Space Jam 3 (2026) is the latest entry in the beloved hybrid franchise that blends live-action sports heroes with the zany world of the Looney Tunes. Directed by Justin Lin (Fast & Furious franchise), this threequel takes the court to a whole new level—across universes, genres, and dimensions—serving up fast-paced animation, goofy humor, and a whole lot of nostalgia.
In Space Jam 3, NBA superstar Jayson Tatum stars as himself—a rising basketball icon drawn into a multiversal crisis when an experimental video game engine created by tech giant Vortex Corp malfunctions, tearing open portals to alternate dimensions. When the Looney Tunes are scattered across parallel universes—each themed around different pop culture genres—Tatum must team up with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Lola, and a digital version of Michael Jordan to bring the crew back together and defeat a powerful AI villain known as “CODE-ZERO” (voiced menacingly by Idris Elba).
The stakes? A winner-takes-all basketball showdown against a villainous dream team made of corrupted pop culture icons. The prize? The fate of reality—and cartoon kind.
Jayson Tatum is charming, likable, and more natural on screen than expected. While not an Oscar-caliber performance, he brings heart and humility to his role. Zendaya returns to voice Lola Bunny, offering both sass and warmth, while Jeff Bergman, Eric Bauza, and other longtime Looney Tunes voice actors bring their iconic characters to life with flair.
Idris Elba’s voice work as CODE-ZERO adds a surprisingly menacing edge to the story, giving the film a credible villain presence—something the franchise has often lacked.
Visually, Space Jam 3 is a feast. The animation alternates between classic 2D Looney Tunes, slick CGI, anime-inspired sequences, and even a stop-motion world—a clever nod to cross-genre creativity. Each universe the characters visit has its own visual identity, giving the film a wild, varied, and exciting aesthetic.
The final basketball game, staged on a shifting multiverse court, is a kinetic, colorful whirlwind of animation styles and high-energy action that feels more like a video game boss battle than a traditional sports scene.
As expected, Space Jam 3 doesn’t take itself too seriously. The humor is playful, self-aware, and filled with pop culture references—from The Matrix to Rick and Morty to vintage Looney Tunes slapstick. Some jokes land perfectly, while others feel more aimed at younger audiences, but the tone remains light, fun, and family-friendly throughout.
The film also pokes fun at Hollywood’s obsession with franchises and reboots, cleverly using the multiverse concept to satirize entertainment culture.
Space Jam 3 (2026) is far from a flawless film, but it knows exactly what it wants to be: a cartoon-sporting spectacle that mixes nostalgia with new-school flair. With dazzling visuals, energetic pacing, and enough heart to carry the chaos, it scores points as a fun, multigenerational movie-night pick.
