The golden retriever Buddy is coming back to the big screen. Air Bud Returns, the 15th film in the franchise, has been officially announced by Cineverse and Air Bud Entertainment. The movie will hit theaters in summer 2026, bringing back the beloved basketball-playing dog for a new generation.
Directed and written by Robert Vince, who has worked on all previous Air Bud films, this new installment follows a 12-year-old boy named Jacob who forms a special bond with a stray golden retriever. The story blends nostalgia with fresh themes, aiming to connect longtime fans and new viewers.
Air Bud Returns Plot: A Story of Healing and Teamwork
The movie centers on Jacob, a boy struggling after his father’s death. He moves to his dad’s hometown, Fernfield, where he finds an old VHS tape of the original Air Bud movie. Soon after, he meets a stray golden retriever he names Buddy. Together, they form a basketball team of underdogs and chase a championship while learning about teamwork and belief.
Robert Vince said, “This movie will engage nostalgic Air Bud fans while introducing a new generation to the beloved basketball-playing golden retriever, Buddy. It builds upon the legacy of the OG Air Bud with all the fun, the magic, and Buddy playing basketball. More than anything, it’s a deeply human story about a dog and boy, centered on themes of adaptation, redemption, and teamwork.”
The film returns to the franchise’s roots, focusing on basketball, just like the original 1997 movie.
Release Date and Production Details
Air Bud Returns is set for a summer 2026 theatrical release. It will be the first kids and family film under Cineverse’s new strategy to expand into theatrical releases. Filming will take place in Fort Langley, British Columbia, where the original movie was shot.
The original Air Bud (1997) was a surprise hit, earning $23 million worldwide. Since then, the franchise has grown with sequels like Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998) and spin-offs like Air Buddies, featuring Buddy’s puppies.
Cast and Franchise Legacy
No official cast announcements have been made yet. However, fans speculate if Kevin Zegers, who played Josh Framm in the original, might return in a cameo. The movie introduces a new lead character, Jacob, suggesting a fresh start for the series.
The Air Bud franchise has 14 films so far, including sports sequels and the Air Buddies spin-offs. The last film, Super Buddies, was released in 2013. Air Bud Returns marks the first theatrical release for the franchise in nearly two decades.
Why This Movie Matters
The film taps into 90s nostalgia while offering a new story for younger audiences.
Yolanda Macias, Cineverse’s Chief Motion Pictures Officer, said, “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.”
The original Buddy, the dog who played Air Bud, passed away in 1998. Since then, different golden retrievers have taken on the role. The new movie will introduce another dog actor as Buddy.
What Fans Can Expect
- Return to basketball – The film goes back to the sport that started it all.
- New characters – Jacob and his journey with Buddy will be the focus.
- Emotional story – Themes of loss, healing, and teamwork will drive the plot.
- Nostalgic elements – The VHS tape of the original movie plays a key role.
The movie is expected to start filming soon, with more updates likely in the coming months.
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Credits: Variety, ESPN, Hindustan Times, PR Newswire, IGN, SlashFilm, FandomWire.
