Mark your calendars — Madea is headed to the Bahamas for her next big adventure.
Tyler Perry returns with “Madea’s Destination Wedding”, a brand-new installment in his long-running franchise that drops July 11 on Netflix. The film follows the beloved and brash matriarch, Madea, as she travels with her family to the tropical islands to attend her grandniece Tiffany’s surprise wedding. Chaos, of course, is not far behind.
“Madea’s Destination Wedding” Premise
Set against the backdrop of white sand beaches and crystal-blue waters, the film finds Madea and her lively crew dealing with an unexpected announcement: Brian and his ex-wife Debrah are shocked to learn their daughter Tiffany is getting married to a rapper she just met on a yacht — and the wedding is in just two weeks. What begins as a last-minute destination ceremony quickly unravels into comedic mayhem, peppered with heartfelt family moments.
The film marks a significant milestone, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Madea film series, which kicked off in 2005 with “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”. Since then, Madea has become a cultural icon — known for her sharp tongue, fierce loyalty, and hilarious no-nonsense attitude. “Madea’s Destination Wedding” is the 13th film in the franchise and the sixth to premiere on Netflix, underscoring the character’s lasting appeal and the platform’s commitment to Perry’s creative universe.
Written and directed by Perry himself, the movie was partially shot on location in the Bahamas and stars Diamond White, Taja V. Simpson, Xavier Smalls, Cassi Davis, Tamela Mann, David Mann, and Jermaine Harris.
Reflecting on two decades of bringing Madea to life, Perry tells PEOPLE, “I’m filled with a tremendous amount of pride when I think of how Madea has continuously captivated audiences throughout the years.”
“She’s meant to bring joy, laughter and comfort, and to see people are still watching and enjoying is a wonderful thing,” he adds.
Perry says the island setting opens the door for fresh comedy and unexpected scenarios. “Audiences have enjoyed watching Madea in hilariously entertaining scenarios as the family’s matriarch, but now she’s a fish out of water on vacation,” he says. “There was a lot more fun and ridiculousness to play with in this Bahamas setting. A family vacation with Madea at the helm also invites audiences to laugh together and feel like they’re along for the journey.”
Though Perry once said goodbye to the character after “A Madea Family Funeral” in 2019, he brought her back for Netflix’s “A Madea Homecoming”, explaining at the time, “Nobody’s getting the chance to belly-laugh anymore.” That same spirit lives on in Destination Wedding.
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Currently working on five more projects for Netflix — including Tyler Perry’s “Straw,” “Ruth & Boaz”, “She the People”, and new episodes of “Beauty in Black” — Perry says slipping back into Madea’s world is always a joy.
“The most fun part of revisiting these characters was the feeling of stepping back into the lives of old, familiar family members,” Perry says. “Putting on the wig and embracing the quirks of these characters was so nostalgic. It felt like reconnecting with loved ones who have passed but still live on in my mind. Their joy, laughter, our shared moments of humor — all live in my memory, which makes it so unbelievably fun.”
“Madea’s Destination Wedding” premieres July 11 on Netflix — and PEOPLE has the exclusive first look.
