The Jumanji franchise is most known for the Robin Williams original and the two modern sequels, but the best follow-up actually came 20 years ago. The 1995 film involves a magical board game that brings wild animals and jungle perils into the real world, and it has a reputation as one of the most nostalgic children’s films of the ’90s.
It took over 20 years for a proper sequel to arrive, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle brought the story into the modern day, swapping out the board game for a video game. The blockbuster starred Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and was quickly followed by an equally successful threequel in 2019.
However, Jumanji received a stealth sequel in 2005 that is far superior to any of the others. Instead of relying on the recognizable imagery from the original, the underrated gem features a new game that retains a lot of the playful fun of its predecessor. 20 years on, no Jumanji sequel has been able to top the forgotten follow-up.
Zathura: A Space Adventure Is A Forgotten Jumanji Sequel
Because it didn’t share any likeness to its predecessor, 2005’s Zathura: A Space Adventure is usually forgotten as a sequel to Jumanji. However, it is a natural continuation of the ideas of the first film, without having to simply copy the formula. The story involves another magical board game, but this one is all about sci-fi.
A trio of siblings try to while away the hours away playing a dusty old board game called Zathura, only to find their house transported into outer space. Like in Jumanji, the game throws a range of dangerous challenges at them, including killer robots and an alien threat.
Zathura is tied for the highest-rated Jumanji film on Rotten Tomatoes with a 77%.
Zathura: A Space Adventure has a retrofuturistic design which feels timeless and nostalgic. Underneath all the space adventuring, the movie is really about sibling bonding, and it doesn’t neglect its dramatic elements in favor of its over-the-top action. Sadly, Zathura bombed, and only grossed $65 million against a $65 million budget (via Box Office Mojo).
The Cast Of Zathura Is Fantastic
Zathura is a forgotten film with an impressive cast, and in that way, it competes with all the other Jumanji movies. Not only is the film led by Josh Hutcherson (years before his Hunger Games fame), it also features Kristen Stewart right before she broke out as one of the teen idols of the 2000s.
The supporting cast is all the more impressive, with Oscar-winner Tim Robbins playing a small role as the kids’ father. Dax Shepard also steals the show as The Astronaut, and it is a major change from his usual goofy parts that show off his funny side.
Zathura: A Space Adventure Nails The Spirit Of The Original Jumanji
What makes Zathura: A Space Adventure the ultimate Jumanji sequel is that it incorporates the best aspects of the original film. There is a spirit of adventure in both films that is largely lacking in the 2010s sequels, and an earnestness that has been removed from most children’s media in general.
The story is seen through the eyes of the young protagonists, so it has a larger-than-life quality that’s exciting and timeless. At its heart, it has an emotional core that’s an important lesson for younger viewers, and it truly feels like a cinematic adventure in the spirit of Jumanji, instead of a cynical cash-grab.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
