By George & Josh Bate
As 2024 has come to an end, we’re taking a look ahead at 2025 to see what movies we think you should look out for. Initially, this article will present a rundown/calendar of all the movies we think you should look for this year. Then, we’ll breakdown our 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2025.
Calendar of 2025 Movies We Think You Should Look Out For
Wolf Man – January 17
Director and co-writer Leigh Whannell follows up his excellent take on The Invisible Man with his spin on another Universal Monsters movie – Wolf Man. The film stars Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner and is produced by Jason Blum and Ryan Gosling. The official synopsis is as follows: “Family man Blake relocates from San Francisco to Oregon with his workaholic wife Charlotte and daughter Ginger after inheriting his childhood home, left vacant following his estranged father’s mysterious disappearance and presumed death. At the farmhouse at night during a full moon, the family is attacked by a werewolf that claws Blake’s arm. They barricade themselves inside the home, but soon Blake begins to transform into something horrifying, jeopardizing the safety of his wife and daughter.”
Presence – January 24
Steven Soderbergh is one of the industry’s most prolific directors, and he returns in 2025 with Presence. Shot entirely in the first-person perspective on an iPhone, Presence is a ghost story that unfolds entirely from the perspective of a ghost haunting a suburban family. Lucy Liu and Julia Fox star, while David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Spider-Man) wrote the script.
Heart Eyes – February 7
Valentine’s Day has a few slashers, but not nearly as many as you would think. Heart Eyes will attempt to remedy that when it releases right before Valentine’s Day 2025. The film comes from director Josh Ruben, who is known for directing Werewolves Within. Produced by Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky), Heart Eyes follows a duo played by Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding who are mistaken for a couple and targeted by the infamous Heart Eyes Killer.
Captain America: Brave New World – February 14
The first of three MCU movies releasing in 2025, Captain America: Brave New World will see Anthony Mackie step into the shoes of Captain America after taking over the role from Chris Evans. This film, which is directed and co-written by Julius Onah (The Cloverfield Paradox), co-stars Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, the former general who is elected president of the United States and soon becomes Red Hulk.
The Gorge – February 14
The Gorge is the first of two movies directed by Scott Derrickson releasing in 2025. The film stars Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy as two elite snipers, who are assigned to a mysterious mission: to guard either side of a deep and impenetrable gorge, without knowing what actually lies beneath them. The film debuts on Apple TV+ on February 14.
The Monkey – February 21
The Monkey comes from Longlegs director Osgood Perkins, is produced by James Wan, and is based on a short story by Stephen King. Need we say more? Well, here’s the synopsis: “After stumbling upon their father’s vintage toy monkey in the attic, twin brothers Hal and Bill witness a string of horrifying deaths unfolding around them. In an attempt to leave the haunting behind, the brothers discard the monkey and pursue separate paths over time. However, when the inexplicable deaths resurface, the brothers are compelled to reconcile and embark on a mission to permanently eliminate the cursed toy.” Starring Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Elijah Wood, the NEON release hits theaters February 21.
Mickey 17 – March 7
Parasite director Bong Joon-ho follows up his Academy Award winner for Best Picture with Mickey 17, a sci-fi black comedy starring Robert Pattinson. Based on the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, the film co-stars Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo. The official synopsis of the film is as follows: “Wanting to get out of Earth, Mickey Barnes signs up to be an “expendable”: a disposable employee where after one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of their memories intact. After one of his “multiples”, Mickey 17, unintentionally survives a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim, he goes head to head with a new multiple, Mickey 18.”
Snow White – March 21
Disney’s live-action remakes of animated classics continues with Snow White, which is directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man) and co-written by Greta Gerwig (Barbie). Rachel Zegler stars as the titular character, while Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen.
Sinners – April 18
Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan x2, and vampires. What more could you want? Sinners is a horror film about twin brothers (played by Jordan), who return to their hometown and discover a great evil.
Until Dawn – April 25
Based on the excellent video game, Until Dawn comes from director David F. Sandberg (Shazam!, Lights Out) and stars Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, and Peter Stormare. The film follows a group of friends, who spend the weekend at a ski lodge, unaware that they are not alone…
Thunderbolts* – May 2
A group of Marvel antiheroes gather in this Suicide Squad-esque MCU movie hitting theaters in May. Florence Pugh reprises her role as Yelena Belova from Black Widow and Hawkeye, while Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes. Also reprising their roles from previous MCU projects are David Harbour and Wyatt Russell, who return as John Walker and Red Guardian respectively. The film mysteriously added an asterisk to its title after initially being announced as Thunderbolts, which has many speculating that that there may be more more to this movie than meets the eye.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – May 9
Kogonada directs this romantic fantasy film starring Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Billy Magnussen. The film is described as an imaginative tale of two strangers and the unbelievable journey that connects them.
Final Destination: Bloodlines – May 16
The sixth installment in the Final Destination franchise (and the first film in the franchise to release in 14 years) hits theaters in May 2025. The plot of Final Destination: Bloodlines remains under wraps, but most will know to expect blood and shock film from any film with ‘Final Destination’ in the title.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – May 2
Supposedly the final film in the Mission: Impossible franchise debuts in May 2025. The film will continue the plot of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning and follow Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt as the IMF agent tries to take a deadly AI entity.
Lilo & Stitch – May 23
A live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch has been long awaited by fans and, in May 2025, it finally arrives. Chris Sanders reprises his role as Stitch, while Maia Kealoha plays Lilo. The official synopsis for the film is as follows: “The film tells the story of “the bond formed between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a dog-like alien named Stitch, who is engineered to be a force of destruction. Pursuing aliens, social workers and the idea of the bond of family figure into the proceedings.”
The Life of Chuck – May 30
The Life of Chuck is written and directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep) and is based on the novella by Stephen King. The film won the People’s Choice Award when it premiered at Toronto International Film Festival this year and is described as a life-affirming, genre-bending story about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz (played by Tom Hiddleston). Karen Gillan and Chiwetel Ejiofor co-star.
Karate Kid: Legends – May 30
Characters from the original The Karate Kid franchise and the 2010 remake unite for Karate Kid: Legends. The new film stars returning actors Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, while introducing Ben Wang as the new lead alongside Ming-Na Wen and Joshua Jackson. The synopsis is as follows: “Kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City. When a friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition. Li’s teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help.”
Ballerina – June 6
Ana de Armas stars in this John Wick spin-off movie from director Len Wiseman. Co-starring are Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick (in his final film role), Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and John Wick himself Keanu Reeves. The official synopsis is as follows: “Taking place between the events of Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Eve Macarro, a ballerina-assassin, begins to train in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma and sets out to exact revenge for her father’s death.”
How to Train Your Dragon – June 13
How to Train Your Dragon makes the leap from animation to live-action in this upcoming remake. Directed and written by Dean DeBlois (who helmed the animated trilogy), the film stars Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler, who reprises his role as Stoick the Vast.
Elio – June 13
Elio is a new film from Pixar Animation Studios about a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession named Elio Solis. When Elio is beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be.
28 Years Later – June 20
Danny Boyle follows up the horror classic 28 Days Later with 28 Years Later (which was incredibly shot on an iPhone!). Starring Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the film’s official synopsis is as follows: “It’s been almost three decades since the Rage Virus escaped a medical research laboratory, and in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, they discover secrets, wonders, and horrors of the outside world.”
M3GAN 2.0 – June 27
M3GAN 2.0 is a sequel to the killer doll M3GAN from 2022. Allison Williams and Violet McGraw return to star, while Ahsoka actress Ivanna Sakhno joins the cast.
F1 – June 27
Joseph Kosinski follows up the mammoth success of Top Gun: Maverick with F1, a new sports action film starring Brad Pitt. The official synopsis is as follows: “Sonny Hayes, a Formula One driver who raced in the 1990s, has a horrible crash, forcing him to retire from Formula One and start racing in other disciplines. A Formula One team owner and friend contacts Hayes and asks him to come out of retirement to mentor rookie prodigy Joshua Pearce for the Apex Grand Prix team (APXGP).”
Jurassic World Rebirth – July 2
Rogue One director Gareth Edwards takes over the Jurassic Park franchise for this standalone sequel starring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend. The official synopsis is as follows: “Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s environment has shown itself to be mainly inhospitable to dinosaurs. The ones that are left live in remote equatorial regions with conditions similar to those in which they were formerly abundant. Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), a skilled expert in clandestine operations, is hired to work with paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and team leader Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) on a top-secret mission to obtain genetic material from the three largest creatures in the world’s tropical biosphere. This genetic material contains the key to a drug that will miraculously save human lives. Zora’s operation crosses paths with a civilian family whose boating adventure was overturned by roving aquatic dinosaurs, leaving them all stranded on an island where they must confront a terrifying, ominous revelation that has been kept secret from the world for decades.”
Superman – July 11
The first movie in the newly relaunched DC Universe (DCU) and the first solo Superman movie to release in over 10 years, James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman hits theaters in July 2025. David Corenswet stars as the Kryptonian / Daily Planet reporter, while Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult plays Lex Luthor.
I Know What You Did Last Summer – July 18
This reboot / sequel (requel?) of the classic 90s slasher film hits theaters in Summer 2025. Madelyn Cline stars, while Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. reprise their roles as Julie James and Ray Bronson from the first two films.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps – July 25
The Fantastic Four make their long-awaited MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. From WandaVision director Matt Shakman, the film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the titular four, while Robert Downey Jr. is expected to make his debut as Doctor Doom.
The Naked Gun – August 1
Liam Neeson takes over the role of Frank Drebin from Leslie Nielsen in this continuation of The Naked Gun franchise. Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser co-star, while The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer directs and co-writes.
The Battle of Baktan Cross – August 8
Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Sean Penn, Alana Haim, Teyana Taylor, and Benicio Del Toro. It hits theaters in August 2025.
Freakier Friday – August 8
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return for this long-awaited follow-up to Freaky Friday. Julia Butters and Manny Jacinto join the cast, while Chad Michael Murray and Mark Harmon also reprise their roles from the original.
Nobody 2 – August 15
A sequel to the 2021 action film Nobody, Nobody 2 sees Bob Odenkirk return as the unassuming yet deadly Hutch Mansell. RZA and Christopher Lloyd also return.
The Conjuring: Last Rites – September 5
The final installment in The Conjuring franchise, The Conjuring: Last Rites debuts in September 2025. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles as The Warrens, while Michael Chaves returns to the director’s chair after helming the previous installment The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
Him – September 19
One of the more unusual sounding films on this list, Him is a sports horror movie from director Justin Tipping. The film stars Marlon Wayans, Julia Fox, and Tim Heidecker, and is produced by Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions.
The Bride – September 26
Maggie Gyllenhal writes and directs this adaptation of The Bride of Frankenstein starring Jessie Buckley as Frankenstein’s bride and Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s monster.
Saw XI – September 26
Saw X was far better than anyone expected, which means Saw XI has quite a few people excited. Not much is known of the 11th movie in the franchise, other than Tobin Bell returns as John Kramer.
Michael – October 3
2024 saw music biopics about Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, and Robbie Williams, and 2025 will see the King of Pop get his own movie. Michael is a biographical drama about Michael Jackson, following the singer’s life and career from his time in the Jackson 5 as a child in the 1960s to the final weeks before his death in 2009.
Tron: Ares – October 10
Fifteen years after Tron: Legacy, a sequel hits theaters. Tron: Ares stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters and follows a highly sophisticated program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
The Black Phone 2 – October 17
The sequel to the acclaimed Blumhouse horror movie, The Black Phone 2 will continue the horrifying story of Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber when it hits theaters just in time for Halloween 2025.
The Running Man – November 7
Edgar Wright directs and writes this adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name, which was previously adapted into a film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Glen Powell and Katy O’Brian star in the film about a game show that has people chased by murderous hunters across the world to win money.
Predator: Badlands – November 7
Dan Trachtenberg follows up the excellent Prey with another installment in the Predator franchise – Predator: Badlands. The film is set in the future and follows a Predator traversing an alien wasteland, while two sisters discover a horrifying past. Elle Fanning stars in this 20th Century Studios release. Unlike Prey, Predator: Badlands is scheduled to have a theatrical release.
Wicked: For Good – November 21
Part 2 of the musical epic arrives in theaters one year after Wicked made its way into movie theaters. Wicked: For Good will adapt the second half of the acclaimed musical, and will see Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return as Glinda and Elphaba.
Avatar: Fire and Ash – December 19
James Cameron follows Avatar: The Way of Water with Avatar: Fire and Ash in 2025. The film shot simultaneously with its predecessor and will continue the story of the Na’vi in the vast world Cameron created.
Marty Supreme – December 25
Josh Safdi directs this sports drama loosely inspired by the life of Marty Reisman and set in the world of 1950s ping-pong. Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Tyler, the Creator star.
The Housemaid – December 25
The Housemaid comes from director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, A Simple Favor) and stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. The film is a thriller that follows a struggling woman, who is happy to start over as a housemaid for an affluent, elite couple
The HoloFiles’ Most Anticipated Movies of 2025
1. The Fantastic Four: First Steps
We can’t wait to see how the MCU integrate the Fantastic Four into the fold. Early footage presented at D23 2024 looked fantastic (is there a more fitting word?) and the cast is comprised of some of the industry’s most talented actors. How the film will set up Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars also intrigues us, as does the inevitable appearance of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.
2. Mickey 17
From Memories of Murder to Mother to Parasite, Bong Joon-ho is an incredible director and we will be first in line to see anything he has in store next. From what we’ve seen so far, Mickey 17 looks to be a strange, quirky film and quite unlike anything in the illustrious director’s filmography to date.
3. The Monkey
The combination of Longlegs director Osgood Perkins, producer James Wan, and writer Stephen King (whose short story is the basis for this film) makes The Monkey easily one of our most anticipated films of the year. The promotional material so far looks spooky, and NEON has had an incredible track record in recent years of producing genre-pushing, boundary-defying cinematic events.
4. Sinners
Ryan Coogler teaming up with Michael B. Jordan for a period vampire movie is all you need to sell us on Sinners. The first trailer for the film previews a haunting and riveting movie shrouded in so much mystery and intrigue. Can’t wait for this one.
5. Superman
Although the new DCU officially kicked off with Creature Commandos, James Gunn’s Superman really feels like it’ll be the start of a new era for DC movies. We had a mixed reaction to the first trailer, but Gunn’s filmography and the lighter, more hopeful tone of the Man of Steel has us intrigued for what’s to come.
6. Wolf Man
Leigh Whannel is one of the most underrated horror directors, and The Invisible Man evidences that more than anything. As massive admirers of the 1941 Lon Chaney Jr. starring The Wolf Man, we’re looking forward to seeingh ow Whannel breathes new life into this classic Universal Monster.
7. 28 Years Later
28 Days Later remains a classic in the zombie subgenre of horror, and 28 Years Later looks like it may be a worthy addition to that category too. Danny Boyle incredibly shot this film on an iPhone, which alone has us interested in seeing this film. The first trailer looks appropriately chilling, while a return to this post-apocalyptic world of sprinting zombies has us scared and delighted in equal measure.
8. The Bride
While we were mixed on Maggie Gyllenhaal’s feature directorial debut The Lost Daughter, the prospect of her helming an adaptation of The Bride of Frankenstein interests us greatly. The cast looks superb, as do early set photos, which tease a decidedly different take on the classic story.
9. The Running Man
Edgar Wright helming an adaptation of The Running Man just feels right. The Arnold Schwarzenegger action classic is long due for an update, and star Glen Powell is more than suited to fill those shoes.
10. The Naked Gun
There are likely movies of far greater quality that will release in 2025, but we had to round out our Most Anticipated list with the reboot of The Naked Gun. The Leslie Nielsen films are dear to us and always make us laugh in the most absurd ways. Liam Neeson is an interesting choice to step into Nielsen’s role here, as is The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer as director and co-writer.