Air Bud Entertainment Takes Its Overseas Sales Back In-House
Air Bud Entertainment is taking its international sales and licensing back into its own hands, ending a 15-year run of partnerships with major studios. Variety reported the move on 10 November 2026, ahead of the American Film Market, or AFM, a yearly trading event where sales agents and buyers decide which films reach cinemas and streaming services.
Over those 15 years, the company worked with Disney and Netflix on more than 22 films and four series. Its earlier arrangement with Disney was a simple one. Air Bud Entertainment was in international sales until 2018 or 2019, and it licensed the independently made "Air Bud" movies to Disney for release in the United States.
The new centrepiece is "Air Bud Returns," scheduled for cinema release in January. The company describes it as a reimagining rather than a sequel. Apart from Air Bud himself, every character is new. Robert Vince, the company's chief executive and founder, wrote, directed and produced the film.
The franchise has a long history. It began with an independent movie that Disney acquired for theatrical distribution. Four more "Air Bud" sequels followed, along with the nine-film "Air Buddies" series. The company says it has now created five movie franchises in total.
At AFM, Air Bud Entertainment will show "Air Bud Returns," "Air Bud Origins," and the live-action series "Air Buddy: Dream Team." It will also offer licensing rights across its back catalogue to buyers around the world. For "Air Bud Returns," the company has already lined up Cineverse as its partner in the United States and Elevation in Canada.
The company's own website describes it as a fully integrated studio. Writing, directing, producing, post-production and visual effects all happen in-house, according to that description. It lists Malibu, California, as its base and Vancouver, British Columbia, as the home of its studios. The site also names Amazon and Warner Bros. among its creative partners.
What changes for fans is mostly behind the scenes. The films and shows are the same characters they know, and the January release date is the first thing to put on the calendar. What changes for the company is who sells its work. Instead of handing that job to a major studio, Air Bud Entertainment will approach buyers itself.
