Upcoming Blockbuster Movies Releasing In 2025

2025 is slated to have several major blockbuster releases in the form of franchise sequels, reboots, and live-action adaptations. While 2024 featured considerably fewer major blockbuster releases compared to 2023’s stacked lineup, 2025 is expected to have even more highly anticipated releases. At the time of writing, the biggest blockbuster releases of 2024 have been Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, the only two films to eclipse more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

Rounding out the top 5 box office performers of 2024 thus far are Despicable Me 4, Dune: Part Two, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. A few more highly-anticipated releases will come out before end-of-year, the first of which is Ridley Scott’s long-awaited Gladiator sequel starring Paul Mescal and Universal’s film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, both of which release on November 22. Finishing the year at potential top box office contenders are Moana 2 (November 27) and Mufasa: The Lion King (December 20).

22 In the Grey

January 17

The first major blockbuster release of 2025 is Guy Ritchie’s latest film, In The Grey. Starring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González, who have all worked with Ritchie on recent features. The story revolves around two extraction specialists, played by Cavill and Gyllenhaal, who have to plan an escape route for a senior female negotiator, likely González. The film will also star Fisher Stevens (Succession), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn), and Jason Wong (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves).

21 Captain America: Brave New World

February 14

The first major Marvel release of 2025 arrives on February 14. Captain America: Brave New World will be the first MCU film to feature Anthony Mackie, who formerly played the superhero Falcon, as the new titular Avenger, replacing Chris Evans as Captain America. It also marks the introduction of Harrison Ford into the MCU as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross / Red Hulk. Other notable cast members include Liv Tyler, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosa Salazar, Takehiro Hira, and Tim Blake Nelson.

20 A Minecraft Movie

April 4

Based on the worldwide phenomenon Minecraft, the crafting, building, adventuring game from Mojang Studios, comes A Minecraft Movie. When a teenage girl and a ragtag group of misfits turn out to be their world’s only hope against the all-powerful Ender Dragon, they’ll band together to save all of Overworld. 

Director

Jared Hess

Release Date

April 4, 2025

Writers

Chris Bowman , Hubbel Palmer , Markus Persson , Allison Schroeder , Peter Sollett

The first family-friendly blockbuster of 2025 arrives in the form of A Minecraft Movie, which has the potential to be one of the highest-grossing movies of the year. Starring Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge, Kate McKinnon, and Emma Myers of Wednesday acclaim, A Minecraft Movie takes place in a fantastical video game world much like The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The action-adventure fantasy film is sure to attract a large audience based on the popular game’s 180 million users.

19 Thunderbolts*

May 2

Marvel’s Thunderbolts* is a superhero movie based on the comic team of the same name. The movie acts as a part of the MCU’s fifth phase of films. The film sees the likes of Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell, the Red Guardian, and more as an unlikely group of heroes and villains brought together to fight for good.

Director

Jake Schreier

Release Date

May 2, 2025

Studio(s)

Marvel Studios

Distributor(s)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Writers

Lee Sung-jin , Eric Pearson , Joanna Calo

Character(s)

Yelena Belova , James Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier , Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian , John Walker / U.S. Agent , Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster , Ava Starr / Ghost , Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine , Mel , Bob / Robert Reynolds / The Sentry , Bob’s Dad

Budget

$200 million

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Marvel’s second major blockbuster release of 2025 is Thunderbolts*, which introduces a whole new cast of supervillains into the MCU. Set up to be Marvel’s response to DC’s Suicide Squad, the cast of Thunderbolts* will be led by Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, Rachel Weisz, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Olga Kurylenko, and David Harbour. Sebastian Stan is expected to reprise his role as Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier after appearing in several Captain America and Avengers films.

18 Mission: Impossible 8

May 23

Mission: Impossible 8 is the direct sequel to Dead Reckoning – Part One and is the eighth film in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Said to be the final film, Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and more will reprise their roles in Ethan Hunt’s IMF team as they face off against a dangerous foe from their past.

Director

Christopher McQuarrie

Release Date

May 23, 2025

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures , Skydance

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Writers

Christopher McQuarrie , Erik Jendresen

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Originally titled Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, the eighth installment of the beloved Tom Cruise action franchise will finally arrive in May 2025. The film was initially set to release in 2024 but experienced production delays as a result of the 2023 dual SAG and WGA strike. With rumors that it could become the final Mission: Impossible film with Cruise at the helm, M: I 8 should continue to one-up its predecessor with even more incredible stunt work and gripping action sequences.

17 Lilo & Stitch

May 23

Lilo & Stitch is a live-action remake of the 2002 animated sci-fi adventure comedy directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. Based closely on the original, this remake follows a young girl who lives with her sister and has trouble fitting in at school. Her fortunes change when she meets a mysterious alien experiment named Stitch, who she claims is her pet dog, setting the stage for an intergalactic adventure in Hawaii.

Director

Dean Fleischer Camp

Studio(s)

Disney+

Writers

Chris Kekaniokalani Bright

Cast

Chris Sanders , Maia Kealoha , Sydney Agudong , Zach Galifianakis , Billy Magnussen , Tia Carrere , Courtney B. Vance

Where To Stream

Disney+

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The first major upcoming Disney live-action remake of 2025 will be Lilo & Stitch. While Disney hasn’t had a great deal of success with its live-action remakes as of late, some of them have gone on to gross north of $1 billion, including The Lion King and Aladdin. The live-action Lilo & Stitch will feature the original voice of the beloved furry alien creature, Chris Sanders, and will also feature Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B. Vance, Billy Magnussen, and Tia Carrere as Mrs. Kekoa, who voiced Nani in the 2002 animated film.

16 Karate Kid: Legends

May 30

Karate Kid: Legends (2025) is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.

Director

Jonathan Entwistle

Release Date

May 30, 2025

Studio(s)

Columbia Pictures , Jerry Weintraub Productions , Overbrook Entertainment , Sony Pictures Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Writers

Robert Mark Kamen , Christopher Murphey , Rob Lieber

Cast

Ralph Macchio , Jackie Chan , Ben Wang , Ming-Na Wen , Joshua Jackson , Sadie Stanley , Aramis Knight , Wyatt Oleff

Character(s)

Daniel LaRusso , Mr. Han , Li Fong

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Karate Kid: Legends will be the first Karate Kid movie since the 2010 reboot starring Jaden Smith. It features the long-awaited team-up of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who play two of the biggest legends of the Karate Kid universe, Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso. The film is expected to be connected to the popular Netflix series Cobra Kai, which will conclude in 2025 and also stars Macchio as Daniel.

15 Ballerina

June 6

Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Ballerina follows assassin-in-training Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) as she seeks vengeance for her father’s murder.

Director

Len Wiseman

Release Date

June 6, 2025

Studio(s)

Summit Entertainment , Thunder Road Films , 87Eleven Productions

Distributor(s)

Lionsgate

Writers

Shay Hatten , Derek Kolstad

Cast

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

Character(s)

Eve , John Wick

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The long-awaited John Wick spinoff Ballerina will finally hit theaters in June 2025. Ana de Armas will play the protagonist Eve, a young female assassin who seeks revenge against the people who killed her family. Several cast members of the John Wick universe, such as the late Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves himself, will appear in the film. Ballerina has the potential to be just as popular and successful as the four John Wick films before it.

14 Elio

June 13

Elio is a film directed by Adrian Molina, centered on a young boy who is mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador at an interplanetary organization. Unprepared for the role, Elio must navigate interactions with diverse alien species and face challenges in the quest to understand his true identity.

Director

Adrian Molina

Release Date

June 13, 2025

Cast

Yonas Kibreab , America Ferrera

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The latest Disney-Pixar film Elio will hit theaters in June 2025. Elio follows a young underdog with a big imagination who encounters a galactic federation of extraterrestrials and is inadvertently deemed the ambassador of Earth. Like many classic Disney-Pixar films before it, Elio should be one of the best offerings for viewers of all ages at the movies in 2025.

13 How to Train Your Dragon

June 13

How to Train Your Dragon is a live-action adaptation of the 2010 film of the same name. Co-director of the first film, Dead DeBlois, is returning to direct the live-action treatment, with Nico Parker starring as Astrid and Mason Thames as Hiccup.

Director

Dean DeBlois

Release Date

June 13, 2025

Studio(s)

DreamWorks Pictures

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

Writers

Dean DeBlois

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The live-action adaptation of the popular Dreamworks classic How to Train Your Dragon hits theaters in June 2025. Gerard Butler will reprise his role in the 2010 animated film as Stoick while Hiccup will be played by newcomer Mason Thames instead of Jay Baruchel. Dean DeBlois, who wrote and directed the animated original and its two direct sequels, will return to write and direct the live-action remake.

12 28 Years Later

June 20

28 Years Later is the tentative title for the third film in the “28 Days Later” franchise, initially conceived by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland. Originally expected to be titled “28 Months Later,” the film still hasn’t been officially confirmed, but preliminary work on a script has reportedly been underway.

Director

Danny Boyle

Release Date

June 20, 2025

Character(s)

Jim , Uncredited , Jimmy Ink , E. Sundqvist

Franchise(s)

28 Days Later

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The long-awaited sequel to the zombie horror classics 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later finally arrives in June 2025. Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy, who starred in the 2002 original directed by Danny Boyle, will reprise his protagonist role as Jim. Danny Boyle returns to direct a screenplay he wrote with Alex Garland (Civil War, Ex Machina). Murphy will be joined by Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Jack O’Connell.

11 F1

June 27

A retired Formula One driver, played by Brad Pitt, returns to the sport to mentor a talented rookie, portrayed by Damson Idris. As they navigate the high-stakes world of F1 racing, they face intense competition, personal challenges, and the relentless pursuit of victory, all set against the backdrop of real Grand Prix events.

Director

Joseph Kosinski

Release Date

June 25, 2024

Studio(s)

Apple Original Films

Writers

Ehren Kruger

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Joseph Kosinski’s (Top Gun: Maverick) motorsport drama F1 starring Brad Pitt looks to be one of the most promising new releases of 2025. Kosinski reunites with Maverick’s screenwriter Ehren Kruger on the project, which features Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired F1 driver who comes out of retirement to mentor a younger driver with a lot of potential. Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, and Tobias Menzies also star.

10 Jurassic World Rebirth

July 2

Five years after Jurassic World Dominion, Earth’s ecology confines dinosaurs to equatorial zones. Zora Bennett, a covert ops expert, leads a team to secure genetic material from massive dinosaurs for a life-saving drug.  However, stranded on their mission, they discover a devastating secret hidden for decades.

Director

Gareth Edwards

Release Date

July 2, 2025

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

Writers

David Koepp , Michael Crichton

Cast

Scarlett Johansson , Mahershala Ali , Jonathan Bailey , Rupert Friend , Manuel Garcia-Rulfo , Luna Blaise , David Iacono , Audrina Miranda , Philippine Velge , Bechir Sylvain , Ed Skrein

Character(s)

Zora Bennett , Duncan Kincaid , Dr. Henry Loomis , Martin Krebs , Reuben Delgado

Main Genre

Adventure

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Announced only a handful of months ago in August 2024, the next Jurassic World film will be released in July 2025. Returning with a completely different cast of characters, Jurassic Park Rebirth will star Mahershala Ali, Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. Gareth Edwards of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Godzilla, and The Creator acclaim will direct the blockbuster project. The franchise looks to recover after the underwhelming reception of Jurassic World Dominion starring Chris Pratt.

9 Superman

July 11

Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.’ rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill’s departure from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”

Release Date

July 11, 2025

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

David Corenswet , Rachel Brosnahan , María Gabriela De Faría , Edi Gathegi , Nicholas Hoult , Frank Grillo , Nathan Fillion , Milly Alcock , Sara Sampaio , Pruitt Taylor Vince , Skyler Gisondo , Anthony Carrigan , Wendell Pierce , Beck Bennett , Sean Gunn

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Arguably the most anticipated superhero release for 2025, James Gunn’s Superman introducing David Corenswet as Clark Kent will hit theaters in July 2025. As the CEO of DC Studios, Gunn will be looking to build a new era of the prolific superhero after Henry Cavill hung up the red cape following the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. Superman will feature an ensemble cast that includes Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Milly Alcock, Skyler Gisondo, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.

8 The Fantastic Four: First Steps

July 25

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the first MCU movie to feature Marvel’s First Family in the same live-action universe as the Avengers. It introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, and precedes Phase 6’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.

Director

Matt Shakman

Release Date

July 25, 2025

Studio(s)

Marvel Studios

Distributor(s)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Writers

Josh Friedman , Jeff Kaplan , Ian Springer

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In what is potentially the most anticipated Marvel release of 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps comes out in July 2025. First Steps is the first Fantastic Four film since 2015. Since Disney now owns Fox Studios, The Fantastic Four can officially enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Pedro Pascal will play Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby will play Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn will play Johnny Storm / Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will play Ben Grimm / Thing.

7 Freakier Friday

August 8

Freakier Friday is the sequel to the 2003 Disney comedy film that starred Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis as a mother and daughter who accidentally swapped bodies. No concrete details on the film exist other than the desire of Curtis and Lohan to return, with the script being written by Elyse Hollander.

Distributor(s)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Writers

Elyse Hollander

Franchise(s)

Freaky Friday

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A sequel to the classic 2003 comedy Freaky Friday will hit theaters in August 2025, some 22 years after the original remake’s release. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan will both reprise their roles as mother-daughter duo Tess and Anna Coleman. The comedy sequel will also feature performances by Chad Michael Murray, Mark Harmon, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Julia Butters. It will be directed by Nisha Ganatra (Chutney Popcorn, Late Night).

6 Michael

October 3

The first-ever Michael Jackson biopic is sure to draw crowds when it releases in October 2025. The Sony film will star Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the real-life Michael Jackson and son of Jermaine Jackson, in the titular role. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer, Southpaw) and based on a screenplay by John Logan (Skyfall, Gladiator, The Aviator, Michael will feature an ensemble cast of Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and more.

5 Tron: Ares

October 10

Tron: Ares is the third film in the Tron franchise created by Steven Lisberger in the early ’80s. The movie is a direct sequel to 2010’s Tron: Legacy and stars Jared Leto in the lead role of Ares. Jesse Wigutow penned the screenplay for Disney, who previously worked on the 2015 TV Movie, The Prince. 

Director

Joachim Rønning

Release Date

December 19, 2025

Writers

Jesse Wigutow

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The third Tron movie, Tron: Ares, will hit theaters in October 2025. Starring Jared Leto, Gillian Anderson, Evan Peters, Cameron Monaghan, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn from the 1982 original, Tron: Ares could be one of the best sci-fi films of the year. The film will be directed by Joachim Rønning, who has directed several other Disney blockbusters such as Maleficinet: Mistress of Evil and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

4 Predator: Badlands

November 7

Predator: Badlands is a new entry in the Predator franchise, with the writer and director of Prey, Dan Trachtenberg, returning for this installment. No details on the film exist save for the fact that Badlands will be a standalone entry set during a new period.

Director

Dan Trachtenberg

Studio(s)

20th Century Studios

Writers

Dan Trachtenberg

Cast

Elle Fanning

A new Predator movie will hit theaters in November 2025, becoming the eighth installment of the franchise. While not much is known about Predator: Badlands at the time of writing, Elle Fanning of Maleficent and The Neon Demon is set to star. Dan Trachtenberg, who directed the acclaimed Predator prequel Prey in 2022, will return to direct the new Predator film, the first with “Predator” in the title since 2018’s The Predator directed by Shane Black.

3 Wicked: Part Two

November 21

Wicked: Part Two is the sequel to the 2024 film adaptation of the popular Broadway stage musical. The film explores the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West, known as Elphaba, as the world of Oz is told from a brand new perspective.

Director

Jon M. Chu

Release Date

November 26, 2025

Studio(s)

Marc Platt Productions , Universal Pictures

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

Writers

Winnie Holzman , Gregory Maguire

Cast

Ariana Grande , Cynthia Erivo , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode

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The second installment of the two-part Wicked release will arrive in November 2025, exactly a year after 2024’s Wicked: Part One. Most if not all of the Wicked cast is expected to return in the 2025 film, which includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Ethan Slater as Boq, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz, and Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond.