Ariana Grande to Star in 'Meet the Parents 4'

Ariana Grande is expanding her acting career with a lead role in the upcoming fourth installment of the "Meet the Parents" franchise, starring alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro.

News of Grande's involvement comes from The Hollywood Reporter, which reveals the pop star turned Wicked actress will join the latest comedy sequel. Universal Pictures is set to reunite the Focker and Byrnes families on November 25, 2026.

Stiller and De Niro have both officially signed on to reprise their roles as the famously incompatible in-laws for the fourth time. According to sources for THR, Blythe Danner and Teri Polo, who starred in the first three films, are expected to return and are currently in negotiations. While most plot details remain under wraps, one known storyline will focus on Polo and Stiller's son, who "gets engaged to a strong-willed woman who seems entirely wrong for him." Insiders confirm Grande will portray the fiancée.

Behind the camera, "Meet the Parents 4" will be written and directed by series veteran John Hamburg. Jay Roach, who directed the original trilogy, has joined the project as a producer alongside Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal through Tribeca Productions. Ben Stiller is also producing with John Lesher via Red Hour Films, while Hamburg will produce through Particular Pictures. Universal executives Matt Reilly and Jacqueline Garell will oversee the production for the studio.

The 25 Best Comedy Movies of All Time

View 26 Images

Grande is primarily celebrated for her music career, having released seven critically acclaimed studio albums. Her most recent project is the 2024 album "Eternal Sunshine," a 13-track record released before her supporting role in the musical adaptation of "Wicked," which premiered last fall. The film received widespread praise from critics and audiences, earning Grande an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Galinda / Glinda. She will reprise the role in the sequel, Wicked: For Good, set for release on November 21, 2025.

For more information, you can explore our guide to the most anticipated films of 2025. You can also revisit our original review of "Meet the Parents," which scored an 8/10 upon its release in 2000.