2025 has kicked off, and brings with it a whole host of exciting upcoming movies. There's something for everything now the new year has begun, with superhero blockbusters, chilling horror movies, and festival favorites all on the way. That's not even to mention all of the awards contenders that are now hitting the big screen as the countdown to the Oscars begins.
If you're looking at planning your movie-going year then, you're in the right place. We've got a comprehensive list of all the cinematic highlights to expect in 2025.
This includes some new Marvel movies as Captain America: Brave New World arrives in February, closely followed by Thunderbolts*. Then we head to DC were James Gunn's first major DCU movie arrives in the form of Superman. Alongside this, we've got some big horror hitters, including The Monkey, Until Dawn, and The Bride.
So whatever you're after, there's something for everyone on our list of movie release dates to keep an eye on. We also have a list of the best new TV shows, if the small screen is more your thing. So settle in, grab your popcorn and check out the most exciting movies heading to theaters this 2025.
Captain America: Brave New World
Release date: February 14, 2025
Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is set to take on the mantle of Captain America in Brave New World, the first new Marvel movie to hit the big screen in 2025. He's joined by a new Falcon, played by Top Gun: Maverick's Danny Ramirez, along with some familiar faces: Tim Blake Nelson is back as Samuel Sterns, AKA Leader, alongside Liv Tyler as Betty Ross from The Incredible Hulk. Harrison Ford, meanwhile, is taking over from the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross – AKA Red Hulk. Giancarlo Esposito is playing a new MCU villain, Sidewinder, too, which is probably more than enough for a new Cap to be dealing with.
Paddington in Peru
Release date: February 14, 2025 in the US
Paddington in Peru (commonly known as Paddington 3) will see the marmalade-loving bear and Brown family pack up and head to his home country to pay a visit to Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. There's a problem, though...
Lucy, according to a nun played by Olivia Colman, went on an expedition in the Amazon a while back and never returned. So now it's up to Paddington and Co to venture deep into the jungle, find her, and bring her back safely. Ben Whishaw is back to lend his voice to Paddington, while Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, and Antonio Banderas also star. Emily Mortimer is on board, too, replacing Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown.
The Monkey
Release date: February 21, 2025
Longlegs helmer Osgood Perkins is back to reign over 2025's horror movies as well, with new Stephen King adaptation The Monkey. The movie follows two twin brothers, Hal and Bill, who after seeing their father's vintage toy monkey in the attic start witnessing a string of horrific deaths. They try to leave it behind – and it works for a while – before the deaths begin again and the pair must try and destroy the evil for good. Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood all star in what looks to be a chilling and bloody new thriller.
Snow White
Release date: March 21, 2025
Snow White is the latest Disney princess to get the live-action treatment. Rachel Zegler is taking on the role of the fairest of them all, while Gal Gadot will play the Evil Queen. The Amazing Spider-Man helmer Marc Webb is in the director's chair, while Barbie director Greta Gerwig co-wrote the screenplay. This is also the first of all the new Disney movies heading our way in 2025.
A Minecraft Movie
Release date: April 4, 2025
The Overworld is coming to the big screen courtesy of Napoleon Dynamite helmer Jared Hess' A Minecraft Movie. Based on the hit game, the movie follows a group of misfits who find themselves transported to a strange, cubic world. The unlikely team must go on a magical quest if they ever want to get back home – once they've got to grips with their surroundings. The cast includes Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge, Matt Berry, and Jemaine Clement.
Mickey 17
Release date: April 18, 2025
Robert Pattinson stars in Mickey 17 as Mickey, an "expendable." That means he's a disposable employee, who's sent on life-threatening missions as part of a human expedition on an alien ice world of Niflheim. After one iteration of Mickey dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact – until, somehow, there are two Mickeys alive at the same time. The cast also includes Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and Naomi Ackie, and Parasite helmer Bong Joon-ho is in the director's chair.
Until Dawn
Release date: April 25, 2025
Directed by David F. Sandberg, 2025 will see an adaptation of one of the best horror games ever made, Until Dawn. Originally developed by Supermassive Games, Until Dawn’s gameplay revolves around eight characters trying survive on Blackwood Mountain after they are attacked. The movie flips the premise slightly as it follows a new set of characters who find themselves brought back to life each time they die. Check out the first Until Dawn teaser to find out more.
Thunderbolts*
Release date: May 5, 2025
After Brave New World comes Thunderbolts*, which follows the titular group of antiheroes as they're sent on government missions. Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova, along with Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, David Harbour as Red Guardian, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Paper Towns helmer Jake Schreier will direct and Netflix's Beef creator Lee Sung Jin wrote the script.
"I never would have thought we would have ended up where we have with him," Stan told GamesRadar+ about Bucky's role in the movie. "But it's a very interesting group of characters, and they all bring out different sides of themselves. I think [Bucky] finds himself way more suited to them than initially, maybe he wants to admit, but he's always an evolving character, and that's what I love about him."
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Release date: May 23, 2025
Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt for what might be (whisper it) the final time. Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters this May as the second half of the latest chapter in this action spy thriller. At this point, we know very little about what the plot for the new movie will be as all we've seen is a dialogue-free trailer. However, based on the stunts involved and the emotional stakes, this has all the ingredients to be one of the best installments of the franchise yet.
Ballerina
Release date: June 6, 2025
We may not be getting any more John Wick this year but a spin-off movie is on its way. Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, is a new neo-noir action thriller film directed by Len Wiseman set in the Wick universe. The movie takes place between the events of Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, centered on Armas' character Eve Macarro, who is a ballerina-assassin. As with any good Wick movie, she sets out on a path of revenge following her father's death. Keanu Reeves cameos too, as well as a number of Wick regulars.
28 Years Later
Release date: June 20, 2025
When we talk about some of the best zombie movies ever made, the 28 Days series has to be in the conversation. And now, after years of waiting for a new sequel to the undead masterpiece, 2025 will be the year that all of us horror fans get a chance to see 28 Years Later. Directed by Danny Boyle, and written by Alex Garland, 28 Years Later is the third film in the franchise. Not much else is currently known right now, but there's a trailer out there if you are keen.
Jurassic World: Rebirth
Release date: July 2, 2025
Jurassic World is getting a revamp with this new entry directed by Gareth Edwards and written by Jurassic Park's screenwriter David Koepp. The movie will be set three years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion as the planet has become mostly hostile to dinosaurs. The few that survive live in remote regions as a trio of experts set out to try and extract genetic material from some of the largest beasts. Jonathan Bailey plays paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis, Scarlett Johansson is clandestine operative Zora Bennett, and Mahershala Ali is the group's team leader Duncan Kincaid.
Superman
Release date: July 11, 2025
Superman isn’t just one of the most exciting upcoming superhero movies of 2025, but it’s also the first film in the new DCU timeline, Gods and Monsters. So, yeah, fans won’t want to miss this one. Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the new movie will see Superman come to terms with his alien heritage as well as face one of his most iconic foes. The Superman trailer was recently released, and it looks brilliant. Honestly, we can't wait to see this one for ourselves once July comes around.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release date: July 25, 2025
Marvel's first family finally arrives on our screens in July with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Starring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, the hype around this one is pretty huge as it marks a new era for the MCU. Per the official synopsis, the movie will be set in a '60s-inspired retro-futuristic world as the group "face their most daunting challenge yet". The team will be "forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond" to defend Earth from planet-eating god Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Apparently too, things soon get personal for the group. Color us intrigued.
The Bride
Release date: 26 September, 2025
Maggie Gyllenhaal's take on the Bride of Frankenstein arrives in September. Inspired by the 1935 James Whale film as well as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the movie stars Jessie Buckley as the titular bride opposite Christian Bale as Frankenstein's monster. Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, and Annette Bening all also star in the anticipated creature feature out in fall. Based on the first-look images too, it looks seriously beautiful.
Wicked: For Good
Release date: November 21, 2025
The second and final part in Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the iconic musical Wicked arrives at the end of this year. Titled Wicked: For Good, after one of the movie's most anticipated songs, it will pick up in the aftermath of the first film. If you'll recall, this saw Elphaba on the run after refusing to bend to the will of the Wizard. Expect more songs, seriously emotional moments, and some neat twists in the second half.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Release date: December 19, 2025
It feels like it's been too long since we had a new Avatar movie, but thankfully James Cameron's epic fantasy world returns in 2025. The third installment, titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, focuses on a new clan, the volcano-dwelling "Ash People". Most of the major stars return, including Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, Sigourney Weaver as Kiri, and Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch. A lot is still up in the air about what the movie will focus on, but it's certain it would be visually stunning.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Release date: 2025
The third installment in Netflix's hit Knives Out franchise arrives in 2025 with Wake Up Dead Man. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, the movie follows the same convention as the first two with a rotating cast revolving around Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc. The new outing is just as star-studded too with Josh O'Connor and Josh Brolin playing priests and Mila Kunis playing a police officer. The rest of the cast features Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and Cailee Spaeny. There's no release date yet, but we know it arrives at some point in 2025.
Frankenstein
Release date: 2025
A new adaptation of Mary Shelley's beloved classic Frankenstein arrives in 2025, and it's helmed by the master of gothic storytelling Guillermo del Toro. It's set to follow the classic story of Victor Frankenstein bringing the dead back to life in the form of a horrific creature, but we can't wait to see this new twist. Oscar Isaac plays Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi is Frankenstein's monster in the upcoming movie, which also stars Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Ralph Ineson.
For more on what's to come, check out our guide to all the new anime and all the upcoming Star Wars movies heading your way soon.
