Comedy fans have been asking the same question for over a decade: “When is Grown Ups 3 coming out?”
The beloved Adam Sandler franchise captured hearts worldwide with its first two installments, but news about a third movie has been frustratingly scarce. Social media buzzes with speculation, fake trailers surface regularly, and die-hard fans continue searching for any hint about a Grown Ups 3 release date.
Here’s what we actually know about the long-awaited sequel – and why it’s taking so long to happen.
Is Grown Ups 3 Officially Confirmed?
Despite countless rumors floating around the internet, neither Adam Sandler, Columbia Pictures, nor any major cast member has confirmed plans for a third Grown Ups movie. This silence is particularly telling given how much time has passed.
Think about it – Grown Ups 2 hit theaters back in July 2013. That’s more than 11 years ago. The original films were only three years apart, so this extended gap suggests something’s preventing the sequel from moving forward.
Major entertainment outlets like IMDb, Screen Rant, and MovieWeb have all reported the same thing: no official word from anyone involved. Even Sandler, who’s usually pretty open about his upcoming projects, hasn’t dropped any hints about reuniting the gang for another adventure.
Compare this to his other recent announcements. We know about Happy Gilmore 2, his Netflix collaborations, and various other projects. If Grown Ups 3 were really happening, keeping it completely secret would be nearly impossible in today’s social media world.
Why Hasn’t Grown Ups 3 Been Made Yet?
Here’s where things get complicated – and it’s not what you might expect.
The main culprit? Adam Sandler’s Netflix deal.
Back in 2014, just one year after Grown Ups 2’s release, Sandler signed an exclusive multi-picture deal with Netflix. This completely changed the game for how his movies get made and distributed.
Here’s the problem: While Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions helped create the first two Grown Ups films, Columbia Pictures actually owns the franchise rights. So if Netflix wants to make Grown Ups 3, they’d need to negotiate with Columbia – and that’s where things get messy.
Since his Netflix deal began, Sandler hasn’t released a single major theatrical film. His last wide release was Pixels in 2015. Everything else – Murder Mystery, The Ridiculous 6, Sandy Wexler – has been Netflix exclusive.
But there’s hope.
The recent Happy Gilmore 2 announcement proves these complicated rights deals can work out. Happy Gilmore was originally a Universal Pictures film, yet Netflix somehow secured the sequel rights. If they can do it for Happy Gilmore, they could potentially do it for Grown Ups.
The catch? These negotiations take forever and cost a fortune. Industry insiders say deals like this can take 12-18 months to hammer out, even when everyone wants it to happen.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Grown Ups 3 Would Be a Hit
From a business standpoint, making Grown Ups 3 seems like a no-brainer.
Box Office Performance:
The original Grown Ups (2010):
• Worldwide box office: $272 million
• Production budget: $80 million
• Return on investment: Over 240%
Grown Ups 2 (2013):
• Worldwide box office: $247 million
• Production budget: $80 million
• Combined franchise total: $519+ million
These numbers are impressive for any comedy, but they’re especially remarkable given the harsh critical reception. The first film scored just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, while audiences gave it 62%. Grown Ups 2 fared even worse with critics (8%) but still made nearly as much money.
This disconnect between critical and commercial success shows something important: audiences genuinely love these characters and this comedy style, regardless of what reviewers think.
Both movies continue performing well on streaming platforms too. They regularly appear among the most-watched titles on various services, proving the fanbase hasn’t disappeared over time.
Cast Members Want to Return
While we’re waiting for official announcements, several cast members have hinted they’d be interested in a third film.
Maria Bello (who played Kevin James’ wife Sally) gave fans the most encouraging news in a Flickering Myth interview: “People have talked about it and we’ve heard it might happen. But I don’t know if there is a script, I don’t know what there is. But I hope so because, boy, it’s fun to work with those guys.”
The core group – Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and David Spade – clearly maintain their friendships. They frequently appear in each other’s social media posts and continue working together on various projects. Getting the band back together wouldn’t be a scheduling nightmare.
Rob Schneider’s return is less certain. He missed Grown Ups 2 due to scheduling conflicts, but recent social media activity suggests he’d be open to rejoining the franchise.
The Cameron Boyce factor adds emotional weight to any sequel discussions. The young actor, who played Sandler’s on-screen son in both films, tragically passed away in 2019 at age 20. His death deeply affected the entire cast, and any future film would need to handle this loss sensitively.
Some cast members have suggested a third film could serve as a tribute to Boyce’s memory, while others might prefer leaving the franchise as it stands.
Beware of Fake News and Misleading Rumors
The lack of official news has created a perfect storm for misinformation. Fake trailers, doctored movie posters, and misleading social media posts flood search results, often ranking higher than legitimate news sources.
How These Scams Work:
• Fake movie accounts create professional-looking content
• They use recycled footage from previous Grown Ups films
• They add convincing title cards with fake release dates
• They claim the movie is “coming in 2025” or similar
One viral Facebook post claimed Grown Ups 3 was definitely happening in 2025, complete with a fake poster featuring the main cast. The post linked to YouTube videos that looked like official teasers but were actually fan-made speculation.
This isn’t unique to Grown Ups 3. Similar hoaxes have circulated for Bedtime Stories 2, Billy Madison 2, and other potential Sandler sequels. His dedicated fanbase makes these fake announcements particularly effective.
How to Spot Legitimate News:
• Check for verification from major entertainment publications
• Look for official studio announcements
• Verify through cast members’ official social media accounts
• Be skeptical of “too good to be true” announcements
What Would Grown Ups 3 Actually Look Like?
While no official script exists, fans and writers have plenty of ideas about where a third film could go.
The logical approach: Another milestone event brings the friends together. Given the time gap since Grown Ups 2, their kids would now be teenagers or young adults. This opens up storylines around graduations, weddings, or other coming-of-age moments.
An unofficial script does exist. Comedian Tom Scharpling wrote a complete Grown Ups 3 script in 2019, purely for fun. He called it “the best thing I will ever do in my life” on social media. While it has no official connection to any potential movie, it gives insight into how a third film might work.
Scharpling’s script reportedly focuses on the group facing more mature challenges while keeping the franchise’s mix of physical comedy and heartfelt moments.
The challenge: Any official Grown Ups 3 would need to balance nostalgia with innovation. Fans expect the ensemble chemistry, family-friendly humor, and scenic settings, but a successful sequel needs fresh perspectives beyond just repeating the old formula.
The film would also need to address real-world changes since 2013, including Cameron Boyce’s passing and how the characters have evolved over the past decade.
When Could Grown Ups 3 Realistically Happen?
If we’re being honest: probably not anytime soon.
Sandler’s current Netflix commitments provide the clearest timeline indicator. He’s got Happy Gilmore 2 in production, plus an untitled film with George Clooney directed by Noah Baumbach, and another collaboration with Josh Safdie about a retired baseball pitcher.
These projects likely keep him busy through 2025 and beyond. Even if Grown Ups 3 negotiations started tomorrow, realistic production wouldn’t begin until 2026 at the earliest, with a potential 2027 or later release.
Rights negotiations add more delays. The Happy Gilmore 2 deal proves these complex arrangements can work, but industry sources say they typically take 12-18 months to finalize.
Market factors matter too. The comedy landscape has changed dramatically since 2013. Streaming platforms have altered how audiences consume entertainment, so any Grown Ups 3 would need to decide between theatrical release, streaming debut, or hybrid approach.
The Bottom Line on Grown Ups 3
Current status: No official confirmation, despite persistent rumors and fan demand.
Main obstacles: Adam Sandler’s Netflix deal and Columbia Pictures’ franchise ownership create complex business hurdles.
Realistic timeline: If negotiations began today, 2027 would be the earliest possible release date.
Reason for hope: Happy Gilmore 2 proves complicated rights deals can be resolved when there’s enough financial incentive.
What fans should do: Stay cautiously optimistic while ignoring fake announcements. Stick to verified news sources and official cast/studio communications.
The Grown Ups franchise’s enduring popularity shows there’s definitely still an audience for this type of ensemble comedy. Whether that audience will eventually get their long-awaited third installment remains one of Hollywood’s biggest unanswered questions.
For now, the best we can do is rewatch the existing films and wait for legitimate news from people who actually have the power to make Grown Ups 3 happen.