Cineverse and Air Bud Entertainment Announce the Theatrical Return of a Family Icon — Air Bud Returns
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) and Air Bud Entertainment (ABE) announced that Air Bud Returns will be released theatrically nationwide on August 21, 2026. The announcement coincides with National Golden Retriever Day, an appropriately timed moment to welcome back the world-renowned, basketball-playing Golden Retriever, Buddy.
Air Bud Returns is not a sequel; it’s a theatrical relaunch of the multigenerational, global franchise that became the gold standard for family movies with nostalgia, heart, humor, and action.
The film stars Tracy Ifeachor (The Pitt, The Originals, Doctor Who: The End of Time, Wonka) as Jasmine, Edwin Lee Gibson (The Bear) as Jack, Tyler Labine (Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, New Amsterdam) as Walter, and Aydin Artis as Jacob. It is written and directed by franchise creator Robert Vince and produced by Anna McRoberts.
The story returns to Fernfield, “where anything is possible,” the original hometown where Buddy’s legend began.
“Air Bud has, for nearly three decades, stood for heartwarming family values, reminding us to ‘play from the heart’ and ‘when given the opportunity, to always take the shot,'” said Vince. “Air Bud Returns honors that legacy while introducing the next generation to Buddy on the big screen. And yes, there still… ‘Ain’t no rule says a dog can’t play basketball.'”
Cineverse Chief Motion Pictures Officer Yolanda Macias added, “Watching Air Bud Returns come together has been a memorable experience, and we can’t wait for families to enjoy watching Buddy on the big screen again for the first time. The team, including our canine and human cast, have worked incredibly hard to bring Robert’s vision to life, and I can think of no better way to celebrate National Golden Retriever Day — yes, it’s a thing! — than announcing its release date.”
In Air Bud Returns, 13-year-old Jacob dreams of becoming a basketball star like his dad. After his father’s passing, that dream feels further away than ever. When Jacob and his mother move into his dad’s childhood home in Fernfield, Jacob discovers an old VHS tape marked “Air Bud.” He discovers his father played on the Timberwolves team alongside the legendary, basketball-playing golden retriever, Buddy. When Jacob meets a stray golden retriever, he later names Buddy, they form a bond that leads them on a journey to unite a team of misfits, qualify for the Christmas tournament, and chase a championship. They rediscover that belief in his family legacy, learn to play from the heart, and always take the shot.
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, recent theatrical releases include the franchise returns of The Toxic Avenger, Silent Night, Deadly Night, and Return to Silent Hill. Also on Cineverse’s upcoming slate is the 20th anniversary release of Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece Pan’s Labyrinth, Wolf Creek: Legacy and the company’s first theatrical family feature, Air Bud Returns.
About Cineverse
Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) is an entertainment technology company and studio. Fiercely innovative and independent, Cineverse develops and invests in technology and content that drives the future of the industry. Core to its business is Matchpoint® – a growing tech ecosystem powered by AI and designed to prepare, distribute, monetize, and continuously improve content across any platform. Matchpoint helps studios large and small operate at scale and improve performance and efficiency in an increasingly fragmented distribution environment. Additionally, Cineverse distributes more than 71,000 premium films, series, and podcasts, across theatrical, home entertainment, and streaming; operates dozens of digital properties that super serve passionate fandoms around the world; and works with leading brands to connect them with audiences they value. From award-winning technology to the highest-grossing unrated film in U.S. history, Cineverse has created a playbook that marries tech and content to redefine the next era of entertainment. For more information, visit cineverse.com.
About Air Bud Entertainment
Air Bud Entertainment, “We Speak Family,” has spent nearly three decades creating heartwarming family movies and series that touch audiences around the world. From the original Air Bud sprang global family franchises totaling 22 movies, including Air Buddies, Santa Paws, and Pup Star, and four series. ABE has built a multigenerational legacy centered on heartwarming messages, humor, action, and comedy.
Contacts:
The Lippin Group for Cineverse
cineverse@lippingroup.com
Investors: Julie Milstead
investorrelations@cineverse.com
For Air Bud Entertainment – High Roads PR
Rick Rhoades / RickRhoades@HighRoadsPR.com
Jennifer Lang / Jennifer@HighRoadsPR.com
