Buddy’s Back! ‘Air Bud Returns’ Announced with New Poster and 2026 Release Date

The golden retriever who once ruled the court is making a comeback. That’s right, Air Bud Returns has officially been announced, and fans of the classic sports-dog franchise have a new poster and release date to get excited about. The film is set to hit theaters in summer 2026.

The announcement comes from Cineverse and Air Bud Entertainment, with Robert Vince, the creator behind most of the Air Bud and Disney Buddies films, back to write and direct. Vince also founded Air Bud Entertainment and has been involved with the franchise from the very beginning.

The original Air Bud movie came out in 1997 and became a surprise hit. It told the story of a golden retriever named Buddy who could shoot hoops better than most people. After the second film, Air Bud: Golden Receiver, didn’t perform well in theaters, the rest of the series went straight to video.

But it didn’t slow down. In fact, the Air Buddies spin-off launched in 2006 and focused on Buddy’s talking puppies. These films became a huge hit on DVD, with Disney reporting $220 million in revenue from the first 12 movies by 2014.

Now, Buddy is back with a fresh story. Air Bud Returns follows a 12-year-old boy named Jacob who dreams of becoming a basketball star. After his father passes away, that dream feels out of reach, until he and his mom move to his dad’s old hometown of Fernfield.

There, Jacob finds an old VHS copy of the first Air Bud movie among his father’s things. Then, in what seems like fate, he meets a stray golden retriever and names him Buddy. Together, the two form a bond, gather a team of underdogs, and go after a championship. Along the way, they learn to trust each other, play with heart, and always take the shot.

According to Robert Vince, “‘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 also sees this as the perfect time to bring Buddy back. Yolanda Macias, the company’s chief motion pictures officer, said in a press statement, “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 movie will also mark Cineverse’s first major move into the kids and family movie space. Filming is set to start this summer in Fort Langley, British Columbia — the same location where the original Air Bud was shot.

With a brand-new poster already out and production about to begin, Air Bud Returns is shaping up to be a big moment for longtime fans and new viewers alike. Buddy’s still got game, and he’s ready for another shot.

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