Jumanji is officially marking its landmark 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of wild, jungle-themed chaos brought to life by the beloved 1995 fantasy adventure.
Released in theaters on December 15, 1995, Jumanji quickly became a box-office hit, pulling in more than $262 million worldwide on a reported budget of just $65 million.
Although Jumanji earned mixed reviews upon its release, it eventually grew into a beloved cult classic—thanks in no small part to the unforgettable charm of the late Robin Williams.
As the film hits its 30th anniversary, residents of Keene, New Hampshire—where much of the movie was filmed—have been sharing their heartfelt memories of the production, according to People magazine.
Keene’s then-new city councilor Randy Filiault recalled the moment they learned who would be leading the cast. “We said, by the way, who’s really starring in this? He goes, ‘Well, we just signed Robin Williams.’ There was silence in the room because, A, we realized this is going to be a big film and, B, it’s like, how the heck are we going to do this.”
Many locals were eager to talk about their interactions with Williams, describing him as a warm, larger-than-life presence who always made time for the film’s extras.
“While filming, we got to meet Robin Williams, which was probably the best part of the experience,” one resident shared. “He was so sweet and he took his time. He shook everyone’s hand, he said hello to everyone. So I would have to say that’s my best memory.”
In the years since, Jumanji has become one of Williams’ most iconic performances, eventually inspiring three spiritual sequels and a standalone spinoff, Zathura: A Space Adventure.
