AceShowbiz - The highly anticipated Jumanji 3 has adjusted its release schedule, now aiming for a Christmas Day debut this year instead of the originally planned December 11 opening. This shift places the film right in the heart of the lucrative holiday movie season.

Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan are all returning to reprise their roles in the latest chapter of the revitalized Sony Pictures franchise. The film is directed by Jake Kasdan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg.

Producing the movie alongside Kasdan are Matt Tolmach, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia. The returning cast includes Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Marin Hinkle, Bebe Neuwirth, Lamorne Morris, and Rhys Darby. Newcomers Dan Hildebrand and Jack Jewkes will also join the ensemble for this installment.

The Jumanji 3 franchise originally gained fame with the 1995 film adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 children’s book, starring the late Robin Williams. After more than 20 years, the series was successfully revived in the late 2010s, turning into a dependable holiday blockbuster franchise.

The first reboot, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, debuted domestically on December 20, 2017. It defied expectations by earning $404 million in the U.S. and a global total of $960 million. Its sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level, followed with a December 13-15, 2019, domestic release and went on to gross $802 million worldwide.

Holiday films often open in mid-December to avoid direct competition and secure premium formats such as IMAX. However, Columbia Pictures insiders believe the Christmas Day release will better capitalize on the lucrative week between Christmas and New Year’s, a period known for strong box office returns. Successful holiday movies typically maintain momentum well into January, extending their theatrical run.

The announcement to move Jumanji 3 to December 25 coincides with ongoing speculation about the December 18 release dates of Disney and Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday and Warner Bros. and Legendary’s Dune: Part Three. Industry insiders are debating whether Dune might postpone its premiere to avoid clashing with the expected blockbuster strength of Avengers: Doomsday. Despite Dune having exclusivity on IMAX screens for three weeks, some executives think the holiday season can support multiple major releases since it is a “marathon, not a sprint.”

With Jumanji 3 moving to Christmas Day, the previously occupied December 11-13 weekend is now open, potentially reshuffling the competitive landscape for other holiday releases. The shift reflects strategic planning by Columbia Pictures to maximize exposure and box office potential during the peak of the holiday moviegoing season.