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Robin Williams In Jumanji(Photo Credit –YouTube)

What if Jumanji had taken a very different turn—less manic jungle mayhem, more steady-hearted charm? Back in the mid-’90s, director Joe Johnston was eyeing a very different leading man to headline the high-stakes board game adventure: someone fresh off Forrest Gump and at the peak of Hollywood stardom.

That’s right—before Robin Williams swung into the role and made Alan Parrish a ‘90s icon, Tom Hanks was reportedly a top contender. Hanks’ everyman warmth and emotional depth could’ve offered a more grounded take on the “kid trapped in a man’s body” arc. But according to Collider, scheduling got in the way. Hanks was already locked in for Ron Howard’s Apollo 13, which ended up being another major win for the actor—critically and commercially

Robin Williams Was The Only One Who Could Pull It Off

Sure, Hanks would’ve brought his warmth.

If we’re being honest, when we hear “Jumanji,” we immediately think of Robin Williams and that iconic drumbeat that still gives us chills. But this franchise has actually given us four different takes on magical games that absolutely refuse to let you quit until you finish. From board games to video games to space adventures, each film brings something unique to the table.

Whether you’re team Robin Williams nostalgia or Dwayne Johnson action-comedy, there’s definitely a hierarchy here. Some entries soar with heart and spectacle, while others stumble despite good intentions. So, which one comes out on top? Let’s dive into all four Jumanji movies and see how they stack up.

4. Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005) IMDb: 6.3/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 75% Critics, 51% Audience Kristen Stewart, Dax Shepard, Josh Hutcherson, and Jonah Bobo in Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005) | Credits: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Releasing

Here’s the thing...

Get ready for another space adventure, as Netflix will be adding an underrated yet critically acclaimed science fiction feature to its extensive library. Known as Zathura: A Space Adventure, the Jon Favreau-directed flick stars Kristen Stewart, Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, and Dax Shepard. Though the film failed to impress viewers with only a 51% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it was well-received among critics, holding a current 77% score on the review aggregator. While largely forgotten, the space comedy is also remembered as one of the best films directed by Favreau, who went on to helm box office hits like Iron Man years after the film premiered in 2005. Now, the feature will be introduced to a new generation of viewers, as it gears up for its debut on Netflix on July 1.

Zathura: A Space Adventure is an adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's 2002 children's book of the same name. It also...

In 2005, Kristen Stewart starred in a sci-fi adventure film that viewers may not have realized was a spinoff of the Robin Williams-led Jumanji. Now, 20 years later, that spinoff, Zathura: A Space Adventure, is heading to Netflix.

On July 1, Zathura will be added to Netflix's film library. Three years before Iron Man, Jon Favreau directed Zathura, which was an adaptation of the 2002 children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, the author behind Jumanji. Like the 1995 movie, Zathura centers around a mysterious board game that causes nothing but trouble for those who choose to play it. In Zathura, those players are squabbling brothers Walter and Danny, played respectively by Josh Hutcherson and Jonah Bobo, who, upon starting the game, find that their house has been transported into outer space. In order to return to Earth, the brothers will need to survive and finish the game. Stewart co-stars in...

Which Characters Did Tom Hanks Play In The Polar Express? (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

Back in 2004, animated holiday adventure The Polar Express wowed audiences of all ages. It was the ideal Christmas movie that not only won hearts during the time of its release but became an instant classic, winning over audiences for over two decades. And at the center of this festive extravaganza one man did way more than expected: Tom Hanks.

Hanks didn’t just play one character. He played seven. That’s right! Seven different roles, all in one Christmas movie. Directed by Back to the Future mastermind Robert Zemeckis, this wasn’t just a warm-and-fuzzy Christmas tale. It was a full-on tech experiment. The film dived headfirst into motion-capture animation.

Robert Zemeckis Wanted Tom Hanks To Play Every Character In The Movie

Hanks wasn’t just the narrator or Santa but basically half the cast. His...

Aside from video games, board games also get film and TV adaptations. One of them is Clue (or Cluedo), which was first announced in 2021, then later in 2024 when it was revealed to be an animated series that Sony will release. Unfortunately, this board game project was unable to leave the tabletop setting as it was recently reported that the show was canceled.

Clue's writer Dewayne Perkins revealed in an interview that the show was canceled but didn't give any reason why that was the case. He also didn't shed light on whether anyone else would pick up the project or what was going to happen to the IP. In 2021, it was reported that Fox was developing the Clue TV series, as it partnered with Hasbro and Bento Box Entertainment to make the series. But by 2024, the film and TV rights moved to Sony, thanks to a new deal made by Hasbro,...

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A Minecraft Movie is a fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Jared Hess from a screenplay co-written by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, and Chris Galletta. Based on the popular video game Minecraft developed by Mojang Studios, the 2025 film follows a group of misfits who find themselves transported into the cubic world known as the Overworld and now they must set out on a perilous journey to find their way back home. A Minecraft Movie stars Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen. So, if you loved the wonderous adventure, entertaining story, and lovable characters in A Minecraft Movie, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Prime Video) Credit – Universal Pictures

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is an animated adventure comedy film co-directed...

Hollywood fan-favorite Jack Black gives fans a major "spoiler alert" regarding the future of the Jumanjifranchise.

During an April 1 appearance on Today, Black was asked if he could confirm development on any sequel projects to his previous films. Black noted that it is unlikely School of Rock will be getting a follow-up film any time soon, though he promised that a fourth Jumanji film is "in the works." Black added that there was a "high" probability of a fourth Jumanji entering production, stating simply, "Spoiler alert, I'm in it!"

The Jumanji franchise kicked off with the 1995 film based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 children's picture book of the same name. Jumanji starred Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce as Judy and Peter Shepherd, two kid siblings who unleash the fantastical, terrifying jungle world held within the film's eponymous board game. The film also starred Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, the adult...

Years before Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starred in his own Jumanji films, Robin Williams' classic comedy got an even better sequel in a completely different movie. Since the original Jumanji was released in 1995, it has become an absolute classic. The film retained so much of its popularity that it was rebooted in 2017, when Dwayne Johnson's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle hit theaters. Johnson's legacy sequels proved so popular that they garnered well over $1 billion at the global box office, and Jumanji 4 was recently confirmed. Despite their success, however, Johnson's Jumanji movies aren't the best sequels in the franchise.

Johnson's Jumanji movies are a lot of fun and great in their own right, and they're even among the best Dwayne Johnson movies out there, but they've still been outdone. Interestingly, Jumanji has an often-forgotten spinoff movie that recaptured the same magic Robin Williams did in 1995. It was so good, in fact,...

Tom Hanks' divisive Christmas adventure film finds renewed streaming success just in time for its 20th anniversary. Though his most frequent collaborator is Steven Spielberg, Hanks is also well known for his various collaborations with director Robert Zemeckis, starting with 1994's Forrest Gump, for which he won his second Academy Award for Best Actor. In 2000, Hanks reunited with Zemeckis for Cast Away and earned another Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

Some of Hanks' latest movies have also been directed by Zemeckis, including 2022's live-action Pinnochio, in which he played Geppetto, and 2024's Here, in which the actor was digitally de-aged. In addition to his onscreen roles that have made him one of the most recognizable movie stars, Hanks has also lent his voice to a few animated characters throughout his career, most famously Woody in the Toy Story movies. Tom Hanks' collaborations with Robert Zemeckis also extend to the animated realm with the 2004 Christmas film,...

2024 may be drawing to a close, but this means that movie lovers are entering one of the most exciting times of the year. On one hand, Christmas and the holidays are right around the corner, meaning that now is the optimal time to get inside from the cold and watch some of your favorite holiday films with loved ones. The other reason movie buffs are excited comes a little bit after Christmas. In the middle of January, this year's Oscar nominees will finally be announced, celebrating all the greatest achievements in the world of film this year.

Needless to say, plenty of people are currently very excited, both about the upcoming holiday and the impending announcement of the nominations. Fortunately, there are a handful of movies that perfectly combine these two sources of excitement. Over the years, some of the best Christmas movies have gone on to be recognized by the coveted Academy Awards,...

Released in 2004, director Robert Zemeckis' adaptation of The Polar Express is a modern Christmas classic. Based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1985 children's book of the same name, The Polar Express a fantastic film with thrilling moments, highlighting the magic of a round-trip journey to the North Pole. In fact, it's so fantastical that even the characters involved question whether the Polar Express was a dream.

It's easy to believe the adventures on the Polar Express didn't actually occur. After all, the story starts with the boy in his bed, falling asleep, and ends with him waking up on Christmas. The kids find themselves in mortal peril, and yet are never in any true danger, because much of the train ride has a dreamlike quality. It's only when the silver bell is unwrapped at the end that The Polar Express' veracity is proven.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on December 16, 2024: The Polar Express...

When the holiday season rolls around each year, two things are always able to get people in the Christmas spirit: movies and music. Fortunately, these two treats often come together, with plenty of Christmas films offering tons of warm, lighthearted tunes that are perfect for the holidays.

Of course, holiday favorites can come in many different forms. Some are timeless classics that charmingly present a story based on the lyrics of a beloved carol, some are fully original features that include exciting new Christmas tunes, and others are simply holiday films that happen to use plenty of songs that feel right at home during the winter season. Whatever the case may be, the best Christmas movies and specials usually include plenty of songs that are bound to make anyone feel the Christmas spirit year after year.

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (1970) Popular Songs: "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town,...

It's unfortunately about time for Hulu subscribers to say goodbye to the jungle. December 31 will see the departure of a large collection of films from the streamer's catalog, with one of them being the Dwayne Johnson-led Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle directed by Jake Kasdan. The 2017 fantasy adventure comedy marked a return to the franchise based on children's author Chris Van Allsburg's books for the first time since 2005's Zathura: A Space Adventure and became an immediate hit with a $962.5 million box office and widespread praise from both critics and audiences. Standing as one of the best performances of The Rock's film career, it also pairs him with some big-name comedic talent in Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.

Amazon MGM Studios’ Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans Christmas action movie, Red One, is crossing $100M at the global box office tomorrow.

The movie after coming in under weekend expectations in U.S./Canada box with $32.1M, posted a solid Tuesday of $3.1M, +87% over Monday’s $1.66M. That Tuesday take isn’t that far from what Johnson’s Rampage did on its first Tuesday –$3.4M– however, that movie crossed $100M stateside on a very long theatrical window. Tuesday’s take for Red One was also ahead of If‘s $2.86M Tuesday. Wednesday saw $1.4M with today expected to gross $1.2M. The current running overseas cume on the $200M-$250M movie, is $55M, those offshore territories handled by Warner Bros. Originally, Amazon greenlit the movie as a streaming title before pivoting to a big screen release. Insiders at Amazon have told us that if Red One can make back its global P&a costs of $100M,...

Although Kirsten Dunst starred as one of the main characters in 1995's Jumanji, she did not appear in any of the sequels. However, director Jake Kasdan says the actor was left out because of how the original film ended.

"We love Kirsten. She's fantastic" Kasdan told The Hollywood Reporter. "From the time we did Welcome to the Jungle we were very focused on keeping a little bit of connectivity to the original movie, which we love. We've always wanted to honor it and keep enough of it alive. Also, the way the original movie ends, as brilliant as it is, creates a lot of plot complications in trying to continue the story with those characters."

Related The Equalizer Spinoff Eyed at CBS, Character Details Revealed

The potential spinoff will be led by two new characters.

"I don't know how well you remember it, but the world reverts back to what it was before,...

After making two Jumanji movies in just four years’ time, Red One director Jake Kasdan needed a major change of scenery.

So when Dwayne Johnson’s right-hand man Hiram Garcia — and president at his Seven Bucks production company — called with an idea to turn “D.J.” into Callum Drift, Santa Claus’ head of security for the Yuletide action-fantasy-comedy, Kasdan welcomed the intention of treating the North Pole like a governmental operation. The plot kicks into gear when Chris Evans’ roguish jack-of-all-trades, Jack O’Malley, pinpoints the top-secret location of the North Pole for monetary gain, enabling the Christmas witch Gryla (Kiernan Shipka) to kidnap J.K. Simmons’ unconventionally fit Santa.

Johnson’s Drift and the rest of his Secret Service-type organization known as E.L.F. (Enforcement Logistics and Fortification) spring into action by joining forces with Zoe Harlow’s (Lucy Liu) M.O.R.A (Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority) to recover “Nick” and hopefully save Christmas.

The Jumanji crew is heading back to the jungle.

Sony Pictures announced that Jumanji 3 is set to hit theaters Dec. 11, 2026. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan starred in the first two films and are expected to return, as is director Jake Kasdan, who helmed both features.

Johnson, Kasdan, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Matt Tolmach are producers on the movie that will screen in IMAX and premium large format.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle hit theaters in December 2017 and surpassed $950 million at the global box office. A sequel followed in 2019 and topped $801 million globally.

Welcome to the Jungle focused on a group of teenage friends getting trapped inside a video game as a collection of adult avatars. It was based on the 1981 children’s book Jumanji by author Chris Van Allsburg, in addition to director Joe Johnston’s 1995 film of the same name that starred Robin Williams,...

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Family Pack is a French adventure fantasy comedy film directed by François Uzan who also co-wrote the screenplay with Céleste Balin and Hervé Marly. Based on the best-selling game The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow, the Netflix film follows a family who are transported back in time after playing a card game where they have to unmask werewolves if they want to return home. Family Pack stars Franck Dubosc, Jean Reno, Suzanne Clément, Grégory Fitoussi, Bruno Gouery, Jonathan Lambert, and Lisa Do Couto. So, if you loved the fun adventure, hilarious comedy, and compelling characters in Netflix’s Family Pack here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Sony Pictures

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is an adventure comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan from...

Quick Links The Polar Express 2 Is Confirmed As In Development The Fake Tom Hanks Polar Express 2 Poster Explained The Polar Express 2 Story Details The Polar Express 2: Further News & Info

The Polar Express, a 2004 American animated Christmas fantasy film, and its recent surge in popularity has led to speculation over The Polar Express 2 release date. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on the 1985 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express uses a blend of live-action and motion-capture computer animation. Its story unfolds on Christmas Eve in the 1950s, following a young boy who embarks on a magical train journey to the North Pole, delving into the heart of Christmas spirit and belief.

Upon release, The Polar Express garnered mixed reviews but was recognized for its technological innovation and was listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the first all-digital capture film. Despite initial critiques...

Children's movies from the 1990s often adapted beloved novels, but not all of them mention their source material. Some iconic 90s family classics like Jumanji and The Witches were based on best-selling books. The Iron Giant and Stuart Little deviated from the books they were based on, but the kept some of the same ideas.

While some children's movies are even more popular because they adapt beloved books, other movies aren't so clear about their source material. The 1990s produced plenty of beloved children's movies, both live-action and animated, many of which are surprisingly based on novels. Whether the novels were published in the 1990s or decades earlier, adaptations aren't always easy to spot.

Since kids are less swayed by the names of authors, many children's movies don't bother to include the name of the author or any mention of the books they are based on. Only the most famous...

Get ready for an adventurous family adventure film starring the guy from Shazam and Chuck, Zachary Levi. Based on a 1955 children’s picture book of the same name by Crockett Johnson, Harold, and the Purple Crayon is directed by Carlos Saldanha from a screenplay co-written by David Guion and Michael Handelman and it follows the story of a grown-up Harold, who can make anything come true by drawing it with his crayon in his book. When he draws himself into real life he goes on numerous comedic adventures but his power soon falls into the wrong hands. If you loved the comedic hijinks, fantastical adventures, and imagination in Harold and the Purple Crayon here are some similar movies you could watch next.

Christopher Robin (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Walt Disney Studios

Christopher Robin is a live-action and animated hybrid fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Marc Forster from a...

The Jumanji franchise was revived with new sequels in 2017 and 2019, featuring Dwayne Johnson in leading roles. Zathura, released in 2005, is a sci-fi film that shares similarities with Jumanji but struggled to match its success. Conflicting reports exist on whether Zathura is a direct sequel to Jumanji.

The original Jumanji movie was a hallmark of '90s family entertainment. Based on the same-named book by Chris Van Allsburg, it starred Robin Williams as a man who was transported into a board game as a child and trapped for 26 years. Plans for a sequel in the late '90s were largely abandoned after Williams declined to reprise his role.

The franchise was later rebooted with legacy sequels Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level in 2017 and 2019, respectively. While set in the same universe, these films followed new storylines and characters. The Jumanji board game was also reimagined as a video game.

Robert Zemeckis' next movie, which features a Forrest Gump reunion of Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, will now release in theaters earlier than originally expected.

Per Variety, the new Zemeckis film titled, Here, will now have a wide release of Nov. 15, 2024. Originally, the film was set to premiere nationwide on Nov. 27, 2024. In addition to Hanks and Wright, the film also stars Paul Bettany (Avengers: Infinity War), Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes), Michelle Dockery (The Gentlemen), and Jonathan Aris (The Martian). Zemeckis shares writing credits with screenwriter Eric Roth, and is based on the Richard McGuire graphic novel of the same name. Zemeckis will also produce alongside Jack Rapke, Derek Hogue, Bill Block, Jeremy Johns, Andrew Golov and Thom Zadra.

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Tom Hanks is one of Hollywood's most beloved stars and films like Forrest Gump and Big are some of his greatest performances.

The upcoming drama,...

Jumanji franchise began as a children's book in 1981, now a billion-dollar success story on the big screen. The movies took the original concept, transforming it into a big-budget action comedy formula. With a fifth movie in the works, the future looks bright for Jumanji, continuing the successful streak.

The Jumanji movies have seen four total releases in the series, with only three using the actual franchise name. What started as a children's picture book in 1981 has become a genuine franchise, with the first four films grossing more than $1 billion worldwide over three decades, and have enjoyed a surprising amount of critical success. The original Chris Van Allsburg book introduces Judy and Peter Shepherd, who encounter a game called Jumanji that transports them into it real-life animals and all.

The first film, Jumanji, remained true to the book, but each subsequent movie transformed the concept uniquely. Most recently, the franchise employed a big-budget action comedy formula,...

With things being so slow at the box office in the early going of 2024, you would half expect to hear people reporting sightings of tumbleweeds rolling across the floors of their local movie theaters. Praise to the cinema gods, May is finally arriving with a promising crop of tentpoles to help rejuvenate the marketplace, starting with director David Leitch's much-buzzed-about '80s series turned contemporary action-comedy "The Fall Guy" (you can read our own Jacob Hall's glowing review of the picture here). But never fear! If you're searching for something to watch at home, too, Netflix will provide in bountiful amounts.

Well, sort of.

Truth be told, next month is looking kind of sparse when it comes to Netflix exclusives outside the purview of shows with firmly established fandoms (see: the latest season of "Bridgerton") or the service's usual smattering of specialty offerings, including live comedy events and ongoing anime series.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s recent Jumanji films have reignited excitement for the franchise, but fans are confused about the title of the next installment. The debate centers on whether it should be called Jumanji 3 or Jumanji 5.

Robin Williams, Bradley Pierce, and Kirsten Dunst in Jumanji

The confusion stems from how the Jumanji franchise has changed over time. There’s the original movie with Robin Williams and the newer reboot series with The Great One.

Suggested“He has Jumanji 5 coming out”: One Hollywood Actor Makes Even Joe Rogan Feel Lazy and It’s Not Dwayne Johnson

So, fans are unsure if the next movie follows the original story, making it Jumanji 3, or if it’s part of the reboot series, which would make it Jumanji 5. Plus, there’s also confusion about whether Jumanji 4 would be happening or not.

Jumanji 4 Continues Development Amid Franchise Confusion

For those who...

Karen Gillan offers a disappointing Jumanji 4 update, explaining that scheduling conflicts are keeping the movie from being made. The sequel's long development could prove troublesome for the franchise's future between the cast's varying schedules and aging out of their roles. Kevin Hart previously indicated that the next movie may actually be the last as he and Dwayne Johnson were discussing what their final collaboration should be.

With nearly five years gone since the last movie hit theaters, Karen Gillan opens up about why Jumanji 4 has yet to get off the ground. Loosely based on Chris Van Allsburg's children's book of the same name, the action-adventure franchise revolves around a group of teens pulled into the titular magical and deadly jungle world via a board game and video game in the later sequels, learning about themselves along the way. Recently led by Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Gillan,...

The Polar Express 2 could be a direct sequel to Hero Boy's story, set right after the first film. The sequel could revisit Hero Boy as an adult, 20 years after the events of The Polar Express. The possibility of the sequel focusing on completely different characters is also interesting.

If The Polar Express 2 does happen, there are multiple stories the sequel to the 2004 Christmas movie could tackle. Based on The Polar Express book by Chris Van Allsburg, the 2004 animated film directed by Robert Zemeckis brought the story of Hero Boy to the big screen with the help of a then-groundbreaking motion capture technique. Now, almost 20 years later, The Polar Express 2 is in development, with producer Gary Goetzman saying the project “is trying to be worked out.”

Whether Tom Hanks would return for The Polar Express 2 remains to be seen, but it is difficult to imagine a sequel without him.

The Polar Express 2 is Tom Hanks' first opportunity to return for a legacy sequel in his almost 50-year career. Tom Hanks has not previously participated in legacy sequels, despite his involvement in successful franchises like Toy Story. None of Tom Hanks' other classic, standalone films have legacy sequels in the works.

If Tom Hanks returns for The Polar Express 2, it will mark a major first in his almost 50-year career. It's been almost 20 years since Hanks played seven different characters in The Polar Express, including the voices of the Conductor and Hero Boy. In addition to his voice work, Hanks also served as an executive producer on the animated Christmas movie, directed by his longtime collaborator, Robert Zemeckis. The Polar Express was based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1985 children's book of the same name about a young boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

The Polar Express 2 can be better than the first movie in terms of animation, as technology has evolved since 2004. The motion-capture animation in the first movie was groundbreaking at the time but has since aged quickly and drawn criticism. The sequel has the advantage of improved animation technology, which can make for a more visually appealing and immersive experience.

Robert Zemeckis’ Christmas movie The Polar Express is now getting a sequel, and there’s one big way in which The Polar Express 2 can be a lot better than the first movie. Throughout his career as a filmmaker, Robert Zemeckis has explored a variety of genres, and in 2004, he brought a family-friendly Christmas movie with The Polar Express. Based on the 1985 children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is an animated fantasy movie starring Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Nona Gaye.

The Polar Express follows a young boy who,...

David Alan Grier, who played Alan's childhood friend in the original Jumanji, has not been asked to join the new sequels. The most recent Jumanji sequel, 2019's The Next Level, did include a cameo from Bebe Neuwirth, who played Judy and Peter's mom in the original. The possibility of other cameos from original movie cast members in Jumanji 4 is not out of the question, but time will tell if Grier gets that call.

Original Jumanji star David Alan Grier reveals whether they've been approached for new sequels. The 1995 film, based on Chris Van Allsburg's classic children's novels, follows Judy and Peter Shepherd (Kirsten Dunst & Bradley Pierce), as they play a magical board game that transports its players into the game's inner world. They must free Alan (Robin Williams), who went missing as a child as he has been trapped in the game for decades. Grier starred as Carl Bentley,...

If Tom Hanks isn't involved, The Polar Express 2 might not succeed. His iconic character was a major draw for the original film. The sequel would likely build on the source material and original film but would suffer without Hanks as the Conductor. The competition for animated movies is tougher now, so Hanks' involvement is crucial to attract modern audiences.

If Tom Hanks does not star or play a major role in the newly announced The Polar Express sequel, it might be best to leave the film in development. Producer Gary Goetzman revealed that The Polar Express 2 is currently in development but did not provide much of an update outside of stating that the long-awaited project is in the works. Goetzman is a longtime collaborator with Hanks who is also an executive producer of the upcoming Masters of the Air Apple series alongside Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

While the original Polar Express...

Producer Gary Goetzman reveals plans for a sequel to The Polar Express. The Polar Express 2 is not a rushed project and there are still details to be worked out. The original The Polar Express received mixed reviews due to its animation, but a sequel would likely incorporate new and innovative technology.

A sequel to the Christmas favorite The Polar Express gets a promising update from producer Gary Goetzman, who says the studio wants “another one.” In a recent interview with Comicbook.com, Goetzman revealed that they are now working out how to bring The Polar Express 2 to screens, with studios wanting sequels to several other projects, including Where the Wild Things Are and Mamma Mia.

"Listen, I'd love to. I'd love to do a sequel of Where the Wild Things Are. There's a lot of the things that we've done, if it established itself, branded itself, those movies, studios want another one.

A sequel to 2004's The Polar Express is in the works with the original film's production heads working on early development.

Critical and audience reception for 2004's The Polar Express were mixed when the film was released, but it has since earned favor from many who now consider it a Christmas classic. It was one of the earliest films to combine live-action and motion capture animation, production techniques perfected in the first Avatar film five years later. Film critic Roger Ebert gave The Polar Express his highest four-star rating, commending the visual style's haunting, magical quality. Many also fondly remember the film for its endearing story and nostalgic appeal; in an interview ComicBook.com, producer Gary Goetzman says he intends to recapture the magic with a sequel installment.

Related 10 Best Animated Christmas Movies With Christmas right around the corner, it's time to snuggle up with loved ones and watch classic tales with these great Christmas movies.

The original picture book "Jumanji," written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, was rather simple. A pair of kids find a mysterious boxed board game at a park and take it home to play it. The game, "Jumanji," is a jungle-themed adventure that warns players not to begin unless they intend to finish. They find that playing the game manifests jungle animals and bad weather in their home, and soon the house has been trashed by rhinos and monsoons. When they finish the game, all the damage is magically undone. "Jumanji" was published in 1981, and was a library standard for a decade. 

In 1995, Joe Johnston directed a feature film adaptation that strayed dramatically from the picture book. Using then-cutting-edge CGI, "Jumanji" was about a child who was sucked into an alternate jungle dimension in 1969, and left there for decades because his "Jumanji" partner abandoned the game. In the present, two...

There were plans at one point to develop a Jumanji sequel with Robin Williams returning, but, for better or for worse, the follow-up film never saw the light of day.

In 1995, Williams starred in Jumanji as Alan Parrish, a man who's been trapped inside a mysterious jungle-themed board game for decades. He's only freed when two children find the game and give it a go themselves, unwittingly freeing Alan and unleashing a horde of wild animals into the town. The story felt complete by the end with Alan able to undo everything that happened, so there wasn't exactly a clamoring for a sequel at the time. However, there were still efforts made to do just that, as author and illlustrator Chris Van Allsburg -- who wrote the original story the movie is based on -- has revealed details about scrapped plans for a direct sequel, per Syfy Wire.

Related Kevin Hart...

The original sequel to Jumanji would have been set in The White House and involved mayhem and CGI animals, but the idea was disliked by the original book writer. Instead, the writer wrote a different sequel called Zathura which failed to make the same impact as Jumanji. Zathura, currently streaming on Netflix and Prime Video, tells the story of two brothers who play a board game and get transported to space.

The Jumanji franchise found a new lease of life more than 20 years after Robin Williams played the dangerous board game, with Dwayne Johnson leading the charge in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in 2017. However, The Rock may not have had the chance to dip into the fantasy universe if an original sequel plan had been put in action many years earlier.

In a recent interview with SyFy Wire, original Jumanji book writer Chris Van Allsburg revealed that following the...

Chris Van Allsburg hated the idea of a Jumanji sequel set in the White House, which led him to write Zathura instead. The recent Jumanji movies, with their video game concept, have been a vast improvement over the original sequel idea. The video game concept allows for comedy and appeals to modern audiences with its pop culture references. Jumanji 4 is in the works.

Chris Van Allsburg, author of the classic children’s book that served as the basis for the Jumanji movie franchise, has revealed a ridiculous plan producers had for a sequel to the Robin Williams movie. Despite receiving mixed reviews at the time of its original release, Jumanji managed to draw in over $262 million at the worldwide box office and go on to be regarded as one of the late comedian’s most iconic films. Long-gestating plans for a sequel eventually came to fruition with 2005’s Zathura: A Space Adventure,...

The animation in The Polar Express has been criticized as creepy, with the characters feeling unsettling and off-putting to many viewers. The movie evokes a nostalgic feeling of Christmas, with its focus on the importance of belief and the magic of the holiday season.

It has been nearly 20 years since The Polar Express first premiered in theaters, and fans and critics alike have been split on a certain debate about the Christmas film. Adapted from the children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express follows a young boy on a magical and beautiful journey to the North Pole on the night of Christmas Eve. The boy is at the age where he is skeptical of Santa Claus' existence. When given the opportunity to take a leap of faith, he decides to board the mysterious night train, where he sees other children are excited about their adventure.

Tom Hanks plays seven roles in The Polar Express, including the main character Hero Boy and the punctual Conductor. Hanks provided motion capture and facial expressions for Hero Boy, while the voice was provided by Spy Kid's Daryl Sabara. The movie reveals that Hanks' Hobo is actually a ghost and only Hero Boy can see him. The Hobo helps Chris at various points in the story.

Tom Hanks played seven roles in Christmas favorite The Polar Express, some of which are easier to spot than others. Based on the children's picture book by Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji), The Polar Express became famous/infamous for its extensive use of motion capture. Director Robert Zemeckis was a proponent of this technique, as it freed him to place the camera wherever he wished. Despite this, the film was heavily criticized for its uncanny valley visuals, with many critics being particularly unnerved by the...

On Dec. 15, 1995, TriStar unveiled the Robin Williams starrer Jumanji in theaters, where it would go on to gross $262 million globally and eventually kickstart a franchise. The Hollywood Reporter’s original review is below:

Call it “Game Story.”

Based on a 1981 book by children’s author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg, Jumanji tells the story of a mysterious board game with a treacherous mind of its own; where every roll of the dice carries considerable consequences.

The filmed result is a raucous, noisy affair jam-packed with special effects, amusing character turns and some truly surreal sight gags.

And while all the parts never seem to form a cohesive whole and the rampaging critters may be a little intense for younger viewers, Jumanji holds enough distractions along the way to keep audiences occupied.

Boxoffice results should be respectable but TriStar probably shouldn’t expect a stampede.

Young Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce play Judy and Peter,...

The Polar Express was the top-grossing IMAX release until Avatar surpassed it in 2009, and both films utilized CGI and motion capture technology. The film's focus on visual spectacle rather than story made it a perfect fit for IMAX, leading to its record-breaking box office gross of $71 million. Despite its IMAX success, The Polar Express was considered a financial failure overall, earning less than its budget at the domestic box office. However, it paved the way for future films that use similar techniques.

The Polar Express was the top-grossing IMAX release for five years until James Cameron's Avatar beat it out. This is a significant surprise since it's difficult to categorize these two films together regarding box office performance. Of course, both films used CGI and motion capture technology to create visually stunning worlds, and this has become the perfect recipe for an IMAX feature. However, while Cameron's Avatar...

Author Chris Van Allsburg brought "Jumanji" into the pop culture zeitgeist back in 1981. The children's book imagined an enchanted board game that transported the dangers of the jungle into the suburban world. A hungry lion, a stampede of rhinos, and a monsoon are just some of the threats that emerge from the game, putting kids smack dab in the middle of a frightening adventure. 

"Jumanji" is a favorite among several generations of children, and part of that comes from the blockbuster movie adaptation starring Robin Williams (with his improv skills in check), Bonnie Hunt, and a young Kirsten Dunst back in 1995. The film became quite a sensation on the big screen, making over $262 million at the worldwide box office, and it made the titular game truly larger than life. If you've ever watched "Jumanji" and wished you could have your own version of the board game that has seemingly been circulating for decades,...

While notable for its technology, one Polar Express CGI glitch made its way into the final film, as noted by VFX artists Corridor Crew. Based on Chris Van Allsburg's children novel of the same name, the 2004 film centers on a young boy who finds himself invited aboard the titular magical train headed for the North Pole with several other children to meet Santa Claus before he heads off into the night to deliver Christmas presents. Starring Tom Hanks in multiple roles, The Polar Express became popular for its use of motion-capture technology in order to recreate the iconic imagery of Van Allsburg's picture book.

In the latest episode of the group's "VFX Artists React" series, Corridor Crew looked back at the cult classic Christmas animated adventure, The Polar Express.

The VFX artist group take particular notice of a scene nearly the latter portion of the film in which the...

The world’s first “Jumanji” rollercoaster is set to open this Spring at Chessington World of Adventures in the U.K.

Called Mandrill Mayhem, the “winged, launch, shuttle ride with an inversion” is set to be part of Chessington’s newest land, World of Jumanji. The theme park unveiled an artist’s impression of what the coaster – the newest to open at the resort since 2004 – is set to look like (pictured above).

According to a description of the ride, Mandrill Mayhem will sweep visitors around World of Jumanji in the arms of a mandrill while dodging hazards of the jungle.

“The most fearsome of all the wild animals, the mandrills are unpredictable and will launch at full speed through the treetops, flipping upside down on a hair-raising adventure, spiralling to the summit of the 55ft tall Jaguar Shrine,” the ride description reads. “Glimpse the Jaguar’s Eye Jewel glow before...

There are few better ways to relax during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season than to crash on the couch by the light of the Christmas tree and tune into a favorite Christmas flick. And while live-action movies will always be popular, animation is typically more appropriate for the whole family, and often just a little sweeter!

From Rudolph to Charlie Brown, there are more than enough animated movies and specials to go around. However, for those holiday movie fans who are unsure of which to watch next, IMDb's ratings might point the way.

Updated on December 7, 2022 by Colin McCormick:

For fans of all ages, animated Christmas movies still draw a lot of love during this time of the year. From older classics to more recent hits, some of the best Christmas movies are animated ones. These adventures often capture the magic and fun of the...

The Jumanji franchise is not only full of fantasy and adventure, but each film in the series can be seen as a Christmas movie. Jumanji first leapt onto the big-screen in 1995, adapted from Chris Van Allsburg's children's book about a board game unleashing jungle animals into the real world. Over two decades later, the Jumanji franchise roared back into cinemas with 2017's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and 2019's Jumanji: The Next Level, which both turned the eponymous board game into a video game.

The Jumanji movie series does not ultilize such holiday season staples as Santa Claus or flying reindeer despite its fantastical elements. However, the Jumanji franchise has had a close relationship with the Christmas season right from the start. In addition to the kinds of stories the Jumanji movies tell, there is ample reason to see all of them as Christmas movies.

Related: Jumanji 4 Should Bring...

Director Joe Johnston's "Jumanji" came along at just the right time for Robin Williams. Having settled into his groove as an actor, Williams was not quite at the point where he could fully shed his hurricane of a comedic persona on-screen. That would happen a little later in his career when he starred in films like "One Hour Photo" and "Insomnia."

If anything, though, this worked in Williams' favor on "Jumanji." His character in the film, Alan Parrish, is just a boy when he's trapped in the titular magic board game in 1969, only to emerge a fully grown adult — with an untamed beard and a mane of hair to rival that of the lion he squares off with — when he escapes the game 26 years later. Having survived in the jungles of Jumanji alone all this time, Alan the adult is emotionally stunted. As such, in the scenes where Williams indulges his zanier side,...

If you are a fan of adventure movies, you have probably seen at least one of the “Jumanji” movies. The franchise started in 1995 with the first movie’s release and has since released two sequels.

Jumanji films are based on the children’s books Jumanji (1981) and its sequel Zathura (2002), by Chris Van Allsburg.

The “Jumanji” franchise has been a favorite of children and adults for over 25 years. The original movie, released in 1995, told the story of a board game that came to life, trapping its players in a dangerous jungle adventure. The film was hugely successful, leading to two sequels and a recent reboot.

With heart-pounding thrills and laugh-out-loud moments, these films will surely entertain audiences of all ages.

For starters, the “Jumanji” movies are action-packed adventure films that are perfect for families. They mix elements of comedy and suspense, which keeps viewers of all ages entertained.

Additionally, the movies feature an all-star cast,...