The Epic Box Office Showdown Of 2026

Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three have a significant box office matchup coming later this year, but there may be another film that could be a competitor. December 18, 2026, is being called “Dunesday” as it’s the release date of Doomsday and Dune 3, two of 2026’s most anticipated films.

The Avengers movies are all box office hits, and Doomsday will likely be another success. It’s possibly the MCU’s biggest crossover event so far, bringing together many characters from the Marvel multiverse, such as the X-Men. Meanwhile, Dune 3 continues the story of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy, and the first trailer teased an epic conclusion.

Both films are expected to do well at the box office, but there may be another contender that is releasing around the same time. Jumanji 4 recently moved its release date to December 25, 2026, and the franchise has proven that it can go toe-to-toe with other blockbusters.

Jumanji Has Performed Well Against Other Major Franchises

In 1995’s Jumanji, starring Robin Williams, a group of players must finish a game of Jumanji as the elements from the board game invade the real world. 21 years later, the game returned in 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. However, this time, Jumanji was a video game that absorbed its players into its dangerous jungle environment.

The film starred Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black as the real-world characters’ avatars in the game. It was released in theaters on December 20, 2017, only five days after the release of Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi.

The Last Jedi was a box office success, grossing over $1.3 billion. However, Welcome to the Jungle still performed incredibly well, even with a Star Wars film in theaters, earning over $962 million worldwide. In 2019, Jumanji: The Next Level released close to Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, and still became a box office hit.

The Next Level grossed around $801.7 million worldwide, while The Rise of Skywalker earned $1.07 billion worldwide. The Jumanji franchise has proven it can still find success at the box office, even when competing against a major franchise like Star Wars.

Family-Friendly Films Tend To Perform Well At The Box Office Around Christmas

While the last two Jumanji films have been rated PG-13, they are mostly family-friendly. They have entertaining action and energetic humor that make them perfect options for families around Christmas, which is a time of the year when family-friendly offerings tend to do well.

For example, 2023’s Wonka grossed over $634.5 million worldwide, and 2024’s Mufasa: The Lion King earned over $722.6 million worldwide. Jumanji 4 is a more family-friendly offering than Dune 3 and could be a more appealing option for that audience. The last two Jumanji films also earned more than the last two Dune films.

However, the last two Avengers films grossed over $2 billion worldwide, meaning Jumanji 4 will likely have a tough time beating Doomsday at the box office, especially since MCU films also appeal to families. While Doomsday and Dune 3 are a major box office matchup, Jumanji 4 could be a significant competitor.