Air Bud Returns: Ain't No Rule Says a Dog Can't Release Another Movie
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) has secured U.S. distribution rights for Air Bud Returns, a new installment in the iconic Air Bud franchise, set for theatrical release in Summer 2026. The film marks Cineverse's strategic expansion into theatrical features and kids/family content.
The movie will be written and directed by Robert Vince, the original Air Bud franchise creator, who has produced all 14 films in the Air Bud universe. The original Air Bud (1997) has reached over 1 billion viewers globally in 30+ languages and generated hundreds of millions in ancillary sales.
The new film follows 12-year-old Jacob, who discovers an original Air Bud VHS tape and meets a stray golden retriever named Buddy. Production will begin in Summer 2025 in Fort Langley, British Columbia.
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) ha acquisito i diritti di distribuzione negli Stati Uniti per Air Bud Returns, un nuovo capitolo dell'iconico franchise Air Bud, previsto per l'uscita nelle sale cinematografiche nell'estate 2026. Questo film rappresenta l'espansione strategica di Cineverse nel settore delle pellicole teatrali e dei contenuti per bambini e famiglie.
Il film sarà scritto e diretto da Robert Vince, creatore originale del franchise Air Bud, che ha prodotto tutti e 14 i film dell'universo Air Bud. Il primo Air Bud (1997) ha raggiunto oltre 1 miliardo di spettatori in tutto il mondo, in più di 30 lingue, generando centinaia di milioni di dollari in vendite secondarie.
La nuova pellicola segue le avventure di Jacob, un ragazzo di 12 anni che scopre una vecchia VHS originale di Air Bud e incontra un cane randagio di razza golden retriever chiamato Buddy. Le riprese inizieranno nell'estate 2025 a Fort Langley, British Columbia.
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) ha asegurado los derechos de distribución en EE.UU. para Air Bud Returns, una nueva entrega de la icónica franquicia Air Bud, que se estrenará en cines en el verano de 2026. La película representa la expansión estratégica de Cineverse hacia largometrajes teatrales y contenido para niños y familias.
La película será escrita y dirigida por Robert Vince, creador original de la franquicia Air Bud, quien ha producido las 14 películas del universo Air Bud. El Air Bud original (1997) ha alcanzado más de 1.000 millones de espectadores a nivel mundial en más de 30 idiomas y ha generado cientos de millones en ventas secundarias.
La nueva película sigue a Jacob, un niño de 12 años que descubre una cinta VHS original de Air Bud y conoce a un golden retriever callejero llamado Buddy. La producción comenzará en el verano de 2025 en Fort Langley, Columbia Británica.
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS)가 미국 배급권을 확보한 Air Bud Returns는 상징적인 Air Bud 시리즈의 새로운 작품으로, 2026년 여름 극장 개봉을 예정하고 있습니다. 이 영화는 Cineverse가 극장용 영화 및 어린이·가족 콘텐츠 분야로 전략적으로 확장하는 것을 의미합니다.
영화는 Air Bud 시리즈의 원작자 로버트 빈스(Robert Vince)가 각본과 감독을 맡으며, 그는 Air Bud 세계관의 14편 모든 영화를 제작했습니다. 원작 Air Bud(1997)는 전 세계 30개 이상의 언어로 10억 명 이상의 시청자를 기록했고, 수백만 달러의 부가 판매 수익을 올렸습니다.
새 영화는 12세 소년 제이콥이 원본 Air Bud VHS 테이프를 발견하고 길 잃은 골든 리트리버 버디를 만나면서 벌어지는 이야기를 그립니다. 촬영은 2025년 여름 브리티시컬럼비아주 포트랭글리에서 시작됩니다.
Cineverse (NASDAQ : CNVS) a obtenu les droits de distribution aux États-Unis pour Air Bud Returns, un nouvel épisode de la célèbre franchise Air Bud, prévu pour une sortie en salles à l'été 2026. Ce film marque l'expansion stratégique de Cineverse dans les longs métrages et les contenus pour enfants et familles.
Le film sera écrit et réalisé par Robert Vince, le créateur original de la franchise Air Bud, qui a produit les 14 films de cet univers. Le premier Air Bud (1997) a atteint plus d'un milliard de spectateurs dans le monde, en plus de 30 langues, et généré des centaines de millions de dollars de ventes annexes.
Le nouveau film suit Jacob, un garçon de 12 ans qui découvre une cassette VHS originale d'Air Bud et rencontre un golden retriever errant nommé Buddy. La production débutera à l'été 2025 à Fort Langley, en Colombie-Britannique.
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) hat die US-Vertriebsrechte für Air Bud Returns gesichert, einen neuen Teil der ikonischen Air Bud-Reihe, der im Sommer 2026 in den Kinos erscheinen soll. Der Film markiert Cineverses strategische Expansion in den Bereich Kinofilme und Kinder-/Familieninhalte.
Das Drehbuch und die Regie übernimmt Robert Vince, der ursprüngliche Schöpfer der Air Bud-Reihe, der alle 14 Filme des Air Bud-Universums produziert hat. Der erste Air Bud (1997) erreichte weltweit über 1 Milliarde Zuschauer in mehr als 30 Sprachen und generierte Hunderte Millionen Dollar an Nebenerlösen.
Der neue Film folgt dem 12-jährigen Jacob, der eine originale Air Bud VHS-Kassette entdeckt und einen streunenden Golden Retriever namens Buddy trifft. Die Produktion beginnt im Sommer 2025 in Fort Langley, British Columbia.
- Strategic acquisition of proven family entertainment IP with global recognition
- Timing aligns with 90s/2000s nostalgia trend and millennial parents demographic
- Original creator Robert Vince involved in writing and directing
- Franchise has historically generated significant box office and ancillary sales revenue
- Success depends on capturing both nostalgia and new audience appeal
- Significant gap since original releases may affect brand recognition
- Competition in family entertainment theatrical market
Insights
Cineverse's acquisition of Air Bud distribution rights represents strategic expansion into theatrical family content with proven IP.
Cineverse's (NASDAQ: CNVS) acquisition of U.S. distribution rights for "Air Bud Returns" marks a significant strategic expansion from streaming into theatrical distribution, specifically targeting the family entertainment segment. This move leverages powerful market forces: the nostalgia cycle has reached the late 90s/early 2000s era, precisely when the original Air Bud franchise gained popularity.
The deal has substantial commercial merit. The original franchise has remarkable reach—over one billion viewers across 30+ languages—and has generated hundreds of millions in ancillary sales. This established IP reduces market risk compared to original productions. Importantly, Cineverse is working with franchise creator Robert Vince, maintaining creative continuity that should resonate with the original fanbase.
What makes this particularly strategic is the demographic targeting. Millennials who grew up with Air Bud are now parents seeking family-friendly content for their children, creating a powerful dual-audience appeal that few properties possess. The summer 2026 release positions the film for maximum box office potential during peak family moviegoing season.
This acquisition aligns with Cineverse's stated strategy of acquiring studio-grade legacy IP to revitalize through new storytelling, and represents the first implementation of their recently announced dedicated Motion Pictures Group initiative. The long-term collaboration potential with Air Bud Entertainment could yield additional revenue streams beyond this single release if successful.
Cineverse Teams with Air Bud Entertainment to Bring the Latest Installment of the Popular Franchise to Theaters with Wide Release to be Unleashed in Summer 2026
The film marks the beginning of a potentially long-term collaboration between Cineverse and ABE, the original creators behind the Air Bud movie franchise that has captured the hearts of multiple generations worldwide for more than 25 years. As Cineverse builds upon its long history of success with kids and family content in streaming, today's news marks the expansion into theatrical features targeting this broad audience. This is also a continuation of Cineverse's strategy of acquiring high-quality, studio-grade legacy IP and bringing it to new and existing fans through fresh, emotionally-rich storytelling.
The film is written and directed by ABE Founder Robert Vince, who has built a legacy of heartwarming family content ("We Speak Family"). He produced the original Air Bud (1997) as an independent movie before licensing
"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," said Cineverse Chief Motion Pictures Officer Yolanda Macias. "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 is the ideal first project for us as we expand our theatrical strategy to the kids and family category."
"Air Bud Returns isn't just another sequel or remake—it's a unique story," said Vince. "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."
In Air Bud Returns, 12-year old Jacob has always dreamt of being a star basketball player. After the passing of his father, that dream felt even more impossible. But everything changes when he and his mom move into his dad's childhood home in Fernfield. There, Jacob discovers an original VHS of the Air Bud movie in his father's belongings and has a chance meeting of a stray golden retriever he names Buddy. Together they embark on a journey of healing, unite a team of misfits, and chase a championship. Through it all they learn to play from the heart, believe in each other, and always take the shot!
Buddy is back on the court!
Set to begin filming this summer in Fernfield aka
About Cineverse Motion Pictures Group
Cineverse super-serves passionate audiences by distributing content across all windows and platforms, from theatrical to digital to physical. Following the breakout box office success of Terrifier 3, upcoming releases include the franchise expansions of The Toxic Avenger (August 29, 2025) and Silent Night, Deadly Night (December 12, 2025). Coming in 2026 include its first kids and family theatrical release, Air Bud Returns, as well as Return to Silent Hill (January 23, 2026) and Wolf Creek: Legacy, with more to be announced soon.
About Cineverse
Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) is a next-generation entertainment studio that empowers creators and entertains fans with a wide breadth of content through the power of technology. It has developed a new blueprint for delivering entertainment experiences to passionate audiences and results for its partners with unprecedented efficiency, and distributes more than 71,000 premium films, series, and podcasts. Cineverse connects fans with bold, authentic, independent stories. Properties include the highest-grossing non-rated film in
About Air Bud Entertainment
Air Bud Entertainment—"We Speak Family"—has spent over 28 years creating heartwarming family films that delight audiences of all ages around the globe. Based in
CONTACTS
For Media, The Lippin Group for Cineverse
cineverse@lippingroup.com
For Investors, Julie Milstead
investorrelations@cineverse.com
For Air Bud Entertainment, Rick Rhoades
rickrhoades@highroadspr.com
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SOURCE Cineverse Corp.
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