Everyone’s favourite bear will be making his way back to the big screen as StudioCanal confirmed during a presentation at CinemaCon that Paddington 4 is in the works.
While details are scant, Studiocanal CEO and Canal+ Group chief content officer Anna Marsh said (via Digital Spy) that the Paddington 4 screenplay will be penned by “world-renowned comedy writers.”
Those words came during the first full day of CinemaCon 2026 announcements in Las Vegas, an annual convention for major studios and distributors in the cinema industry.
‘Paddington 4’ continues a successful franchise
The Paddington film franchise has been a worldwide and critical success, having grossed over $700 million worldwide.
Paddington and Paddington 2, directed by Paul King, are among some of the highest-rated films on Rotten Tomatoes, with scores of 96% and 99% respectively.
King, who co-wrote the first two spellbinding Paddington entries, handed over directing duties for the third instalment, Paddington in Peru, to newbie Dougal Wilson, but retained a story credit.
The third film was released in 2024 and, while charming, wasn’t quite on par with its impeccable predecessors.
Nevertheless, Paddington’s staying power is convincing enough to commission a fourth film in the series, and it’s expected Ben Whishaw will reprise his voice acting role as the titular character.
Another character who could return is Hugh Grant’s dastardly villain, Phoenix Buchanan, who, after being thwarted by Paddington and the Browns in Paddington 2, appeared in a post-credits scene in Paddington in Peru.
Marsh also confirmed during CinemaCon 2026 that an “animated feature expanding the franchise” is also in the works, a typical expansion any studio would make with a successful franchise property.
Paddington’s cultural impact has recently stretched from the screen to the stage, with Paddington: The Musical having just won seven Olivier Awards last weekend.
As it stands, a release date for Paddington 4 has not been disclosed.
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