Some films appear to have sequel potential before they're even released, and 2025 could see the emergence of several major new franchises. Only a few films are built with the potential to become a franchise. These films often need big stars, a premise that can support sequels and spin-offs, and broad box office appeal. With all three of these elements, a film can smell like a hit months in advance.
There are plenty of exciting franchises returning in 2025, but the year could also usher in some new ones. As the 2025 release calendar continues to fill out, there are slashers, children's animations, murder mysteries and more that look like the start of something big. Of course, it's difficult to predict exactly which films will be popular enough to warrant a sequel before they're even released, but there are some clues that can help with the guesswork.
10
The Thursday Murder Club
The novel already has three sequels
Richard Osman The Thursday Murder Club was an instant hit when it was published in 2020, and it seemed like a film adaptation was the natural next step. It took a while for this idea to come to fruition and Osman wrote three sequels in the meantime. The Thursday Murder Club could be a brilliant mystery franchise like Knives out or Kenneth Branagh Poirot series.
The Thursday Murder Club could be a brilliant mystery franchise like Knives out or Kenneth Branagh Poirot series.
The cast of The Thursday Murder Club features Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan and Celia Imriewhich suggests the film could be worth the long wait fans have endured. Alone at home and Harry Potter director Chris Columbus is hoping for a positive response so he can adapt the next book in the series, titled The man who died twice. Osman has already confirmed that he is working on the fifth book.
9
Back in action
Cameron Diaz's return to acting promises thrilling action and crowd-pleasing comedy
The aptly titled Back in action is Cameron Diaz's first film since 2014 Annie. Just like in Annie, she will star alongside Jamie Foxx, but Back in action It's a spy thriller. Diaz and Foxx play a couple who are dragged back to their old lives as spies. If the Netflix film is a success, it's easy to see how it could turn into an action franchise. It has two popular tracks and a lot of broad appeal.
The public response to Back in action could indicate how Cameron Diaz's acting hiatus affected her appeal. She also has Shrek 5 and the comedy directed by Jonah Hill Result on the way as his career gets back up and running, but Back in action could start its new chapter in the best possible way, generating a sequel. The trailer shows off a lot of humor and some explosive stunts, so it could please audiences.
8
Heart eyes
Heart Eyes is a slasher with a unique hook
There are many horror movies about Halloween, some about Christmas, and even some about Thanksgiving. In February 2025, Valentine's Day receives terrorist treatment with Eyes of the Heart, which appears to focus on a killer who targets couples. It's already looking to be one of the most exciting horror films of 2025, although it's an original concept and plot details are still unclear.
As Thanksgiving has a sequence and the Terrifying franchise has grown more and more, horror films seem to be in fashion at the moment. Heart eyes could be the next to benefit from this trend, and it's easy to see how the film could become a Valentine's Day tradition. If horror fans like Eyes of the heart and sells enough tickets and could get a sequel in February 2026 or 2027.
7
The Legend of Ochi
The Legend Of Ochi has a fascinating setting waiting to be explored
A24 doesn't produce many sequels, so a full franchise seems unlikely, but there are a few things that do The Legend of Ochi a different perspective. The fantasy adventure is set in a world filled with unusual creatures and strange mythology that could be explored further in sequels. Plus, it feels more family-friendly than many A24 films, so it could be a blockbuster that turns into a kids' franchise.
The trailer for The Legend of Ochi promises a fascinating world with peculiarities around every corner. It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful setting. The relationship between the main character and the young creature she takes care of is reminiscent of ET, the Extraterrestrial. If this is true, then The Legend of Ochi it could be a huge success, and there would soon be talk of a sequel.
6
Elio
Pixar's sci-fi adventure could be its next big hit
Pixar recently ramped up its sequel as part of a plan to provide some guaranteed hits along with new, original ideas. This means the studio is likely receptive to new films that prove its franchise potential. Everything that has been revealed about Elio So far it suggests it could be a strong contender, but there's still no full trailer ahead of its summer 2025 release.
ElioThe director says it has horror elements, but the teaser trailers seem to suggest it's a science fiction adventure with a lot of comedy. This is just another interesting detail that has some people speculating that Elio could be Pixar's best original film in years. It looks beautiful and the alien character designs are immediately intriguing. If Elio can reverse Pixar's trend of box office disappointment for original films, it could easily turn into a franchise.
5
The Electric State
The Russo brothers know what it takes to franchise
The Russo brothers' next film is an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag's popular graphic novel, but their version The Electric State seems to take things in a new direction. This means it could develop sequels in the future that stray even further from Stålenhag's work, just using his ideas as a starting point for a sci-fi action-adventure franchise with some stunning visuals.
The Russo brothers have a history of great franchise success. They directed the last two Avengers movies and two Captain America films. What is perhaps most relevant is that your Netflix thriller The Gray Man has plans for a sequel and a spinoff. With Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt leading a star-studded cast in The Electric State, Netflix might be tempted to offer the Russo brothers a similar deal.
4
F1
Brad Pitt's big-budget sports movie has an audience waiting for it
F1 has already got people talking because of its massive budget, which some rumors put at around $300 million. That number would make it one of the most expensive films ever made, which is rare for an independent film. F1 will have an audience of Formula 1 fans around the world who want to see real-life drivers like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on the big screen, and the added star power of Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem means the gamble could pay off.
F1 director Joseph Kosinski recently worked on Top Gun: Maverick. If he can bring the same level of thrilling action to F1, then it will have every chance of becoming a box office success and evolving into a franchise. The only big problem is that sports film franchises are relatively rare when compared to other genres. F1 You will have to find the right angle that can make the sequences look fresh and interesting.
3
Love hurts
Ke Huy Quan could have a new John Wick-style franchise
Love hurts director Jonathan “JoJo” Eusebio previously worked as a stuntman and fight coordinator in high-profile action films like The Fate of the Furious and The Avengers. He credits David Leitch as an inspiration, and the trailer for Love hurts suggests that he continued the work he did in John Wick franchise. He hopes to emulate some of his success.
Love hurts stars Ke Huy Quan as a former assassin brought back to a violent life, which sounds like John Wick. A fundamental difference is that Love hurts is a comedy, with lots of physical humor and one-liners that take advantage of its star's affable charm. Quan is joined by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu and former NFL star Marshawn Lynch. Love hurts comes out in February.
2
Fountain of Youth
Guy Ritchie may have the next Indiana Jones on his hands
Guy Ritchie recently revealed images from his new project, titled Fountain of Youth. John Krasinski, Natalie Portman and Eiza González are among those confirmed to star in the film, which Ritchie described as an action-adventure with a fantasy twist. The story follows two estranged brothers (Krasinski and Portman) in search of the legendary Fountain of Youth.
As soon as the first images were released, Fountain of Youth was compared to other adventure films such as Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, The Mummy and even Tom Holland's Unknown. These large franchises suggest that Fountain of Youth It could also develop some sequels. It has all the necessary elements for a long-running franchise and Ritchie has some experience with big blockbusters after him Sherlock Holmes franchise and some other box office hits.
1
A Minecraft movie
The video game adaptation could follow a familiar path
Hollywood's video game adaptation curse appears to have eased in recent years, which is good news for A Minecraft movie. It has a lot of franchise potential, with big stars like Jack Black and Jason Momoa, an extremely popular brand and a concept that could easily support sequels. A Minecraft movie will hit theaters in April, and its box office returns will likely determine whether there will be a chance for a sequel or not.
As a light-hearted, colorful adventure comedy based on a brand popular with kids and adults alike, A Minecraft movie is following in the footsteps of The Lego Movie and The Super Mario Bros. movie As both were huge hits with sequels, it seems likely that A Minecraft movie will follow the same path, but it all depends on how the public reacts. It has the potential to do big numbers at the box office.