Sony just dropped the first real look at Jumanji 3, hitting theaters December 11, 2026 — and it feels like the franchise shook the board, rolled the dice, and said, “Let’s go even bigger.” This time, we’re not getting another jungle rescue mission or some wild new terrain. Instead, the game basically breaks out of its own universe and barrels straight into ours. And honestly? After the mayhem of the last two reboot films, a full-on Jumanji meltdown feels right on time.
The Team is Back Together
Fans of the previous two Jumanji movies only had one request for the third addition: bring back the cast the made the reboot era work. Thankfully, that wish has been granted as Johnson returns alongside Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan. The cast keeps the spirit of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level.
Their chemistry has been the backbone of the reboot trilogy. If the characters were swapped out at this point, the movies wouldn’t land the same. These actors know how to play their avatars like teenagers trapped in adult bodies without turning them into a gimmick. The jokes have timing, the friendships feel close and real, and the chaos looks like something they’re happily sprinting into.
Even in still images from previous Jumanji movies, you can feel the energy. Gillan looks ready to fight someone, Black looks goofy but intelligent, Hart looks confused and uncomfortable, and Dwayne Johnson is the heroic beefcake who took a wrong turn. It’s a good kind of ridiculous.
A Robin Williams Tribute That Hits the Heart
The most touching moment in the Jumanji 3 first look is an unexpected surprise. Johnson wears a necklace with the original Jumanji dice from the 1995 Robin Williams film. It isn’t flashy, but it’s meaningful. The original movie holds a special place for people who grew up watching Williams run from stampedes and chop through cursed vines. Seeing the tiny nod to him in the reboot trilogy is a reminder that this franchise didn’t start with CGI jungles and video game avatars. It started with a board game in a quiet suburban neighborhood and an actor who brought charm and heart into the wilderness.
Johnson confirmed the necklace is intentional. It’s a tribute and connection point, a way to acknowledge the man who made Jumanji iconic long before the reboots found their footing.
The New Jumanji 3 Game Has Lost Its Patience
One of the biggest clues in the new Jumanji 3 photo is where the cast is standing. This isn’t the lush jungle of the 2017 movie, and it’s not the desert or icy mountains from the 2019 sequel. The avatars have landed in the real world, flipping the Jumanji “into the game” concept on its head. This time, it looks like the game is coming after them instead of pulling them in.
If you’ve watched any Jumanji movie, you know the game tends to be dramatic. It never sends a polite invitation to play. Instead, it summons stampedes, drops dangerous puzzles, and transforms entire identities. Ergo, bringing Jumanji into a modern city is disastrous. Crosswalks, subways, malls, parking lots, and holiday parades are fair playing fields.
What Comes Next?
Sony hasn’t revealed the complete plot of Jumanji 3, despite the interesting first look. Viewers can surely expect action scenes, real-world NPC encounters, and new villains who aren’t limited to jungle climates. For now, the first look is a teaser to spark curiosity, bring nostalgia, and promise a bigger, wilder adventure. And if history is any guide, the worst possible idea in Jumanji 3 will turn out to be the most fun.