Movies in 2025 are set to dominate the box office like never before, with Hollywood preparing an unprecedented lineup of blockbusters and franchise revivals. After a relatively quiet 2024 where only two films crossed the billion-dollar mark, 2025 is shaping up to be a cinematic explosion.

Get ready for upcoming movies 2025 featuring iconic franchises and fresh stories alike. From James Gunn’s “Superman” introducing David Corenswet as a younger, more optimistic Man of Steel to “28 Years Later” marking Danny Boyle’s return with a staggering $75 million budget (compared to the original’s $8 million). Additionally, new movies 2025 will bring “F1” with Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends, while “Fantastic Four” returns to theaters for the first time in 20 years with Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby. If that’s not enough, movies 2025 will also deliver “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the third installment in James Cameron’s record-breaking franchise, scheduled for December.

Superman

James Gunn’s highly anticipated “Superman” leads the pack of new movies 2025 with a reported budget of $225 million, though Gunn himself has disputed this figure. This reboot marks the first film in the DC Universe (DCU) produced by DC Studios and sets a fresh direction for the iconic character.

Superman key features

“Superman” flies into theaters on July 11, 2025, with special early screenings available to Amazon Prime members on July 8. Unlike previous iterations, this film skips the origin story, instead focusing on Clark Kent’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing in Smallville, Kansas. Furthermore, the film takes inspiration from the comic book All-Star Superman (2005-2008) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, among other classic Superman stories.

Superman cast highlights

The film introduces a stellar ensemble cast:

David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent, portrayed as approximately 25 years old
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, described as “fiercely intelligent” and feisty
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Superman’s arch-nemesis and LuthorCorp CEO
Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, a Justice Gang member with wings and melee weapons
Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, described as a “fearless, overconfident jerk”

Superman director’s vision

James Gunn, known for “Guardians of the Galaxy,” serves as both writer and director. Gunn envisions Superman as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way” and “kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned”. Consequently, this approach emphasizes hope and compassion rather than the darker tone of previous adaptations. In particular, Gunn was inspired by Superman’s dual heritage—aristocratic Kryptonian parents versus adoptive farmer parents—which fundamentally shapes the character’s development.

Superman anticipation level

Anticipation for “Superman” continues to build, especially following the release of the final trailer on June 11, 2025. The film establishes a world where metahumans have been public knowledge for roughly 300 years, creating a rich backdrop for upcoming movies 2025 within the DCU. Specifically, this Superman exists in a universe with a “Justice Gang” rather than a Justice League, setting the stage for future interconnected stories in movies 2025.

28 Years Later

Danny Boyle’s long-awaited horror sequel “28 Years Later” marks one of the most anticipated returns in movies 2025, arriving almost a quarter-century after the original film shocked audiences with its reinvention of the zombie genre.

28 Years Later key features

“28 Years Later” reaches theaters on June 20, 2025 with a substantial $75 million budget, significantly larger than the original film’s modest cost. Set exactly 10,228 days after the Rage virus outbreak, the story follows survivors quarantined on a heavily guarded island off Britain’s coast. The film employs innovative production techniques, including filming with multiple iPhones simultaneously and utilizing a 2.76:1 widescreen aspect ratio to create an immersive horror experience. Moreover, “28 Years Later” serves as the first installment in a planned trilogy, with its sequel “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” already filmed and scheduled for release in January 2026.

28 Years Later cast highlights

The impressive ensemble includes Jodie Comer as Isla, a woman suffering from memory loss; Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie, a scavenger and Isla’s husband; and Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson, a survivor of the original outbreak. Newcomer Alfie Williams plays 12-year-old Spike, Jamie and Isla’s son, who embarks on a dangerous mainland journey. Jack O’Connell portrays Sir Jimmy Crystal, a mysterious cult leader, while Cillian Murphy, star of the original film, serves as executive producer.

28 Years Later director’s vision

Danny Boyle reunites with screenwriter Alex Garland, the creative team behind the 2003 original. Boyle opted for a “wholly different approach” that explores what happens after nearly three decades of isolation. In fact, rather than expanding the virus globally as traditional sequels might, they narrowed their focus to examine post-Brexit Britain, creating what Boyle describes as a more “challenging” film that won’t match audience expectations.

28 Years Later anticipation level

Excitement for this horror sequel continues to build, with pre-sales surpassing $34 million in just 24 hours, making it the “best horror pre-seller of 2025”. Additionally, the film currently ranks as the most anticipated release of 2025 on Letterboxd, fueled by positive response to its chilling teaser trailer featuring Rudyard Kipling’s war poem “Boots”.

F1

Apple Original Films’ racing drama “F1” represents one of the most ambitious productions among upcoming movies 2025, blending Hollywood storytelling with authentic Formula 1 racing action in unprecedented ways.

F1 key features

“F1” races into theaters on June 25, 2025 internationally and June 27, 2025 in North America, strategically timed just before the Austrian Grand Prix. The film follows Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a former F1 driver who returns to the sport after a career-ending crash in the 1990s to mentor rookie Joshua Pearce at the fictional APXGP team. Remarkably, the production integrated with actual F1 race weekends, creating a fully functional “11th team” alongside the real competitors. The team operated out of a genuine pit garage with its own modified F2 cars featuring special camera mounts. Additionally, filming took place at iconic circuits including Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Las Vegas, and Monza.

F1 cast highlights

Brad Pitt headlines as Sonny Hayes, described as “a nomadic racer-for-hire” who gets a second chance in F1. Damson Idris portrays Joshua “Noah” Pearce, the talented rookie driver who becomes both Hayes’ protégé and rival. The ensemble includes Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes, the APXGP team owner who convinces Hayes to return, Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna, the team’s technical director, and Tobias Menzies as Peter Banning, a board member. Furthermore, the film features cameos from actual F1 drivers including Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and team principals.

F1 director’s vision

Director Joseph Kosinski, fresh off “Top Gun: Maverick,” aimed to create “the most authentic, realistic, and grounded racing movie ever made”. To achieve this, he developed miniature IMAX-certified cameras mounted directly in the cockpits. Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton served as a key producer, reviewing the script “line by line, turn by turn, tire compound by tire compound” to ensure accuracy. Notably, both Pitt and Idris performed much of their own driving after extensive training, with Hamilton confirming Pitt’s natural ability behind the wheel.

F1 anticipation level

Industry expectations for “F1” are exceptionally high, with many team principals comparing its potential impact to Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” series, which they credit with “transforming” Formula 1’s popularity. Special fan-first premiere screenings will occur at 25 IMAX locations globally on June 23. The film will be accompanied by “F1 The Album” featuring artists like Ed Sheeran and ROSÉ. As a testament to the film’s cultural impact, the F1 25 video game will include the fictional APXGP team’s livery and scenarios, further blurring the line between cinema and motorsport for new movies 2025.

Jurassic World Rebirth

The seventh installment in the iconic dinosaur franchise, “Jurassic World Rebirth” roars back to theaters as one of the most anticipated movies in 2025, with a fresh story and entirely new cast of characters.

Jurassic World Rebirth key features

“Jurassic World Rebirth” stomps into theaters on July 2, 2025 with a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes. Set five years after “Jurassic World Dominion,” the story unfolds in a world where dinosaurs have become largely extinct except in isolated equatorial regions with climates resembling their original habitats. The plot centers on a covert mission to collect DNA from the three most colossal prehistoric creatures—from land, sea, and air—that hold the key to a revolutionary drug capable of saving countless human lives. Essentially, the team finds themselves stranded on a forbidden island that once housed an undisclosed research facility for Jurassic Park, where they encounter mutated dinosaurs that have thrived in isolation for decades. Among these creatures is the terrifying Distortus rex, a deformed, alien-like mutant Tyrannosaurus with six limbs inspired by xenomorphs from the Alien franchise.

Jurassic World Rebirth cast highlights

The stellar ensemble features Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett, a skilled covert operations expert who leads the dangerous mission. Johansson, a self-proclaimed “massive Jurassic fan,” personally approached Steven Spielberg about joining the franchise. Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali plays Duncan Kincaid, Zora’s trusted team leader, meanwhile Jonathan Bailey portrays Dr. Henry Loomis, a paleontologist essential to the mission. The cast also includes Rupert Friend as Martin Krebs, a pharmaceutical representative, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Reuben Delgado, the father of a shipwrecked civilian family who becomes entangled in the adventure.

Jurassic World Rebirth director’s vision

Director Gareth Edwards, known for “Godzilla” and “Rogue One,” describes the project as “the only movie that would make me drop everything like a stone and dive right in”. Subsequently, Edwards aimed to capture the spirit of the original film, calling “Jurassic Park” a “horror film in the witness protection program”. Undoubtedly, his approach emphasizes practical effects wherever possible, with dinosaurs created through a mixture of animatronics and CGI. The screenplay comes from David Koepp, who wrote the original “Jurassic Park” (1993) and “The Lost World” (1997), returning to the franchise after decades.

Jurassic World Rebirth anticipation level

Presently, projections show “Jurassic World Rebirth” tracking for a strong domestic 5-day opening weekend of $115-135 million, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the franchise regardless of critical reception. The first trailer, released on February 5, 2025, generated substantial buzz, with Empire magazine describing the film as “visually stunning” and reminiscent of the first “Jurassic Park”. Given that “Jurassic World Dominion” grossed over $1 billion despite negative reviews, expectations remain high for one of the biggest upcoming movies 2025.

Wicked: For Good

The musical fantasy saga continues as “Wicked: For Good” arrives to conclude one of the most anticipated movies in 2025, promising an emotional finale to the untold story of the witches of Oz.

Wicked: For Good key features

“Wicked: For Good” premieres on November 21, 2025, exactly one year after the first film’s release. The story picks up immediately where Part One left off, with Elphaba fully embracing her role as the Wicked Witch of the West while Glinda becomes the glamorous symbol of goodness for all of Oz. Accordingly, the plot follows Elphaba living in exile within the Ozian forest, continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals while desperately trying to expose the truth about The Wizard. First thing to remember, this second film explores the darker, more complex themes of the musical’s second act, as Jon M. Chu refers to this installment as containing “the meat of what Wicked is all about”. Equally important, the film introduces two brand-new songs written specifically for the adaptation by Stephen Schwartz.

Wicked: For Good cast highlights

The entire principal cast returns, headed by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good. Additionally, the ensemble includes Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar, Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp. Hence, supporting roles feature Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Glinda’s assistants Pfannee and ShenShen, with Sharon D. Clarke voicing Elphaba’s childhood nanny, Dulcibear.

Wicked: For Good director’s vision

Director Jon M. Chu filmed both parts back-to-back during 2023, only to face interruption from the SAG-AFTRA strikes before recommencing in January 2024. Primarily, Chu aims to deliver a darker tone in this sequel, telling Variety, “It gets messy… if [audience members] are following the emotions of this movie, they’ll walk with us”. Otherwise, Chu’s approach to Dorothy Gale’s role is intentionally expanded beyond the stage musical, noting they “tread lightly, but try to make more sense of how it impacts our girls and our characters”.

Wicked: For Good anticipation level

The first trailer, released June 4, 2025, generated substantial excitement, amassing 113 million views in its first 24 hours, surpassing the 75 million views of the first film’s trailer. Thus, expectations remain high following the success of Part One, which earned 10 Academy Award nominations, won Oscars for Costume Design and Production Design, and has grossed $750 million worldwide. Overall, the sequel is positioned to deliver an emotional conclusion where “Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time” as one of the most anticipated new movies 2025.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Detective Benoit Blanc returns to solve his darkest case yet in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” one of the most intriguing movies 2025 offers with its shift toward a more serious, gothic-inspired tone.

Knives Out 3 key features

“Wake Up Dead Man” premieres on December 12, 2025 as the third installment in Rian Johnson’s mystery franchise. Filmed outside London during summer 2024, the story follows Blanc as he tackles what he describes as “the impossible crime” that was “dressed as a miracle, but it’s just a murder”. The title comes from a 1997 U2 song from their album “Pop”, yet Johnson notes he “first heard the phrase in American folk music”. Primarily, this entry distinguishes itself through its darker religious themes, evident in the gothic typeface used for marketing materials and the churchyard setting. Production officially began on June 10, 2024, and wrapped on August 17, 2024.

Knives Out 3 cast highlights

Daniel Craig returns as the Southern detective alongside an entirely new ensemble. The stellar cast includes:

Josh O’Connor as Reverend Jud Duplenticy
Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix
Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks
Mila Kunis as Geraldine Scott, a sheriff character
Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack and Thomas Haden Church in various roles

Initially, Close described working on the film as “truly one of the best experiences of my life”.

Knives Out 3 director’s vision

Rian Johnson, returning as writer-director, emphasizes his excitement about exploring different tones within the whodunit genre. “There’s a whole tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie, and getting to explore that range is one of the most exciting things about making Benoit Blanc movies,” Johnson explained. In contrast to “Glass Onion,” Johnson is advocating for a wider theatrical release, stating “I want this in as many theaters for as long as possible”.

Knives Out 3 anticipation level

Netflix acquired the rights to the “Knives Out” franchise in a reported $400 million deal that included this third film. Currently, Johnson is publicly challenging Netflix’s limited theatrical release strategy, with Craig supporting his push for a longer cinema run. After all, the film represents Johnson’s continued homage to Agatha Christie, creating “a whole new mystery, a whole new location, all new cast, whole new mechanics” as another standout among upcoming movies 2025.

The Phoenician Scheme

Wes Anderson’s signature meticulous style takes center stage in “The Phoenician Scheme,” a quirky espionage dark comedy among the most visually distinctive movies 2025 has to offer.

The Phoenician Scheme key features

“The Phoenician Scheme” arrives in theaters on May 30, 2025 in the United States (May 29 in Germany) following its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Set in 1950-1951, the story follows Anatole “Zsa-zsa” Korda (Benicio del Toro), an Onassis-like tycoon who survives numerous assassination attempts. After a near-death experience, he summons his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton), a novitiate nun, to become heir to his business empire. Primarily, the narrative centers on Korda’s attempts to realize his magnum opus—an ambitious infrastructure project in the fictional country of Phoenicia. Yet underneath lies a moving father-daughter tale exploring redemption and family bonds.

The Phoenician Scheme cast highlights

The film features Anderson’s trademark ensemble:

Benicio del Toro as Anatole “Zsa-zsa” Korda, one of Europe’s wealthiest men
Mia Threapleton as Liesl, his daughter preparing to take vows at a convent
Michael Cera as Bjorn, an entomologist and paid companion
Benedict Cumberbatch as Uncle Nubar, Korda’s estranged half-brother

In addition to this core group, the cast includes Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, and Bill Murray.

The Phoenician Scheme director’s vision

Anderson crafted this story after the death of his father-in-law, Lebanese businessman Fouad Malouf, to whom the film is dedicated. Fundamentally, he wanted to explore a father who “realizes that actually his giant business plan is a ritual, a scheme to get [his daughter]”. The director filmed at Babelsberg Studio in Germany between March and June 2024, collaborating with cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel and frequent composer Alexandre Desplat.

The Phoenician Scheme anticipation level

Critics have generally embraced the film, with 78% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Metacritic assigned it a score of 69 out of 100, indicating “generally favorable” reviews. At this point, audiences surveyed by PostTrak gave it an 81% positive score, with 62% saying they would definitely recommend it.

Sinners

Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” stands as one of the most culturally impactful movies in 2025, blending Southern Gothic horror with musical elements to create a bloody, genre-defying masterpiece.

Sinners key features

“Sinners” premiered on April 18, 2025, following its April 3 debut at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City. Set in 1932 Mississippi Delta, the film follows identical twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan), former soldiers who return to their hometown after working for Al Capone in Chicago. Their plan to open a juke joint in a disused sawmill collides with supernatural horror when three white vampires singing Irish folk songs arrive, unleashing a gruesome clash between the living and undead. The film’s most electric sequence features Sammie’s music creating a phantasmagoria where African drummers, Afrofuturist guitarists, and Chinese dancers converge across time.

Sinners cast highlights

Michael B. Jordan delivers a remarkable dual performance as the “Smokestack” brothers, with distinct personalities for stern Smoke and charismatic Stack. Newcomer Miles Caton makes his acting debut as Sammie, their cousin and a talented musician whose uncommon abilities connect eras and segments of the diaspora. The ensemble includes Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim, Wunmi Mosaku as Annie (a Hoodoo practitioner), Hailee Steinfeld as Mary (Stack’s white-passing ex-girlfriend), and Jayme Lawson as Pearline. Jack O’Connell portrays Remmick, an Irish vampire whose twisted gospel of fellowship drives the horror elements.

Sinners director’s vision

Coogler shot the film on 65mm using IMAX 15-perf and Ultra Panavision 70 cameras, alternating between 1.43:1 and 2.76:1 aspect ratios. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to shoot a feature film in large format with an IMAX camera. Throughout the narrative, Coogler explores themes central to his career: African folklore, America’s racial history, decimated Black families, Black freedom, and the binding power of music. Filming took place in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, with locations authentically representing the Mississippi Delta.

Sinners anticipation level

“Sinners” has grossed $359 million worldwide, becoming the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2025. Critics have embraced the film with near-universal acclaim, currently holding 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its opening weekend exceeded expectations, dropping only 8% in its second weekend—a remarkable achievement compared to typical 20-30% drops for blockbusters. Audiences particularly praised the film’s authentic portrayal of hoodoo practices and its exploration of community during the Jim Crow era.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Tom Cruise’s legendary Ethan Hunt character prepares for what might be his final mission in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” arguably the most expensive entry among movies in 2025.

Mission: Impossible 8 key features

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” arrives in theaters on May 23, 2025 after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival where it received a five-minute standing ovation. With an enormous budget between $300-400 million, it ranks among the most expensive films ever made. In view of its status as a direct sequel to “Dead Reckoning Part One,” the story follows Ethan Hunt as he works to prevent the Entity, a malevolent AI, from unleashing nuclear armageddon. The film’s most spectacular sequences take place deep underwater in a submarine and high in the air with biplanes, offering what director McQuarrie calls “a sort of Ian Fleming and Buster Keaton hybrid” of action choreography.

Mission: Impossible 8 cast highlights

Tom Cruise returns as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, coupled with an extensive ensemble including Hayley Atwell as Grace, Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn, and Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell. The impressive supporting cast features Esai Morales as villain Gabriel, Pom Klementieff as Paris, and Henry Czerny returning as Kittridge. To this end, Angela Bassett elevates her role from CIA Director to President of the United States, with critics noting she “delivers one of the most emotionally charged portrayals in the franchise”. The ensemble expands with Nick Offerman as General Sidney, Hannah Waddingham as Admiral Neely, and Tramell Tillman as Captain Bledsoe.

Mission: Impossible 8 director’s vision

Christopher McQuarrie directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Erik Jendresen. As can be seen in the final product, McQuarrie prioritized exposition to ensure audiences could follow the story without having seen previous installments, noting “we don’t want it to be work. We want it to be an experience”. On balance, this approach resulted in what some critics called “the worst segment in the entire franchise” for the first hour, though the film “recovers as much as it does” through spectacular action sequences.

Mission: Impossible 8 anticipation level

“The Final Reckoning” has grossed $457 million worldwide, becoming the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2025 with the largest opening weekend of the franchise. In truth, critical reception has been mixed—while many praise the underwater submarine sequence as “breathtaking” and the biplane chase as “thrilling”, others note the film takes itself too seriously compared to previous entries.

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