2025 is packed with exciting films, from new installments of big franchises to potential Oscar contenders and star-studded indies, and they're all among Screen Rant's most anticipated films of the year. The year is even busier than usual thanks to studios delaying some of these upcoming titles until 2025. Now that all that is behind us, 2025 looks to be a very promising year in cinema. And while some highly anticipated titles may disappoint in some way, that's not a factor when considering titles that are inherently exciting for a variety of reasons.
Making a list of the 25 most anticipated films of any year is no easy task, as some films should be forgotten. Not every 2025 Marvel Cinematic Universe film can be selected. About that, there is the return of franchises like Tron, Now you see me, Five Nights at Freddy's, Nobodyand more who are also on the outside looking in. And while there are several films projected for release in 2025 that could shake up the Oscar race, most don't have confirmed release dates, meaning they were left off this list. These are Screen Rant's most anticipated movies of 2025.
25
Deliver me from nothing
Jeremy Allen White faces Bruce Springsteen
- Director
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Scott Cooper
- Writers
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Scott Cooper
Jeremy Allen White has become a huge TV star in recent years thanks to The Bearbuilding your success with Shameless. But 2025 is his test to become a potential movie star, as he will play Bruce Springsteen in Deliver me from nothing. Directed by Scott Cooper (Out of the oven), the film has high hopes of getting Springsteen's life and music right. The opportunity to see Jeremy Allen White take on this challenge makes the film so exciting, especially after his outstanding performance in The Iron Claw.
24
Die, my love
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson join forces
- Director
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Lynne Ramsay
- Writers
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Ariana Harwicz, Lynne Ramsay, Enda Walsh
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson were once megastars of book franchises to young adult films, but those days are behind them, with each leveling up to be one of the top professional performers in their 30s. They are ready to unite in Die, my love - a new film from director Lynne Ramsay (We need to talk about Kevin) - while Lawrence plays a woman struggling with life in a dark comedy. The first look Die, my love the images already tease the potential entertainment factor that Lawrence and Pattinson's screen time together will provide.
23
Marty Supreme
Timothée Chalamet stars in brother Safdie's new film
- Release date
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December 25, 2025
- Director
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Josh Safdie
- Writers
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Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie
Building on your double successful year in 2024 with Dune: Part Two and A complete strangerTimothée Chalamet has another incredibly exciting film set in 2025. He is the star of Marty SupremeJosh Safdie's first solo directorial film after previously directing Rough gems, Good timeand much more with his brother Benny. This film is responsible for Chalamet's much publicized mustache when he appears in the ping pong-focused film. Considering he could have been the Oscar winner for Best Actor at the time Marty Supreme releases, it will be a big deal.
22
Ballerina
Ana De Armas' John Wick Spinoff Finally Arrives
- Release date
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June 6, 2025
- Cast
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Ana De Armas, Keanu Reeves, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Anjelica Huston, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Gabriel Byrne, David Castaneda, Anne Parillaud, Sharon Duncan-Brewster
- Director
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Len Wiseman
- Writers
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Shay Hatten, Derek Kolstad
Ballerina is the first John Wick spinoff film, and was originally planned for release last year - which is why it was on our list of most anticipated films of 2024. Despite delays and reports of reshoots, the excitement hasn't abated. The first Ballerina trailer is encouragingand all these reshoots were done to amp up the action so that the film looks more like Keanu Reeves' main film. John Wick films. Chad Stahelski's greater involvement, as reported, was only supposed to be for the benefit of the Ana de Armas spinoff.
21
Lilo and Stitch
A modern Disney icon returns to the big screen
- Cast
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Chris Sanders, Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Courtney B. Vance
- Director
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Dean Fleischer Camp
- Writers
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Chris Kekaniokalani brilliant
Stitch is one of Disney's most popular creations, so his return to the big screen in the 2025 live-action Lilo and Stitch it is inherently exciting. The film may be somewhat familiar in its story, depending on how close it stays to the original animated film. Still, there's an opportunity for audiences to fall in love with Lilo and Stitch again or for younger audiences to discover them for the first time. If you need another reason to be excited, Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with shoes) directing it is very promising.
20
Zootopia 2
Disney's animated hit returns
- Release date
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November 26, 2025
- Cast
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Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Idris Elba, Shakira
- Director
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Jared Bush, Byron Howard
- Writers
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Jared Bush
The first Zootopia is a bigger hit than it really deserves credit for, and the mass love for the film should translate into the sequel. Zootopia 2 brings back the same great characters and voice actors from the first film while adding new ones, like Ke Huy Quan as a snake. Details on the sequel are still pretty sketchy. Still, with Charmdirectors Jared Bush and Byron Howard taking control of the film, there's a good chance Zootopia 2 ends up being one of the biggest hits and possibly the best animated film of 2025.
19
War
Civil War's Alex Garland tells a new war-focused story
War
- Cast
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Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter, Finn Bennett, Noah Centineo, Michael Gandolfini, Henrique Zaga, Taylor John Smith, Adain Bradley, Evan Holtzman
Alex Garland delivered one of the best films of 2024 with Civil Warso it's a delight to know that another film of his is coming so quickly. War is a film he co-directed and co-wrote with Ray Mendoza, Civil WarMendoza's military advisor, based on Mendoza's actual experiences fighting in Iraq. The initial War The trailer teased its real-time story and soldier-focused narrative. Anything by Garland is worth getting excited aboutbut add Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Noah Centineo, Michael Gandolfini, Kit Connor and more, and WarThe cast is also full of rising stars.
18
The black phone 2
Scott Derrickson and Ethan Hawke horror film gets sequel
- Release date
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June 27, 2025
- Director
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Scott Derrickson
- Writers
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C. Robert Cargill, Joe Hill
Scott Derrickson and longtime collaborator C. Robert Cargill have delivered one of the best horror films of 2021 with The black phone. So, the decision to return to this world and have Ethan Hawke reprise his role as The Grabber in a new installment is amazing. Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw also return after their standout roles. The black phone 2 it is very likely to terrify the public once again. Seeing what Derrickson delivers from an idea conceived by the original short's writer, Joe Hill, makes it one of the most exciting horror films of 2025.
17
Karate Kid: Legends
The Karate Kid crossover we've been waiting for
- Release date
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May 30, 2025
- Cast
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Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Ming-Na Wen, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Aramis Knight, Wyatt Oleff
- Director
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Jonathan Entwistle
- Writers
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Robert Mark Kamen, Christopher Murphey, Rob Lieber
Cobra Kai has done an incredible job of revitalizing interest in Karate Kid franchise in recent years, but 2025 brings the series back to theaters. Seeing Jackie Chan return as Mr. Han and interact with Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso makes the film a must-watch. There will definitely be new revelations that will help boost the franchise and connect Mr. Han and Daniel. Karate Kid: Legends may have missed its original perfect release date, set for the franchise's 40th anniversary, but it can now fill the void left by Cobra Kai season 6 finale.
16
Jurassic World Rebirth
Gareth Edwards and Scarlett Johansson rock Jurassic World
- Release date
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July 2, 2025
- Cast
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Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain, Ed Skrein
- Writers
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David Koepp, Michael Crichton
The last Jurassic World the film isn't released until 2022, and while it was billed as the final installment, that's only true of Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and the original Jurassic Park stars. Jurassic World Rebirth is, as the title indicates, a new beginning for the series – and the talent involved is very exciting. Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One) is a master of scope and scale that should be perfect to take on the dinosaur franchisewhile Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey headline Jurassic World RebirthIt's cast. This could be a huge revival for the franchise.
15
Mickey 17
Bong Joon-ho's Robert Pattinson Sci-Fi Movie Finally Arrives
- Release date
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April 18, 2025
Originally set for a 2024 release, Mickey 17 finally arrives in 2025. It's a shame that Bong Joon-ho's first film since winning Best Picture with Parasite It took a long time, but I hope it's worth the wait. Audiences shouldn't expect anything like his Oscar-winning hit, as Mickey 17 looks more like a combination of Okjathe tone and SnowpiercerThe icy science fiction settingit seems. With Robert Pattinson playing multiple versions of the same character and an impressive collection of co-stars surrounding him, Mickey 17 it should be great.
14
Evil: forever
The second Wicked film is already arriving
- Release date
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November 26, 2025
- Cast
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Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode
- Director
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Jon M. Chu
- Writers
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Winnie Holzman, Gregory Maguire
Evil left audiences wanting to see much more of Elphaba and Glinda's story, and thankfully it happens quickly with Evil: foreverrelease in 2025. The entire creative team and cast return for the sequel, which was filmed back-to-back with the first film. Considering how many big moments and songs from the Broadway musical are scheduled to appear Wicked 2the sequence was already exciting. Now this Evil was released and more than delivered on the hype, the upcoming film is easily one of the most anticipated films of 2025.
13
Frankenstein by Guillermo del Toro
The acclaimed maestro faces off against a horror icon
Guillermo del Toro established himself as one of the great directors of modern times thanks to films such as Pan's Labyrinth or The shape of the waterand 2025 is your chance to face some of history's most iconic characters: Frankenstein and his monster. His fresh take on the material stars Oscar Isaac as Dr. Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as The Monsterwith Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Ineson, Charles Dance and others also scheduled to appear. Del Toro Frankenstein it's even getting a theatrical release from Netflix, which should demonstrate its potential for greatness.
12
The running man
Glen Powell and Edgar Wright remake Stephen King's classic
- Release date
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November 21, 2025
Decades after Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered a version of Stephen King The running man2025 has Glen Powell teaming up with Edgar Wright for a new approach. The combination of Powell and Wright with King's source material makes the film immediately gripping. Powell is hot Twisted and Assassin and is looking to further secure her place as a modern movie starwhile Wright can fuse the horror tones of Last night in Soho with the action elements of his films such as Baby Driver. If everything goes well, The running man could be one of the best films of the year.
11
F1
Brad Pitt Headlines Top Gun Racing Film: Maverick Director
- Release date
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June 25, 2024
- Director
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José Kosinski
- Writers
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Ehren Kruger
Brad Pitt making an F1 racing film is an intriguing idea in and of itself. However, excitement grows when this project becomes Joseph Kosinski's follow-up after directing Top Gun: Maverick. Kosinski helped make the driving sequences in the Tom Cruise sequel spectacular, especially on the big screen. He is looking to do the same with F1racing scenes, with Brad Pitt practically filming many of the action beats. As long as Apple doesn't pull F1 from theaters and put it directly on Apple TV +, This is sure to be one of the most exciting theater experiences of the year.
10
28 years later
The zombie franchise is back with a stellar cast
It has been 28 years since 28 weeks later has been released, so it's the perfect time to revisit the franchise with Danny Boyle and Alex Garland 28 years later. The new installment is the start of a planned trilogy, and while there's still a lot of mystery about how the series will continue, the brief glimpses provided in the 28 years later are very promising. It feels big, scary and scary, all the while Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes are the headliners. Cillian Murphy is expected to appear in some capacityalso, linking it directly to 28 days later.
9
How to train your dragon
Beloved animated franchise gets live-action treatment
- Release date
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June 13, 2025
- Cast
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Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd
- Director
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Dean DeBlois
- Writers
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Dean DeBlois
DreamWorks is taking a bit of a risk in 2025 with How to train your dragon returning as a live-action series. Dean DeBlois, who was behind the original animated trilogy, is back to helm the new iteration of the property for the big screen just six years after its conclusion. Yes, the How to train your dragon The trailer made it look like an almost shot-for-shot remake of the animated film, but I have to believe it has more to offer. There's a great cast included, including the return of Gerard Butler, and Toothless' VFX is extremely impressive.
8
Wake Up Dead Man: a mystery with knives
Rian Johnson's Whodunnit trilogy ends
Rian Johnson is back in 2025 with the third installment of Knives out trilogy, Wake up Dead Man. Daniel Craig returns as Detective Benoit Blanc and is surrounded by an excellent cast once again. This time, Kerry Washington, Josh O'Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Daryl McCormack and Thomas Haden Church support. One of them will be the victim and the other the killer, and it should be fun to see who is who. Hopefully this one will get a bigger theatrical release from Netflixalso.
7
Predator: Badlands
Prey director takes Predator into the future
- Cast
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Elle Fanning
- Director
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Dan Trachtenberg
- Writers
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Dan Trachtenberg
Dan Trachtenberg breathed new life into Predator franchise in 2022 with Preythe hit action film starring Amber Midthunder. Instead of making a direct sequel, Trachtenberg is using Predator: Badlands to once again provide the public with a new experience. Elle Fanning takes on the lead roles (she plays multiple characters) in a story set in the future where the Predator is actually the hero. This kind of bold twist on a franchise as old as Predator is refreshing and builds on what Trachtenberg delivered with Preyit must also be rewarding.
6
Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson film
The supposed title is The Battle of Baktan Cross
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio have joined forces for what will likely be one of the best films of 2025. Following their modern films Ghost Wire and Licorice PizzaPTA is bigger than ever with an original crime thriller set to be released in IMAX. The event film includes Regina Hall, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Alana Haim, Teyana Taylor and Wood Harris as DiCaprio's co-stars. Being DiCaprio's first film since Flower Moon Assassinshe will head what could be a big Oscar contender once again.