Tad and The Magic Lamp Brings Time-Traveling Adventure to South African Cinemas
Tad, Sara and their friends race through history in the fourth instalment of the popular animated adventure franchise
Johannesburg, 18 August 2026 — Adventure, magic and time-travelling chaos are coming to South African cinemas this month with the release of Tad and The Magic Lamp on Friday, 28 August 2026.
The fourth film in the popular Tad the Lost Explorer franchise takes the animated archaeologist on one of his biggest adventures yet, travelling through time and across continents in an attempt to prevent history from being rewritten.
This time, Tad’s adventure also comes with a new challenge: parenthood.
Tad takes on fatherhood
Tad and Sara are now parents to Oli, a fearless two-year-old who has already inherited her parents’ enthusiasm for archaeology and adventure.
While Oli appears ready to follow in her parents’ footsteps, Tad has become an increasingly protective father.
Meanwhile, Tad’s longtime companion Mummy is dealing with his own crisis — no longer being the centre of attention.
That family dynamic takes a magical turn when the group discovers an ancient Magic Lamp at Buckingham Palace.
When Mummy uses the lamp to travel back in time to Paititi, Peru, in 1502, Tad, Sara and their friends are forced to follow him into the past.
The stakes are high: if Mummy’s actions alter the course of history, the consequences could extend far beyond their own adventure.
A journey through time and across continents
The Magic Lamp introduces time travel to Tad’s world for the first time, opening the door to a globe-spanning adventure.
The group travels from ancient Peru across the Atlantic to Greece before venturing deep into the Middle East.
Their journey eventually leads them to the legendary cave of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, adding another layer of mythology and mystery to the film’s archaeological adventure.
Along the way, audiences can expect ancient traps, mysteries, chases and plenty of comedic mishaps.
Meet the characters
Audiences can get a closer look at the characters ahead of the cinema release.
Watch the character video on YouTube
Family, friendship and adventure
While Tad and The Magic Lamp delivers the action and comedy expected from the franchise, its story also explores family, friendship and the challenges of parenthood.
The addition of Oli gives Tad a new perspective on adventure. His instinct to protect his daughter clashes with the unpredictable situations that have always been part of his life as an explorer.
Mummy’s struggle with losing his place at the centre of Tad’s attention also adds another comic thread to the story.
The filmmakers say the adventure combines mysteries, ancient traps and iconic locations with the franchise’s familiar mix of archaeology, fantasy, comedy and action.
Enrique Gato returns
Director Enrique Gato returns to the character he first brought to the screen in a short film around two decades ago.
The Tad the Lost Explorer franchise has since grown into an international animation success.
The first feature was released in more than 35 countries, while subsequent films have helped establish the series as a notable Spanish animation franchise.
For the latest instalment, Gato once again brings Tad’s archaeological adventures to the big screen, this time expanding the franchise’s world through time travel.
Tad and The Magic Lamp is written by Josep Gatell and Manuel Burque and directed by Enrique Gato.
The film is produced by Ghislain Barrois, Álvaro Augustin, Nico Matji, Edmon Roch, Marc Sabé and Javier Ugarte.
Coming to South African cinemas
South African audiences can catch Tad and The Magic Lamp in cinemas from Friday, 28 August 2026.
With its combination of ancient history, fantasy, comedy, family adventure and time travel, the latest Tad adventure promises a big-screen journey for younger audiences and families looking for something entertaining to watch together this August.
