You remember the name. Even if you don't think you do, you definitely know the vibe. Whether it was the neon-soaked hairspray of the 2000s or the earnest, tear-jerking tragedy of A Walk to Remember, Adam Shankman basically choreographed the childhood of an entire generation. But lately? Things have been a bit quiet on the blockbuster front. People keep asking, "Where is Adam Shankman now?" like he pulled a disappearing act after Disenchanted hit Disney+ in 2022.
Honestly, he didn't go anywhere. He just changed lanes.
If you're looking for him in 2026, you won't find him hiding in some remote mountain cabin. In fact, just a few weeks ago in early January, he was spotted looking sharp at the Golden Eve gala in Beverly Hills, rubbing shoulders with Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis. He’s still very much a part of the Hollywood "in" crowd, but his focus has shifted from being the guy behind the camera for every single shot to being the powerhouse producer keeping massive franchises alive.
The Big 2026 Project: Stop! That! Train!
Let's talk about the project everyone is going to be screaming about this summer. Shankman has returned to the director's chair for a movie called Stop! That! Train! It is, quite possibly, the most "Shankman" thing ever conceived. Imagine a high-camp disaster movie, but instead of gritty survivors, the cast is led by RuPaul Charles and a literal army of Drag Race legends like Monét X Change, Symone, and Latrice Royale.
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It’s scheduled for a theatrical release on May 29, 2026.
The plot is wild. It follows two "weary train stewardesses" (played by Ginger Minj and Jujubee) who get stuck on a luxury express train during a massive storm called a "Stormganza." Shankman apparently had the "greatest time shooting" it, and frankly, after years of dealing with the high-pressure expectations of Disney sequels, a drag-centric action-comedy feels like the perfect palate cleanser for his career.
What’s the Deal With Hocus Pocus 3?
This is the question that clogs up search results. Everyone wants to know if Shankman is still the gatekeeper of the Sanderson sisters.
The short answer? Yes, but his role has evolved.
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While he was originally attached to direct Hocus Pocus 2, he ended up executive producing it while Anne Fletcher took over the directing duties (mostly because he was busy directing Disenchanted at the exact same time—talk about a scheduling nightmare). For Hocus Pocus 3, which is officially in active development for a possible Halloween 2026 release, Shankman is staying in that producer lane.
- The Script: Bette Midler recently called the script "brilliant."
- The Status: Production lists have shown a targeted "shoot date" around early 2025, meaning they are likely in the thick of it or in post-production right now.
- The Vision: Shankman has been very vocal about "honoring the math" of the original. He knows fans don't want the witches to change; they want the same chaotic energy they fell in love with 30 years ago.
Why He Stepped Back From Directing Everything
There was a moment around 2019 and 2020 where it felt like Shankman was the only director Disney trusted with their "crown jewel" legacies. He was juggling the Enchanted sequel and the Hocus Pocus revival simultaneously. That kind of pressure is heavy.
He’s admitted in interviews that the economics of getting movies made have changed. It’s harder now. Even if a studio loves a script, the "green light" process is a mountain-climbing expedition. He told Metrosource that he spends a massive amount of his time on the "million things" that have to happen before a camera even starts rolling.
He’s also been leaning back into his roots. Remember, this guy started as a dancer. He choreographed for Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. He was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance. That's his DNA. Even when he isn't directing the whole film, he’s often the one in the room making sure the movement and the "musicality" of a scene work. He’s basically become the industry’s go-to "fixer" for anything involving spectacle, dance, or high-stakes nostalgia.
The "Other" Adam Shankman (Don't Get Confused)
If you’ve been Googling him recently and saw something about "Debevoise & Plimpton" or a guy who graduated from Columbia Law in 2024—stop. That’s a different Adam Shankman. The director didn't suddenly decide to become a litigation associate in New York.
Our Adam Shankman is still very much in Los Angeles, still producing under his Offspring Entertainment banner with his sister, Jennifer Gibgot, and still working on a massive slate of projects that includes a potential young adult novel series for Simon & Schuster.
What This Means for the Future of His Movies
Shankman's current trajectory tells us a lot about where mid-budget Hollywood is going. He’s moving away from the "serious" studio comedies like What Men Want and leaning into two extremes:
- Massive IP sequels (producing Hocus Pocus).
- Ultra-niche, high-energy theatrical events (directing Stop! That! Train!).
He seems to have realized that the middle ground is dying. To get people into a theater in 2026, you either need a 30-year-old nostalgia brand or a "Stormganza" featuring RuPaul.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Industry Watchers:
- Watch the May 2026 Box Office: Stop! That! Train! will be the litmus test for whether Shankman’s specific brand of camp can still draw a crowd outside of a streaming platform.
- Keep an eye on Disney+ for Halloween 2026: If the rumors of the Hocus Pocus 3 script being "ready" are true, expect a massive marketing blitz to start late this year.
- Check the Producer Credits: If you see a movie that feels like a "modern classic" musical or a heartwarming comedy, check the credits for Offspring Entertainment. Even if he didn't direct it, his fingerprints are likely all over the production.
Adam Shankman hasn't "gone" anywhere—he’s just stopped trying to do every job at once. By focusing on producing the big hits and directing the passion projects, he’s actually setting himself up for a much longer, more sustainable career than the "burnout" pace he was on five years ago.