Paramount released a new trailer for The Angry Birds Movie 3 on November 4, 2026, and the film opens exclusively in theaters on December 23, 2026, just in time for Christmas. The trailer centres Red juggling fatherhood with three small chicks alongside a new global threat, a twist that gives the third film a fresh emotional core while keeping the comedy fans expect. Jason Sudeikis returns as Red, with Josh Gad as Chuck, Rachel Bloom as Silver and Danny McBride as Bomb. The biggest surprise in the trailer is a cameo from Sonic the Hedgehog, who appears at about 1:47 running alongside Chuck.
This is the first Angry Birds movie in seven years since The Angry Birds Movie 2, so the trailer had a lot to prove. It needed to show returning fans that the characters they remember are still there, while also showing new viewers why a third film makes sense now. On that test, the fatherhood angle is a smart choice. Red, once the grumpy outsider, is now a dad trying to balance family life with saving the world, and that shift gives the story stakes that go beyond another battle with the pigs. The Sonic cameo, meanwhile, has given fans a moment to replay and share, which is exactly what a trailer needs in its first days online.
Quick Facts
| Detail | What is known |
|---|---|
| Film | The Angry Birds Movie 3 |
| Trailer released | November 4, 2026 |
| Theatrical release | December 23, 2026, theaters only |
| Main story | Red juggles fatherhood with three chicks and a new global threat |
| Returning voices | Jason Sudeikis as Red, Josh Gad as Chuck, Rachel Bloom as Silver, Danny McBride as Bomb |
| New ensemble | Emma Myers, Walker Scobell, Keke Palmer and Lily James |
| Director | John Rice |
| Screenplay | Thurop Van Orman |
| Sonic cameo | At about 1:47, running alongside Chuck |
| New song in trailer | Sun Showers, by BLACKPINK singer Jisoo |
Red Becomes a Dad
The heart of the new trailer is Red as a father. The red bird who once struggled to fit in on Bird Island is now responsible for three small chicks, and the trailer plays that change for both comedy and warmth. Scenes of Red trying to keep up with his chicks, protect them, and still do his hero work give the film a family dynamic that earlier films did not have in the same way. For parents in the audience, that will feel familiar. For children, it gives the chicks a clear role in the story, rather than leaving them as background characters.
Fatherhood also changes how Red approaches danger. In earlier films, Red could throw himself into a fight without thinking about who was waiting at home. Now, every risk has a consequence for his family, which raises the emotional stakes without making the film heavy. The trailer balances that well, cutting between sweet family moments and large scale action, so viewers understand that Red is not just fighting for Bird Island in general, but for his own chicks in particular. That personal stake is often what separates a good animated sequel from a forgettable one.
The Returning Cast and New Voices
Jason Sudeikis returns as Red, and his voice remains central to the character. Sudeikis can play grumpy and warm in the same line, which is exactly what a dad version of Red needs. Josh Gad returns as Chuck, the fast talking yellow bird whose energy drives much of the comedy, while Rachel Bloom returns as Silver and Danny McBride returns as Bomb. Together, that core four gives long time fans a familiar sound, even as the story moves into new territory.
The new ensemble adds fresh energy. Emma Myers, Walker Scobell, Keke Palmer and Lily James join the cast, although full details of their roles have not been laid out in the trailer coverage in the same detail as the returning cast. Their presence suggests the film is building a wider world around Red family, with new characters who can carry scenes on their own. For a third film, that is important, because a sequel cannot rely only on nostalgia. It needs new voices that younger viewers can connect with, and this cast mix, established stars plus rising young actors, is designed to do that.
The Sonic Cameo That Stole the Trailer
At about 1:47 in the trailer, Sonic the Hedgehog appears running alongside Chuck. It is a brief moment, but it has become the most talked about beat in the trailer, and for good reason. Sonic and Angry Birds are both video game icons who made the jump to film, and seeing them share a screen, even for a few seconds, feels like a playful nod to fans of both franchises. Paramount, which is behind both properties in film form, can make that kind of crossover happen in a way that would be harder for two rival studios.
It is worth being clear about what the cameo is and is not. The trailer shows Sonic running alongside Chuck, which is a fun visual gag and a hint at a shared world, but it does not by itself confirm a full Sonic storyline in the film. Fans should enjoy the moment for what it is, a surprise that rewards careful watching, without assuming that Sonic will become a main character. Trailers often include a single eye catching shot that is not representative of the whole film, and the Sonic shot may be exactly that: a brief, joyful crossover designed to get people talking, which it has certainly done.
Music, Cameos and the Christmas Release Date
The trailer also features a new song, “Sun Showers”, by BLACKPINK singer Jisoo. Using a K-pop star for a trailer song is a smart move for a global family film, because it draws in music fans who might not otherwise watch an Angry Birds trailer. Jisoo voice brings a bright, modern pop feel to the footage, and the song title fits the film mix of sunny island imagery and emotional warmth. Whether the song appears in the full film or only in the trailer has not been made fully clear, but its presence in the trailer already gives the film a musical talking point.
Reports on trailer coverage also note cameo appearances from internet figures such as MrBeast, Salish Matter and Psalm West. Those appearances should be presented as reported in trailer coverage, not as confirmed cast billing, because a brief appearance in a trailer is not the same as a formal cast announcement. Internet creators appearing in animated films is now common, often as a way to reach younger audiences who follow them online, but until the studio confirms billing, fans should treat those names as reported, not official. The December 23 release date, by contrast, is firm: the film opens exclusively in theaters, making it a Christmas week family option for cinemas.
Why a Third Film Now, After Seven Years
Seven years is a long gap for an animated franchise, and it raises a natural question: why now? Part of the answer is audience. Children who watched the second film are now older, and a new generation of younger viewers has grown up with Angry Birds games and shorts. A third film can speak to both groups at once, offering nostalgia for older fans and a fresh entry point for new ones. The fatherhood story helps with that, because it gives older viewers a character who has grown up alongside them, while the chicks give younger viewers characters closer to their own age.
The gap also reflects how animation production works. A feature film takes years to write, animate and finish, and studios do not rush a third entry unless they believe the story justifies it. Directed by John Rice from a screenplay by Thurop Van Orman, with producers John Cohen, Dan Chuba, Carla Connor and Namit Malhotra, the film has a team with deep experience in the franchise and in animation generally. That team will know that a third film must earn its place, not just repeat the first two. The trailer suggests they are trying to do that by changing Red life, not just his enemies.
Gaming and film fans can also read our coverage of GTA 6 preload details and its large file size, another major entertainment release drawing huge attention. For television, our report on Stick season 2 on Apple TV with Owen Wilson covers a comedy return fans have awaited. And for film production news, our piece on Sydney Sweeney filming for The Housemaid 2 in New York follows a sequel in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Angry Birds Movie 3 come out?
The film opens exclusively in theaters on December 23, 2026. The new trailer was released on November 4, 2026.
Who returns as the main voices?
Jason Sudeikis returns as Red, Josh Gad as Chuck, Rachel Bloom as Silver and Danny McBride as Bomb. New ensemble members include Emma Myers, Walker Scobell, Keke Palmer and Lily James.
Does Sonic really appear in the trailer?
Yes, Sonic the Hedgehog appears at about 1:47 in the trailer, running alongside Chuck. It is a brief cameo moment, not a confirmed main role.
What is the new song in the trailer?
The trailer features a new song called “Sun Showers” by BLACKPINK singer Jisoo.
Sources
- The Playlist: Angry Birds Movie 3 trailer, Jason Sudeikis fatherhood
- Movieweb: Angry Birds 3 trailer
- Particle News: Angry Birds Movie 3 trailer recasts Red as a father
Final Thoughts
The Angry Birds Movie 3 trailer does what a good third film trailer should do: it reminds fans why they loved these characters, shows how Red has changed, and gives them something new to talk about. Fatherhood gives the story heart, the returning cast gives it familiarity, the new voices give it freshness, and the Sonic cameo gives it a viral moment. Whether the full film lives up to that trailer will be decided in theaters from December 23, but for now, the trailer has done its job. It has made a franchise that has been quiet for seven years feel current again, just in time for Christmas.
