There’s a new Focker in the family — and a familiar face is back to welcome the chaos. Owen Wilson is officially returning to Universal’s Meet the Parents franchise, rejoining Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, and Teri Polo for the long-awaited fourth installment, now slated to release on November 25, 2026.
Wilson, who stole scenes in the original 2000 comedy as Kevin Rawley, the absurdly perfect ex-boyfriend of Pam (Polo) with a penchant for carpentry and tiny Speedos on tap, is back in the fold. His character — a charming, spiritually enlightened, insufferable rich guy — became a fan-favorite and returned for both Meet the Fockers (2004) and Little Fockers (2010). Now, 14 years later, Kevin is back for more family madness.
The announcement of the sequel follows a 25th anniversary reunion for Meet the Parents at the Tribeca Festival on June 7. Speaking after a special screening, Stiller revealed that the inspiration for the fourth film came when he realized he was now the age De Niro was when the franchise began.
“It felt like this sort of mirrors the first film in terms of the fact that my kids are grown and one of my kids is thinking about introducing his person to the family.”
John Hamburg, who co-wrote all three previous films, is not only back on screenplay duties — he’s also directing. The project is being co-produced by Universal and Paramount Pictures, with Jane Rosenthal and De Niro producing through Tribeca Productions, Jay Roach via Delirious Media, and Stiller and John Lesher through Red Hour Films.
Who Else Is in ‘Meet the Parents 4’?
The biggest new name joining the cast? Ariana Grande, fresh off her Wicked: Part One high and ready to bring her comedic chops to the table. During a June 9 interview on Today, Stiller confirmed that Grande is not just in the movie — “she is the movie.”
“She’s going to be really, really funny and kind of the whole engine of the new movie. It’s exciting.”
While Universal hasn’t confirmed her character’s name, The Hollywood Reporter revealed at the time of her casting that she’ll play the fiancée of Greg and Pam’s now-grown son — a high-powered, high-drama presence who throws the tightly wound Focker family dynamic into glorious disarray.
Meet the Parents 4 hits theatres November 25, 2026.
via Collider