‘Jumanji 3’ Shifts Release to Christmas Holiday Season
Sony Pictures has moved the new Jumanji film to Christmas Day this year. The movie had been scheduled for December 11.
Key cast and creative team
The returning lead players include Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan. Filmmaker Jake Kasdan returns to direct.
- Writers: Jake Kasdan, Jeff Pinkner, Scott Rosenberg.
- Producers: Matt Tolmach, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Jake Kasdan.
- Supporting returnees: Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Marin Hinkle, Bebe Neuwirth, Lamorne Morris, Rhys Darby.
- New cast additions: Dan Hildebrand and Jack Jewkes.
Franchise background and box office
The original Jumanji film adapted Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 children’s book. The 1995 movie starred the late Robin Williams.
The revived series became a late-decade box office fixture. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle opened domestically on December 20, 2017.
- Welcome to the Jungle grossed about $404 million domestically.
- That film reached roughly $960 million worldwide.
- The Next Level earned about $802 million globally after its December 2019 debut.
Why the release date changed
Columbia insiders said December 25 offers strategic advantages. The studio believes the week after Christmas is highly lucrative.
Holiday releases can sustain long runs into January. Opening on Christmas can still capture strong box office legs.
Competition and scheduling dynamics
The move arrives amid speculation around two other tentpoles. Disney and Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday and Warner/Legendary’s Dune: Part Three are set for mid-December.
Dune holds an exclusive three-week IMAX booking. Some executives expect Dune might shift to avoid clashing with Avengers.
Others say the holiday season behaves like a marathon. Multiple blockbusters can thrive across the weeks.
Industry implications
Releasing on Christmas frees the December 11-13 weekend. That slot now opens for other titles or platform strategies.
Studios often pick mid-December to secure IMAX screens and to distance from direct rivals. The Jumanji move reflects that calculation.
Industry watchers note that Jumanji 3 shifts release to Christmas holiday season will alter the year-end box office map. Filmogaz.com will monitor further schedule adjustments.
