Sony Pictures schedules Jumanji: Open World for Christmas release

Sony Pictures is set to release 'Jumanji: Open World' on Christmas Day, targeting the competitive year-end box office. Directed by Jake Kasdan, the film serves as a sequel to the 2019 entry, 'Jumanji: The Next Level,' continuing the franchise's shift from board-game themes to video-game-inspired adventures.

The project marks the continuation of a profitable series for the studio. The 2017 franchise reboot, 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,' earned over $960 million globally, establishing the property as a reliable commercial asset for Sony. Development on this third installment experienced delays due to the pandemic but resumed in early 2024.

While the film faces competition from other high-profile December releases, the studio is positioning the title as holiday family entertainment. Plot details teased in the new promotional material indicate the narrative will bridge connections back to the source material of the 1995 original.