The Best Of 2025
2025 has been off to a rocky start for most, but it’s about to get so much better. Film critics are expecting a good year in terms of new movie releases, with a variety of genres as well as some highly-anticipated sequels coming out.
Fire up the popcorn machines and book your seats in advance—the theaters are going to be overflowing this year.
Captain America: Brave New World
Release date: February 14, 2025
Marvel fans get ready, Captain America is back. As the fourth installment in the Captain America film series, it won’t be the first time fans have seen Anthony Mackie as Captain America, but it is the first time the actor will lead his own film as the fan favorite superhero.
Add in a hulked-up Harrison Ford, and you got yourself a surefire box office winner.
Marvel, Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Zootopia 2
Release date: November 26, 2025
Zootopia fans have been waiting for this for a while now. While not all cartoon flicks do well with sequels, Zootopia left fans wondering what was next for the sly Nick Wilde and brave rabbit cop Judy Hopps after their last big adventure back in 2016.
The first Zootopia film was well-received. It is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critic score of 98% and an audience score of 92%. In an interview, Disney producer Brad Simonsen said Zootopia 2 will be "just as good or better” than the original film. And fans everywhere are placing bets that it just might be.
Walt Disney, Zootopia 2 (2025)
Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning
Release date: May 23, 2025
Few actors bring as much thrill on screen as Tom Cruise, especially when he pulls off his jaw-dropping stunts as Ethan Hunt. As the eighth film in the Mission: Impossible film series, Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning picks up after the cliffhanger in Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning.
While some fans may be invested in the storyline, many others show up simply to see what insane stunts Cruise is going to master this time. In case you didn’t know, he does all his own stunts!
Paramount, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025)
Wolf Man
Release date: January 17, 2025
The whole vampire/werewolf theme has taken a back seat in recent years, so it's about time we got a good one. Wolf Man was released already in January and while the film got mixed reviews, it still managed to gross $32 million so far.
It helps that Julia Garner, known for owning every scene in Netflix’s Ozark, is one of the leading actors.
Blumhouse Productions, Wolf Man (2025)
Lilo & Stitch
Release date: May 23, 2025
Another highly anticipated family film coming out this spring is a live action version of Disney’s beloved Lilo & Stitch. You may have noticed the increase in merch being sold throughout 2024—well, get ready for more!
This remake promises to bring the perfect mix of nostalgia, laughter, and tears. And while not all Disney live-action remakes seem to be a good fit, film critics are expecting this one to knock it out of the park.
Walt Disney, Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Now You See Me 3
Release date: November 14, 2025
The Four Horsemen—Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco—are back for their third act, and with some exciting new faces joining the crew.
It’s been a good 10 years since the last installment in the film series, but fans are forgiving as the producers promise to deliver a thrilling ride as the magic and mystery continues.
Lionsgate, Now You See Me 3 (2025)
A Minecraft Movie
Release date: April 4, 2025
While some people have their doubts about this one, the Minecraft video game remains wildly popular, and may just be enough to intrigue fans. Not only that, Jason Momoa being the star actor certainly doesn’t hurt.
Video game live-action films actually have a strong record of doing well at the box office, and given the Minecraft fandom, we think this one will be no different.
Warner Bros., A Minecraft Movie (2025)
Thunderbolts
Release date: May 2, 2025
Marvel has done it again. The highly anticipated Thunderbolts is generating major buzz as it brings together some of the MCU’s most complex anti-heroes. In fact, it’s the first time these characters come together on screen—offering fans a fresh, gritty dynamic.
It was also announced that Thunderbolts will appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars—clearly, this film is not one to be missed.
One Of Them Days
Release date: January 17, 2025
Starring Keke Palmer and SZA, this comedy is not only hilarious, it’s relatable too. It’s about two young women who must scramble to find rent money after one of their boyfriends blows through it all.
While it was already released last month, it’s said to be doing fairly well, bringing in $34.4 million in the box office already.
Big Boss Entertainment, One of Them Days (2025)
M3GAN 2.0
Release date: June 27, 2025
Taking Artificial Intelligence to the next level, M3GAN 2.0 sees an upgraded M3GAN who is built to fight a rivaling AI creation. The first one apparently did so well that they knew they were in for a sequel almost immediately. In fact, filmmaker James Wan had said he already “had an idea of where sequels would go".
Who knows just how far this pop culture fan favorite will go.
Atomic Monster, M3GAN 2.0 (2025)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release date: July 25, 2025
The MCU is the gift that keeps on giving. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the second reboot of the Fantastic Four film series, and the 37th film of the MCU. It will also be the first film, and start, of Phase Six of the MCU.
While Fantastic Four hasn’t always fared well with critics, Marvel is expecting this one to be victorious—especially with its ensemble cast, particularly Pedro Pascal.
Marvel, The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
The Bad Guys 2
Release date: August 1, 2025
The Bad Guys were a hit in 2022, and now they’re back—except this time they’ve gone “good". However, the struggle is real, and the Guys end up pulled back into the game for “one last job”—by an all-female squad of criminals.
Critics believe this one is surely going to be a favorite for younger moviegoers.
DreamWorks, The Bad Guys 2 (2025)
Sinners
Release date: March 7, 2025
This horror flick stars Michael B Jordan, who plays twin brothers who return home to find a greater evil awaiting them. The film is set in the 1930s and is said to be jam-packed with thrilling scenes that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat.
The teasing tagline is enough to draw major attention: “Dance with the devil, and he’ll follow you home".
Elio
Release date: June 13, 2025
Here’s another feel-good Pixar movie for you. Elio transports audiences into a whole new world. The imaginative underdog, Elio, is accidentally beamed up to the Communiverse and is mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador.
With fun and humor for both adults and children, Pixar has a great track record, and this one is expected to be no different.
F1
Release date: June 27, 2025
Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt gets behind the wheel and shows up his need for speed in F1—about a former F1 driver who returns to the track years after a horrible crash.
This action-packed sports drama has an incredible cast, and already has moviegoers theorizing how it’ll play out. The trailer got excellent reviews, and the budget was a whopping $300 million—so, let’s hope for a win.
Jurassic World: Rebirth
Release date: July 2, 2025
This highly anticipated Jurassic World film introduces new faces, with Hollywood beauty Scarlett Johansson being one of them. And the cast isn’t the only thing that changes in this one. The film takes a bold leap by introducing new settings and protagonists—but promises to wow audiences just the same.
Given the massive success of the Jurassic World franchise, no one is worried about the success of this one either.
Amblin Entertainment, Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)
Superman
Release date: July 11, 2025
Superman is yet another film that is said to be highly anticipated this year. The movie introduces a fresh take on Clark Kent, with David Corenswet as Superman, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. It will be the first instalment in the series Chapter One: Gods and Monsters and is set to launch a new era for DC.
Critics are already talking about the epic journey that is set to unfold on the big screen with this one.
TRON: Ares
Release date: October 10, 2025
TRON: Ares is a follow-up to the 1982 TRON and the 2010 sequel, TRON: Legacy. It follows a highly sophisticated program, Ares, who is sent on a dangerous mission from the digital world into the real world, marking humankind’s first encounter with AI beings.
This action-packed, exciting film builds upon the legacy of cutting-edge design, technology, and storytelling. And with a stacked cast, and the fact that AI is a hot topic at the moment, this film is said to be “quite the ride".
Walt Disney, Tron: Ares (2025)
Wicked: For Good
Release date: November 21, 2025
Wicked broke box office records only a year ago, even earning the Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement—so no one has any doubts that this sequel will win as well. Wicked: For Good picks up right where the first one left off, with Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, fully embracing her powers as a declared enemy of the state.
And while it is rather quick to launch a sequel, moviegoers couldn’t be happier.
Universal, Wicked: For Good (2025)
Avatar: Fire And Ash
Release date: December 19, 2025
If Wicked doesn’t do it for you, maybe Avatar will. Yet another highly anticipated film of the year, Avatar fans are dreading the long wait to December. Avatar: Fire and Ash is the third installment of the Avatar saga, and picks up three years after The Way of Water, giving a new perspective on the world of Pandora.
The sequel made history in 2022, becoming the third highest-grossing film of all time globally. And according to director James Cameron, this next one is a real treat: “You’ll see a lot more of Pandora that you’ve never seen before… We’re venturing into some really challenging territory for all the characters you know and love".
Twentieth Century, Avatar: Fire And Ash (2025)
Michael
Release date: October 3, 2025
At one point, there was a very lengthy miniseries made about Michael Jackson and his family’s rise to fame—but that was over three decades ago. Now, in 2025, the focus shifts solely to Michael, covering his life from start to finish, with the late star’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, playing the titular role.
Film producer Graham King included content about accusations made against Michael Jackson, but King said he wanted to “humanize but not sanitize and present the most compelling, unbiased story".
Saw XI
Release date: September 26, 2025
Audiences declared long ago that they’re always down to “play the game” when it comes to anything related to Saw—and this one will be number 11.
The success of Saw X was not very surprising, considering it was a return of what made the first Saw so well-received, and Saw XI is a continuation of that. Recent updates confirm that Tobin Bell, who has played the role of the supposedly moralistic Jigsaw for 20 years now, has returned for this one too—which excites fans that much more.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
Release date: February 12, 2025
The original Bridget Jones’s Diary came out in 2001, followed by Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason in 2004, and another sequel in 2016 called Bridget Jones’s Baby—and now Renee Zellweger is back again for a perfectly timed Valentine’s Day release.
This time, Bridget Jones navigates life as a widow and single mom, all whilst being pursued by a younger man—and possibly her son’s science teacher.
Universal, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)
Mortal Kombat 2
Release date: October 24, 2025
While critics and fans may have differing opinions, 2021’s Mortal Kombat did well enough to go ahead with a second one. This martial arts fantasy film is based on the video game series Mortal Kombat and has quite an incredible cast. In fact, actor Joe Taslim revealed that he is contracted for four additional Mortal Kombat films, if Warner Bros Pictures decides to create a franchise.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the fall release for this one.
New Line Cinema, Mortal Kombat 2 (2025)
Snow White And The Evil Queen
Release date: March 21, 2025
Disney is at it again with another classic live-action remake. And while some die-hard Disney fans are excited for this one—others have controversial opinions regarding the casting and overall look of the film. It’s hard to say whether fans are actually eager to see the film, or simply waiting to see if it’s any good.
The Daily Wire, Snow White and the Evil Queen (2025)
The Monkey
Release date: February 21, 2025
The Monkey is a horror comedy film based on the 1980 short story The Monkey by Stephen King—which tells you everything you need to know right there. But if that doesn’t entice you enough, Theo James stars as the twin brothers, who discover the vintage toy monkey in their father’s attic—which sets off a string of horrifying deaths.
Without getting into too much detail, this horror film is said to be top notch and worth a trip to the theater.
Atomic Monster, The Monkey (2025)
Nobody 2
Release date: August 15, 2025
Bob Odenkirk did such a phenomenal job as an assassin in 2021’s Nobody that fans were left wanting more. Luckily, he returns in Nobody 2, as Hutch Mansell, the suburban dad, and former lethal assassin, who gets pulled back into his violent past after a horrific home invasion that reveals secrets about his wife.
This action-packed film has fans eagerly waiting for the mid-summer release. Oh, and did we mention that Colin Hanks is joining the cast this round?
Freakier Friday
Release date: August 8, 2025
Get ready for another Freaky Friday! Lindsay Lohan is back and she is on fire. Not only has she completely revamped her image, she jumped back into Hollywood with a bang. The Freakier Friday sequel stars the original iconic duo, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, as well as many other stars from the original film—keeping the nostalgia in check.
Fans of this light-hearted comedy are looking forward to seeing just how well the movie does after so many years.
Den Of Thieves 2: Pantera
Release date: January 10, 2025
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is the sequel to 2018 heist film, Den of Thieves. It has an incredible cast, starring Gerard Butler, O’Shea Jackson Jr, 50 Cent, Meadow Williams, and more.
The end of the first one was begging for a sequel, so it's no surprise we finally got one—and critics are expecting it to easily live up to its name.
Eone Entertainment, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (2025)
In The Grey
Release date: January 17, 2025
Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill, and Eiza Gonzalez star in this new action thriller directed by Guy Ritchie, about two extraction specialists who have to designate a route of escape for a female negotiator. The film has all the makings of success, with a fantastic crew and a thrilling plot.
Guy Ritchie holds a strong reputation for success already, but the cast in this one is enough of an attention grabber, who cares what it's about?
Black Bear, In the Grey (2025)
Flight Risk
Release date: January 24, 2025
Mel Gibson directs this action thriller with yet another incredible cast, starring Mark Wahlberg, Topher Grace, and Michelle Dockery. Flight Risk is about a US Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) who transports a high-value witness (Topher Grace) to a trial across the Alaskan wilderness aboard a small plane—only to discover their pilot (Mark Wahlberg) is a hitman sent to eliminate them.
Do you really need more convincing? Mark Wahlberg fans have had this one on their list since its announcement.
Love Hurts
Release date: February 7, 2025
Don’t be fooled by the title—Love Hurts is less of a romance and more of a high-concept action film from the producers who brought you Bullet Train and The Fall Guy. As the trend seems to go, an unassuming realtor who has reformed his former life of crime gets pulled back into the life he promised to leave behind.
The Gorge
Release date: February 14, 2025
The Gorge seems like it might just be the perfect movie for a Valentine’s Day date. This romantic survival film boasts a little love and a little action as it tells the story of two highly-trained snipers protecting a mysterious gorge that holds a dangerous secret.
Skydance Media, The Gorge (2025)
28 Years Later
Release date: June 20, 2025
28 Years Later is a sequel to Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later—and it is one of the most highly anticipated horror films of the year. Actually, the trailer itself was the most-watched horror trailer in 2024, racking up over 60 million views worldwide.
The story picks up with survivors still living in a ruthless quarantine. While some have managed to live among the infected, a group living on a small island faces a terrifying new discovery.
This post-apocalyptic horror is a must-watch—especially considering its incredible cast.
Columbia, 28 Years Later (2025)
What Did We Miss?
This list is not exhaustive, there are still several fantastic and highly anticipated films coming out in 2025. While there’s plenty of superhero action, blockbuster thrills, and family-friendly fare—there are also some noteworthy indies and potential gems that might just be worth a try. What’s on your list for 2025?
Skydance Media, The Gorge (2025)
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