2025 Film Releases: A Movie Fan's Most Anticipated List

There's something magical about the anticipation of a new movie. The trailers, the whispers, the sheer potential of a story untold – it's a feeling that never gets old. As the big tentpole movies of 2025 approaches, my excitement is reaching a fever pitch.

I've compiled a list of the movies I'm most eager to see, a personal reflection on the cinematic adventures that lie ahead. So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and let's explore the films that have me marking my calendar.

Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Marvel’s first family has been among my favorite comic books for most of my life. I enjoyed the two Chris Evans’ versions, but viscerally hated the Josh Trank one. I’m excited for this as any movie in the last few years, but also nervous because I have high expectations.

Superman
Release Date: July 11, 2025
I’m always in on Day 1 for a new Superman movie to see James Gunn’s vision for this character. I grew up on Christopher Reeves as Superman and he will always be my go-to. Henry Cavill got a raw deal and I would have loved if he had better scripts and more chances to show what he could do. The Zack Snyder Superman was too emo for me. He’s supposed to be the shining light of hope for humanity - who we strive to be. It’s a new era at DC and I’m giving this one a chance.

Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Not much to say about this one, other than it’s Tom Cruise in another Mission Impossible. I’ve come to expect high-quality entertainment out of this franchise.

Thunderbolts
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Yes, I’m excited because it’s Marvel, but also because I’m not sure what to expect from it. The Sentry is an interesting character and I wonder how they’ll deal with his powers - especially his dual personality with The Void. I’m guessing they’re going to skip the drug addiction aspect of Robert Reynolds from the original comic. I love Red Guardian, Yelena and Bucky so them alone are enough to get my butt into the seat.

28 Years Later
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland coming back to one of the most memorable zombie movies I’ve ever seen. Do I need to say more?

The Accountant 2
Release Date: April 25, 2025
The original Accountant was a surprise for me. I never saw it in theater and only watched it after a friend recommended it to me. Now, it’s one of those movies I get in the mood to watch at least once a year. I’m looking forward to seeing how they’ll deal develop a sequel for this.

Wicked: For Good
Release Date: Nov. 21, 2025
I have no idea what to expect from this. I’ve never seen the play and I only watched Wicked a few weeks ago for the first time. I thought it was fantastic, so this immediately ramped up my excitement for the sequel. I didn’t see the original in theater, but this one I will.

Tron: Ares
Release Date: Oct. 10, 2025
To have Tron this far down the list surprises and disappoints me. I’ve loved the original for most of my life and Tron: Legacy, to me, is underrated. I watch it yearly. But I’m not a fan of Jared Leto, so this bumps down the list. Leto is hit-or-miss for me and with him in the lead it all rests on his shoulders.

Zootopia 2
Release Date: Nov. 26, 2025
My wife and I love the original and before we went to D23 last year were wondering why they never made a sequel. We didn’t have to wonder long and the timing was right for us to be excited for the announcement.

Avatar: Fire and Ash
Release Date: Dec. 19, 2025
I find myself saying the Avatar movies aren’t among my favorite movies of all time, but I also find myself with the urge to watch them at least once a year. It’s James Cameron, so it’s difficult to not be excited.

Sinners
Release Date: April 18, 2025
It’s a Ryan Coogler movie and starring Michael B. Jordan. Everything else almost doesn’t matter, but throw in some vampires for fun.
How I Watched It: Theater
My Reivew on Letterboxd

Jurassic World Rebirth
Release Date: July 2, 2025
Teenage me would put this movie further up the list, but outside of the fourth movie, I haven’t enjoyed a Jurassic Park movie in a long time. The new cast is what captures my attention and this is likely a theater movie for me, but my excitement is tempered.

Elio
Release Date: June 20, 2025
A new Pixar movie. That’s really enough for me, but the trailers for this look really good. It seems like one of those classic Pixar movies that will have something for adults and kids. And us adults may gleam more of out of it than the kids.

F1
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Brad Pitt in a movie by Joseph Kosinski. That’s all I really need. I don’t watch F1, but the trailers looks intense and this seems like a movie that needs to be seen in theaters.

Karate Kid: Legends
Release Date: May 30, 2025
Another nostalgia play, but after the Cobra Kai series, this one bumps up the list. I dont’ know anyone who likes the Jaden Smith version, but Jackie Chan is great, so it’s enough to make me want to see this one.

The Running Man
Release Date: Nov. 7, 2025
Edgar Wright directing a movie based on the book by Stephen King? I’m in. Tack on some nostalgia for the Arnold Schwarzenegger flick and this has my money unless the trailers tanks it.

The Amateur
Release Date: April 11, 2025
The trailer looks interesting enough to have my attention. I like the concept of this guy who doesn’t have the physical skills to avenge his wife, but does have the smarts.

Ballerina
Release Date: June 6, 2025
A John Wick spinoff with Ana de Armas. Do I really need to say more?

How to Train Your Dragon
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Live action remakes never seem to live up to the original, which is why this is low on my list. But, with the original director and Gerard Butler returning makes me interested.

Lilo & Stitch
Release Date: May 23, 2025
I like the original, but I’ve only seen it a couple of times. Disney live-action remakes are okay, at best, but this looks like one that could buck the trend.

Nobody 2
Release Date: Aug. 15, 2025
The original was something I caught on streaming and expected nothing from. Now, I’ve watched it several times and enjoy it for the entertainment value. That gives me enough to want to see a sequel.

Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie
Release Date: April 25, 2025
A pure nostalgia play. I watched all the Cheech & Chong movies growing up, despite never being interested in the culture surrounding it. I can’t wait to see what they cook up for this one.

I am very excited for all of these movies, and I hope that you are too. Please leave a comment about which movies you are most excited to see.