Explorers (franchise)

Explorers is an American media franchise produced by Sony Pictures, consisting of five feature films. It centers on Explorer Johnson, a lonely Explorer in need of a friend, and his friend Explorer Jackson.

The franchise began with the 2017 film with the same name and its sequels, Explorers 2 (2018), Explorers 3 (2019), Explorers 4 (2020), and Explorers 5 (2021).

Film series
Explorers (2017)

Explorers, the first film in the series, was released on July 7, 2017. It was directed by Jon Favreau and written by Gabriel Combs. The film stars Gabriel Combs as Explorer Johnson, and Jackson Bond as Explorer Jackson. It tells the story of a lonely Explorer named Explorer Johnson who meets Explorer Jackson, a lost son of a pilot. Explorers received critical acclaim, and grossed over $300 million against a $90 million budget, launching a new franchise.

Explorers 2 (2018)

A sequel, Explorers 2, released on July 6, 2018, was once again directed by Jon Favreau and written by Gabriel Combs. Gabriel Combs and Jackson Bond reprise their roles as Explorer Johnson and Explorer Jackson. New cast members include Lennon Richardson as Lennon Naturestone, Dylan Bond as Dylan Waterbottom, and Robert Downey Jr. as Rocky Salmonfist. The sequel was met with positive reviews (despite not having as good reviews as the original), and grossed more than its predecessor with $500 million worldwide.

Explorers 3 (2019)

A third film, Explorers 3, was released on July 5, 2019. It was directed by Jon Favreau and written by Gabriel Combs. Gabriel Combs, Jackson Bond, Lennon Richardson, and Dylan Bond reprise their roles as Explorer Johnson, Explorer Jackson, Lennon Naturestone, and Dylan Waterbottom, but no new cast members were added to the film. The film received critical acclaim, and grossed more than its predecessors with $700 million worldwide.

Explorers 4 (2020)

A fourth film, Explorers 4, was released on July 3, 2020. It was directed by Jon Favreau and written by Gabriel Combs. Gabriel Combs, Jackson Bond, Lennon Richardson, and Dylan Bond reprise their roles as Explorer Johnson, Explorer Jackson, Lennon Naturestone, and Dylan Waterbottom. New cast members include Benedict Cumberbatch as Mike Johnson, Explorer Johnson’s father. The film was met with critical acclaim. Despite being the lowest grossing film in the franchise, grossing $133 million, a sequel is being made because the director believes that COVID-19 is the reasoning behind Explorers 4’s box office failure, and the film also topped the rental charts during its first month of release.

Explorers 5 (2021)

A fifth film, Explorers 5, is scheduled to be released theatrically and on demand on June 25, 2021. It is directed by Jon Favreau and written by Gabriel Combs. Gabriel Combs, Jackson Bond, Lennon Richardson, and Dylan Bond reprise their roles as Explorer Johnson, Explorer Jackson, Lennon Naturestone, and Dylan Waterbottom. New cast members are yet to be announced.

Television Series
Explorers: The Series (2021)

A 3-D animated web television series follow-up to the films, titled Explorers: The Series, is scheduled to be released on Disney+ on August 21, 2021. The cast will feature returning actors for the voices of Explorer Johnson (Gabriel Combs) Explorer Jackson (Jackson Bond), Lennon Naturestone (Lennon Richardson), and Dylan Waterbottom (Dylan Bond). New cast members are yet-to-be-announced. The series will be animated by Reel FX Animation Studios.

Video Games
Explorers: The Video Game (2018)

Sony, Apple, and Android developed a free mobile game tie-in for Explorers, released on iOS and Android on August 24, 2018. The game is loosely based on the Explorers story after the events of Explorers 2, with updates featuring content from newer films. Playable characters include Explorer Johnson and Explorer Jackson, while Lennon Naturestone and Dylan Waterbottom remain as unlockable characters. Updates to the game added antagonists from previous films, giving them side quests for the characters. The game received 300 million downloads within the first two days, marking 600 million downloads in the first week, topping the gaming charts for Apple.

LEGO Explorers (2019)

A Lego video game adaption based on the events of the first three films was developed by TT Fusion and released by Sony Pictures Entertainment on August 22, 2019 for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, PC, iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire.

Cast and Characters

 * Explorer Johnson (played by Gabriel Combs): Explorer Johnson is the main protagonist in the Explorers franchise. He is an explorer who was born on an island, is sort of an orphan, and has many friends. In the first film, he was a lonely Explorer who befriended Explorer Jackson. In the second film, he joined forces with mystery solvers to find Jackson and solve a new mystery. In the third film, he battles his demons and his twin brother. In the fourth film, he puts an end to his past and battles his father.
 * Explorer Jackson (played by Jackson Bond): Explorer Jackson is the secondary protagonist in the Explorers franchise. He is an explorer who is the friend of Explorer Johnson and has many friends. In the first film, he was the son of a Pilot who was stranded on an island with Johnson. In the second film, he split up with Johnson to solve a new mystery. In the third film, Jackson went off to help Johnson with his mystery. In the fourth film, he was revealed to be Dylan’s brother.
 * Lennon Naturestone (played by Lennon Richardson): Lennon Naturestone is a primary protagonist in the Explorers franchise. He is an explorer who is the friend of Dylan and has many friends. He was also introduced in the second film. In the second film, he helped Johnson find Jackson and solve a mystery. In the third film, he went with Dylan to go on a fishing trail. In the fourth film, he went fishing with Dylan once again and helped with Johnson’s mystery.
 * Dylan Waterbottom (played by Dylan Bond): Dylan Waterbottom is a primary protagonist in the Explorers franchise. He is an explorer who is the friend of Lennon and has many friends. He was also introduced in the second film. In the second film, he helped Johnson find Jackson and solve a mystery. In the fourth film, he went with Lennon to go on a fishing trail. In the fourth film, he went fishing with Lennon once again and helped with Johnson’s mystery.

Film Reception
Box Office

Explorers (2017)


 * Box Office: $300,000,473
 * Budget: $50,430,000

Explorers 2 (2018)


 * Box Office: $500,670,721
 * Budget: $200,000,001

Explorers 3 (2019)


 * Box Office: $277,000,983
 * Budget: $200,000,001

Explorers 4 (2020)


 * Box Office: $133,470,722
 * Budget: $100,000,000

Critical reception

Explorers (2017)


 * Critic Score: 95% (253 reviews)
 * Audience Score: 98% (830 reviews)

Explorers 2 (2018)


 * Critic Score: 83% (334 reviews)
 * Audience Score: 74% (830 reviews)

Explorers 3 (2019)


 * Critic Score: 95% (444 reviews)
 * Audience Score: 87% (834 reviews)

Explorers 4 (2020)


 * Critic Score: 97% (478 reviews)
 * Audience Score: 99% (877 reviews)