2025 is going to be full of must-see sequels, as well as intriguing original movies. It’s time to get ready for the final addition to the Mission: Impossible franchise and the rebirth of Jurassic World.
Brad Pitt has the engines purring in the sports drama F1, and Michael will showcase nephew Jaafar taking on the role of his late uncle, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
From anticipated sequels to original films, plus Marvel’s back in the game with the blockbusters Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts, there’s a lot to be excited for in 2025.
Working on filling out your movie calendar? I’m here to help you with the 35 films I’m most excited to see this year.
Wolf Man (January 17)
Having reinvented The Invisible Man, director Leigh Whannell is now tackling a very hairy monster. Blumhouse, keen on modernizing yet another Universal monster, wisely went to the source of success of the modern revamp of 2020’s Invisible Man, Whannell. There, of course, have been many werewolf films over the years, including George Waggner’s classic original The Wolf Man in 1941.
So what will be so innovative about this project? Well, from what I can see from the trailer alone, simply a twist in perspective of how the story is told. Seemingly, we will be seeing the change from the perspective of the person who’s transforming. Slowing the transformation down and giving us the opportunity to see through the eyes of a person who doesn’t know what’s happening, rather than putting us smack in the middle of the story, just may be ingenious. And I’m banking on a full moon for January 17.
Flight Risk (January 24)
Michelle Dockery is an FBI agent who is responsible for transporting Topher Grace, who is playing a mafia informant to a very important hearing. There’s one problem, the plane’s pilot, portrayed by Mark Wahlberg. It turns out he’s actually a hired hitman who has been paid to take out Grace’s character.
Mel Gibson directs this thriller set inside a small plane, which looks to be one of the craziest thrill rides of 2025.
Love Hurts (February 7)
Everyone’s favorite “Short Round” turned Oscar-winning actor, Ke Huy Quan gets his first lead role playing Marvin Gable, a happy, carefree real-estate agent whose previous life as a cold-blooded killer comes back to haunt him when his crime-boss brother (Daniel Wu) sends his henchmen to dish out payback for a double-cross. This is sure to cue some mano a mano mayhem that will transform a serene suburban setting into a war zone.
In the trailer, I see layers that remind me of watching some of the earlier Jackie Chan movies and that has me excited for this film that also includes West Side Story Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose as Marvin’s former cohort-in-crime, Rose. Certainly it looks like the film is going to boast top level talent throughout the cast, but altogether Love Hurts looks like it’s designed by director Jonathan Eusebio to be the crowning achievement on Quan’s comeback. As the director peels back the layers of the actor to showcase his comedic, serious, and emotional sides, audiences appear to be in for a wacky and fun time.
Captain America: Brave New World (February 14)
Yes, I know some of us, and that includes me, are still trying to figure out when is The Falcon Captain America? Yes, I have watched all of the movies and the 2021 television series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but this still feels bold. I guess that’s why it’s a brave new world. Since his MCU debut in the fantastic Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson has been Steve Rogers’ wingman, literally and figuratively. However, the events following Avengers: Endgame and the aforementioned The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, has Wilson receiving a huge upgrade, inheriting Steve Rogers’ unbreakable shield and the mantle of Captain America.
As with any brave new world, you need a little help from your friends, especially in navigating increasingly murky geopolitical waters, filled with all kinds of wild threats, familiarity is important. The new Captain America needs a Falcon. So enters Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), Sam’s sidekick in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, who will take to the skies in Brave New World. I’m betting audiences can expect this big brother/little brother dynamic to be one of the key elements of the film.
Via the official trailer, it appears Brave New World’s mystery will revolve around uncovering the mastermind behind an attempt on the life of the new President, one General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford, replacing the late, wonderful actor William Hurt, who had portrayed Ross in the MCU since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk). It’s a journey that will take Sam and Joaquin to Washington D.C., to Japan, and to the humongous corpse of the Celestial Tiamut, who was last seen erupting out of the earth in Eternals, and has now become a landmark known as Celestial Island. It’s here that our heroes will encounter a set of pretty wild circumstances.
Those wild circumstances, as you can see from the trailer, will include the transformation of President Ross into the gamma-irradiated powerhouse known as Red Hulk, a super-strong behemoth who would make for a very interesting figure in the Oval Office. Ross is certain to provide a robust challenge for our new Captain America and Falcon, as neither of them possess any superpowers or special abilities. Here’s hoping Sam’s got some tricks up his superhero sleeve.
Paddington in Peru (February 14)
As a fan of the previous two movies, I’m excited by the idea of Paddington in Peru bringing Paddington’s story full circle as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy. Most of the gang is back for the third installment, though there has been a few key changes. Sally Hawkins has departed the franchise and has been replaced by Emily Mortimer. In addition Rachel Zegler has been replaced by newcomer Carla Tous, who will play the role of Gina Cabot. On the bright side, Ben Whishaw and Imelda Staunton are back as the voices of Paddington Bear and Aunt Lucy, respectively. Meanwhile Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, and Jim Broadbent are all returning. And astute fans may have noticed in the trailer, there are two more big stars joining the cast, in the form of Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas. Colman will play the Reverend Mother, a character described as ‘a blithe and sunny guitar-playing nun who runs the Home for Retired Bears. Meanwhile, Antonio Banderas is a dashing riverboat captain known as Hunter Cabot who helps the Browns during their adventure in Peru.
Mickey 17 (March 7)
Oscar-wining Parasite director Bong Joon-ho’s first film since his triumphant night is this science fiction comedy based on the Edward Ashton novel “Mickey7.” Boasting a terrific cast that includes Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, and Mark Ruffalo, as well as an intriguing premise: in an effort to leave earth, Pattinson’s Mickey signs up to be an “expendable” in a process where a new body will be generated with its memories intact after a previous version dies. But what happens when something goes wrong and Pattinson finds himself at war with one or more of his own iterations; this is exactly the kind of thing that should offer Bong ample opportunities for his kind of genre-bending, sly black comedy at which he is known for to be showcased at a high level.
Novocaine (March 14)
In what looks to be a fun and thrilling action ride, Novocaine stars Jack Quaid (the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan) as Nate, a guy who feels no pain. When the girl of his dreams (Amber Midthunder) is kidnapped, our everyman Nate turns his ability into an unexpected weapon in his fight to get her back.
Snow White (March 21)
Disney continues the trend of turning its beloved classic animated films into live-action remakes with Snow White. This one has certainly caused a stir online with people divided on the handling of the seven dwarfs aspect of the film. Ultimately, the dwarves will be completely CGI. Audiences can be expect new songs, and Gal Gadot playing the evil queen. Disney can expect continual criticism over the new takes on their classics. I for one, am interested in this new take, but understand those that are of suspect mind. And yes, I have March 21 circled on my calendar and written in red “it’s off to the theater I go.”
A Minecraft Movie (April 4)
Maybe it should be of no surprise with the likes of Super Mario Bros. and the Sonic movies being overwhelming successes at the box office, the hugely popular game Minecraft is getting its own film adaptation. Jack Black is on board playing Steve, the generic character most players take control of when booting up the game. Jason Mamoa, Jennifer Coolidge, and Kate McKinnon round out the cast as random characters that are pulled into the cubic world and in true Jumanji-like form, need the help of an expert crafter to get home.
The Accountant 2 (April 25)
After nearly a decade, we are finally getting the sequel to the wonderful 2016 surprise hit The Accountant. Ben Affleck makes his return to action movies as the accountant/money launderer Christian Wolff. Director Galvin O’Connor has not divulged much information about the plot, but we do know that Jon Bernthal, J.K. Simmons, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson are all reprising their roles from the original and that there is definite interest in stretching the franchise into a trilogy.
Thunderbolts* (May 2)
Are you prepared to hit the road with the MCU’s motliest crew yet? The lineup includes Yelena Belova, Florence Pugh’s deadly Russian assassin and kid sister of Scarlett Johansson’s late, lamented Natasha Romanoff; Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier himself; David Harbour’s Red Guardian, former Russian super-soldier and Yelena’s deadbeat surrogate dad; Wyatt Russell’s disgraced former Captain America, John Walker; Olga Kurylenko’s Russian killing machine Taskmaster; and Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, first and last seen in Ant-Man and The Wasp. I believe they are being called “The Dirty Half-Dozen.”
With action, attitude, and assassins aplenty, Marvel’s newest supergroup with an asterisk (that’s right, that asterisk is officially part of the title) might be about to break all kinds of rules, and most likely bones and bad guys* in half.
Lilo & Stitch (May 23)
While Disney’s little teaser only shows off the Stitch half of the titular dynamic duo, we can tell you who’s also aboard to help director Dean Fleischer Camp adapt Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders’ classic Hawaiian girl and her mutant-experiment-alien-fugitive-dog tale. Leading the lineup are Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Nani, and Kaipot Dudoit as David Kawena. They’ll also be joined by Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Courtney B. Vance and Hannah Waddingham in as-yet-undisclosed roles. Tia Carrere, the original voice of Nani Pelekai, is cast in the live-action film as new character Mrs. Kekoa.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (May 23)
Back for an eighth bout of insane dare-deviling, the M:I franchise with its direct sequel to 2023’s Dead Reckoning (the one where Ethan (Tom Cruise) drove his motorcycle off a cliff), is set to give us a thrilling end to this latest chapter (and as we’re told, last chapter) and one that’s certain to be full of dazzling stunts.
Karate Kid: Legends (May 30)
Set three years after the series finale of Netflix’s Cobra Kai, Karate Kid: Legends will unite generations of Karate Kid fans together for the sixth film of the beloved franchise. Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are back to join forces to teach Kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wong) a new way to fight in order to help his friend.
Ballerina (June 6)
New assassin Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) is on a rip-roaring rampage of revenge as the new arrival at The New York Continental, clearly traveling on business, and not pleasure. The first cinematic spinoff of the John Wick universe will attempt to add new dimensions to that world, adding a hero who’s trying to get into the assassination business just as determinedly as Keanu Reeves’ John Wick is trying to get out.
The film’s story takes place concurrently with 2019’s third film in the franchise, Parabellum. We meet Eve on a personal mission of revenge after losing her father as a young girl. She’s taking advice from her teacher (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) that the best way to take down an assassin is to become one herself, which is why she’s checking in at the Continental, meeting the late Lance Reddick’s concierge Charon and Ian McShane’s hotel manager Winston, and seeking advice from John Wick himself.
Based on the skills Eve displays, I’m not sure it’s advice she needs. As Wick says in the trailer, “Looks like you already have.” The only advice I have for you is to be in the theater on June 6, because this one is going to be fun.
How to Train Your Dragon (June 13)
Certainly it’s not easy to take a beloved animated character and successfully replicate it for live action. Especially when that character happens to be a scrappy, inky, cat-like dragon with oversized eyes.
Since 2010, the How to Train Your Dragon franchise has followed Hiccup and his adventures with Toothless in the fictional Viking village of Berk and beyond, and has garnered a diehard fan base. A fan base, that need not worry because their beloved characters are in the hands of Dean DeBlois. That’s right, the same Dean DeBlois who gave us the animated trilogy is bringing us the live-action remake of his first film.
The new iteration of Hiccup will be portrayed by The Black Phone’s Mason Thames. Of course, Hiccup is only half of the tandem of the story; the film finds its wings in the relationship between Hiccup and his winged pal, Toothless. For that, the teaser trailer has given us a small peak into what DeBlois has up his VFX sleeve.
Elio (June 13)
There are so many reasons to be hyped for Pixar’s outer-space adventure, Elio. I’ll just give you a few. Let’s start with Its a rare Pixar science fiction film. Remember Wall-E? That is exactly the potential quality we have in store when we hit theaters on June 13 for Elio. Promising a similarly sweet intergalactic experience, Elio’s titular kid is a little boy who feels like an alien on Earth until he beamed to the “Communiverse“, and the galactic ambassadors assume Elio to be Earth’s leader.
Secondly, It’s full of Alien oddballs. In space, Elio is going to encounter weird little guys galore. For example, Helix, a puffy dignitary who always has a glass of Glorp on hand, the official drink of the Communiverse. And that’s just the beginning.
And it’s got OOOOO, yes that’s a good thing, pronounced oooh, she’s a liquid supercomputer who’ll aid Elio in his Communiverse adventures. OOOOO will be voiced by Shirley Henderson, who is noted for this arena, having given life to Star Wars oddity Babu Frik.
And there’s a nod to The Thing. That’s right John Carpenter’s The Thing. Director Madeline Sharafian is on record promising “some science fiction horror references”; citing Alien, “the scary parts“ of Close Encounters, and Carpenter’s icy terror. Not divulging any more than that, audiences will have to eagerly await being beamed up on June 13.
F1 (June 27)
Top Gun: Maverick director puts Brad Pitt in a Formula 1 car in this sports drama about a popular Formula 1 driver from the 1990s who was forced to retire after a horrific crash.
His competitive spirit is rekindled when old friend (Javier Bardem) convinces him to come out of retirement and join his team to mentor a rookie played by Damson Idris.
Jurassic World Rebirth (July 2)
I scream, you scream, kids scream, we all scream for dinosaurs. Particularly, audiences sho up and scream for dinosaur movies. I’m excited for this fourth film in the Jurassic World series (and the seventh movie in the larger Jurassic Park franchise). Jurassic World: Rebirth has us skipping ahead five years after the events of Jurassic World: Dominion with a new set of characters being led by Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey as they embark on a journey to recover some dino-DNA from the dwindling population of ancient beasts. The three previous films in the series all grossed over $1 billion worldwide, and there is every reason to believe this new film will do the same.
Superman (July 11)
James Gunn’s Superman kicks off the first of five planned movies in the “Gods and Monsters” story arc as part of the DC Universe reboot. The first teaser showcased a little of what’s to come in the already superhero-filled world, providing glimpses of Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Green Lantern, and the hero everyone’s most excited about, Krypto the Superdog. Gunn has promised “a Superman who is about kindness, love, and compassion… the best of humanity, even though he is an alien from outer space.” This is definitely a stark difference from Snyder’s darker take on the Kryptonian, but one I think we could all use right now.
For more on James Gunn’s Superman, take a look at this previous article:
I Know What You Did Last Summer (July 18)
Yes, I know that this sequel to the 1990s horror-slasher franchise doesn’t have an official title yet, but we do have a good idea that there will be a fair amount of slashing in the fourth film of the series.
Madelyn Cline, known for Outer Banks and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, is set to star alongside the returning Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt, who both fronted the first two films.
The Smurfs Movie (July 18)
The Smurfs are returning are returning to the big screen in this live-action, animation hybrid musical starring the best-selling pop singer Rihanna as Smurfette, supported by a voice cast that boasts the likes of Natasha Lyonne, Dan Levy, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman.
Fans of the Barbadian singer can add to their excitement as Rihanna also wrote and will perform several of the film’s songs.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25)
With a dodgy big screen history, fans of this superhero team have had their hopes dashed so many times. But there’s hope on the horizon in the form of the first Marvel-produced Fantastic Four film which will be the second reboot for the team. First Steps should firmly establish the Fantastic Four in the MCU, with the heroes being led by the wonderful Pedro Pescal and WandaVision director Matt Shakman at the helm. As he did with WandaVision, Shakman is going retro with a 1960s-styled version of Earth facing a threat from the planet-eater Galactus and his messenger, the Silver Surfer. The film will kick off Phase Six of the MCU which is set to be followed by Avengers: Doomsday, so I’m assuming there will be a direct connection between the two films to Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, but with the MCU, I’ve been wrong before.
The Bad Guys 2 (August 1)
The characters from the popular children’s book series are getting a big screen sequel.
And with a refreshing note, Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramon, Richard Ayoade, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, and Lilly Singh are all reprising their roles from the original.
The Naked Gun (August 1)
Liam Neeson takes over the role of Frank Drebin, a bumbling detective made famous by Leslie Nielsen in the remake of the 1988 wildly popular Abrahams-Zucker-Zucker action comedy The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Freakier Friday (August 8)
Now twenty-one years after the original body swap tale, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return for another one of those freaky tales. Could it be… this one freakier than the last?
Nobody 2 (August 15)
Bob Odenkirk’s one-man army is back in Nobody 2 and this time the stakes are higher. Ilya Naishuller’s 2021 original film saw former government assassin Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) get back in touch with his violent side. In the sequel, for which Timo Tjahjanto takes the directing baton from Naishuller, has Hutch returning to duty full-time, an action that is certain to have a negative effect on his personal life.
The sequel also brings with it a new villain. Where Odenkirk’s Hutch faced off against a vengeful Russian crime lord in the first film, the sequel will see him pitted against Sharon Stone’s unpredictable villain, which promises to bring crazy to a new level.
Looking at Tjahjanto’s track history as a director with the thrillers The Night Comes For Us and The Shadow Strays, I think it’s safe to say we are in for a thrill ride full of chaotic action and lots of energy.
The Bride! (September 26)
Maggie Gyllenhaal brings to life this remake of the 1935 classic Bride of Frankenstein, doing triple duty as writer, director, and producer.
Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter) will play Frankenstein’s bride while Christian Bale takes on the role of Frankenstein’s monster. The movie is a family affair for Gyllenhaul as her husband, Peter Sarsgaard, and her brother Jake, will star. Rounding out the cast are Penelope Cruz, Annette Bening, and Julianne Hough.
Michael (October 3)
Director Antoine Fuqua takes on the complex life and legacy of Michael Jackson, while the portrayal of the late King of Pop stays in the family with nephew Jaafar Jackson taking on the role. Michael’s parents will be played by Colman Domingo and Nia Long.
Tron: Ares (October 10)
The 1982 original film Tron inspired the future, written and directed by prodigious talent Steven Lisberger, the film was light years ahead of its time, as pioneering as cinema gets, and influencing future generations to come. The movie that follows computer programmer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) as he finds himself trapped inside software, fighting, and racing for his life against programs, did okay at the box office, but its legacy lives on.
The second sequel to Lisberger’s crowning achievement sees director Joachim Ronning picking up the mantle and stepping into some big shoes, following on from Joseph Kosinski’s Tron: Legacy of 2010, in which Bridges’ Flynn returned, living yogi-like in virtual-reality world The Grid. It is worthy to point out that the word on the cinematic street is this will not be a direct sequel. Yes, Bridges is back again, but outside of that, there is a new cast: Jared Leto, Jodie Turner-Smith, Greta Lee, Gillian Anderson, and Evan Peters. Ronning has promised it will be obvious we are in the Tron universe, but Ares will be it’s own story.
In interviews, Ronning has left us nuggets of what to expect and this is what I gather to be the basis of the Ares story. With the boundaries between programs and humans blurring, the focus here will be on Jared Leto’s Ares, Master Control Program of the Dillinger grid; Dillinger hailing from Tron’s nefarious Ed Dillinger (portrayed, in 1982, by David Warner), and his son Ed Dillinger Jr. (Cillian Murphy, however briefly, in Tron: Legacy). Though Ares is not human, he goes on a journey and discovers what it means and what it takes to be human, bringing with it a new twist, its software stylings, light cycles and all, bursting out into the real world.
I think we can expect this film to be not only strong aesthetically, but also more emotional than people are expecting. So brace yourself for emotional impact, it’s Game on in October.
The Running Man (November 7)
Hot off an extremely successful 2024 with starring turns in Hit Man and Twisters, Glenn Powell will be joining Josh Brolin on-screen for the dystopian thriller The Running Man. Set in a futuristic United States, it’s based on the 1982 Stephen King novel he wrote as Richard Bachman. This is the same novel that was also adapted into the 1987 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Script writers this time include Michael Bacall and Edgar Wright, with Wright directing. In addition to Powell and Brolin, the cast includes Michael Cera, Lee Pace, Lee Charles, and Katy O’Brian.
Now You See Me 3 (November 14)
I found the first movie in this franchise a wonderful surprise, and maybe the second outing lacked the original’s charm. But I’m hopeful that the wacky gang of magicians can find that magic touch again for the third installment of the heist-centric series. This time around, the film is being helmed by Venom and Zombieland director Reuben Fleischer, and a new group of illusionists has been added to the already expansive cast, with Rosamund Pike and Ariana Greenblatt joining the crew.
Wicked: For Good (November 21)
Audiences will be able to return to Oz in November with Wicked: For Good. The sequel to John M. Chu’s musical adaptation will see the returning cast Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Marisa Bode, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, and more. Chu is also back as director, with a script from Wicked: Part One writers Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox as well as L. Frank Baum.
Zootopia 2 (November 26)
We’ve had to wait nine years, but finally our favorite rabbit cop Judy Hopps is returning to the big screen for Zootopia 2. The sequel will star Jason Bateman, Fortune Feimster, Ginnifer Goodwin, Ke Huy Quan, and Shakira. Though specific plot details have been kept under wraps, we do know the film is set to follow Judy as she teams up with Nick Wilde (Bateman) to crack a new and dangerous case.
Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19)
James Cameron’s hit franchise continues on in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The sequel to 2022’s The Way of Water, and third film in the series has plot details that are closely being guarded, so all I can really tell you is cast details. That cast will include Zoe Saldana, Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver, Jemaine Clement, Matt Gerald, David Thewlis, Sam Worthington, Edie Falco, Cliff Curtis, and Oona Chaplin. But rest assured as more information on this film becomes available, I will be sharing it with you.
So as you can see this year’s slate of films has a little of something for everyone. With a mix of highly anticipated comic book reboots, adaptations from best-selling novels, and sequels to original projects from notable directors, I’m expecting theaters to thrive in 2025.
Are you interested in seeing what Marvel has in store with three movies hitting theaters this year or do you fancy the popcorn entertainment blockbuster franchises coming out such as Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman. Maybe you’re more of the family film interest like Paddington in Peru, A Minecraft Movie, Elio, and Zootopia 2. Of course, musical fans would be excited for Wicked: For Good.
No matter where your interests may lie, as we build this into a site for movie fans to enjoy, I always love hearing from you.
So drop a line with what you’re excited about this year. I’ll see you at the theaters!
Leave a Reply