Get Ready for the Return of a Classic: Air Bud Returns Set for 2026 Release!

Air Bud Returns: The Beloved Franchise Makes a Comeback in 2026

The beloved Air Bud franchise is set to bounce back onto the big screen with its newest installment, Air Bud Returns, slated for a theatrical release in 2026. This exciting revival promises to capture the hearts of both new and longtime fans of the original series, which first charmed audiences in 1997.

Directed and written by franchise creator Robert Vince, Air Bud Returns features a talented cast including Aydin Artis (Blue’s Clues & You), Tracy Ifeachor (The Pitt), Edwin Lee Gibson (The Bear), Tyler Labine (New Amsterdam), Erik Gow (Yellowjackets), and Maxim Swinton (Bookie). Production is currently underway, with filming taking place in Fort Langley, British Columbia, which stands in for the franchise’s original hometown of Fernfield.

At the heart of this new story is 12-year-old Jacob, played by Artis, who is navigating the challenges of adolescence while coping with the recent loss of his father. After moving to his dad’s childhood home, Jacob discovers a VHS tape of his father playing basketball alongside a golden retriever. This nostalgic find leads him to embark on a heartwarming journey with a neglected golden retriever he names Buddy.

The canine star of Air Bud Returns is Roscoe, a golden retriever trained by Hollywood animal expert Mark Forbes. In a unique twist, two other golden retrievers, Charlie and Summer, will also portray Buddy in key basketball and stunt sequences, following a nationwide contest dubbed “The Search for the Next Air Bud.”

Vince expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We couldn’t be more excited to officially roll cameras on Air Bud Returns with this incredible cast. The passion we saw during the nationwide search for the next Buddy was a reminder of how deeply this franchise resonates with families. With such a talented ensemble alongside our canine stars, this film carries forward the heart and magic that made the original so beloved around the world.”

Air Bud Returns serves as a sequel to the iconic 1997 film, which introduced audiences to the lovable golden retriever who joined a high school basketball team. The original film’s success led to a series of sequels, including Air Bud: Golden Receiver in 1998, and a variety of spin-offs featuring the Air Buddies and Santa Paws franchises.

Cineverse’s chief motion pictures officer, Yolanda Macias, added, “Announcing our cast and the golden retrievers bringing Buddy to life, right as production begins, is the ideal way to mark the return of the Air Bud legacy. This franchise has always connected across generations, and we are excited to see Air Bud Returns continue that family tradition.”

As anticipation builds for this new chapter, fans can look forward to a film that promises to blend nostalgia with fresh storytelling, ensuring that the magic of Air Bud continues to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come.