Entertainment
Air Bud Returns: The Legendary Golden Retriever Is Back on the Court in 2026
Buddy is back! The beloved basketball-playing golden retriever returns in “Air Bud Returns,” a heartwarming new film hitting theaters in summer 2026.
Last Updated on August 7, 2025 by Daily News Staff
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Buddy’s comeback promises heart, hoops, and a fresh story for a new generation
In a surprising and heartwarming twist on the nostalgia wave sweeping Hollywood, Air Bud is making a major comeback. Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS), in partnership with Air Bud Entertainment (ABE), has announced Air Bud Returns, a brand-new theatrical installment of the beloved franchise, set to hit theaters nationwide in summer 2026.
A Slam Dunk for Nostalgic Families
Originally released in 1997, Air Bud introduced the world to Buddy, the basketball-playing golden retriever who proved there really “ain’t no rule that says a dog can’t play basketball.” Over the years, the franchise has expanded with 14 films, multiple spin-offs like Air Buddies and Santa Paws, and a global fanbase spanning over a billion viewers in 30+ languages.
Now, almost three decades later, Air Bud Returns is poised to capture hearts all over again—with a story rooted in loss, healing, and classic teamwork, all told through the lens of a new generation.
The Plot: A Boy, A Dog, A Dream
The film centers on 12-year-old Jacob, a young boy grieving the loss of his father. After relocating with his mom to his dad’s childhood home in Fernfield (yes, the original setting!), Jacob stumbles upon a VHS copy of Air Bud among his father’s old things. Soon after, a serendipitous meeting with a stray golden retriever—whom he names Buddy—sparks a heartwarming journey of friendship and redemption.
Together, Jacob and Buddy rally a team of underdogs, chase a basketball championship, and prove that playing from the heart is the true secret to success. According to director and ABE founder Robert Vince, the film “builds upon the legacy of the OG Air Bud” with all the humor, magic, and emotional storytelling fans have come to love.
From Disney Days to a New Theatrical Era
Robert Vince, the mind behind every Air Bud franchise entry, returns as both writer and director. Vince originally launched Air Bud as an indie production before Disney acquired its U.S. distribution rights. Now, Air Bud Returnsmarks the 50th movie produced by Vince and will be the first kids & family theatrical feature released by Cineverse under its newly launched Motion Pictures Group.
Yolanda Macias, Cineverse’s Chief Motion Pictures Officer, sees Air Bud Returns as the perfect gateway for millennial parents seeking wholesome films to share with their children:
“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.”
Production and What’s Next
Filming kicks off this summer in Fort Langley, British Columbia—known to fans as Fernfield. This location has served as the heart of the franchise since the original film and remains a key visual touchstone.
With a massive built-in audience and a nostalgic brand that’s never truly faded from public memory, Air Bud Returnscould be a major theatrical hit. It also continues Cineverse’s strategy of reviving legacy IP and delivering it to passionate fan communities with modern storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Whether you grew up watching Buddy dunk basketballs or you’re introducing your own kids to him for the first time, Air Bud Returns looks to bring the same joy, heart, and golden retriever magic to theaters in 2026. It’s more than just a sequel—it’s a generational reunion.
Buddy is back. And this time, he’s playing for legacy.
Related Info:
🐾 Air Bud Returns expected in U.S. theaters: Summer 2026
🎬 Directed by: Robert Vince
📍Filming Location: Fort Langley, BC (Fernfield)
🎥 Distributed by: Cineverse Motion Pictures Group
🌐 More info: home.cineverse.com
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Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Daily News Staff
New hybrid event aims to give grieving audiences meaningful holiday viewing, with films from more than 25 countries and a mission centered on love, loss, and emotional truth.
A new film festival debuting in late 2026 is taking a different approach to holiday entertainment. Grief Fest™: The Grief Film Festival, created by My Grief Angels Inc., is being introduced as what organizers believe is the world’s first film festival dedicated entirely to grief, remembrance, resilience, and healing.
The hybrid festival will run in two segments: November 25–29, 2026, during Thanksgiving week, and December 24, 2026, through January 3, 2027, during Christmas and New Year’s. Top Honors films will be announced on December 31, 2026.
Organizers say the timing is intentional. Research cited in the announcement shows that grief and loneliness are major holiday stressors for many Americans, making the season especially difficult for people coping with loss. In that context, Grief Fest™ is positioning itself as an alternative to the flood of traditional feel-good holiday programming.
The festival is open to short films, features, documentaries, experimental work, AI-generated projects, and VR experiences. It is described as inclusive, non-religious, and LGBTQ+ friendly, with submissions already received from more than 25 countries. All films will be presented in English, either spoken or subtitled.
Grief Fest™ will be available both in person and virtually through Film Festival Plus, making it accessible to audiences worldwide. The launch of GriefFest.com also includes Lumen, a multilingual AI guide designed to help filmmakers and attendees navigate the festival in their preferred language.
Rather than focusing on industry prestige, organizers say the festival is centered on community and emotionally honest storytelling. For audiences who feel unseen during the holidays, Grief Fest™ is aiming to offer something rare on the seasonal screen: recognition.
Source: PR Newswire
Related Reading
- Grief Fest: Official festival site
- My Grief Angels Inc.: About the nonprofit behind the festival
- Film Festival Plus: Virtual access platform
Catch the latest in movies, TV, music, pop culture, and live events in STM Daily News’ Entertainment section.
Entertainment
Bring History to Life with Experiences That Feel Real
Bring History to Life: Reading books and watching documentaries can be good ways to learn about history, but there’s something particularly meaningful about immersive experiences that allow you to step inside the stories that shaped the world.
Bring History to Life with Experiences That Feel Real
(Feature Impact) Reading books and watching documentaries can be good ways to learn about history, but there’s something particularly meaningful about immersive experiences that allow you to step inside the stories that shaped the world.
During a visit to the U-505 Submarine exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI), guests can literally step inside a historic German U-boat captured during World War II. In 1944, the U.S. Navy underwent a top-secret mission to disarm and take over one of the German submarines that wreaked havoc on the high seas, attacking not just military vessels but merchant ships and supply ships as well.
Watch this video to see more:
“The mission was a dangerous one, as U-boat captains were under strict orders to sink their own subs if they were in danger of capture,” said Dr. Voula Saridakis, head curator at Griffin MSI, “but the U.S. Navy managed to take over the vessel and keep it afloat long enough to reach American shores. There, they studied it to gather German military secrets and other intelligence items, like the codebreaking Enigma Machine now on display at Griffin MSI.”
As you tour the submarine, you’ll experience firsthand what life was really like on board. Climb through the hatch, picture yourself bunking for the night in the cramped sleeping quarters, take a turn trying to maneuver the submarine while dodging torpedoes and imagine the bravery of the American soldiers who risked themselves on a perilous mission to capture the vessel and help turn the tide of the war.
There are many important lessons to glean from history, and they’re often easier to understand when presented in a tangible way. Planning visits to museum exhibits and historical sites allows you to stand where others have stood, see what they’ve seen and connect your human experience with theirs. Parents, children, educators, students and people of all ages can find something to inspire them in these stories.
Learn more about bringing history and science to life at GriffinMSI.org.
SOURCE:
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Entertainment
Patrick Stewart, Beloved Star of Star Trek and X-Men, Dies at 86
Sir Patrick Stewart, beloved for his performances as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier, has died at 86, leaving a lasting legacy across television, film and theater.
Entertainment News Brief
Sir Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed actor best known as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died at 86.
Stewart died October 28 at his home in Los Angeles, according to a statement from his spokesperson reported by Reuters. The announcement said he had been living with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia and was with his wife, Sunny Ozell.
Stewart brought a commanding presence and a thoughtful approach to leadership to Star Trek: The Next Generation, which aired from 1987 to 1994. He later continued Picard’s story in feature films and returned for Star Trek: Picard.
His career also encompassed Shakespearean theater, including work with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He was knighted in 2010 for his contributions to drama.
For generations of viewers, Stewart helped make science fiction a place to explore questions of responsibility, compassion and humanity.
Sources
● Reuters: Patrick Stewart, Shakespearean actor turned Star Trek and X-Men star, dies at 86
● ABC News: Patrick Stewart dies at 86
