Comedian Nate Bargatze continues expanding his footprint beyond stand-up: from hosting the upcoming 2025 Emmy Awards, to launching his first feature film, to actively planning his own theme parks under his Nateland brand.
What Nate Bargatze Is Doing Now
Here are the most current developments in Nate’s world:
- He will host the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This will mark his first time emceeing a major awards show.
- Bargatze has confirmed plans to build his own theme parks as part of his company Nateland. The flagship park is proposed for Nashville, with additional smaller parks in talks in other states.
- His film The Breadwinner, which he co-writes, stars in, and produces, is set for release March 13, 2026.
Bold Vision: Emmys without Politics
Nate Bargatze has made it clear that his Emmy hosting will prioritize fun and escape. He’s avoiding political commentary—including references to recent news events—to keep the night light, kind, and broadly welcoming. His brand of comedy has always leaned clean, and this show promises no harsh celebrity roasts or controversial jabs.
He’s also introducing a twist on acceptance speeches: winners will have 45 seconds to speak. For each second over, Bargatze has pledged to deduct from a charity donation (to the Boys & Girls Club of America). It’s both playful and structured to keep things moving.
Nateland Theme Parks & Expanding Entertainment Empire
The most exciting recent news: Nate is not just building jokes—he’s building experiences. Through Nateland, he’s moving into theme parks.
- Location & Scale: The flagship Nateland theme park is being planned for 80-100 acres in Nashville. Bargatze and his team are currently conducting feasibility studies and looking at several potential sites.
- Mini Parks elsewhere: Beyond Nashville, there are early conversations with investors and state leaders to build smaller or “mini” parks in other states.
- Component Elements: The Nashville park wouldn’t just be a collection of rides. The plan includes standalone rides (not necessarily tied to existing franchises), a studio for film and TV production, and broader experiences under Nateland Experiences.
This is ambitious: creating physical venues is a step beyond his content work (specials, podcasts, etc.). But Nate appears committed—to build an empire of family-friendly entertainment around the Nateland brand.
The Breadwinner & Other Projects
While the theme parks make headlines, his upcoming film The Breadwinner is another key pillar of his growing creative control.
- The Breadwinner is slated for release March 2026 in the U.S., with Nate co-writing, producing, and starring. The cast includes Mandy Moore, Will Forte, Colin Jost, and Kumail Nanjiani.
- The plot sets up Bargatze in a domestic comedy scenario: after his wife gets a deal on Shark Tank, he steps into the role of stay-at-home dad. It’s in keeping with his comedic voice—relatable, everyday life, with warmth and humor.
In addition to film, his tour Big Dumb Eyes continues to draw large crowds. For instance, due to strong demand, he’s added a fourth show at Salt Lake City’s Delta Center. His live performances keep reinforcing his fan base, which in turn supports expansion into bigger ventures.
Balancing Faith, Clean Comedy & Universal Appeal
What sets Nate Bargatze apart is his commitment to a comedy style that doesn’t rely on controversy:
- He’s open about his Christian faith, which informs his values, but he isn’t looking to preach. Instead, his goal is to build shows and projects that are inclusive, not alienating.
- He’s chosen to keep jokes free of divisive politics—particularly in his Emmy hosting. He wants the Emmys to be an escape, a night where people can enjoy TV and laughs without the weight of current controversies.
This strategy seems to pay off. Audiences crave content that doesn’t divide them; Nate is carving out a niche where people of different backgrounds can enjoy the same show.
Emmy Night: What to Expect
Here’s what viewers can anticipate when Nate Bargatze takes the stage to host the Emmys:
| Element | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Tone | Light, joyful, humorous but gentle; fun instead of harsh or witty at others’ expense |
| Content Style | Little to no politics or social commentary; no hard roasts |
| Personality | Warmth, inclusion, being “the nice guy” of comedy |
| Charity Tie-in | For every second a winner exceeds 45-second speech, money is deducted from a donation Nate is making to a charity |
| Cultural References | Some hometown pride (Nashville), comedic nods to TV, pop culture, perhaps self-deprecating material |
Why These Moves Make Sense
These recent news items aren’t random; they build on foundations Nate has been laying for years.
- Tour & Stand-up Success: He was the top-earning comedian in the U.S. in 2024 with over a million tickets sold. That gives him visibility, leverage, and audience loyalty.
- Nateland as a Platform: He already has specials, podcasts, and scripted content under Nateland. Theme parks are a natural next step for an entertainment brand that wants physicalizing.
- Film Credibility: With The Breadwinner, he’s stepping into film in a meaningful creative role—writing, acting, producing. If that performs well, it opens doors for sequels, spin-offs, or related content.
- Audience Desire: There’s a growing appetite for “clean,” family-friendly comedy. Many viewers are saturated with edgy or polarizing content. Nate’s approach fills a gap.
Risks & Challenges
Nothing of this scale comes without obstacles. Some of the challenges Nate Bargatze and his team will need to navigate:
- Feasibility & Land Use: For the Nashville park, finding the right piece of land, dealing with zoning, environmental impact, costs—all require substantial capital and regulatory approvals.
- Investment & Funding: Theme parks are extremely expensive. Early discussions with wealthy families and state governments are promising, but turning those into concrete committed funding is tough.
- Competition: Big theme parks already hold strong footholds. Even smaller “mini-parks” in other states will compete with existing entertainment options.
- Sustainability: It’s one thing to open; another to maintain, staff, and manage long term. Ride maintenance, safety, visitor experience are ongoing commitments.
- Brand Consistency: As Nate expands, the risk is diluting what made him popular—his clean, relatable humor. If any project veers too far from that, he could alienate core fans.
What This Means for Nate Bargatze’s Brand & Legacy
Taken together, these developments suggest Nate isn’t content with being just a comedian. He appears to be building an entertainment ecosystem under Nateland:
- Physical & Digital Integration: From specials and podcasts to theme parks and movies, his footprint is both where people stream content and where people go to experience something in person.
- Cultural Anchor in Nashville: By planning a park in his hometown, he roots the brand in a place he loves and understands. That local authenticity may help strengthen his identity.
- Family & Longevity: His projects—theme parks, movies, stand-up that doesn’t rely on shocks—are likely to appeal across generations. That helps ensure his brand isn’t just trendy but durable.
Where Things Stand Today
Here is an up-to-date snapshot of where Nate Bargatze’s major projects and plans are, as of mid-September 2025:
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Hosting the 2025 Emmys | Confirmed, scheduled for Sept 14, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT |
| Theme Parks (Nateland) | In early planning; feasibility studies; speaking with investors; flagship site proposed in Nashville; exploring “mini-parks” elsewhere |
| The Breadwinner (Film) | Cast and crew in place; release set for March 13, 2026; writing/production over much of 2025 |
| Big Dumb Eyes Tour | Ongoing; demand high; added extra shows (e.g. extra night in Salt Lake City) |
| Comedy Specials & Digital Content | Nateland continues to produce scripted content, shows, specials; clean, family-friendly angle remains central |
Closing Thoughts
Nate Bargatze is no longer just a stand-up comedian; he’s stepping into the roles of host, movie lead, entrepreneur, and entertainment brand builder. His current projects show a careful balance: ambitious expansion (theme parks, film) rooted in values that made him popular (warmth, clean comedy, inclusivity).
If he pulls this off, he could reshape not just his own career, but what a modern comedian’s brand can look like in the 2020s.
I’m curious—what excites you most about Nate’s plans? The park, the movie, or seeing how he handles the Emmys? Let me know in the comments or share what you think he should try next.