Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Jumanji

Jumanji is a 1995 American fantasy adventure film about a magical board game that releases jungle hazards into the real world and traps a boy inside the game for years.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Jumanji is a 1995 American fantasy adventure film about a magical board game that unleashes jungle hazards into the real world. Based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 picture book, it launched a media franchise with multiple sequels.

What it is

The film follows a supernatural board game that causes jungle-themed dangers to appear in the real world. Players must finish the game to stop the chaos and free anyone trapped inside it. The central plot involves Alan Parrish, who is trapped inside the game until other players finish it.

Key details

The film stars Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, alongside Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Bradley Pierce, David Alan Grier, and Jonathan Hyde. It is loosely based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 children’s book, which won the Caldecott Medal. The film premiered on December 15, 1995.

Why it matters

Jumanji became the best-known entry in its franchise, known for its family-adventure tone and visual effects. The franchise continued with sequels including Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), with a further sequel planned for 2026.

In short

  • Magical board game causes real jungle dangers.
  • Alan Parrish trapped inside the game for years.
  • Stars Robin Williams in a leading role.
  • Sparked a franchise with sequels in 2017 and 2019.
Canadian angle

The film and later Jumanji entries have been widely distributed in Canada and are familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical release, television, and home entertainment.

Quick questions

What is Jumanji about?
Jumanji is about a magical board game that unleashes real jungle dangers into the world and traps a boy inside the game until the players finish it.
How many Jumanji movies are there?
There are four released Jumanji films if counted as the 1995 film plus Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), and the spin-off Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005). Some sources also note a planned sequel for 2026.
Who stars in Jumanji?
The 1995 film stars Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Bradley Pierce, David Alan Grier, Jonathan Hyde, and Bebe Neuwirth.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumanji_(film)
    Supports: Plot, release date, sequel information, and general film details.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113497/
    Supports: Cast and the fact that the film is loosely based on Chris Van Allsburg’s book.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/jumanji
    Supports: Cast, release date, and plot description.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumanji
    Supports: Franchise overview, film count context, and sequel/spin-off information.