There are few family movie franchises that have remained as closely associated with childhood memories as Air Bud. For many millennials, Buddy the golden retriever was more than a basketball-playing dog, he was part of growing up, making the franchise a nostalgic favorite that continues to find new audiences. Now, as the beloved franchise prepares to return to the big screen, fans are getting a chance to revisit where it all began in a way that brings the whole family along including four-legged members.

The upcoming events combine nostalgia, dogs, and an early look at what is next for the Air Bud universe.

Cineverse, Air Bud Entertainment, and the PEDIGREE brand are bringing the original 1997 Air Bud to dog-friendly outdoor screenings in three U.S. cities. The events are designed for fans and their canine companions, with pet-friendly amenities including hydration stations, along with PEDIGREE samples, giveaways, limited-edition movie merchandise, a themed photo booth, and a custom basketball hoop activation.

The screenings took place August 3 in Los Angeles/Studio City at St. Barks and August 5 in Chicago at ChiTown Drive-In, with the final event scheduled for August 10 at Boulevard Drive-In in Kansas City. Attendees will also receive an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek at Air Bud Returns, with each screening opening with a video introduction from franchise creator and director Robert Vince.

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The nostalgia behind these screenings is no accident, as the upcoming reboot is specifically designed to connect with the generation that grew up watching Buddy.

Robert Vince has confirmed that millennials were a key reason behind the revival of Air Bud Returns. The longtime creative force behind the franchise explained during an interview with Fandango that the generation that grew up with the original films is now old enough to introduce the beloved story to their own children.

"Number one is that the people that grew up with Air Bud, they're millennials. The average age was 10 years old and guess what they have now? They have families of their own," Vince said.

"So it was a perfect time to reintroduce Air Bud, a new Air Bud, in a theatrical setting that really allowed them to bring their kids to it," he continued. According to Vince, the reboot offers a "multi-generational opportunity" to bring longtime fans and their children together.

Air Bud Returns is being positioned as a theatrical relaunch of the franchise, following a new generation as they connect with Buddy's legacy and take on their own basketball underdog story. The film is currently slated for a January 2027 theatrical release. With dog-friendly screenings revisiting the original film and a new chapter on the horizon, Air Bud is once again bringing families together, this time with their pets included.

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Are you planning to watch Air Bud with your dog? Let us know in the comments!