Yes. It is possible for overridden methods to have different return type .
But the limitations are that the overridden method must have a return type that is more specific type of the return type of the actual method.
All the answers have given examples of the overridden method to have a return type which is a subclass of the return type of the actual method.
For example :
public class Foo{
//method which returns Foo
Foo getFoo(){
//your code
}
}
public class subFoo extends Foo{
//Overridden method which returns subclass of Foo
@Override
subFoo getFoo(){
//your code
}
}
But this is not only limited to subclass.Even classes that implement an interface are a specific type of the interface and thus can be a return type where the interface is expected.
For example :
public interface Foo{
//method which returns Foo
Foo getFoo();
}
public class Fizz implements Foo{
//Overridden method which returns Fizz(as it implements Foo)
@Override
Fizz getFoo(){
//your code
}
}