The iconic basketball-playing golden retriever will be returning to theaters in 2026 for Air Bud Returns, which was just announced this week along with a new poster.
Air Bud Returns Film Coming in 2026
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Cineverse and Air Bud Entertainment have officially announced a new film titled Air Bud Returns, which is set to be the 15th film in the overall Air Bud franchise. The new film will be written and directed by Robert Vince, who was producer for all of the previous Air Bud films. Vince specifically noted during an interview that this newest movie is not “another sequel or a remake” of the original Air Bud.
Entertainment Weekly describes the basic plot of the new film, which involves a young boy discovering an old tape of Air Bud and later adopting a stray golden retriever:
The new movie centers around a 12-year-old boy named Jacob, who moves into his father’s childhood home in Ferndale after he passes away. He discovers an old VHS tape of Air Bud and encounters a stray golden retriever, which he names Buddy. The two bond, join a basketball team, and chase their championship dreams.
Air Bud Returns is set to begin filming this summer and is scheduled for release in the summer of 2026, though there is no exact premiere date yet. Interestingly, however, the studios did confirm that Air Bud Returns is set to actually premiere in theaters. The last film in the franchise to have a theatrical debut was Air Bud: Golden Retriever in 1998, making this the first in almost three decades.
Yolanda Macias, chief motion pictures officer of Cineverse, mentioned that they hope the film will bring together multiple generations who have grown up with the Air Bud franchise and evoke a sense of nostalgia, “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.”
Disney helped to distribute the original Air Bud movie and produced the spin-off series Air Buddies and Santa Paws, though the franchise is primarily owned by Air Bud Entertainment.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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