Tyler Perry just won't let the Simmons family rest. Honestly, can you blame him? Every time the man says he’s retiring the wig, Netflix comes knocking with a check large enough to buy a small country. We all thought 2019’s A Madea Family Funeral was the literal end. Then came the "homecoming" in 2022, and most recently, the sun-drenched chaos of Madea’s Destination Wedding in 2025. But 2026 is bringing something different. We’re moving the spotlight.
The most recent Madea movie universe entry is actually a spin-off titled Joe’s College Road Trip, scheduled to hit Netflix on February 13, 2026.
It’s a pivot. For the first time in over twenty years, the 6-foot-5 matriarch with the Glock in her purse isn't the main event. Instead, her brother Joe—the foul-mouthed, weed-smoking, unapologetic patriarch—is taking the driver’s seat. Literally.
What’s the Deal with Joe’s College Road Trip?
If you’ve watched even ten minutes of a Perry production, you know Joe Simmons. He’s the guy in the background making inappropriate comments about everyone’s weight or romantic life. In Joe’s College Road Trip, Joe is tasked with taking his grandson, B.J. (played by Jermaine Harris), on a cross-country tour of various universities.
The plot is thin, but that’s the point. It’s a road movie.
Brian—the lawyer son who always looks like he’s one Madea-induced headache away from an aneurysm—decides Joe needs to "toughen up" the boy. B.J. is sheltered. Joe is... well, Joe. He’s the guy who thinks a life lesson involves a blunt and a story about escaping the police in 1974.
The trailer just dropped on January 13, 2026, and it looks exactly like what you’d expect. Chaos. Broken-down cars. Joe yelling at a GPS that clearly doesn't understand his accent. It’s classic Perry.
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The Evolution from A Madea Homecoming to Now
People forget how much the "Madea universe" has changed since the early days of Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Back then, it was all about the melodrama. The "Big Girls" sang, someone got cheated on, and Madea showed up to threaten someone with a chainsaw.
Then came the Netflix era.
When Perry moved his operations to the streaming giant, the production value jumped. A Madea Homecoming (2022) felt brighter. It was more "sitcom-plus" than "filmed stage play." It also leaned into weird, global crossovers, like bringing in Agnes Brown from the Irish hit Mrs. Brown’s Boys.
Then we had the 2025 hit, Madea’s Destination Wedding. That one saw the whole crew—Aunt Bam, Cora, Mr. Brown—heading to the Bahamas. It spent a solid month in the Netflix Top 10. Why? Because it was basically a paid vacation for the cast that we all got to watch from our couches.
Now, with Joe’s College Road Trip, Perry is testing a theory. Can the franchise survive without Madea as the lead? Joe has always been the comic relief, but carrying a 100-minute feature is a heavy lift.
Why Joe is Leading the Charge in 2026
Perry actually talked about this in a recent interview with TheGrio. He mentioned that Joe was actually the first character he ever created, even before Madea existed.
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"He’s always been the one that was more irreverent," Perry said. "The timing was right because I feel like he has a lot to say about the world today from a voice and point of view that was lost long ago."
That's code for: Joe is going to say a lot of "politically incorrect" stuff that will trend on Twitter for three days. It’s a calculated move. In an era where everyone is walking on eggshells, Joe is the character who stomps on them.
The Cast: Familiar Faces and New Blood
Tyler Perry is playing three roles again: Joe, Brian, and Madea (who makes a cameo to send them off).
Jermaine Harris is returning as B.J. You might remember him from the wedding movie last year. He’s great at playing the "straight man" to Joe’s insanity. Amber Reign Smith, who has been a standout in Perry's recent drama Beauty in Black, is also in the mix as a character named Destiny.
It’s a tight-knit circle. Perry tends to stick with actors who can handle his breakneck filming pace. He famously shoots these movies in a matter of days, not months.
Is Madea Actually Retired This Time?
Short answer: No.
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Long answer: Definitely not.
While Joe’s College Road Trip focuses on the brother, Madea is the glue of Tyler Perry Studios. She’s the Marvel's Avengers of the Perry-verse. There are already whispers of a third Why Did I Get Married? installment and another proper Madea film for late 2026 or early 2027.
The strategy is clear. Expand the "Simmons Cinematic Universe." If Joe can carry a movie, maybe Aunt Bam can too. Maybe Cora and Mr. Brown get a solo flick. It’s a smart way to keep the brand alive without Perry having to spend twelve hours a day in a fat suit and a gray wig for every single project.
What You Should Know Before Watching
If you’re planning to stream the most recent Madea movie spin-off on February 13, keep a few things in mind:
- The Tone is Grittier: Joe isn't Madea. He’s meaner, lazier, and his humor is significantly more "adult." Expect more cursing and more drug references than the standard Madea films.
- The "B.J." Character Arc: This isn't just about laughs. Perry usually sneaks in a message about generational gaps. Expect some heartfelt moments between the old man and the kid about what it means to be a man in 2026.
- Netflix Production: Since it's a Netflix original, it won't be in theaters. If you want to see Joe’s antics, you’ll need that subscription active.
Looking Ahead at the Perry Empire
Tyler Perry is currently one of the most prolific creators in Hollywood. Aside from the Madea movies, he's got Beauty in Black heading into its final seasons and several dramas like 'Tis So Sweet in the pipeline.
But the "Uncle Joe" experiment is the one to watch. If this road trip movie lands, it changes how Perry approaches his legacy characters. We might be seeing a lot less of Madea and a lot more of the extended Simmons family tree.
Honestly, it’s about time Joe got his flowers. Or his "herbs," as he’d probably call them.
Your Next Steps for the Premiere
To get ready for the February 13th release of Joe’s College Road Trip, you should probably do a quick refresh. Go back and watch the dinner scene in A Madea Homecoming where Joe meets the Irish family—it sets the tone for his brand of humor perfectly. Also, make sure your Netflix notifications are on for "Tyler Perry" so you don't miss the drop at midnight. If this movie follows the pattern of the previous ones, the social media commentary during the first 24 hours will be just as funny as the film itself.