Grown Ups 3 filming begins: Adam Sandler reunites full cast
Synopsis
More than a decade after Grown Ups 2, Adam Sandler has reunited the full gang — Kevin James, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek Pinault, and a raft of returning and new faces — to begin filming Grown Ups 3. The franchise, which grossed hundreds of millions across two films, is back with its biggest ensemble yet.
Key Takeaways
Adam Sandler has begun filming Grown Ups 3 , sharing a cast photograph to confirm production is underway.
Returning cast includes Kevin James , Chris Rock , Salma Hayek Pinault , David Spade , Rob Schneider , and Maya Rudolph , among others.
New additions reportedly include Julie Bowen , Deon Cole , Bailee Madison , and Sadie Sandler , among others.
The original Grown Ups (2010) and sequel Grown Ups 2 (2013) were both directed by Dennis Dugan and written by Sandler and collaborators.
Sandler was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2023 .
Adam Sandler has officially kicked off production on Grown Ups 3, reuniting the beloved comedy ensemble that includes Kevin James, Chris Rock, and Salma Hayek Pinault for the long-awaited third chapter of the franchise. Sandler confirmed the reunion by sharing a cast photograph, signalling that the project fans have waited over a decade for is now firmly underway.
The Full Cast Lineup
The returning ensemble is substantial. Alongside Sandler, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph, and Maria Bello are back, joined by Jackie Sandler, Shaquille O'Neal, Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Cheri Oteri, Ellen Cleghorne, and Nick Swardson.
The third installment also reportedly brings in a fresh wave of talent. New faces expected to appear include Julie Bowen, Deon Cole, Bailee Madison, Jake Goldberg, Alexys Nycole Sanchez, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Ada-Nicole Sanger, Morgan Gingerich, Kaleo Elam, Nadji Jeter, David Mattle, and Kamil McFadden, according to reports.
The Franchise So Far
The original Grown Ups (2010), directed by Dennis Dugan and written by Sandler and Fred Wolf, followed five lifelong friends who reunite over a 4th of July weekend after the death of their former junior high school basketball coach — the team having won a championship back in 1978. The film was a commercial hit, earning a devoted following.
Grown Ups 2 arrived in 2013, again directed by Dugan and written by Sandler, Wolf, and Tim Herlihy. That sequel centred on Lenny moving his family back to his hometown and navigating a series of comic confrontations, including a rivalry with a local fraternity. It grossed over $246 million worldwide despite mixed critical reception.
Adam Sandler's Career Trajectory
Sandler's involvement carries significant commercial weight. A former cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1995, he built one of Hollywood's most durable comedy franchises through titles including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, The Wedding Singer, Big Daddy, Anger Management, 50 First Dates, and Click.
In recent years, Sandler has also earned serious critical recognition. He holds an Independent Spirit Award, alongside nominations for three Golden Globes, three Grammy Awards, and seven Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2023, he was awarded the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, cementing his standing beyond the comedy mainstream.
What to Expect
With the core creative team and a sprawling cast now assembled, Grown Ups 3 is shaping up as one of the more anticipated comedy ensemble productions of the coming cycle. No official release date has been announced yet, but the start of filming suggests the project is moving at pace. Whether the third film can recapture the warmth of the original — or push the franchise in a new direction — remains to be seen.
Point of View
Which is smart franchise architecture. What is worth watching is whether the film leans into Sandler's post-Uncut Gems critical credibility or defaults to the lowest-common-denominator formula that made Grown Ups 2 a critical punching bag. The Mark Twain Prize and the Netflix era have reframed Sandler's public image; Grown Ups 3 will test whether that reframing has changed what he actually makes.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in the cast of Grown Ups 3?
Grown Ups 3 reunites the original ensemble including Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek Pinault, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph, and Maria Bello, among others. New additions reportedly include Julie Bowen, Deon Cole, Bailee Madison, and several younger cast members.
When does Grown Ups 3 release?
No official release date for Grown Ups 3 has been announced as of the time of reporting. Filming has only just begun, with Sandler sharing a cast photograph to confirm production is underway.
Who directed the Grown Ups films?
Both the original Grown Ups (2010) and Grown Ups 2 (2013) were directed by Dennis Dugan, with scripts written by Adam Sandler and collaborators including Fred Wolf and Tim Herlihy.
What was the plot of the original Grown Ups?
The original Grown Ups followed five lifelong friends who reunite over a 4th of July weekend after the death of their former junior high school basketball coach — whose team they had led to a championship in 1978. The film blended nostalgia and physical comedy.
What awards has Adam Sandler won?
Adam Sandler holds an Independent Spirit Award and received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2023. He has also received nominations for three Golden Globes, three Grammy Awards, and seven Primetime Emmy Awards.
