A new year brings a new slate of films to look forward to, and 2025 promises to be one of the most exciting 12 months in blockbuster cinema for a good while. From superhero action films to scary horror experiences and features from Oscar-winning filmmakers such as Bong Joon-ho and Guillermo del Toro, here are the most anticipated blockbuster movies coming this year.
Wolf Man (January 17)
Director Leigh Whannell returns after the success of 2020's The Invisible Man to tackle another classic horror character in Wolf Man. The film stars Julia Garner and Christopher Abbott, and is set to start the year’s big releases when it arrives in cinemas on January 17. The film follows a family who are attacked by a strange beast at their remote farmhouse. Later on, the father, who is bitten, starts to experience changes in his body, transforming into something menacing.
Captain America: Brave New World (February 14)
The MCU has three films coming out this year, the first of which is Captain America: Brave New World. In it, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson takes over the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers. The film also stars Harrison Ford, who will become the Red Hulk, and Liv Tyler, who reprises her role as Betty Ross, last seen in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Other cast members include Rosa Salazar, Giancarlo Esposito and Tim Blake Nelson.
In the Lost Lands (February 28)
Genre director Paul WS Anderson returns with a sci-fi film starring his wife and collaborator Milla Jovovich. Adapted from a short story by Game of Thrones writer George RR Martin, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where magic and witches exist.
Mickey 17 (March 7)
Parasite director Bong Joon-ho returns after his Oscar win in 2020 to direct this sci-fi flick starring Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette and Steven Yeun. The film is adapted from the novel Mickey7 which came out in 2022. Fans of Bong have been waiting for his next film after Parasite became a global sensation, both financially and critically. Mickey 17 was originally slated for 2024, but is finally coming out on March 7.
Black Bag (March 14)
Fans of espionage thrillers can look forward to Steven Soderbergh’s new film Black Bag, starring Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett and Pierce Brosnan. The film is written by David Koepp who famously penned the scripts for Jurassic Park and the first Mission: Impossible. The cast also includes Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Rege-Jean Page and Marisa Abela.
A Minecraft Movie (April 4)
Jack Black and Jason Momoa star in the big screen adaptation of the famous video game Minecraft. Directed by Jared Hess, whose credits include Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, the film will follow a ragtag group of characters who get sucked into the world of the game.
Thunderbolts* (May 2)
The second MCU release of the year is Thunderbolts* (yes, there’s a star in the title), which features characters who appeared in previous films and television shows in the ever-expanding universe. The cast includes Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The title alludes to a new team of crime-fighting superheroes who team up despite their eclectic personalities.
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (May 23)
Tom Cruise returns as agent Ethan Hunt for the last time in the conclusion to the popular long-running saga that began in 1996. The Final Reckoning will be the eighth film in the series and the last hurrah for a franchise that became genre-defining with every release. The film will feature the usual cast of accompanying characters, with new arrivals played by Hannah Waddingham and Katy O'Brian.
Lilo & Stitch (May 23)
After the live-action success of films such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, Disney continues its quest to adapt its animated catalogue with Lilo & Stitch being the latest to do so. The little blue alien will be brought to life alongside a cast that includes Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B Vance and Tia Carrere.
Karate Kid: Legends (May 30)
The Karate Kid universe will witness an apocalyptic-sized event when Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan finally share the screen for the next film in the franchise, Karate Kid: Legends. Macchio, being the original Karate Kid, did not feature in the 2010 reboot starring Chan alongside Jaden Smith. This film brings the two together as they train a new karate protege for the ultimate tournament.
Elio (June 13)
After consecutive box office disappointments, Disney's Pixar had incredible success last year with the release of Inside Out 2. This year, they hope to continue the trend with Elio, an animated film that tells the story of a young boy who is beamed up to another universe filled with otherworldly creatures. Being a human, he is mistaken for the ambassador of Earth and has to represent the human race. The film features the voices of Yonas Kibreab, Jameela Jamil, Brad Garrett and Golden Globe winner Zoe Saldana.
How to Train Your Dragon (June 13)
Another animated flick getting a live-action adaptation is Dreamworks Pictures’ How to Train Your Dragon. The film is directed by Dean DeBlois, the same man who directed all three animated films in the series. The cast of the live-action adaptation includes Gerard Butler, Julian Dennison and Nick Frost.
F1 (June 25)
Starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, this motor racing action movie was filmed during Formula 1 races over the past two seasons. It is directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski and co-produced with former world champion Lewis Hamilton, Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman. The film is about a fictional F1 team that has a promising young driver (Idris), who needs guidance from a veteran (Pitt), to achieve his potential in the sport.
28 Years Later (June 25)
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland will return to the zombie-infested world they created in 2002’s 28 Days Later. The director and writer duo, who revitalised the genre, look to do the same with the third film in the series, 28 Years Later. The cast includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes and Jodie Comer.
M3GAN 2.0 (June 27)
The sequel to the successful 2022 horror film M3GAN is coming out this year after the first film made more than $180 million on a $12 million budget. The sequel will see the return of Allison Williams and Violet McGraw from the first film.
Jurassic World Rebirth (July 2)
The sci-fi series is set to be given a good chance of being revitalised with the release of Jurassic World Rebirth. The film is directed by Gareth Edwards whose previous credits include Godzilla (2014), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and The Creator (2023). The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali.
Superman (July 11)
One of the year’s most anticipated releases, James Gunn’s Superman arrives to a fanbase that has been yearning for a good Superman film for decades. The movie introduces David Corenswet as the new face of the superhero, taking over the mantle from Henry Cavill. The film’s cast includes Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan and Nathan Fillion.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25)
The third film this year from Marvel Studios is arguably the most exciting one since Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. The Fantastic Four are finally joining the expansive universe of superheroes with their own film. Set in the 1960s, it introduces fans to the foursome which will be played by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Michael (October 3)
A biopic about the life of King of Pop Michael Jackson is arriving this year from director Antoine Fuqua. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of Michael Jackson, alongside a cast that includes Colman Domingo, Miles Teller and Nia Long. It will chart the rise of the musician from a young age to the heights of superstardom.
Tron: Ares (October 10)
The third film in the Tron series, which began in 1982, is set for release in October. It will continue the adventures of the sentient computer programmes as they attempt to break out into the real world. Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Ronning, the film stars Jared Leto, Gillian Anderson, Evan Peters and Jeff Bridges (who also starred in the first two films).
The Running Man (November 7)
Edgar Wright directs this remake of the 1987 film of the same name, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. Adapted from a Stephen King novel, it stars Glen Powell, Katy O'Brian and Josh Brolin. It is set in a dystopian world where a deadly game show is the focus of the poor masses.
Wicked: For Good (November 21)
A sequel to last year’s hit musical film Wicked, the film continues following Elphaba as she navigates the magical land of Oz. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are set to return alongside a supporting cast that includes Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and Peter Dinklage.
Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19)
James Cameron’s Avatar saga continues with the third film in the franchise set to arrive in December. The first two films in the series broke records, with the first film taking in $2.92 billion in global ticket sales, while the second film took in $2.32 billion. There is little doubt that the third film will aim to continue this streak of box-office dominance.
Marty Supreme (December 25)
Directed by Josh Safdie, one-half of the Safdie brothers who directed Uncut Gems, the film about a ping-pong prodigy played by Timothee Chalamet. Plot details are yet to be announced but the cast also includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher and Shark Tank’s Kevin O'Leary.
Frankenstein (2025)
Oscar-winning director Guillermo Del Toro’s next film, Frankenstein, is set for release in the new year. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Dr Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the monster. Other cast members include Christoph Waltz, Charles Dance and Mia Goth.
