MrBeast to star in The Angry Birds 3 movie

The Angry Birds returns once again, this time with a change in schedule and a new face in the cast. Paramount Pictures confirmed that the third film will arrive in theaters on December 23, 2026, not in January 2027 as first announced. Variety explained the move, saying the studio wanted to take advantage of the holiday break when children are out of school and families look for big-screen options. At the same time, the studio revealed something that immediately drew attention: MrBeast will be part of the voice cast.

The decision places the movie in a competitive season but also shows clear ambition. Previous films already relied on recognizable voices, and now the formula expands to include names from the digital space. It creates a different mix, not just Hollywood actors but creators known by millions who watch them online every day.

The presence of MrBeast

Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has become one of the most followed creators worldwide. Variety reported that his YouTube channel has more than 436 million subscribers. Across other platforms, he has close to 1 billion followers, with more than 2 billion views every month. Few entertainers can claim numbers like that.

His appearance in The Angry Birds 3 is not entirely new ground. The Hollywood Reporter pointed out that he already voiced characters in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Kung Fu Panda 4. Those projects introduced him to animation, but this time, he joins a franchise that has already proven its box office strength.

New additions and returning voices

MrBeast is not the only new arrival in The Angry Birds 3. Paramount confirmed Salish Matter, a Webby Award winner and co-founder of the brand Sincerely Yours. She has built a strong following online and now moves into animation.

Alongside her, Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox, better known as the duo behind Smosh, are back as Hal and Bubbles. The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline both underlined their return, noting the connection with the first two movies. Their presence links the past of the franchise to its present moment.

Main cast

Jason Sudeikis is still Red. Josh Gad, too, is back as Chuck. Rachel Bloom keeps Silver alive. Danny McBride again as Bomb. Then the names keep coming. Emma Myers. Keke Palmer. Tim Robinson. Lily James. Marcello Hernandez. Walker Scobell. Sam Richardson. Anna Cathcart. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. Nikki Glaser. James Austin Johnson. Psalm West. It sounds like a list being read in a hurry, but each one leaves a trace, a small difference in tone.

The idea feels clear enough. Hold on to the voices people know. Add others who bring something new, maybe a younger pull, maybe just another shade. Wide, not narrow. That is how the lineup looks.

Salish Matter and Anthony Padilla | Images via Wikipedia

Creative team

Back in April 2025, Rovio and DNEG put out the basics. John Rice sits in the director’s chair. The script comes from Thurop Van Orman, and he is also listed as executive producer. The producing side names John Cohen, Dan Chuba, and Carla Connor. Around them are the companies backing it: Rovio, Sega, Prime Focus Studios, Flywheel Media, One Cool Group, and dentsu. When you read the list, it feels big, spread out, and like it's crossing borders. The project doesn’t look small at all.

The impact of The Angry Birds franchise

The franchise of The Angry Birds started with the first movie in 2016. It surprised many, yet the results were clear. According to Rovio and reported by Box Office Mojo, the two films together grossed more than $500 million worldwide. The first earned about $352 million, and the second around $152 million. These numbers proved that the idea of bringing a mobile game to theaters could work.

With Paramount now distributing, expectations for the third entry remain high. Coverage in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline pointed out that adding creators like MrBeast and Salish Matter reflects a push to keep the series relevant and connected to today’s audiences.

Release strategy

The choice of December 23, 2026, sets the film right in the middle of a crowded season. Deadline listed Dune Part 3 and Avengers: Doomsday opening on December 18, only a week earlier. Soon after, a Warner Bros. event movie and Robert Eggers’ Werwulf are also on the calendar. It creates a heavy lineup, but the studio appears confident that The Angry Birds brand can draw families during the holidays.

Looking ahead

The Angry Birds 3 mixes continuity with change. Characters like Red, Chuck, Silver, and Bomb return but now share space with names from digital platforms. The balance between classic voices and creators from YouTube or social media reflects the way entertainment is shifting.

Conclusion

With the premiere scheduled for December 23, 2026, The Angry Birds 3 is shaping up as more than just another sequel. Featuring MrBeast and Salish Matter, the production shows how the franchise is adapting while keeping its foundation intact. Audiences will decide the outcome, but for now, the combination of gaming origins, Hollywood actors, and digital powerhouses sets the stage for one of the year’s notable animated releases.