1990s Disney Hit Air Bud Is Getting A Surprising Reboot

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Summary

  • The Air Bud franchise is making a comeback with a new movie, Air Bud Returns.
  • Disney is not involved in the new film as the rights are owned by Air Bud Entertainment.
  • New distributor Cineverse is handling the release set for Summer 2026.

Just as an age-old wisdom reminds us, what’s old becomes new once more. Keeping this thought in mind, we find a beloved Disney franchise resurfacing, though this time it’s independent of Disney itself.

During the 1990s, the Walt Disney Company held an impressive cultural reign. Reflect on the numerous significant events that transpired during this period. They ruled the box office with both animated films like “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King,” as well as live-action hits such as “Pretty Woman” and “Armageddon.” Before fully acquiring the company, Disney established a fruitful partnership with Pixar in 1995 through “Toy Story.” They also opened their fourth theme park, Animal Kingdom, in Orlando, Florida. One of the biggest corporate takeovers in U.S. history saw them gaining control over ABC and its network family. Instead of relying solely on theme parks for vacation business, they launched Disney Cruise Line with two ships: the “Disney Magic” and the “Disney Wonder.” In summary, the 1990s were an exceptional decade for the Walt Disney Company. Now, one of their iconic franchises is experiencing a revival without any involvement from them whatsoever.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news about the upcoming revival of an old favorite – “Air Bud”! Contrary to popular belief, it seems that Disney was merely the distributor for this franchise, with Air Bud Entertainment holding the rights. Fast forward to Summer 2026, and we’ll see a brand new installment titled “Air Bud Returns”. This time around, Cineverse, a well-known entertainment company specializing in free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels like Midnight Pulp and Screambox, will be handling distribution. The original mastermind behind the franchise, Robert Vince, is back at the helm as writer and director for “Air Bud Returns”. Can’t wait to see our furry friend back on the big screen!

The Air Bud Franchise Is Getting New Life With Air Bud Returns

Disney Isn’t Involved This Time Around

Back in 1997, I wasn’t exactly holding my breath for a sports comedy flick about a golden retriever with an uncanny knack for basketball. With a production budget of just $3 million, it seemed like a long shot. Yet, Walt Disney Pictures saw potential and decided to distribute the film under their Miramax Films label initially. Thankfully, someone had second thoughts, and the movie hit theaters in August 1997. Despite mediocre reviews, this underdog film managed to rake in nearly $30 million against its meager budget. And let’s not forget the additional profits from VHS sales. Little did we know then, but that was just the start of the Air Bud phenomenon!

The film ‘Air Bud Returns’ isn’t simply another sequel or remake; it offers a fresh and distinctive narrative. This movie is set to captivate fans of the original ‘Air Bud’ while introducing a new audience to the talented basketball-playing golden retriever, Buddy – as presented by Robert Vince.

For a span of 16 years, from August 1997 to August 2013, a total of 14 movies were produced within the Air Bud franchise and its offshoot, the Air Buddies series. The original Air Bud series primarily showcased the title canine participating in various sports such as basketball, volleyball, baseball, and soccer. In contrast, the Air Buddies series presented a more light-hearted approach. For instance, the 2012 movie Treasure Buddies was inspired by Indiana Jones, with Skyler Gisondo, known for his role as Superman, voicing B-Dawg, the puppy who could talk.

In “Air Bud Returns,” the movie appears to be returning to its original roots, suggesting that Buddy might not have a voice this time. The main curiosity: will “Air Bud Returns” turn out to be as uninspiring as some of Disney’s criticized live-action adaptations?

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2025-07-25 02:03