The 15 Most Anticipated Movies of 2025 That You Can't Miss

In 2020, when every single major film was delayed, the world wondered if going to see a movie in theaters would ever come back. Now, in the post-Barbenheimer era, movies are back in a big way. If you didn't notice, 2023 and 2024 were both incredible years for films, but 2025 is slated to be the most epic cinematic year in a very long time. If there was still a shadow of a doubt that movies weren't totally back, baby, the lineup for 2025 will convince you otherwise.

So, with the new year upon us, here's our ranking of the 15 most-anticipated movies of 2025; from sequels, reboots, and amazing-looking new films from every genre. If you see even half of these in theaters, it's going to make for one helluva memorable year.

15. Tron: Ares

It's been 15 years since Tron: Legacy returned to the virtual world first introduced in 1982's groundbreaking movie Tron. As the third entry to this very spaced-out sci-fi series, Ares promises to take things in a different direction. Jared Leto will star as a new AI called "Ares" who leaves the virtual Grid for the human world. Jeff Bridges is set to return as Flynn, though there's no word yet if Bruce Boxleitner, Tron himself, will return. (Never forget, "Tron" is the name of the character, not the world!) 

The excellent Greta Lee (Russian Doll) will also star in Tron: Ares as Eve Kim, a programmer who teams up with Ares. The film will also feature all-new original music from Nine Inch Nails. Yes, you read that correctly. Somehow Daft Punk doing the score for Legacy has been topped.

Tron: Ares hits theaters on October 10.

14. Avatar: Fire and Ash

Do you remember what happened at the end of 2022's Avatar: The Way of Water? Does it matter? James Cameron's massive spectacle continues, and the planet Pandora will never be the same. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and the rest of the Na'vi gang are back for another utterly immersive dive into this beloved otherworld.

But, this won't be the last ride. There are (at least) two more Avatars planned after Fire and Ash hits theaters; Avatar 4 in 2029 and Avatar 5 in 2031. Strap in. It's going to be a long, long ride. And if it seems like it's taking too long for more Avatars to come out, don't worry, James Cameron will totally figure out a way to de-age the audience. 

Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters on December 19.

13. Cleaner

Daisy Ridley is back, and this time she's in her own version of Die Hard. Seriously, the upcoming film Cleaner stars Ridley as Joey Locke, a window cleaner who suddenly has to thwart terrorists (led by Clive Owen) who've taken over a high-rise. This looks like a high-octane, action-packed survival movie, which aims to prove, once and for all, that Ridley's action-hero status in Star Wars wasn't a fluke.

Still not convinced this will be awesome? Cleaner is directed by Martin Campbell, the same guy who directed Daniel Craig's first James Bond movie, Casino Royale.

Cleaner hits theaters on February 21.

12. The Running Man

A reboot of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie of the same name, The Running Man is basically the original Hunger Games. Based on a 1982 novel written by Stephen King (under the pen name "Richard Bachman"), the story takes place in a dystopian future in which the titular "Running Man" has to fight for survival, trapped in a sadistic game show. The original film was a cult classic, but this remake might be even better. Glen Powell leads the cast, which will also feature Lee Pace, Josh Brolin, Daniel Ezra, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Emilia Jones, and Katy O'Brien.

The new Running Man will be directed by Edgar Wright — famous for Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver — meaning this version will be stylish, scary, and utterly unique.

The Running Man hits theaters on November 7.

11. Predator: Badlands

Starring Elle Fanning, the latest in the Predator franchise will take the action to a mysterious future. Not much is known yet about how director Dan Trachtenberg will connect this one to previous installments, but considering how awesome his 2022 Predator prequel was (Prey), it's safe to say the franchise is in good hands.

There are a ton of fake fan-made trailers out there right now, all of which will make you think Arnold is returning for this movie. But, as of right now, that's not been confirmed...or denied.

Predator: Badlands hits theaters on November 7.

10. Mickey 17

Though the release date has been pushed back several, several times, this trippy new sci-fi film is finally coming out. Starring Robert Pattison as the titular disposable clone, Mickey 17 looks like it will blend a high-concept premise with a good dose of humor. 

The writer and director is Bong Joon-ho, the man who gave us Snowpiercer, so expect some dark social commentary, too. Either way, this looks like a blast.

Mickey 17 hits theaters on March 7.

9. Captain America: Brave New World

A subtle reset button for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: Brave New World, is, in a sense, the first proper Avengers-ish movie we've gotten since Ant-Man: Quantumania and The Marvels. But this time, Marvel is, seemingly, going back to basics. 

With Harrison Ford stepping into the role of Thaddeus Ross (previously played by William Hurt), the trailers have already revealed he'll be transforming into the Red Hulk. Incumbent Captain America Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) looks the coolest he's looked in, perhaps, any MCU production yet. Finally, it seems, they've got his suit right. Will you need to remember what happened in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier from 2021? It's possible that rewatching that Disney+ series might be a good idea, but we're not too worried about it. The future of the MCU will likely start right here.

Captain America: Brave New World will hit theaters on February 14.

8. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Unbelievably, impossibly, the next Tom Cruise-led Mission: Impossible might actually be the last. Following the events of Dead Reckoning (2023), the IMF team has been pitted against a killer AI that can anticipate their every move. 

But really, if you're watching this next Mission: Impossible for the plot, that might not be the best idea. We all know the true appeal of each of these films is to see what bonkers stunt Cruise attempts next. Here's hoping the last Mission is the most over-the-top.

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning hits theaters on May 23.

7. Jurassic World: Rebirth 

The Jurassic franchise isn't extinct, at least not yet. After Colin Trevorrow's quasi-trilogy concluded, no one quite knew what would happen with our favorite cloned dinosaurs. Enter Gareth Edwards, director of Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One (2016) for yet another reboot, set after the events of Jurassic World Dominion. Will Dinosaurs survive to run amok another day?

Because Jurassic World: Rebirth is ditching nostalgia in favor of exciting storytelling, it seems this sequel/reboot may be the next great Jurassic movie we've been waiting for all along. Plus, with Scarlett Johansson in the lead, those velociraptors may have finally met their match.

Jurassic World: Rebirth hits theaters on July 2.

6. F1

Based on real events in the world of Formula One racing, this docudrama stars Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, and several real-life F1 drivers and teams playing themselves.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the action in this one looks incredible, and there's already buzz about the gutsy real-life stunt driving done to make this movie as realistic as possible. Kosinski's last big movie was Top Gun: Maverick. This is his follow-up. This is going to be huge.

F1 hits theaters on June 27, 2025.

5. Fantastic Four: First Steps 

Although there have been three major Fantastic Four films in this century alone, the new film, First Steps will represent the first time the famous super-quartet will enter the continuity of the primary Marvel Cinematic Universe. No trailer has been released yet, but retro-styled art revealed that the film will take place in an alternate 1960s.

Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic (he's bendy), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (she's invisible), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (he's fire), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing (it's clobberin' time!). The film will also star Natasha Lyonne, John Malkovich, and Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer. 

Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25.

4. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

We may never get John Wick 5, but there's a good bet that the new Ana de Armas spinoff, Ballerina, will be the next best thing. Ever since her turn in No Time To Die, then again in The Gray Man, we've been waiting for de Armas to get her own action flick. Now, it's finally happening, and the trailers look fantastic.

Predictably, de Armas has already said a few hilarious things about making the movie, including one big action sequence in which she wields a flamethrower. "I think I burn 106 people. I only cry with the first man," she said in an interview. "The other 105, I was fine."

With an appearance from Keanu Reeves as John Wick, it seems possible that Ballerina could continue the franchise forward without its most famous character. Here's hoping.

Ballerina hits theaters on June 6.

3. 28 Years Later

The modern zombie classic 28 Days Later, directed by Danny Boyle, made Cillian Murphy a bonafide star in 2002. Now, 23 years later, a sequel, 28 Years Later, will return to the zombie world in a big way. 28 Years Later will again re-team Boyle and writer Alex Garland, with Cillian Murphy as an executive producer.

Starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, we're all also wondering if Murphy himself will return. So far, the rumor that Murphy was back as a zombie has been debunked. We'll just have to wait and see.

28 Years Later will hit theaters on June 25.

2. Thunderbolts*

Marvel's collection of rogue underdogs, Thunderbolts*, combines characters from various aspects of the MCU. This features the return of Yelena (Florence Pugh) and the Red Guardian (David Harbour) previously seen in Black Widow (2021), though Yelena also appeared in Hawkeye. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is back, as well as the other Captain America, John Walker (Wyatt Russell), both reprising their roles from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Olga Kurylenko is also back as Taskmaster after having also appeared in Black Widow.

This more down-to-earth side of the MCU probably won't feature a ton of superpowers beyond some slightly absurd physical strength. But, we are promised a lot of explosions. And, luckily, it looks like Thunderbolts* will be as heavy on the humor as it is on the action. Did we mention Julia Louis-Dreyfus is back? Based on the trailers and early buzz, Thunderbolts* might be the most fun Marvel movie since the original Guardians of the Galaxy.

Thunderbolts* hits theaters on May 2.

1. Superman 

This is the big one. Directed by James Gunn, the new direction for DC's cinematic universe starts with Superman. Not exactly an origin story, this new take on Supe looks both classic and innovative at the same time. We're going to get Superman's dog, Krypto, but also a slew of other DC superheroes, too, including Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi).

Superman will star David Corenswet in the title role, alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The first trailers have been universally praised and look incredible. After years of a moody, gritty Superman, and darker superhero movies in general, it seems this take on the Man of Steel will be upbeat, bright, and hopeful. We can't imagine you'll want to see this for the first time streaming, so if there's one movie you have to see in theater, it's this one.

Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025.