2024 is coming to an end. With the new year about to begin, countless movie lovers have already started looking ahead to what's in store for them in the coming year. With tons of sequels, reboots, and original films from big directors on the way, 2025 looks to be a very exciting year for cinema. It's still too early to know which 2025 releases will be among the best and Oscar contenders, but audiences can rest assured knowing that there will be plenty of options for all types of viewers.
In particular, 2025 will certainly be a big year for major action franchises. Numerous popular genre-defining franchises are set to debut new films this year, with many potential viewers already buzzing with anticipation about the new stories that will be told in their favorite universes. From superheroes and horror stories to murder mysteries and nail-biting action sequences, viewers are sure to get a lot of what they want. While some major film franchises are skipping 2025, others are sure to pack cinemas around the world when they make their triumphant return next year.
10
Jurassic World
Next movie: Jurassic World Rebirth
The idea of reintroducing dinosaurs into a modern setting has captivated audiences since the 1990s, beginning with the release of Steven Spielberg's groundbreaking film, Jurassic Park. The film was a huge success, releasing multiple sequels and even being reborn as the Jurassic World franchise with a new cast in 2015. Now, in 2025, the modern dinosaur-filled science fiction film series will get a new sequel with another entirely new cast. Entitled Jurassic World RebirthThis new addition is set to release on July 2nd.
Jurassic World Rebirth will feature a star-studded cast led by two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson and EvilIt's Jonathan Bailey. Acting as a 2022 standalone sequel Jurassic World DominionThis new adventure will focus on a courageous team determined to obtain potentially life-saving genetic material from the largest remaining dinosaurs on Earth. The film will be set in a tropical island setting and is sure to feature plenty of breathtaking dinosaurs on the big screen.
9
Captain America
Next film: Captain America: Brave New World
In 2021, the Disney+ miniseries, The Falcon and the Winter Soldierfinally put two underrated characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the spotlight. The series followed the titular heroes as they worked together to navigate a world in which Steve Rogers is no longer playing the role of the beloved patriotic superhero. In an emotional conclusion, the series ended with Sam Wilson taking his well-deserved step into his old friend's shoes, becoming Captain America.
In 2025, audiences will see the first feature-length adventure film with Sam Wilson as Captain America. The film will place the hero in the middle of an international incident involving the United States government, prompting Wilson to step up and work to be the hero the nation needs. Alongside Anthony Mackie reprising his role as Sam Wilson/Captain America, Harrison Ford will appear as Thaddeus Ross, the newly elected president who will soon transform into the intimidating Red Hulk. Captain America: Brave New World will be released in theaters on February 14.
8
avatar
Next film: Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron avatar Not only are the films among the most well-known science fiction films, but both films to date are easily among the highest-grossing films of all time, with each grossing well over two billion dollars. Because of this, one can definitely expect Avatar: Fire and Ash to make a big splash at the box office as one of the biggest fantasy films released in 2025. With Cameron returning to co-write, co-edit, co-produce, and direct, the next film will certainly match the quality of the first two installments.
Serving as a direct sequel to the four-time Oscar-nominated film, Avatar: The Path of Waterthe film will continue the story of Jake Sully, Neytiri and the rest of the beloved characters. Many cast members from the previous films are expected to return, including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and Sigourney Weaver. The highly anticipated new film will explore a never-before-seen side of the world of Pandora, which is sure to contrast sharply with elements of the second film. Avatar: Fire and Ash is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 19th.
7
John Wick
Next film: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, few names have been better known than John Wick when it comes to action films. Starring Keanu Reeves in the titular role, the John Wick The franchise follows a renowned hitman who is forced back into the criminal underworld after retiring, putting his violent skills back into action in some of the most impressive ways imaginable. The series has had four films so far, but the upcoming 2025 addition will take the franchise in an entirely new direction.
Scheduled for release on June 6th, From the world of John Wick: ballerina (or Ballerina to summarize) will serve as a spin-off of the original plot, shifting the focus to Eve Macarro, a woman who leads a double life as a dancer and assassin, as she prepares to seek revenge for her father's death. The lead role will be played by Ana de Armas, with Anjelica Huston and Norman Reedus also in the cast. Additionally, in a move that is sure to excite fans of the franchise, Reeves will return to play John Wick once again.
6
Final destination
Next movie: Final Destination: Bloodlines
Fans of modern horror are probably quite familiar with the Final destination franchise, which included five films released from 2000-2011. The films can be quite formulaic, but they have consistently proven to be popular among those with rather dark taste in cinema. Each Final destination The film follows a group of individuals who miraculously manage to avoid their premature deaths, only to be pursued and killed by Death himself in elaborate and shocking ways. Now, after more than a decade without a new installment, fans are finally getting another glimpse into this horrific world.
Final Destination: Bloodlines will be released on May 16, 2025, and is directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein. After so many years away, the film hopes to find the perfect balance between offering a refreshing, modern story while also including all the elements that people have known and loved about the series for so long. Not much is known about the film's plot, other than that it will reportedly focus on a group of first responders. Whatever the story, we can be sure it will be full of deliciously terrifying horrors.
5
Tron
Next movie: Tron: Ares
THE Tron The franchise may only have two installments (in terms of feature films) so far, but its unique story and stunning imagery have easily placed it among the most recognized works of science fiction. The films explore the digital world known as “The Grid,” a stunning virtual reality world experienced by the main characters. Fans of the series have had to wait a while between installments, with 28 years passing between the first two films and another fifteen passing before the next addition.
Entitled Tron: Aresthe next installment will be a standalone sequel to Tron: Legacyintroducing a largely new cast of characters. Among the cast are acclaimed actors Jared Leto, Greta Lee and Evan Peters. Additionally, Jeff Bridges will return to reprise his role as Kevin Flynn once again. Based on the plot details that have been announced, Tron: Ares appears to be turning the franchise on its head, sending a digital figure from the computer world into the real world, essentially the opposite of the narrative of the first two films.
4
Knives out
Next movie: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Writer/director Rian Johnson has certainly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of mysteries in recent years. Alongside his popular murder-of-the-week TV series, poker facehe is also the creative mind behind the Knives out franchise. The franchise has two films so far, including Knives out (2019) and Glass onion: a mystery with knives (2022), both of which earned Johnson Academy Award nominations for their writing. Each film includes an independent mystery being solved by Benoit Blanc, a private detective played by Daniel Craig.
The next addition to the franchise, Wake Up Dead Man: a mystery with kniveswill be released on Netflix in 2025. Like the previous films, this new addition will include a cast of several major stars, although specific roles have not yet been revealed for many of them. Along with Craig, members of the cast includes Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, and Josh Brolin, though that's far from the extent of the film's star power. Not much has been announced about the plot yet, but viewers can expect many more twists and turns that only Johnson could conceive.
3
Mission: Impossible
Next film: Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Since the 1990s, Mission: Impossible The franchise has surprised audiences with its thrilling stories and death-defying stunts. The film stars action icon Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Mission Force who is sent on one deadly world-saving adventure after another. Now, after nearly twenty years in action, Hunt is back to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoningwhich will serve as a direct sequel to the 2023 film, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will be directed by Christopher McQuarrie, with a script written by McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen, with the two returning to the same positions as the previous film. In addition to Cruise, several other cast members from previous Mission: Impossible films will return to reprise their roles, including Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames. It's also worth mentioning that this upcoming installment has an estimated budget of $400 million, much higher than the previous films, meaning fans can certainly expect a lot of explosive entertainment.
2
Mountain range
Next movie: Saw XI
Few films have spawned as many sequels as the stunning 2004 horror film, Mountain range. In the last two decades, ten Mountain range films have been released, each offering plenty of nightmarish trappings that will make any viewer's skin crawl. Unfortunately, not all installments in the franchise have been particularly well-received. However, the most recent addition served as a strong rebound for the franchise, garnering much higher ratings than the previous films. Now, the creators of the series will try to continue this success with Saw XIone of the most exciting horror films of 2025.
While the details have been kept secret for the most part, there are a few known elements that have already got a lot of people excited. Saw XI. For one, Tobin Bell has announced that he will return to play John Kramer once again, continuing the role that has been in development for over twenty years. Kevin Greutert will also return to direct, following his success with Saw. After being delayed, Saw XI it is now set to premiere on September 26, 2025.
1
The Karate Kid
Next movie: Karate Kid: Legends
When it comes to martial arts films, the 1984 drama The Karate KidIt's an all-time classic. The inspirational film launched an entire franchise, which includes several films and TV shows. In addition to Cobra Kai In the Netflix series, however, the franchise has been practically inactive for a long time. Fortunately for Karate Kid lovers everywhere, a new film is set to end this period of absence from cinemas, scheduled for release on May 30, 2025.
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, this upcoming revival of the franchise will be called Karate Kid: Legends. The film will feature the long-awaited returns of Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, both reprising their roles from previous films. Additionally, the film will star Ben Wang, who will make his film debut as the film's protagonist. Karate Kid: Legends it will certainly bring a lot of people to the theater after fifteen years without a new film in the series.