Let’s be honest, we all wanted to see what was happening after that massive water fight in the first movie.
And we all waited.
And waited.
For years, the rumor mill has been churning, but Grown Ups 3 feels like one of those movies that exists only in our collective dreams.
It’s 2024, and the internet is still buzzing with questions: is it cancelled? Is it coming to Netflix? What’s the actual plot supposed to be? From what I’ve seen in the industry, this is a classic case of ‘too many cooks in the kitchen,’ combined with a very busy star schedule.
What We Know About the Release Date
There was a moment back in 2017 where it seemed like everything was falling into place.
Adam Sandler and the rest of the crew announced they were finally moving forward with Grown Ups 3.
Sandler even said that if it happens, it would be a ‘big movie’ with a theatrical release.
Then, the credits stopped rolling.
There was no trailer.
No press junket.
Just silence.
Most people assumed it was going to happen around 2019 or 2020, around the time Sandler’s Netflix deal was winding down.
But the pandemic hit, schedules got messy, and the project just…
evaporated.
There have been whispers on Twitter and Reddit that Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions is sitting on a script, but they just haven’t found the right time to shoot it. Here’s the interesting part.
It’s a shame, because the fan base is still there. Here’s the interesting part.
Most people overlook the fact that the second movie was actually pretty successful at the box office, grossing over $246 million worldwide.
That’s a lot of money to ignore.
The Leaked Plot: Is It Really About a Wedding?
If you’ve been lurking in movie forums, you’ve probably seen the same old rumors pop up every six months.
The biggest rumor is that the movie would focus on the wedding of Lenny Feder’s (Sandler) character to… And this is where things get interesting.
well, nobody specific, but the prevailing theory is that it involves one of the kids.
There was also talk about Keenan Ivory Wayans coming back to direct.
Wayans was originally supposed to direct the first movie but stepped away due to scheduling conflicts. And this is where things get interesting.
A reunion with Wayans would definitely get people interested, but again, no concrete confirmation has ever been made public.
And let’s be real, if they haven’t figured out the script by now, it might be a bit rough.
The first movie was a sweet nostalgia trip; the second one was just loud.
To make Grown Ups 3 work, they can’t just rely on fart jokes and water balloons.
They need a real story.
So, until we see a script, treat the wedding rumors as just that—rumors.
Why Hasn’t It Happened Yet?
So, why is the movie stuck in limbo? It’s usually a mix of budget and star power. Now think about that for a second.
Adam Sandler is busy.
Like, really busy.
Between his Netflix movies, his stand-up tours, and his production company, he barely has time to sleep.
Plus, there’s the whole question of where it would even be released.
Sandler isn’t doing big theatrical blockbusters anymore; he’s mostly doing movies for streaming.
But the *Grown Ups* movies were made for the big screen experience.
Trying to shoehorn it into a streaming-only format might kill the vibe completely. And this is where things get interesting.
If it happens, it’s going to have to be a theatrical release, and right now, studios are hesitant to greenlight big comedies without a guaranteed hit.
What Should Fans Do in the Meantime?
While we wait for news on Grown Ups 3, the best thing you can do is rewatch the originals.
It’s a classic Friday night vibe.
If you haven’t seen them in a while, throw them on and relive the glory days.
If you’re looking for something similar to watch right now, there are plenty of good options out there. Oddly enough,
The genre of the ‘friendship group comedy’ is still alive and well, just in different forms.
You might actually find a new favorite movie in the process.
Is it possible we’ll see it in the next couple of years? Maybe.
Sandler is known for working fast when he gets into a groove.
But for now, let’s just enjoy the thought of one last water balloon fight.
One more thing, if you are trying to track down the old movies to rewatch, you might want to check out a few different platforms.
Sometimes the best deals are hiding in plain sight on .
It’s always good to compare prices before you commit to a rental.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com
