Air Bud’s Back in the Game: “Air Bud Returns” Announced with New Poster

Get ready for more slam dunks and tail wags, Air Bud Returns is officially happening. The iconic basketball-playing Golden Retriever is stepping back onto the court in a brand-new movie, and a teaser poster has already been revealed. The film is set to hit theaters in summer 2026.

Cineverse and Air Bud Entertainment are teaming up to bring Buddy back to the big screen. Robert Vince, the man behind most of the original Air Bud movies and the Disney Buddies spinoffs, will be writing and directing the new film. Vince also helped start Air Bud Entertainment and directed ten previous titles in the franchise.

The Air Bud franchise kicked off in 1997 with the original movie, which started as an independent project before Disney picked it up for distribution. It became a surprise hit, and Buddy quickly became a household name.

After the second film, Air Bud: Golden Receiver, didn’t do well in theaters, the rest of the series went straight to video, and did really well there. In 2006, the Air Buddies spinoff began, focusing on Buddy’s talking puppies. According to Disney, the Disney Buddies series is one of its top-selling direct-to-DVD franchises, just behind Disney Fairies, with $220 million earned by 2014.

Now, with Air Bud Returns, the story is getting a fresh update. The movie follows a 12-year-old boy named Jacob. After losing his dad, Jacob moves with his mom to Fernfield, the same town where Buddy made his name. While going through his dad’s old stuff, Jacob finds a VHS copy of the original Air Bud.

That’s when he meets a stray golden retriever he names Buddy. From there, the two team up to rebuild a local basketball team, heal from their loss, and shoot for a championship. The movie promises lots of heart, laughs, and of course, Buddy doing what he does best: playing ball.

In a statement, Robert Vince said, “‘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.”

Cineverse’s Yolanda Macias also shared her excitement about bringing the franchise back to theaters. She said, “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.”

Filming is set to begin this summer in Fort Langley, British Columbia — the same spot where the original was filmed.

Fans of all ages can now look forward to a new chapter in the Air Bud story, and judging by the teaser poster, Buddy hasn’t lost his love for the game.

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