Grown Ups 3: Adam Sandler Brings the Gang Back for Netflix

Adam Sandler is officially dusting off the sweatpants and wrangling his favorite buddies for another round of 'Grown Ups.' Yes, 'Grown Ups 3' is actually happening—finally—whether you’re excited or slightly incredulous that these movies even exist as a legacy franchise. Netflix is picking this one up, because of course they are, and Sandler’s bringing some old familiar faces along for the ride.

'Grown Ups 3' Really Is Happening

It’s been more than a decade since we last saw the world’s least mature adulthood reunion on screen, but Sandler is back at it. So what’s new this time? The movie is being directed by Kyle Newacheck, who’s fresh off working with Sandler on the next 'Happy Gilmore' sequel. Sandler, as usual, co-wrote the script with his ride-or-die collaborator Tim Herlihy.

If you need a refresher: 'Grown Ups' first debuted in 2010, starring Sandler and four of his off-screen pals—David Spade, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock, and Kevin James. The plot? Childhood friends get together after a coach’s funeral, hijinks ensue, sentimentality happens, all that. Critics borderline hated it, but that didn’t stop the movie from raking in over $272 million at the box office. With numbers like that, a sequel was inevitable. 'Grown Ups 2' rolled out in 2013, was promptly roasted by reviewers again, but still pulled in $247 million and change.

And then… nothing. There was plenty of speculation and some classic Sandler dodging in interviews, but an official third film never materialized—at least until now.

Plot details for the third one are basically classified at this point. But let’s be honest: It’ll be another excuse for Sandler to drag his real-life friend group to some lakeside location, riff for an hour and a half, and no matter what the critics say, it’ll probably do just fine. Expect the main crew—Sandler, Spade, Schneider, Rock, and James—to return.

Sandler: Still Busy, Still on Netflix

If you think Sandler is just lounging around between sequels, think again. He’s also got an upcoming Netflix drama called 'Time Out' that's a real change of gears.

• Director: Scott Cooper ('Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere')
• Main story: Sandler plays Vincent, a guy who can’t face telling his family he lost his job, so he starts lying—then goes full 'disaster mode' by roping his friends into a made-up investment scheme. You can pretty much guess it doesn’t end well.
• Supporting cast: Dustin Hoffman, Willem Dafoe, Gaby Hoffman, F. Murray Abraham, Steve Zahn, and Adam Horowitz (and that’s before Sandler even fakes his resume in the movie).
• Source material: Loosely based on 'L’Emploi Du Temps' from Laurent Cantet and Robin Campillo, so it’s got some serious roots—this isn’t just another goofy Sandler vehicle.

Sandler Isn’t Slowing Down

In case anyone thought he might be winding things down, Sandler trotted out a classic self-deprecating joke at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards when he picked up his Career Achievement Award. Here’s the pull-quote, which honestly sounds exactly like him:

'I don’t know how much time I have left—60, 70 years. 80 tops, maybe 90 if I start working out and taking creatine. I promise to everyone here tonight, I will make at least 50 more movies before I am dead—and at least 25 of them will be good.'

We’ll see how the math shakes out, but if the pattern holds, Sandler will keep collecting his friends, Netflix will keep saying yes, and critics will keep collectively sighing—while people inevitably keep watching.