Since their last appearance on the big screen in 2016, Po and his companions have been absent from films altogether. Since its first release in 2008, DreamWorks Animation’sKung Fu Pandafranchise has earned more than $1.8 billion at the global box office and gone on to win numerous accolades. But with the blockbuster triumph ofKung Fu Panda 3in 2016, fans were left wondering when a fourth movie would ever arrive or if it was still coming. Some figured it would end with a trilogy, while others hoped it would continue on with more films. Some good news: the release ofKung Fu Panda 4is currently planned for a March 2024 release date.
Rumors circulated for years betweenKung Fu Panda 3in 2016 and the official announcement in 2022, which statedKung Fu Panda 4would be happening soon. Due to these rumors, many fans assumed the film would be in production for a 2020 or 2021 release, but this was ultimately not true. Though it’s been officially announced now, questions still linger as to whyKung Fu Panda 4took so long to enter production. Eight years will have passed betweenKung Fu Panda 3and the upcoming fourth film, which is significantly greater than the three years between the first and second films and the five years between the second and third. So, why the delay?
Update August 18, 2025: If you’ve been anticipating the release ofKung Fu Panda 4,you’ll be happy to know that this article has been updated by Jessica Peerez with more recent information regarding the film.
Confusion at DreamWorks Causes Delays
Former DreamWorks Animation Chief Jeffrey Katzenberg toldEmpirein 2010 that there would be sixKung Fu Pandafilms in total. However, after DreamWorks Animation was purchased by NBCUniversal in 2016 for almost $4 billion, Katzenberg resigned as CEO and was appointed Chairman of DreamWorks New Media, which included both DreamWorks Animation’s interests in AwesomenessTV and Nova. He later stepped down from his DreamWorks career completely for unknown reasons.
Two years later, in 2018,Kung Fu Panda 3director Jennifer Yuh Nelson toldMetrothat she didn’t know if there would be a follow-up toKung Fu Panda 3, saying, “For me, it had always been a trilogy, in terms of the exact arc that we were working on. I really don’t know what the plans are. But the pull is Po. Po is the world. So I am sure something will happen at some point, but it’s just that I don’t know what.” It is unclear by this point if the change in ownership, or something else entirely, led to the delay withKung Fu Panda 4.
Kung Fu Panda 4 Production is Underway
Production forKung Fu Panda 4is now well underway, with the highly anticipated film finally nearing its release. While it is accepted that animated movies take time to voice act, draw, animate, and produce, fans couldn’t be happier that Po will be taking to screens once again. With a script penned by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, taking on the role of director is Mike Mitchell. Co-directing alongside Mitchell is Stephanie Stine. The fact that Mitchell will take the reigns ofKung Fu Panda 4was revealed at CinemaCon in April 2023. The director has a few noteworthy titles under his belt, includingThe Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, TrollsandShrek Forever After.
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It has also been confirmed that the fourth movie will see many of theveterans of the franchisereprise their roles. As such, the returning cast includes Jack Black as the iconic Po, Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, and James Hong as Mr. Ping. However, the 4th installment will also have afew talented additions. Joining Po on his adventures will be thief-turned-hero Zhen, voiced by Awkwafina. Oscar winners Viola Davis and Ke Huy Quan will also have roles inKung Fu Panda 4.Davis will voice the new villain, Chameleon, while Quan takes on the role of Han.
It was also reported that Ian McShane, who voiced the first film villain Tai Lung, will return in the film as Bryan Cranston has Po’s father, Li Shan. It has been confirmed that the Furious Five will also appear in the movie, although it sounds like the characters will likely be a cameo, and none of the voice actors, including Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, or David Cross, have been confirmed to return.
What is the Plot of Kung Fu Panda 4?
Bringing eager fans a decree of relief, Universal Picturesreleased the official trailerfor the highly anticipatedKung Fu Panda 4on August 18, 2025. Speaking to the excitement of fans, the trailer has racked up 16 million views in just 5 days. The glimpse into the film sets out the plot of the fourth movie while also introducing viewers to the new characters who will be a part of Po’s adventures.
As per the trailer, Po is graduating from the position of Dragon Warrior to that of Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. In doing so, he also has to train his successor, a crafty, quick-witted fox, Zhen, who is a wanted criminal. The trailer depicts Po’s struggle in his journey to becoming Spiritual Leader, with thoughts of “dinner with peas” interrupting his quest for inner peace.
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Kung Fu Panda 4sets Po and Zhen against the powerful sorceress, Chameleon, who, with her shapeshifting abilities, is intent on harnessing the power of all the villains that Po has previously defeated, thereby making herself a formidable super-villain. To defeat Chameleon, Po has to work together with the cunning but skillful Zhen and put together their own army. Little does Po know he is about to find his team in the most unexpected place. With Zhen and his team by his side, Po prepares to kick his own butt as the trailer depicts Chameleon morphing into Po himself.
After a hiatus of 8 long years, it appears that Po is geared up to take viewers on an epic journey with Kung Fu Panda 4 once again. The animation is set to release in theaters on August 24, 2025. Until the new film releases, fans will have to make do with the current movies and the slew of television expansions, likeKung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, which began airing on Netflix in July 2022.
