The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Entertainment • Film

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a 2017 American action-adventure comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a 2017 American action-adventure comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan. It is the third film in the Jumanji film series and a sequel to Jumanji (1995), following four teenagers who are pulled into a video game world and must complete the game to escape.

Plot

The film centres on four teenagers in detention who discover an old video game version of Jumanji. After they enter the game, they must work together to finish it and survive its challenges in order to escape.

Production

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, and Jeff Pinkner. It was produced as a continuation of the Jumanji franchise.

Cast and characters

The film stars Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan as the game avatars, with Nick Jonas, Rhys Darby, and Bobby Cannavale in supporting roles. The story contrasts the teenagers' real-world identities with their in-game forms.

Franchise context

The film is the direct sequel to Jumanji (1995) and part of the broader Jumanji media franchise. It updated the premise from a board game to a video game.

Key facts

  • The film was directed by Jake Kasdan and released in 2017.
  • It is the third film in the Jumanji film series.
  • The story follows four high school students who are drawn into a video game version of Jumanji.
  • Inside the game, the characters inhabit avatar bodies played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.
  • The players must complete the game to return to the real world, and they have limited lives in the game.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was widely distributed in Canada as part of the global release of a major Hollywood franchise title, and it remained popular with Canadian audiences through theatrical, home-video, and streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle about?
It follows four teenagers who are sucked into a Jumanji video game and must complete it while living in their chosen avatar bodies.
When was Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle released?
It was released in 2017.
Who directed the film?
Jake Kasdan directed the film.
Is it a sequel?
Yes. It is a sequel to Jumanji (1995) and the third film in the Jumanji series.
Who stars in the movie?
The principal cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Rhys Darby, and Bobby Cannavale.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumanji:_Welcome_to_the_Jungle
    Supports: Release year, director, writers, cast, sequel status, franchise placement
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2283362/
    Supports: Plot premise involving teenagers entering a video game and avatar identities
  3. Apple TV — https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle/
    Supports: Plot premise involving four teenagers, avatar bodies, and jungle world
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jumanji_welcome_to_the_jungle
    Supports: Synopsis, game premise, return-to-reality goal
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumanji
    Supports: Franchise context and direct sequel relationship to the 1995 film
  6. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle
    Supports: Updated board-game-to-video-game premise and character/avatar setup