The upcoming fourth film in the Tadeo Jones (Tad the Lost Explorer) animated franchise is a time-travel adventure titled Tad and the Magic Lamp (also known as Tadeo Jones 4), scheduled for release in Spain on August 26, 2026. In Tad and the Magic Lamp, Tad faces several personal and external hurdles beyond time travel and standard villains: Parenthood and Family Dynamics: For the first time in the series, Tad and Sara are depicted as parents to a young daughter named Oli. Managing her safety while navigating treacherous historical eras adds a significant layer of personal pressure. Confronting Self-Doubt: The narrative focuses on Tad’s internal struggle to overcome deep-seated insecurities. He must evolve from a clumsy, accident-prone explorer into a humble and responsible leader to save his family and friends. The Weight of Public Mistrust: Following the events of the previous film where he was blamed for a magical curse, Tad starts this adventure with "everyone against him". He must operate while being misunderstood by the archaeological community and authorities. Mummy’s Emotional Crisis: A major catalyst for the plot is the Mummy’s feelings of neglect. Tad must manage his friend’s erratic behavior and emotional needs, as the Mummy's impulsive wish for youth and love is what triggers the dangerous time-travel loop. Navigating Ancient Civilizations: Beyond just traveling through time, the group must survive specific historical dangers, such as navigating the cave of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and surviving the ancient environments of Peru, Greece, and Egypt. The fourth installment of the Spanish animated franchise, titled Tad the Lost Explorer and the Magic Lamp (Tadeo Jones 4: La Lámpara Maravillosa), is officially scheduled for release in August 2026. Release Date and Production Spain: August 26, 2026. United Kingdom: September 11, 2026. Director: Enrique Gato, creator of the original series. Production: A joint production by Ikiru Films, Telecinco Cinema, and Lightbox Animation Studios, with worldwide distribution by Paramount Pictures. Plot and Time Travel Adventure The film introduces a major shift in the series' timeline, featuring Tad and Sara as parents to a two-year-old daughter named Olimpia (Oli). The Conflict: Feeling neglected due to the new baby, Momia (the Mummy) discovers the legendary Magic Lamp from One Thousand and One Nights during a trip to London. The Time Travel: Jealous and wishing to return to a time when he was the "center of attention," Momia makes a wish that backfires. This triggers a time-travel mishap, sending the entire group—including Tad, Sara, Momia, Jeff the dog, and Belzoni the parrot—into the past. The Mission: The team must navigate historical settings, including Peru, Greece, and the Middle East (specifically Ali Baba's cave), to fix the timeline and prevent Momia from accidentally changing history before they are trapped forever. Returning and New Characters Tadeo "Tad" Jones: The titular protagonist remains voiced by Óscar Barberán. Sara Lavrof: Tad’s partner and professional archaeologist, voiced by Michelle Jenner. In this film, she and Tad are now parents to a two-year-old daughter named Olimpia. The Mummy (Momia): Tad's loyal but often troublesome friend, voiced by Luis Posada. Ramona: The mummified pharaoh from the third film. Animal Companions: Tad's dog Jeff and the mute parrot Belzoni are also part of the returning group.