Grown Ups 3 (2026) - Movie News & Updates

Production is officially underway on Grown Ups 3, the long-awaited sequel that reunites Adam Sandler with his original comedy crew. The actor confirmed the news with a characteristically warm social media post, telling fans, "We missed you," as cameras began rolling on the third installment of the franchise.

Sandler shared the update directly with his followers, making clear that the project’s start date marks a genuine homecoming for the ensemble. The film, directed by Kyle Newacheck, will see Sandler reprise his role as Lenny Feder alongside the core group that has defined the series since its 2010 debut. Joining him are Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Steve Buscemi, Tim Meadows, and Nick Swardson, each returning to their familiar characters.

The new storyline takes the group across the Atlantic, trading their usual suburban antics for a European journey with a bittersweet purpose. According to the official synopsis, the friends and their partners travel abroad to scatter the ashes of a close friend, using the trip as both a tribute and a test of whether they can still cut loose now that they’ve entered their 60s. It’s a premise that leans into the franchise’s signature mix of slapstick humor and sentimental bonding, with an added layer of mortality that gives the sequel a more reflective edge than its predecessors.

For Sandler, the announcement carries obvious weight. The Grown Ups movies have long been a passion project for the actor, who co-wrote the original script and has consistently championed the series as a showcase for his comedic friends. The first film grossed over $270 million worldwide despite lukewarm reviews, and its 2013 sequel performed even better, proving that audiences remained hungry for this particular brand of ensemble comedy. The third chapter now arrives more than a decade after the last installment, a gap that Sandler acknowledged in his message by noting how much the cast and fans have missed each other.

Behind the camera, Newacheck brings a different energy to the project. Known primarily for his work in television comedy, including directing episodes of Workaholics and Game Over, Man!, Newacheck marks a departure from Dennis Dugan, who directed both previous Grown Ups films. The shift suggests the studio may be looking for a fresher visual approach while keeping the dialogue-driven humor that defines the series. Newacheck’s background in improvisational comedy aligns well with a cast that thrives on riffing, and his experience with tight-knit ensembles should translate smoothly to this group of longtime collaborators.

The production timeline and release date remain undisclosed, leaving fans to speculate on when they’ll finally see the finished film. Given the blockbuster nature of the franchise and the star power involved, a summer 2027 release seems plausible, though no official announcement has been made. The lack of details hasn’t dampened enthusiasm among the cast, several of whom have hinted over the years that a third installment was always a possibility if the timing and script felt right.

Sandler’s recent career trajectory suggests he views these movies as a deliberate counterpoint to his more serious work. Following critically acclaimed performances in Uncut Gems and Hustle, the actor has swung back toward crowd-pleasing comedies, and Grown Ups 3 fits squarely within that pattern. The decision to bring the gang back now - rather than in the immediate aftermath of Grown Ups 2 - allows the cast to play characters who are visibly older, wiser, and perhaps a little more aware of their own mortality. That thematic weight could give the sequel an emotional grounding that the earlier films only gestured toward.

The Europe setting also promises a visual shift from the familiar hometown backdrops of the first two movies. Filming locations haven’t been confirmed, but the premise suggests a travelogue-style narrative that could take the characters through multiple countries. That structure gives Newacheck room to stage the kind of fish-out-of-water humor the franchise does well, while also offering fresh scenery for the ensemble’s trademark banter.

For fans who have waited years for another installment, the news is a welcome confirmation that the project is finally moving forward. The last major update came when Sandler hinted at the sequel during a stand-up special, but concrete details remained scarce until now. With production officially underway, the countdown to a release date - and the inevitable reunion of Lenny, Eric, Kurt, Marcus, Rob, Wiley, Malcolm, and Nick - has begun.

As Sandler’s “We missed you” suggests, this is as much about the audience as it is about the cast. The bond between these actors and their fans has always been the franchise’s true engine, and after a decade away, both sides seem eager to pick up where they left off. Whether the third outing recaptures the magic or adds a new layer to it, one thing is certain: the Grown Ups crew is back, and they’re ready to prove that fun doesn’t have an expiration date.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter