The tail end of the 2024 theatrical release calendar gave audiences a delightful Bob Dylan biopic, a meme-able “Nosferatu” reimagining and of course, Wicked. So what’s next?
Here are some of the films coming to theaters in 2025.
Superheroes on the big screen
“Captain America: Brave New World” (Feb. 14)
Marvel Studios, the superhero juggernaut of the film industry, is finally delivering their first superhero movie of the year, “Captain America: Brave New World,” directed by Julius Onah, on Valentine’s Day.
Captain America of the next generation, played by Anthony Mackie, and Red Hulk, played by action legend Harrison Ford, face off against the backdrop of the nation’s capital — more specifically, the White House.
The release of this film could make for an action-packed Valentine’s date for Avengers fans.
“Superman” (Jul. 11)
DC Studios and Warner Bros. enter the superhero gauntlet this year with a new take on the classic hero Superman, directed by the father of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, James Gunn.
This adaptation features Nicholas Hoult as supervillain Lex Luthor and David Corenswet as the newest Superman. After a few misses in years prior such as “The Flash” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” DC has a lot to prove to fans as they take on updating the classic hero yet again.
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (Jul. 25)
Arguably the most anticipated superhero movie of the year, “The Fantastic Four,” directed by Matt Shakman, boasts a star-studded cast featuring Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Thing).
Originally slated for release on Nov. 8, 2024, “The Fantastic Four” will finally hit theaters this summer. Marvel fans have been impatiently awaiting this updated Fantastic Four adaptation with its numerous release pushbacks, the lack of information surrounding the storyline and a potential Dr. Doom cameo, rumored to be played by Robert Downey Jr.
Unconventional action
Superheroes aside, 2025 also promises plenty of out of the box action and adventure.
“Mickey 17” (Mar. 7)
Previously slated for release on Mar. 29, 2024, Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, is finally being released in theaters nearly a year later.
Directed by the mastermind behind “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho, “Mickey 17” combines comedy, thriller and sci-fi elements as Pattison’s protagonist, Mickey Barnes, helps his fellow space crew members colonize a new planet.
Based on the novel “Mickey7” by Edward Ashton, the film adaptation also stars Marvel veteran Mark Ruffalo and actor Steven Yuen.
“Sinners” (Apr. 18)
“Sinners” is a genre-subverting vampire thriller featuring Michael B. Jordan and directed by Ryan Coogler, who’ve worked together on the sets of both “Black Panther” and “Creed.” The film is set to blend drama, horror and so-called Southern supernatural traditions.
Set in the era of Jim Crow laws in the Deep South, Jordan plays twin brothers who tackle monsters, both supernatural and natural, as actor Jack O’Connell is slated to play a racist antagonist. Hailee Steinfeld is also among the cast, though her part and the greater storyline are still unknown.
Sequels and honorable mentions
What would a year in cinema be without some sequels, live-actions and a biopic?
“Jurassic World: Rebirth,” starring Scarlett Johansson and the beloved Jonathan Bailey, comes out in July, and its star-studded cast is sure to delight fans of Jurassic World, old and new.
“Wicked: For Good,” the sequel to the pop culture phenomenon and Broadway show adaptation “Wicked” — which swept box offices in 2024 — comes to theaters in November 2025.
Disney is leading the bunch of live-action adaptations this year with the release of “Snow White” in March 2025. DreamWorks’ live adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” will hit theaters in June 2025.
Biopics have been a strong trend in the cinema world as of late. Musical greats such as Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, Elton John and Freddy Mercury have all had their lives dramatized on the big screen in recent years. This year will add to that list by bringing us “Michael” in October, a biopic about Michael Jackson featuring his nephew Jaafar Jackson as the “King of Pop.”
2025 is jam-packed and full of highly anticipated projects for all audiences. A cinematic year full of action, live-action, thriller, drama, comedy and supernatural flicks lies ahead.
This article was edited by Jessica Ackerman, Marina Zaczkiewicz and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Olivia Citarella, Emma Brown and Ariana Kavoossi.
