Jumanji: The Next Level is the third film in the modern Jumanji series and a direct sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017). Directed by Jake Kasdan, the movie expands the game’s rules, avatars, and emotional stakes while leaning heavily into comedy and character-driven humor.
Detailed Summary
The Return to Jumanji
The story begins a few years after the events of Welcome to the Jungle. Spencer has been struggling since college, feeling disconnected from his confident avatar persona, Dr. Smolder Bravestone. In a moment of nostalgia and insecurity, he secretly repairs the broken Jumanji console in his basement and re-enters the game alone.
When his friends Martha, Fridge, and Bethany realize Spencer is missing, they return to the house to stop him. A malfunction causes two unexpected players—Spencer’s grandfather Eddie and Eddie’s old friend Milo—to be sucked into the game instead. This twist sets up one of the film’s strongest comedic engines.
New Avatars, New Rules
Unlike the previous film, the avatars don’t match the players in expected ways. Eddie ends up controlling Dr. Smolder Bravestone, while Milo inhabits the zoologist avatar, Mouse Finbar. Fridge becomes Professor Shelly Oberon, and Martha reprises her role as Ruby Roundhouse. Bethany, notably, doesn’t enter the game at first, creating a subplot involving her attempt to rejoin the group later.
The game itself has changed. The characters quickly realize that Jumanji has evolved—new regions, new weaknesses, and new dangers await them. The desert replaces the jungle, bringing sandstorms, ostriches, and extreme heat.
The Quest: Retrieve the Falcon Jewel
The central mission involves escorting a mystical jewel known as the Falcon’s Heart to a mountaintop fortress. If the jewel isn’t returned correctly, the world of Jumanji will collapse. Along the way, the group faces villainous warlord Jurgen the Brutal, whose army and chilling presence raise the stakes higher than in previous installments.
As Eddie and Milo bicker constantly, their real-world unresolved friendship issues bleed into the game, adding emotional depth beneath the humor.
Reunion and Redemption
Bethany eventually rejoins the game through an alternate avatar, while Alex (the boy saved in the previous movie) also returns to help them. The group learns to adapt to constantly switching strengths and weaknesses, reinforcing the theme that growth comes from embracing change rather than resisting it.
Movie Ending
In the final act, the group successfully reaches Jurgen’s fortress. Through teamwork and sacrifice, they manage to retrieve and correctly place the Falcon Jewel, saving Jumanji from destruction. Milo reveals he is terminally ill and makes the emotional decision to stay behind in Jumanji permanently, choosing to live out his remaining time as Mouse Finbar in a world full of adventure rather than face illness in the real world.
Eddie, deeply affected, finally reconciles with Milo and expresses the affection he struggled to show throughout his life. This moment becomes the emotional core of the ending.
Back in the real world, Spencer learns that confidence doesn’t come from escaping reality but from facing it. He reconnects with his friends, and Eddie begins rebuilding his life with renewed purpose.
The film ends with a surprising twist: wild animals from Jumanji escape into the real world, teasing chaos and potential future adventures.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes. There is a mid-credits scene showing ostriches, monkeys, and other Jumanji creatures roaming a suburban neighborhood. This clearly hints at a possible sequel where the game’s dangers fully invade the real world. There is no traditional end-credits gag scene beyond this.
Type of Movie
Jumanji: The Next Level is a fantasy adventure comedy that blends video game mechanics with heartfelt storytelling. It balances action, humor, and emotional moments, making it suitable for both family audiences and longtime fans.
Cast
- Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Smolder Bravestone
- Kevin Hart as Mouse Finbar
- Jack Black as Professor Shelly Oberon
- Karen Gillan as Ruby Roundhouse
- Danny DeVito as Eddie
- Danny Glover as Milo
- Awkwafina as Ming Fleetfoot
- Nick Jonas as Alex / Seaplane McDonough
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Henry Jackman, who returned from the previous installment. The music combines adventurous orchestral themes with playful rhythms, reinforcing the movie’s sense of fun while supporting emotional beats during quieter moments.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily filmed in New Mexico, particularly around Albuquerque and surrounding desert areas. These locations were essential for portraying the new desert-based levels of Jumanji. Additional studio work and CGI were used to create the snowy mountains, villages, and fortress interiors, expanding the game’s visual variety beyond the jungle setting.
Awards and Nominations
While not a major awards contender, the film received nominations at family-oriented and technical award shows, including recognition for visual effects, ensemble cast, and comedic performances, especially praising the performances of Danny DeVito and Danny Glover.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Dwayne Johnson studied Danny DeVito’s speech patterns and body language to mimic him accurately.
- Kevin Hart modeled his performance after Danny Glover’s slower, more reserved demeanor.
- The cast often improvised dialogue, especially during avatar-confusion scenes.
- Jack Black cited the role as one of his most technically demanding performances due to constant personality shifts.
Inspirations and References
The film draws inspiration from video game sequels, particularly the idea that games become harder and more complex over time. It also subtly references classic adventure films like Indiana Jones and The Lord of the Rings in its quest structure and set pieces.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several deleted scenes involve extended character moments between Eddie and Milo, further exploring their past friendship. No alternate ending has been confirmed, but early drafts reportedly explored a darker conclusion where the game permanently sealed itself.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Unlike the original Jumanji (1995), which was based on Chris Van Allsburg’s picture book, The Next Level is not directly adapted from a book. It expands the cinematic universe rather than drawing from new source material.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Eddie (in Bravestone’s body) struggling with video game mechanics.
- The ostrich chase sequence in the desert.
- Milo’s emotional decision to stay in Jumanji.
- The final reveal of animals entering the real world.
Iconic Quotes
- “This is not a game… oh wait, it literally is.”
- “I think we broke Jumanji.”
- “I lived more here than I ever did back home.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The name “Jurgen” appears in early Jumanji lore references.
- Character strengths and weaknesses change subtly throughout the movie.
- Visual callbacks to Welcome to the Jungle (2017) appear in menu screens.
- The ending mirrors the original Jumanji (1995) chaos concept.
Trivia
- Danny DeVito and Danny Glover had never appeared together in a fantasy film before.
- The movie was shot back-to-back with extensive reshoots to improve comedic timing.
- Jack Black plays more distinct personalities in this film than in the previous installment.
Why Watch?
If you enjoyed the previous Jumanji films, this sequel offers more inventive comedy, stronger emotional beats, and clever performances that elevate familiar characters. It’s especially worth watching for how veteran actors reshape iconic avatars in unexpected ways.
Director’s Other Works (Movies)
- Sex Tape (2014)
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
- Bad Teacher (2011)
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
