Air Bud Returns

[Prohibida]

[ImBlu_DaBaDee]

The world is healing

[Bubbles-11]

Cineverse (Terrifier 2 & 3, Legendary's The Toxic Avenger) will be releasing this theatrically next summer

Move over, LeBron — a new MVP is headed to the court.

“Air Bud Returns,” the latest film in the athletic canine saga, has been announced by Cineverse and Air Bud Entertainment. The film has been set for a summer 2026 release. It will be written and directed by Robert Vince, who founded ABE. Vince was a producer on all of the original films (including franchise spinoffs like “Santa Paws”) and wrote and directed ten of them.

The original 1997 film was produced independently and Disney picked it up for distribution. The family-friendly title became a sleeper hit and the franchise became a fixture on the rental market.

“Anyone who follows the box office knows that we are experiencing an important moment at the intersection of ’90s and early 2000s nostalgia and millennial parents looking for family-friendly movies to share with their kids,” Cineverse chief motion pictures officer Yolanda Macias said in a statement. “With the return of an iconic franchise that has remained popular since Robert created the OG Air Bud more than 28 years ago, we are offering a real treat that will resonate with fans across generations. This is the ideal first project for us as we expand our theatrical strategy to the kids and family category.”

Per the press release, “In ‘Air Bud Returns,’ 12-year old Jacob has always dreamt of being a star basketball player. After the passing of his father, that dream felt even more impossible. But everything changes when he and his mom move into his dad’s childhood home in Fernfield. There, Jacob discovers an original VHS of the ‘Air Bud’ movie in his father’s belongings and has a chance meeting of a stray golden retriever he names Buddy. Together they embark on a journey of healing, unite a team of misfits, and chase a championship. Through it all they learn to play from the heart, believe in each other, and always take the shot!”

“Air Bud Returns” is the first kids and family feature from Cineverse. The film is set to begin filming this summer in Fort Langley, British Columbia, where the original was also shot.

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/a...26-1236466393/

[ImBlu_DaBaDee]

The original Air Bud is a movie that exists in the world of Air Bud Returns?? Also, they need to use a real dog in the movie or it’s DOA.

[HomerThompson]

Didn’t realize that its first sequel Golden Receiver also went theatrical.

Nice to have a hero golden retriever back on the big screen.

RIP Original Air Bud

[whiteberry]

I'll be at my local IMAX theater on opening day.

[MuffinMcFluffin]

Weird tagline.

I admittedly haven't seen any of these movies and don't know if they are interconnected pieces or not (meaning in the football one they know that he played basketball before or whatever), but if this is in continuity and not a reboot, I hope that also means it exhibits some 90s charm along the way.

I'd actually be interested in watching this now, though. Let me know if the others are worth watching.

[whiteberry]

Who Will Be the Next Air Bud? Nationwide Search for a Star Golden Retriever Begins

Cineverse and Air Bud Entertainment have launched a nationwide talent search to find the next golden retriever to star as Air Bud in the upcoming film, “Air Bud Returns.”

Beginning this August, dog owners across the U.S. are invited to submit their purebred golden retrievers for a chance to carry on the legacy of the beloved canine star. Submissions can be made through the official Air Bud website, and all entrants will be eligible to win a variety of prizes as the film’s release nears — including official “Air Bud” jerseys and a trip to the Hollywood premiere.

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/a...er-1236482445/

The Search For Next Air Bud - YouTube

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by Prohibida

[Jay H.]

If I had a dollar for every time my ex-wife's daughter watched her VHS of Air Bud, I'd have, like, several dollars.

[Shane Rollins]

Good news: Christie Ileto of WPVI (ABC's O&O in Philadelphia) just announced that they are now casting for the next dog to play Air Bud.
Bad news: She began the story with "The casting couch is officially open."

Teleprompter people, news people, you have one job. We've all seen Anchorman, we all know how it works, but is there no one to make sure eff-ups like this don't happen?

[Jay H.]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

Good news: Christie Ileto of WPVI (ABC's O&O in Philadelphia) just announced that they are now casting for the next dog to play Air Bud.
Bad news: She began the story with "The casting couch is officially open."

Teleprompter people, news people, you have one job. We've all seen Anchorman, we all know how it works, but is there no one to make sure eff-ups like this don't happen?

There are many things I'd like to say right now, but can't. Instead, I'll just say "yikes".