You're probably scrolling through Netflix or checking your local theater listings, scratching your head and asking, "Wait, what is the name of Tyler Perry's new movie?" Honestly, keeping track of Perry’s output is a full-time job. The man works faster than most of us can finish a grocery list.
As of January 2026, the big answer you're looking for is Joe’s College Road Trip.
This isn't just another Madea flick where she’s swinging a purse and screaming about "hellur." Well, she’s in it, but the spotlight has finally shifted. This time, Perry is letting Madea’s grumpy, weed-smoking, no-filter brother, Joe Simmons, take the wheel—literally. Netflix just dropped the trailer a few days ago, and the buzz is everywhere. It’s a spin-off that fans have been asking for since Joe first started stealing scenes back in the early 2000s.
Joe’s College Road Trip: The 2026 Headliner
So, the movie everyone is talking about right now is officially titled Joe’s College Road Trip. It’s scheduled to hit Netflix on February 13, 2026. Perfect timing for Valentine’s Day weekend if your idea of romance is watching an elderly man insult everyone in a three-state radius.
The plot is pretty straightforward but definitely chaotic. Joe is tasked with driving his grandson, B.J. (played by Jermaine Harris), across the country for a college tour. Joe’s son Brian—the lawyer we all remember from the earlier movies—is the one who organizes this, hoping Joe can teach the kid some "old school" grit. Bad idea? Probably. Hilarious? Almost certainly.
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Perry is doing his usual triple-threat (or quadruple-threat) thing here. He’s playing Joe, he’s playing Madea, and he’s playing Brian. It’s that classic Perry formula where he argues with himself on screen, which somehow never gets old for his core audience.
Who Else is in the Cast?
Besides Perry playing half the characters, we’ve got some fresh and returning faces:
- Jermaine Harris as B.J. (He was actually in Madea’s Destination Wedding last year, so Perry is clearly keeping him in the family).
- Amber Reign Smith (You might recognize her from Perry’s Beauty in Black series).
- Ms. Pat (Because you can't have a movie about Joe without some serious comedic backup).
- Millie Jackson as Geraldine.
It’s worth noting that while Joe’s College Road Trip is the "new" movie for the start of 2026, Perry actually had a massive 2025. If you haven't seen Straw, which dropped in June 2025, you're behind. That was a psychological thriller starring Taraji P. Henson, and it was a total departure from the Joe/Madea comedy world. It was dark, gritty, and honestly, Taraji carried that whole thing on her back.
Why Why Did I Get Married Again? is the Other Name You’re Hearing
If you aren't asking about Joe, you might be hearing whispers about another title. Perry recently confirmed that Why Did I Get Married Again? is actually happening. This would be the third movie in the franchise, and for a lot of fans, this is the one that actually matters.
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The original cast is reportedly coming back—Taraji P. Henson, Jill Scott, Janet Jackson, the whole crew. Netflix hasn't given us a hard date yet, but the industry chatter says it’s aiming for a late 2026 release. It’s basically Perry’s "Avengers" for people who love relationship dramas.
The Full 2026 Tyler Perry Lineup
Perry doesn't just make one movie and go on vacation. He’s got a massive multi-year deal with Netflix that is basically printing money at this point. If you’re trying to keep the names straight, here is what’s on the docket for the rest of this year:
- Joe’s College Road Trip (February 13, 2026) – The comedy spin-off.
- 'Tis So Sweet (Release Date TBA 2026) – This one is a drama based on the true story of Lenore Lindsey, directed by Tasha Smith. It’s a rare case where Perry is producing but letting someone else direct.
- The Gospel of Christmas (Holiday 2026) – A big musical feature starring Fantasia Barrino and a massive lineup of gospel legends like Yolanda Adams and The Clark Sisters.
- Beauty in Black (Season 2, Part 2) – While technically a series, many fans treat these "parts" like movie events. Part 2 is slated for March 19, 2026.
What Most People Get Wrong About Perry’s "New" Movies
There’s always a bit of confusion when a "new" Tyler Perry movie comes out because he often films things years in advance. For example, Joe’s College Road Trip was actually filmed back in early 2024. People saw him filming in New Mexico and Memphis two years ago and kept asking when it was coming out.
The delay usually comes down to Perry's insane schedule. Between running his studio in Atlanta, writing his shows for BET+, and managing the Netflix deal, some projects sit in the "vault" for a while.
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Another misconception? That every movie is a "Madea movie." While Joe’s College Road Trip is part of that universe, Perry has been trying to pivot toward more "serious" cinema lately. The Six Triple Eight, which came out in late 2024, was a WWII drama about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. If you go into Joe’s College Road Trip expecting that kind of historical weight, you’re going to be very disappointed when Joe starts talking about his "herbs."
What to Do Next
If you want to be ready for the February 13th drop of Joe’s College Road Trip, you should probably head over to Netflix and set a "Remind Me" alert. The trailer is already live on the platform and on YouTube.
If you’re more into his drama side, go back and watch Straw or Mea Culpa to see how his style has evolved. Also, keep an eye on BET+; even though his Netflix deal is huge, he still drops a ton of content there that doesn't always get the same mainstream "Google Discover" hype. Expect an official teaser for Why Did I Get Married Again? to drop sometime around the summer of 2026.
Actionable Steps:
- Mark your calendar for February 13, 2026, for the premiere of Joe's College Road Trip.
- Search for the "Next on Netflix 2026" preview video to see the first official footage of Perry's upcoming dramas.
- Check the BET+ "Coming Soon" section if you are looking for the latest seasons of Ruthless or The Oval, which often tie into the themes of his newer films.