Here is the chronological order to follow the Jumanji universe without getting lost.
The Jumanji Franchise: Stronger Than Ever
The Jumanji franchise, despite being decades old, is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to the success of its recent adaptations. The original film, a true phenomenon of the 1990s starring Robin Williams, has spawned several sequels up to the 2010s. With a new Jumanji film already confirmed, it’s the perfect time to rediscover this series.
The Jumanji Movies: A Watching Order
The Jumanji series currently consists of three films, with a fourth in the works. Fortunately, the release order and chronological order of the three Jumanji films are the same. The Jumanji series begins with the first film, released in 1995, although the film starts in 1969 to explain how Alan Parrish ended up trapped in Jumanji.
Zathura: A Space Adventure and Its Connection to Jumanji
Although there are currently only three main Jumanji films, the franchise expands beyond this series with another film titled Zathura: A Space Adventure. Like Jumanji, Zathura: A Space Adventure revolves around another game that has horrible effects on reality, although this time the game is based on science fiction. Zathura: A Space Adventure was released in 2005 and fits into the Jumanji franchise’s chronology between the original film and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
The Importance of Watching the First Jumanji
While the different Jumanji films may seem disconnected at first glance, it is actually important to watch the first Jumanji film before the others. The Jumanji sequels contain references and easter eggs that allude to Alan Parrish’s time in the game, and these will be missed by viewers who have not seen the original.
What Do We Think?
The Jumanji franchise, despite its age, has managed to reinvent itself and capture the audience’s attention. It proves that even classics can be successfully revisited. Will the eagerly awaited fourth film be able to maintain this momentum? Only the future will tell, but one thing is certain: the game is not over yet.