The upcoming year’s slate of films promises a little something for everyone. With a mix of highly anticipated comic book reboots, adaptations from best-selling novels, sequels from notable directors, and some exciting original stories, 2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for cinema. As theaters continue to reestablish themselves as cultural hubs, studios are pulling out all the stops with a lineup designed to appeal to audiences of all ages and tastes.
Superhero enthusiasts can look forward to major entries in the Marvel and DC universes, while fans of horror, science fiction, and action will have no shortage of thrilling experiences. Families can enjoy heartwarming adventures, animated delights, and live-action remakes, while cinephiles will be treated to new works from celebrated filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Bong Joon-ho. From long-awaited sequels to daring reimaginings of classic tales, the variety of offerings guarantees that there’s something to excite everyone.
Whether you’re into superheroes, family-friendly fare, or gripping dramas, here are the must-see movies of 2025:
Wolf Man (Jan. 17)
Leigh Whannell reimagines Universal’s classic monster tale. Julia Garner, Christopher Abbott, and Matilda Firth star as a family confronting a horrific transformation when Blake (Abbott) is infected by a mysterious creature. Expect chills, gore, and an intimate look at what it means to become monstrous.
Captain America: Brave New World (Feb. 14)
Anthony Mackie steps into the shield as Sam Wilson, taking on the mantle of Captain America. Directed by Julius Onah, the film features Harrison Ford as a twist on the Red Hulk, Rosa Salazar as Diamondback, and Liv Tyler’s return as Betty Ross. This political thriller promises action-packed stakes and moral dilemmas.
Paddington in Peru (Feb. 14)
Paddington Bear’s heartwarming adventures continue. This time, he’s in the Amazonian jungle on a quest to find Aunt Lucy. Expect charming performances from Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, and Antonio Banderas.
Mickey 17 (March 7)
Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi thriller stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey, a disposable worker sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Featuring Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette, the film explores cloning and identity in a chilling setting.
Snow White (March 21)
Disney’s live-action take on the classic animated film stars Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, and Andrew Burnap. With Greta Gerwig co-writing, this musical fantasy promises a fresh spin on a timeless story.
A Minecraft Movie (April 4)
Jason Momoa leads this semi-animated adventure directed by Jared Hess. A group of misfits navigates a blocky, symmetrical world in a race to return home. Expect humor and nostalgia for fans of the game.
Sinners (April 18)
Michael B. Jordan stars in Ryan Coogler’s horror-thriller about twin brothers battling a sinister force in their hometown. Hailee Steinfeld and Wunmi Mosaku round out the cast in this eerie tale of redemption.
Thunderbolts* (May 2)
Marvel’s antihero team comes to life with Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour leading the cast. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film follows a team of villains navigating moral gray areas while working for the government.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (May 23)
Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt faces AI-driven chaos in this franchise finale. With an all-star returning cast, expect adrenaline-fueled stunts and a gripping conclusion.
Lilo & Stitch (May 23)
Dean Fleischer Camp’s live-action remake stars Maia Kealoha and Billy Magnussen. It’s a heartfelt tale of family and friendship, with Stitch’s antics promising both laughs and tears.
Karate Kid: Legends (May 30)
Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan return, bridging their worlds with a new student. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, this sequel blends nostalgia with fresh martial arts action.
Ballerina (June 6)
Ana de Armas leads this “John Wick” spinoff as an assassin seeking revenge. Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane reprise their roles in a tale packed with elegant yet deadly choreography.
Elio (June 13)
Pixar’s “Elio” introduces audiences to a space-obsessed 11-year-old mistaken for Earth’s ambassador by an intergalactic organization. Directed by Domee Shi and Madaline Sharafian, the voice cast includes Jameela Jamil and Zoe Saldaña.
How to Train Your Dragon (June 13)
DreamWorks’ beloved franchise goes live-action. Starring Mason Thames as Hiccup, this reimagining stays faithful to the original story of friendship between a boy and his dragon.
28 Years Later (June 20)
Cillian Murphy returns in Danny Boyle’s third installment of the iconic zombie series. Joining him are Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer in a new chapter of post-apocalyptic horror.
F1 (June 27)
Brad Pitt headlines this Formula One drama, which blends racing thrills with personal stakes. Real-life F1 teams make appearances, adding authenticity to this high-octane story.
M3GAN 2.0 (June 27)
The killer AI doll returns in “M3GAN 2.0.” Allison Williams and Violet McGraw reprise their roles as Gemma and Cady, battling a newly upgraded version of M3GAN. Expect more eerie humor and tech-inspired scares.
Jurassic World Rebirth (July 2)
Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey star in a race to save dinosaur DNA in Gareth Edwards’ latest entry in the franchise. This sequel explores the fragile coexistence of humans and dinosaurs.
Superman (July 11)
James Gunn directs David Corenswet as the Man of Steel in this fresh reboot of the DC Universe. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor promise engaging dynamics.
The Smurfs (July 18)
Rihanna voices Smurfette in this animated musical, joined by an all-star cast including Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, and Daniel Levy. Ryan Harris, Rihanna, Laurence “Jay” Brown and Tyran “Ty-Ty” Smith are producers. Rihanna is writing original songs.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25)
Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” reboot features Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the titular heroes. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film is set in 1960s New York City.
One Battle After Another (Aug. 8)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s mysterious project stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Alana Haim, and Sean Penn. With little revealed about the plot, anticipation is high for another of Anderson’s signature cinematic experiences.
Freakier Friday (Aug. 8)
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reunite in this sequel to the 2003 comedy. The story takes a multigenerational twist as the mother-daughter duo swaps lives once again.
The Bride (Sept. 26)
Maggie Gyllenhaal directs this Frankenstein reimagining set in 1930s Chicago. Christian Bale stars as the monster, with Jessie Buckley portraying the bride in a tale of identity and creation.
Michael (Oct. 3)
Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic stars Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, exploring his iconic career and personal controversies. Colman Domingo and Nia Long also feature prominently.
Tron Ares (Oct. 10)
Jared Leto stars as Ares in this continuation of the “Tron” series. Directed by Joachim Rønning, the film introduces Evan Peters and Greta Lee to the digital world.
The Black Phone 2 (Oct. 17)
Ethan Hawke returns in this chilling sequel to the Blumhouse hit. Details remain under wraps, but fans can expect the same atmospheric horror that made the original a success.
Predator: Badlands (Nov. 7)
Director Dan Trachtenberg follows up “Prey” with another intense “Predator” story. Elle Fanning is rumored to star, but plot details are tightly guarded.
Bugonia (Nov. 7)
Yorgos Lanthimos directs Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons in this conspiracy-laden sci-fi comedy about two men kidnapping a CEO they suspect is an alien. Expect dark humor and Lanthimos’ signature surrealism.
The Running Man (Nov. 7)
Stephen King’s dystopian thriller gets a modern update from Edgar Wright. Glen Powell and Josh Brolin star in this action-packed tale of survival and rebellion.
Wicked: For Good (Nov. 21)
The second part of the “Wicked” musical adaptation sees Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande return as Elphaba and Glinda. The story continues to explore the politics and friendships of Oz.
Zootopia 2 (Nov. 26)
Disney’s beloved duo Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return for a new adventure. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman lead the voice cast, joined by Ke Huy Quan and Shakira.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (Dec. 5)
The animatronic nightmares return in this sequel to the horror hit. Emma Tammi directs as the stakes escalate for Josh Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard’s characters.
Avatar: Fire and Ash (Dec. 19)
James Cameron continues his groundbreaking franchise, reuniting Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, and Kate Winslet. Prepare for dazzling visuals and epic storytelling.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants (Dec. 19)
SpongeBob faces off against the Flying Dutchman in this lively sequel. Tom Kenny and Clancy Brown return as SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs, with Mark Hamill voicing the ghostly antagonist.
The Thursday Murder Club (Not Yet Dated)
Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley lead this Netflix adaptation of Richard Osman’s mystery novel. The retirees-turned-sleuths tackle a real murder case in their community.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Not Yet Dated)
Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc returns for a new murder mystery with an ensemble cast including Cailee Spaeny and Glenn Close. Directed by Rian Johnson, the film promises clever twists and high-stakes drama.
Frankenstein (Not Yet Dated)
Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley’s classic with Oscar Isaac as Dr. Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his monstrous creation. Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz co-star in this Netflix production.
The Woman in Cabin 10 (Not Yet Dated)
Keira Knightley stars in this adaptation of Ruth Ware’s psychological thriller about a journalist who believes she witnessed a murder aboard a luxury cruise. Guy Pearce and Hannah Waddingham co-star.
RIP (Not Yet Dated)
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon star as Miami narcotics officers in this gritty crime thriller. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film delves into corruption and vengeance in the pursuit of justice.
