24 most anticipated movies coming out in 2025

To discover what Hollywood will offer in the coming year, most cinephiles go directly to July and December for the most anticipated movies. Those are the hottest seasons for the biggest blockbusters.

What makes 2025 so interesting is there are even some of those most anticipated films to begin the year. This should be a fantastic year at the movies, so when should we mark the dates on our calendars? More than time will tell.

Your movie friends at Bam Smack Pow have a few ideas listed each month. We did the research so you can have the fun. Enjoy this as a stocking stuffer.

Wolf Man (January 17)

Jason Blum is a bonafide sage when it comes to horror. Under the banner of his Blumhouse brand, Universal Pictures is enjoying a slow resurrection of their fledgling "Dark Universe" experiment.

Instead of firing the pomp and circumstance cannons, Blum took a more subtle and effective approach with his modern rendition of The Invisible Man. Five years later, the next classic monster to get the Blumhouse treatment is the Wolf Man. In January, it's must-see movie time.

Captain America: Brave New World (February 14)

Nothing quite says romance and PDA like a Captain America sequel, right? Even the Hulk is heart-colored red this time. Seriously, Marvel thought of everything.

It's been almost six years since Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) was given the mighty mantle of Steve Rogers. Now, we get to see him wield it and become the core Avenger he was destined to become. He will have serious obstacles in the film, as he is slotted to a tete-a-tete with The Leader, Red Hulk, and whoever the #$%* Giancarlo Esposito is playing.

Sinners (March 7)

The dream team of Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler, who first worked together in 2018s universally-acclaimed Marvel movie Black Panther, will reunite for this vampiric thriller/horror movie that looks set to chill audiences next March.

These trailers, which refreshingly reveal very little about the plot, look like nothing short of a Spring Break bonanza at the box office. Jordan and Coogler will be joined by Jack O’Connell, Delroy Lindo, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Wunmi Mosaku.

Snow White (March 21)

This Disney live-action remake hasn't been without controversies. Even so, the film arrives in movie theaters this coming spring. Whoever the fairest in the land will be, Disney hopes the countless families out there will "Heigh-Ho" all the way to the box office.

After all, they are approaching 20 live-action remakes of their animated classics, and only two -The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast - have risen above $500 million.

A Minecraft Movie (April 4)

Shortly after April Fools Day, the blockheads of gaming lore will make it to the big screen. Emma Meyers, Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Jennifer Coolidge are among the stars in A Minecraft Movie. Although the plot has been successfully kept a secret, the hype is real for this latest gaming movie. We know the Overworld is involved, as well as some farcical quest a la Jumanji.

To date, this franchise has earned over $3 billion, so Mojang Studios is hoping to add another "one" to the mix in a couple of months.

Mickey 17 (April 18)

The last time we heard from Korean director Bong Joon-ho was at the beginning of 2020 when he was awarded a wheelbarrow of Oscars for his monumental film Parasite. Fortunately, fans first heard that his new space comedy would be released in December 2022. Then, it was supposed to come out in March 2024. For a moment, it was slated for a flight in global theaters in January 2025. And now, it's April.

Let's hope Robert Pattinson is enough to make hopeful moviegoers remember they cared three years ago.

Thunderbolts (May 5)

Marvel is putting the band back together. Well, kinda. Yelena Belova/the new Black Widow (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Alexei Shosatkov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), U.S. Agent John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) band together, seemingly against Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (and perhaps even the "band's" namesake, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross).

This one is getting positive early buzz, so let's hope Marvel's unlikely band of not-heroes deliver this summer. Prepare for a power-packed comedy with plenty of Easter Eggs along the way.

Lilo & Stitch (May 23)

Another live-action attempt to recoil on animation magic. We'll finally get to see the crash-landed alien in a real-world setting as he is discovered by an adorable Hawai'ian native,
Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha).

Will their island hijinks bring people to the theater? It's a Disney movie. Of course, it will. Now will it be profitable? That's a different story.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (May 23)

As the trailer synopsis states, "Our lives are the sum of our choices." Tom Cruise is back running full speed like a gazelle in front of a camera as super spy Ethan Hunt because we have chosen to watch this movie every time it comes out. Fortunately for Cruise's insurance carrier, this is the "final reckoning," so it should have a sad ending. Yet, with the full team joining Cruise - Haley Atwell (Grace), Simon Pegg (Benji), Vanessa Kirby (Alanna), Ving Rhames (Luther), Pom Klementieff (Paris), and Esai Morales (Gabriel) - the action never disappoints.

P.S. Notice the release date. Good luck with that, Disney.

Karate Kid: Legends (May 30)

The Ralph Macchio retirement plan is in full swing. Now that the highly successful nostalgic trip Cobra Kai has culminated on Netflix, why not try one last time on the big screen?

We have the newer Mr. Miyagi named Mr. Han and the same ol' Daniel-san. It's a recipe that keeps on baking with positive results. No reason to think this won't work in the middle of the 2025 blockbuster season.

Ballerina (June 6)

The spin-off from the exhilarating John Wick universe begins here with Ana de Armas trained by the Ruska Roma. It's the criminal subterranean outfit led by the "Director" (Anjelica Huston) in John Wick 3: Parabellum.

There's no telling where this neo-noir action bomb will blow in June, but one thing is certain: It will be a colossal boom if it follows the Keanu Reeves formula. (He, by the way, will also be in the movie.)

Elio (June 13)

When Pixar is on the slate, smiles always greet it at the door. Their latest computer animation wonderland is actually in space with Elio (Yonas Kibreab), who ends up becoming the "Ambassador of Earth" following a casual alien abduction. There is bound to be a psychosocial balance with a heart-wrenching score and an introspective look that will connect with all of us, and somehow — as it goes with Disney and Pixar — some parent will have to die. Nice family fun.

How to Train Your Dragon (June 13)

Dreamworks won't miss the golden ticket sales for an animated film gone real-life action smorgasbord in 2025. Here comes what may be their most engrossing franchise south of Shrek. We meet Hiccup (Mason Thames), his clan leader dad Stoick (Gerard Butler, with a real beard), and even a CGI doppelganger of Toothless.

Directed by Dean DeBlois again, the heartstrings should be singing a familiar tune to the cash registers when How To Train Your Dragon arrives in movie theaters around the world.

F1 (June 25)

Remember Top Gun: Maverick? The veritas, the stunts, the cinematography, and the writing? Its producer, Lewis Hamilton, made a film about Formula 1 Racing, which is now experiencing a healthy uptick in TV ratings.

To ensure it piques the interest outside the F1 crowd, it stars Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Damian Idris, and Tobias Menzies. F1 very well may be more than a testosterone circus; it may become a good movie.

Jurassic World: Rebirth (July 2)

We'll be almost five years past Jurassic World Dominion and velociraptors going door-to-door soliciting for lunch when the next installment in the franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth, comes to the big screen. This new journey, directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Star Wars: Rogue One, The Creator), features a new cast en route to a new region to extract DNA from some new prehistoric creatures.

Starring Johnathan Bailey, Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Ed Skrein, this should earn close to the magic $1B threshold, likely starting a brand new chapter in the legendary franchise that may never become extinct.

Superman (July 11)

It cannot be overstated enough - the life of DC Comics at the movies (along with WBD getting them there) and James Gunn as a genius is on the line when Superman hits theaters. David Corenswet (Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Nathan Fillion (Green Lantern, Guy Gardner), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Frank Grillo (Rick Flag), Wendell Pierce (Perry White), and even a cameo from Will Reeve will all work tirelessly to make this film everything it is hoped (and prayed) to become.

It should break $750 million out of curiosity alone. If it does, it will be the most successful standalone Superman movie yet, and that could very well launch the DC Universe on a high note. Will it be up, up, and away for the Man of Steel?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25)

Although the anticipation of nerds worldwide is resting for July 11, two weeks later, another film will be placed under massive scrutiny. To say any depiction of Marvel Comics' first family has been underwhelming is an understatement. Kevin Feige knows it and plans to do something about it. His cast is stellar with Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm), and Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm). And then there's that Robert Downey, Jr. guy. He should create some interest and bring in the money. Who knows? Who is he supposed to be again?

Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Movie (August 8)

Those three words bring in Hollywood stars to appear and many of their fans to buy tickets. This will be Paul Thomas Anderson's tenth project but his first to appear in IMAX. The cinematography and slow, sweeping vistas promise to fill the screen with momentous views. Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Wood Harris, Alana Haim, and Chase Infiniti are rumored to be involved in this tale.

He's earned every award but one with Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, The Master, and There Will Be Blood. This could be the one for the Oscars to give him "Best Director."

Thread: An Insidious Tale (August 29)

Jason Blum is back in 2025; this time, he's continuing the storyline of one of his best, Insidious. Interest and ticket sales went south since the novel film in 2010. It's lasted until 2023 with Insidious: The Red Door (pictured above), but Jason Blum has promised a return to its terrorizing glory. Will he make it?

Who knows, but a horror movie in the summer should up the ante for public discourse and attendance.

The Bride (September 26)

Directed by Maggie Gyllenhall, The Bride is a modern take on Dr. Frankenstein's monster (Christian Bale) getting a companion. (Of course, he's giving Jared Leto's Joker vibes, but ignore that for now.) She plans to take us back to 1935 with the gothic tale about the resurrected murdered woman (Jessie Buckley).

Other names in the film with untold roles are Maggie's brother Jake, Peter Sarsgaard, and Annette Bening. Whether it's PG-13 or R, this movie should be an interesting journey into the human psyche.

Michael (October 3)

Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer franchise, King Arthur), this may be the beginning of the Oscar discussion for 2026. This man knows how to make a film that draws a person in. He understands how to tell a gritty story. And he's not at all bashful with stirring controversy. Well, a Michael Jackson biopic promises to do all those things.

Michael's real-life nephew Jaafar is starring in the titular role, and he will be joined by Colman Domingo (Joe Jackson), Larenz Tate (Berry Gordy), Jessica Sula (LaToya Jackson), Kat Graham (Diana Ross), Derek Luke (Johnnie Cochran), and Kendrick Sampson (Quincy Jones). Without question, this film will own the news cycle up to Halloween.

TRON: Ares (October 10)

Jeff Bridges is back for this journey of technophilia, but he's bringing Jared Leto and Cameron Monaghan (who both coincidentally played The Joker in different DC projects).

While we don't know much about this third installment into Flynn's arcade and digital phantasm, they are tackling A.I. (Leto is the errant program) seeking to hack into humanity and possibly seek and destroy.

Wicked: Part Two (November 21)

The buzz from Emerald City began six months ago. The tickets are selling like a garage sale right now. And we are already anticipating the sequel. The cast and crew is coming back for Wicked: Part Two to bring us the regaled second act of the triumphant stage production. If you have seen it, you know this one will be wildly successful under the lead of the ingenue Cynthia Erivo.

Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19)

Here we go again. James Cameron returns to climb the Mount of "Most Profitable Movies of All Time." Given the intrigue he has surmised in the Avatar franchise to date, ticket sales will surpass $1.5 billion, and he will shock the world again with the wonder of Pandora.

Say what you will; James Cameron makes mesmerizing movies. This should be no exception.

Which 2025 movie are you most excited to see arrive on the big screen?