Netflix confirmed Thursday that Adam Sandler is bringing back the ensemble of his “Grown Ups” franchise for a third installment, releasing a group photo from the set as production got underway in New Jersey.
Mr. Sandler will be joined by Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello, Salma Hayek Pinault and Steve Buscemi, all returning from the first two films, according to Netflix’s official announcement. Mr. Buscemi is back as Wiley, a role he has played since the 2010 original; Mr. Schneider returns as Rob after sitting out “Grown Ups 2” in 2013.
A slate of Happy Madison regulars are also returning, including Jackie Sandler, Shaquille O’Neal, Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Cheri Oteri, Ellen Cleghorne and Nick Swardson. Several of Mr. Sandler’s own children — Sadie Sandler and Sunny Sandler — are part of the returning cast as well, alongside younger cast members from the earlier films such as Jake Goldberg, Alexys Nycole Sanchez, Ada-Nicole Sanger, Kaleo Elam and Nadji Jeter.
Julie Bowen, Deon Cole and Bailee Madison are the notable newcomers to the franchise.
Netflix’s official logline teases a European send-off for the group, with the friends using the trip to prove they can still keep up with each other well into their 60s.
Mr. Sandler is writing the script alongside Tim Herlihy, who co-wrote “Grown Ups 2” with him and Fred Wolf; Mr. Wolf co-wrote the original 2010 film with Mr. Sandler. Kyle Newacheck, who directed last year’s “Happy Gilmore 2,” is helming the sequel. Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler, Jack Giarraputo and Mr. Herlihy are producing through Happy Madison, with Mr. Wolf, Judit Maull, Kevin Grady, Jackie Shenoo, Aidan Elliott, Kristen Ploucha and Sarah Sarandos serving as executive producers.
Production has already drawn crowds in Woodbridge, New Jersey, where residents reported seeing Mr. Sandler and Mr. Rock filming alongside a full crew this week, with additional scenes shot at a Morristown restaurant. Reports have also indicated the production will travel to Boston and Europe before wrapping.
The sequel is the latest in a string of Sandler-family projects at the streamer. “Happy Gilmore 2” was Netflix’s biggest U.S. film debut of 2025, Sadie Sandler’s college comedy “Roommates” premiered in April, and Sunny Sandler is set to star in the teen drama “Don’t Say Good Luck” on Aug. 14. No release date for “Grown Ups 3” has been announced.
This article was constructed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published by a member of The Washington Times' AI News Desk team. The contents of this report are based solely on The Washington Times' original reporting, wire services, and/or other sources cited within the report. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.