
Long before Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle hit the screens, a different sequel emerged over a decade earlier, portraying a notably distinct tone from the original 1995 classic. The inaugural Jumanji film, released in 1995, quickly established itself as a beloved family favorite. Drawing its narrative from Chris Van Allsburg’s novel, the film captivated audiences with groundbreaking visual effects and the iconic performance of Robin Williams, ultimately grossing over a quarter of a billion dollars at the box office (as reported by The Numbers).
Although the original inspired an animated series, it wasn’t until a decade later that a related installment was produced: Zathura: A Space Adventure. Directed by Jon Favreau, this film adopted a different approach while maintaining the core concept of a magical board game that triggers extraordinary events. Unfortunately, the connection to the Jumanji franchise did not generate the same enthusiasm, leading to its temporary demise.
Zathura’s Charm Failed to Translate to Box Office Success
Zathura Had Numerous Positive Attributes





Zathura boasted a talented director, Jon Favreau—who later helmed Iron Man, launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe—and an impressive cast including Josh Hutcherson, Kristen Stewart, Tim Robbins, and Dax Shepard. Yet despite these strengths, the film often felt more like a rip-off of Jumanji rather than a legitimate sequel.
While Zathura may not directly overlap with its predecessor, it shared a conceptual foundation that wasn’t effectively leveraged in its marketing. Consequently, the film barely recouped its production costs, marking it a box office disappointment and relegating these imaginative stories to obscurity.
Zathura’s Success Could Have Reimagined Dwayne Johnson’s Jumanji Films
Zathura Could Have Paved the Way for a Broader Franchise





In 2017, the franchise was revitalized with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which introduced a fresh cast and a contemporary video game premise. Nonetheless, one can’t help but speculate how these later films might have evolved had Zathura achieved greater success akin to the original Jumanji movie. In an era where studios are keen on expanding franchises, the synergies between these two cinematic universes could have sparked a series of magical adventure films, exploring new narratives.
Such a trajectory could have included mysterious elements related to the origins and mechanics of the games themselves, enriching the storytelling landscape. Instead, the 2017 film may have turned out quite differently—integrating concepts from both originals or venturing into entirely new realms of creativity. The contrasting styles of the initial films highlight the myriad directions the franchise could have taken.
Can Jumanji 4 Utilize Zathura’s Strengths?
Jumanji 4 May Not Connect with Zathura





The subsequent Jumanji films, like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and its sequel, have maintained a jungle-centric theme. By transforming the board game concept into a video game format, they preserved some elements of the original Jumanji world while introducing an immersive experience for players. However, integrating details from Zathura could prove challenging and may feel out of place in the established franchise.
With space and jungle settings presenting distinct themes, merging the two styles could lead to a disorienting viewing experience. While Zathura serves as an intriguing precursor, it now occupies a spin-off status, lacking significant ties to the ongoing narrative in Jumanji’s modern iteration. Nonetheless, viewers might still catch subtle nods or Easter eggs related to Zathura in future Jumanji films, though they are not likely to play a pivotal role in the overarching storyline.
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