When all major movies were postponed in 2020, the world wondered if going to the cinema would ever return. Now that we’re in the post-Barbenheimer era, movies are coming back in a big way. In case you haven’t noticed, 2023 and 2024 were both great years for movies, but 2025 is set to be the most epic year for movies in a very long time. If there’s still any lingering doubt that movies aren’t fully back, a look at the 2025 lineup will tell you otherwise.
As the new year approaches, here’s our ranking of the 15 most anticipated movies of 2025. Sequels, reboots, and even great new movies in every genre. If you see even half of them in theaters, it will be a very memorable year.
15. Tron: Ares
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It’s been 15 years since Tron: Legacy returned to the virtual world first introduced in the groundbreaking 1982 film Tron. As the third entry in this very spaced-out sci-fi series, Ares promises to take things in a different direction. Jared Leto stars as a new AI called “Ares” who leaves the virtual grid for the human world. Jeff Bridges is set to return as Flynn, but it has yet to be announced whether Tron himself, Bruce Boxleitner, will return. (Never forget that “Tron” is the name of the character, not the name of the world!)
The excellent Greta Lee (Russian Doll) also stars as Eve Kim, a programmer who teams up with Ares in Tron: Ares. The film will also feature all-new original music by Nine Inch Nails. Yes, you read that correctly. Somehow, Daft Punk, who scored Legacy, came out on top.
Tron: Ares will be released in theaters on October 10th.
14. Avatar: Fire and Ash
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Remember what happened at the end of 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water? Does it matter? James Cameron’s big spectacle continues, but the planet Pandora will never be the same. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and the rest of the Na’vi gang are back for a fully immersive dive into this beloved otherworld.
But this isn’t the last ride. There are (at least) two more Avatars planned after Fire and Ash hits theaters. Avatar 4 will be released in 2029 and Avatar 5 in 2031. Tighten your straps. It’s going to be a long journey. And if it seems like it’s going to take too long for more avatars to appear, don’t worry. Director James Cameron will totally find a way to age the audience.
Avatar: Fire and Ash will be released in theaters on December 19th.
13. Cleaner
Daisy Ridley is back, this time starring in her own version of Die Hard. On a serious note, the upcoming movie The Cleaner stars Ridley as Joey Locke, a window cleaner who must stop terrorists (led by Clive Owen) from suddenly taking over a high-rise building. The film appears to be an action-packed, high-octane survival film that aims to prove once and for all that Ridley’s status as an action hero in Star Wars was no fluke.
Still not convinced that this is going to be great? The Cleaner is directed by Martin Campbell, the same guy who directed Daniel Craig’s first James Bond movie, Casino Royale.
“Cleaner” will be released in theaters on February 21st.
12. Running Man
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A reboot of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 film of the same name, The Running Man is essentially the original Hunger Games. Based on the 1982 novel written by Stephen King (pen name “Richard Bachman”), the story takes place in a dystopian future in which the titular “Running Man” is trapped in a sadistic game show. and must fight to survive. The original film was a cult classic, but this remake might be even better. Glen Powell leads the cast, which also includes Lee Pace, Josh Brolin, Daniel Ezra, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Emilia Jones, and Katie O’Brien.
The new Running Man will be directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver fame, so this version will be stylish, scary, and totally unique.
“Running Man” will be released in theaters on November 7th.
11. Predator: Badlands
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The latest installment of the Predator series, starring Elle Fanning, takes action into a mysterious future. Not much is known yet about how director Dan Trachtenberg will connect this film with his previous films, but considering how great 2022’s Predator prequel (Prey) was, this series is It is no exaggeration to say that things are progressing smoothly.
There are a ton of fake fan-made trailers out there right now, all of which make you think Arnold might be returning for this movie. But at this time it has not been confirmed…or denied.
“Predator: Badlands” will be released in theaters on November 7th.
10. Mickey 17
The release date has been pushed back multiple times, but this trippy new sci-fi movie is finally here. Starring Robert Pattison as the titular disposable clone, Mickey 17 looks like it’ll combine a high-concept premise with a healthy dose of humor.
The film is written and directed by Bong Joon-ho, who also created Snowpiercer, so we can expect some dark social commentary. Either way, this looks like a big hit.
“Mickey 17” will be released in theaters on March 7th.
9. Captain America: Brave New World
A subtle reset button for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: The Brave New World is, in some ways, the first true Avengers-like movie since Ant-Man: Quantumania and Marvel’s It’s a movie. But this time around, Marvel seems to be going back to basics.
Harrison Ford has been cast as Thaddeus Ross (previously played by William Hurt), and trailers have already revealed that he will transform into Red Hulk. The reigning Captain America, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), is perhaps the coolest looking character in the MCU to date. Finally, it looks like they got his suit right. Need a reminder of what happened with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in 2021? It might be a good idea to revisit the Disney+ series, but we’re not too worried about it. The future of the MCU will begin here.
“Captain America: Brave New World” will be released in theaters on February 14th.
8. Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning
Incredibly, the next Mission: Impossible movie starring Tom Cruise may actually be the last. Following the events of Dead Reckoning (2023), the IMF team is pitted against a murderous AI that can predict their every move.
But the truth is, if you’re looking at the plot of this upcoming Mission: Impossible movie, that might not be the best idea. We all know that the real appeal of each of these movies is seeing what outrageous stunt Cruise will attempt next. I hope the final mission is the most over-the-top.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will be released in theaters on May 23rd.
7. Jurassic World: Rebirth
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The Jurassic series is not extinct, at least not yet. No one quite knew what was going to happen to our favorite cloned dinosaurs after Colin Trevorrow’s quasi-trilogy ended. Gareth Edwards, the director of Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One (2016), is set to star in yet another reboot set after Jurassic World: Dominion. Will the dinosaurs be able to survive and rampage again?
With Jurassic World: Rebirth ditching nostalgia in favor of exciting storytelling, it looks like this sequel/reboot could be the next great Jurassic movie we’ve all been waiting for. Plus, with Scarlett Johansson in the lead role, the velociraptors may finally have a shot.
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” will be released in theaters on July 2nd.
6.F1
Based on true events in the world of F1 racing, this docudrama stars Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kelly Condon, Javier Bardem, and several real-life F1 drivers and teams.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the action in this movie is incredible, and people are already talking about the actual stunt driving that was done to make this movie as realistic as possible. Kosinski’s last major film was “Top Gun: Maverick.” This is his follow-up. This is going to be a big deal.
F1 will be released in theaters on June 27, 2025.
5. Fantastic Four: First Steps
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There have been three major Fantastic Four movies this century alone, but the new film First Steps marks the first time the famous super quartet will be part of a major Marvel Cinematic Universe continuity. . No trailer has been released yet, but the retro-style art reveals that the film is set in an alternate 1960s era.
Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic (He’s Bend), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (She’s Invisible), and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm ( He plays The Thing (It’s Time to Clean) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays The Thing (It’s Time to Clean). !). The film also stars Natasha Lyonne, John Malkovich, and Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer.
Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released in theaters on July 25th.
4. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
We may never get John Wick 5, but Ana de Armas’ new spinoff Ballerina could very well be the next best thing. Ever since her appearances in No Time to Die and again in The Gray Man, we’ve been waiting for de Armas to get her own action movie. Now, it’s finally happening and the trailer looks great.
As expected, de Armas has already said some interesting things about the making of the film, including a big action scene involving him wielding a flamethrower. “I think I burned 106 people. The only time I cry is with the first guy,” she said in an interview. “The remaining 105 people were fine.”
With Keanu Reeves joining the cast as John Wick, it looks like Ballerina could continue as a series without its most famous character. I’m looking forward to it here.
“Ballerina” will be released in theaters on June 6th.
3. 28 years later
In 2002, Cillian Murphy became a true star in Danny Boyle’s modern zombie classic 28 Days Later. Now, 23 years later, the sequel 28 Years Later returns to the zombie world in a big way. 28 Years Later reunites Boyle with screenwriter Alex Garland, with Cillian Murphy serving as executive producer.
Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes are in the cast, and it’s interesting to see whether Murphy himself will return. So far, rumors about Murphy returning as a zombie have been proven false. We’ll just have to wait and see.
“28 Years Later” will be released in theaters on June 25th.
2. Thunderbolt*
A collection of Marvel rogues, the Thunderbolts* combine characters from different aspects of the MCU. It features the return of Yelena (Florence Pugh) and Red Guardian (David Harbour), who previously appeared in Black Widow (2021), but Yelena also appeared in Hawkeye. Ta. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and another Captain America, John Walker (Wyatt Russell), will also reprise their roles from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Olga Kurylenko also returned as Taskmaster after appearing in Black Widow.
This more realistic side of the MCU probably won’t feature a ton of superpowers beyond slightly absurd physical strength. But many explosions are promised. And luckily, Thunderbolts* seems to be as much about humor as it is about action. Did we mention Julia Louis-Dreyfus is back? Based on the trailer and early buzz, Thunderbolts* might be the most fun Marvel movie since the original Guardians of the Galaxy.
Thunderbolts* will be released in theaters on May 2nd.
1. Superman
This is the big one. Director James Gunn’s new direction for DC’s cinematic universe begins with Superman. While not exactly an origin story, this new interpretation of the Supe is as innovative as it is classic. As well as Superman’s dog Krypto, many other DC superheroes also appear, including Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabella Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Eddie Gathegui).
Superman stars David Corenswet in the title role, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The first trailer has been widely praised and looks incredible. After years of moody, gritty Superman and generally dark superhero movies, this interpretation of Man of Steel looks like it’s going to be bright, cheerful, and hopeful. . I don’t think I’ll want to watch this on streaming for the first time, so if there’s one movie I have to see in theaters, it’s this one.