanji trilogy
Watch the Jumanji: Open World Trailer
The first trailer gives audiences a glimpse at the game’s biggest evolution yet, with Jumanji breaking out of its digital environment and turning the real world into its new playground.
Jumanji: Open World brings the game into the real world for one final adventure.
— Jumanji (@JumanjiMovie) July 29, 2026
Jumanji: Open World will hit theatres on December 25, 2026.
