In a move that’s sure to delight fans of all ages, the Air Bud franchise is set to return to theaters in summer 2026 with Air Bud Returns, the 15th installment in the beloved series. But what’s behind this unprecedented longevity? We sat down with writer and director Robert Vance to find out.
What We Know About Air Bud Returns
The new film follows Jacob, a 12-year-old who’s always dreamed of being a star basketball player. After the passing of his father, Jacob’s world is turned upside down, but things take a turn for the better 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 with a stray golden retriever he names Buddy.
Together, Jacob and Buddy embark on a journey of healing, unite a team of misfits, and chase a championship. Along the way, they learn to play from the heart, believe in each other, and always take the shot!
What The Creators Are Saying
But what makes Air Bud Returns more than just another sequel or remake? Vance explains, ‘Air Bud Returns’ isn’t just another sequel or remake, it’s a unique story. 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, heartwarming scenes, 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.
Yolanda Macias, chief motion pictures office of Cineverse, who is partnering with Air Bud Entertainment on the project, adds, ‘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. 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.
Air Bud Returns will start filming in Fort Langley, British Columbia, this summer, the same location where the original movie was shot nearly thirty years ago.
Source: JoBlo
