First came the pandemic, then the strikes, but Hollywood is back with lots of highly anticipated releases in 2025. Look forward to Marvel, Avatar, Mission: Impossible and much more.
Netflix has shown little interest in cinema and Apple has abandoned its theatrical release strategy. However, if you want to experience most of the biggest movies of the year, visiting your local cinema is still the way to go.
Despite the challenges faced with film studios during the pandemic, cinemas have regained their footing, though their exclusive release window has shrunk to typically 45–90 days and they are increasingly relying on re-releases of older films. At the same time, and for the first time in history, cinema screens are being outpaced by TVs in terms of video technology.
Also read: First look at Apple Vision Pro: A video revolution
Avatar, F1 and Mission Impossible
The biggest film of the year is likely to be Avatar 3: Fire and Ash, but we will have to wait until December for the third chapter. Once again, it will be in 3D.
Another major release in 2025 is Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, arriving in May. The title suggests it could be the final installment in the franchise, but we are not so sure about that.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning arrives in May. Photo: Paramount
A major bet is F1, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick). It is Apple's last theatrical release on the calendar and rumors suggest its budget exceeds a staggering $300 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever. It premieres in June.
Then there is Jurassic World Rebirth starring Scarlett Johansson. The last three Jurassic World films were not critically acclaimed, but each crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office. Jurassic World Rebirth arrives in July.
Do you prefer streaming new releases from your couch at home? Apple TV+ premieres The Gorge later this week, while Netflix has The Electric State – from the creators of Stranger Things – arriving in March, followed by Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein in November. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery lands on Netflix this fall.
Three new movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are set to be released this year. Photo: Marvel
Major releases from Disney
Avatar 3: Fire and Ash is produced by Disney-owned 20th Century Studios, but Disney also has major films coming from Marvel and Pixar.
In fact, 2025 will see three Marvel films: Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The latter marks the beginning of Marvel’s Phase Six.
From Pixar comes Elio about a boy who becomes Earth’s intergalactic ambassador on a cosmic journey. Elio premieres in June but most cinemagoers will not be able to experience it the way Pixar intended.
What will you be watching?
Movies coming out in 2025 – highlights
| February 2025
Captain America: Brave New World
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
Paddington in Peru
The Gorge
The Legend of Ochi
The Monkey
Last Breath
March 2025
Mickey 17
The Electric State
Snow White
Black Bag
Novocaine
The Alto Knights
April 2025
A Minecraft Movie
Sinners
Warfare
May 2025
Another Simple Favor
Thunderbolts
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Lilo & Stitch
Cobra Kai (title TBA)
June 2025
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Elio
How To Train Your Dragon (live action)
F1
28 Years Later
M3GAN 2.0
July 2025
Jurassic World: Rebirth
Superman
Fantastic Four: The First Steps
Smurfs
The Old Guard 2
August 2025
Freakier Friday
The Bad Guys 2
The Naked Gun
Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson movie
Thread: An Insidious Tale
The Battle of Baktan Cross
September 2025
Downton Abbey 3
The Bride!
Saw XI
The Conjuring: Last Rites
October 2025
Tron: Ares
The Black Phone 2
Michael
Animal Friends
Mortal Kombat 2
November 2025
Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein
Predator: Badlands
Wicked: For Good (Wicked: Part Two)
Zootopia 2
Bugonia
The Running Man
Now You See Me 3
December 2025
Avatar: Fire And Ash
Marty Supreme
The Housemaid
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
2025 (release date not set)
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Happy Gilmore 2 |
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