From left to right: “The Monkey”, “Jurassic World: Rebirth”, “Mickey 17”
2025 is shaping up to be a highly anticipated film festival, with everything from thrilling blockbusters to bold artistic visions. Will Tom Cruise potentially embark on director Ethan Hunt’s final Mission: Impossible? Will Bong Joon-ho explore an existential crisis in Mickey 17? Or will Guillermo del Toro take on the unique role of Frankenstein? Whether you add a touch or not, there’s something for everyone. Superheroes, zombies, dinosaurs, haunted houses and more, next year’s theater lineup looks to be exciting.
Here, in no particular order, are 20 movies scheduled for release in 2025 that you should have on your watchlist. Trailers are also included (if available).
This re-imagining of the werewolf story set in the Pacific Northwest stars Christopher Abbott and is joined by Julia Garner for a highly atmospheric, character-driven approach to classic horror. The film comes from Australian director Leigh Whannell, who previously broke out with Universal’s other monster, 2020’s excellent The Invisible Man.
This haunted house story from filmmaker Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic, Erin Brockovich) has a twist and is told from the ghost’s perspective. With Lucy Liu leading the cast and Soderbergh’s talent for subverting genres, this may be one of the most original and creepy supernatural thrillers of the year.
Captain America: Brave New World
Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) is back and fully stepping into the role of Captain America, and it looks like he’ll have his hands full. Sandwiched between political intrigue, sleeper agents, and Harrison Ford’s red-clad President Ross, this MCU film is more of a strong political thriller in the vein of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It has the potential for action. Fingers crossed.
An evil toy monkey with cymbals wreaks havoc in this film adaptation of Stephen King’s short story. Directed by Longlegs director Osgood Perkins and featuring a cast that includes Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Elijah Wood, this visceral, darkly humorous film (at least from the looks above) is a perfect shocker. It might bring about a blend (lol) and a tragedy.
The latest installment of Parasite, Mother, The Host, and Murder Memories is directed by Bong Joon-ho and stars Robert Pattinson, who dies multiple times during a colonization mission. He plays a clone astronaut who is constantly being recreated. Its gripping sci-fi plot and Juno and Pattinson’s talents alone should be enough to earn it a spot on the list, but the cast and cinematography, which includes Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, Steven Yeun, and Naomi Ackie, Let’s add it. From Darius Khondji (Seven, Amour, Uncut Gems).
Fresh from depicting the total collapse of America in the Civil War, Alex Garland brings us to the front lines once again with a real-time Iraq war drama. Garland collaborated with Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza, a Civil War military advisor, to portray the experiences of soldiers exposed to gunfire. The film seems to be aiming for an immersive and visceral approach, and is based on Mendoza’s own recollections.
Battle of Baktancross (rumored title)
Paul Thomas Anderson has teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn and Licorice Pizza’s Alana for what may be his most ambitious project yet. A gorgeous cast including Haim was assembled. The film, which is rumored to be inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland (which also adapted Pynchon’s Inherent Vice), has a price tag that reportedly exceeds $140 million. The film is also set to become Anderson’s biggest film to date in terms of budget.
Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in the eighth installment of the series, but if that title means anything, will it be his final mission? The stakes are huge here, as questions from the previous chapter remain and (as you can see above) more jaw-dropping stunts are promised. Please bring it.
Danny Boyle returns to the fast-moving, angry world of zombies in the long-awaited third installment of the 28 Days Later saga. Alex Garland, who wrote the first film, returns to write this third chapter. Decades after the original outbreak, the survivors’ fight for humanity takes center stage. If it can recreate even a little of the tension of the previous film, it will be a must-see. It also features a strong cast, including Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes. And Cillian Murphy, star of the film that started the series, is also said to be appearing in the trilogy.
Brad Pitt replaces dogfights with race tracks in Joseph Kosinski’s F1 drama. Shot at an actual Grand Prix event, the film could be the perfect cinematic thrill ride if it captures the same energy and heart that Kosinski brought to Top Gun: Maverick. do not have.
universal pictures
Scarlett Johansson joins the dinosaur series as humanity tracks down the last remaining dinosaur. Directed by Gareth Edwards, director of Rogue One, The Creator, and Monsters, and written by Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the film is a sequel to a series that had been underperforming in terms of quality. It’s an opportunity to breathe new life into.
James Gunn’s Superman reboot will introduce audiences to a new Man of Steel, played by David Corenswet (Twisters) and played by Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. . The stakes are high for DC, but the film’s focus on hope and humanity could give a beloved hero a fresh start. No pressure, Mr. Gunn.
Fantastic Four: First Steps Marvel Studios
The iconic Marvel family now stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, Ben Grimm/The・He will have another chance to shine alongside Ebon Moss-Bachluck, who plays the Thing. The era is set in the 1960s. If the retro backdrop marries well with the tone of the MCU, we might finally get a Fantastic Four that does justice to that tradition. The production is helmed by Matt Shakman, who directed all nine episodes of WandaVision, arguably one of the best shows in Marvel’s Disney+ oeuvre.
Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) takes on a dystopian tale based on Stephen King’s dangerous game show. This story was made into a film in 1987 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. This time, Glen Powell is the contestant trying to survive. . Wright’s wit and talent for transcending genres could make for an exciting and fresh take on this story.
The Michael Jackson biopic will star the singer’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in his feature debut. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer, Shooter), the film aims to explore the life and legacy of one of music’s most influential figures . It remains to be seen whether they can strike a balance between celebration and complexity.
Guillermo del Toro brings his unique style to Mary Shelley’s iconic story, alongside Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi as the monster. If del Toro combines his signature visual imagination and penchant for emotional storytelling with Shelley’s themes of humanity and horror, this could be something unforgettable. This movie also features a strong cast including Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Charles Dance.
The second half of Wicked will be in theaters this year, continuing the story of Glinda and Elphaba. The second act of a stage show is notoriously difficult, but director Jon M. Chu shows he’s up to the task with Part 1, and Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver a big finale on the big screen He showed that he is a worthy star.
20th century studio
Box office champion director James Cameron takes audiences back to Pandora with the third Avatar movie. Details are still under wraps, but the series’ track record suggests it’s a visually stunning, technically groundbreaking, and money-making new spectacle. I hope this chapter deepens the story as much as it dazzles.
A24
Dwayne Johnson transforms into mixed martial artist Mark Carr in this gritty sports drama from Benny Safdie (one half of the Safdie brothers, Uncut Gems and Good Time). With Emily Blunt by his side (reuniting the film following Disney’s Jungle Cruise), this could be one of Johnson’s boldest performances yet. Look at the image above where he looks completely different from his character. I hope the story leans into its raw emotional potential.
