Here’s what to expect so far, and a lot of them are sequels or reboots.
Now that 2024 has come to a close, it’s time to look forward to the new things in 2025. But this list is going to pertain to just movies. Some of them are original and others are sequels, remakes, or reboots. I can’t name everything, but I can name 25 that are coming out.
“Back in Action” (Streaming on Netflix January 17)
Cameron Diaz had a very bad year in 2014 with “The Other Woman,” “Gambit,” “Sex Tape,” and “Annie,” and she did retire a decade ago. But a decade later, she’s back in the game, co-stars with Jamie Foxx and Glenn Close, among others. Will it be a comeback hit or a go-away film? Let’s find out.
“Dog Man” (In Theaters January 31)
Based on the comic book series, credited by David Pilkey (who also did “Captain Underpants”), we follow a human cop and his canine partner, who both end up in an explosion, and putting the dog’s head on the man’s body would create Dog Man. For those of us unfamiliar with the source material, we sure have a lot of questions, but like “Captain Underpants,” Dreamworks Animation is using the same animation style, so it could be fun.
“Captain America: Brave New World” (In Theaters February 14)
In this latest MCU installment, Anthony Mackie is back as Sam Wilson, who went from Falcon to the new Captain America. And following William Hurt’s death, Harrison Ford now plays Thaddeus Ross, who becomes Red Hulk. The MCU has been debatable lately with “Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania” being crappy and “Deadpool & Wolverine” being entertaining. So, whose side are we on?
“The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” (In Theaters February 28)
I got an early look at this Looney Tunes movie, because it was given an award qualifying release in Los Angeles, and let me tell you: it’s delightful. It’s a perfect Porky Pig and Daffy Duck movie made in the 2020s by animation veteran Peter Browngardt, and trying a different spin on the alien invasion genre. This is much better than “Space Jam: A New Legacy.”
Mickey 17 (In Theaters March 7)
Robert Pattinson plays Mickey, who keeps dying as part of a science experiment. So, I guess like Bill Murray or Jessica Rothe, we’re going to see his death in many ways. And this is director Bong Joon-ho’s first entry since his Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” so there’s definitely going to be a lot of ambition.
“The Electric State” (Streaming on Netflix March 14)
The Russo Brothers’ latest movie deals with a connection between humans and robots, and not the good kind of connection. There might be a different aspect, when Millie Bobby Brown recruits the help of a robot who might know where her missing brother is. Chris Pratt and Ke Huy Quan are also in the cast, and the voice actors include Woody Harrelson, Brian Cox, and Jenny Slate.
“Snow White” (In Theaters March 21)
So far, I’m thinking: Are you kidding me? Is Gal Gadot going to be the only good thing about this remake of the Disney animated classic that started it all? She plays the evil queen, while Rachel Ziegler plays Snow White. And of course, the Seven Dwarfs have to be covered on CGI effects. Heigh-ho, what a time we live in.
“Thunderbolts” (In Theaters May 2)
Another MCU movie, but with Sebastian Stan back as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, and David Harbour as Red Guardian, among others going on a mission for our government. I wonder what politics and superhero plots points they’ll be dealing with this time.
“Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning” (In Theaters May 23)
Two years ago, we had to take a break from Ethan Hunt’s (Tom Cruise) latest mission, but at least at the time the new villain (Esai Morales) doesn’t have the ultimate weapon. Now, we get to see where it all pays off, and I know it’s going to get exciting.
“Lilo & Stitch” (In Theaters May 23)
Why am I not surprised that a live action remake of the 2002 Disney animated hit would come into fruition? At least Chris Sanders (who directed and voiced the title alien) reprises his voice role.
“Karate Kid: Legends” (In Theaters May 30)
Ralph Macchio is back as Daniel LaRusso from the 80s movies, and Jackie Chan is also back as Mr. Han from the 2010 version. And there’s Ben Wang as the new kid. So, he has a lot to learn from those two.
“Happy Gilmore 2” (Streaming on Netflix Sometime This Summer)
I’m one of those 90s guys who enjoyed “Happy Gilmore” with Adam Sandler playing a would-be hockey player turned pro golfer. So I guess we have to get a sequel that’s nearly 30 years old. Julie Bowen, Christoper MacDonald, and Ben Stiller are also among the returning actors, and some new faces include Bad Bunny and Margaret Qualley.
“Elio” (In Theaters June 13)
There have been some changes to Disney/Pixar’s latest entry, not just the release date getting pushed back, but also for “Turning Red” filmmaker Domee Shi being one of the directors and America Ferrera dropping out due to scheduling conflicts. She was supposed to play the title boy’s mother, but now, Zoe Saldana will voice his aunt instead.
“How to Train Your Dragon” (In Theaters June 13)
I guess someone was asking that if Disney can do live action remakes, then why not Dreamworks Animation? Dean DeBlois, who was one of the people behind the animated trilogy, returns as the director, while Gerard Butler reprises his role as the chieftain of Berk-Stoick the Vast-whiel Mason Thames now takes over Jay Baruchel’s role as his son Hiccup. So far, the dragon Toothless looks like Toothless. But you know the case with this trend of live action remakes. It’s all a coin flip.
“28 Years Later” (In Theaters June 20)
Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland both return to this British zombie movie franchise, which now takes place nearly 3 decades later. The new cast members now include Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, and much to my surprise, it’s filmed on an iPhone. Don’t disappoint us.
“F1” (In Theaters June 27)
Brad Pitt stars in this race car movie about a Formula One driver, who has a horrible accident and goes in retirement. He comes out of it to mentor a rookie racer (Damson Idris) for the Apex Grand Prix. So far, I love how the teaser is presented to the tune of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” (In Theaters July 2)
Gareth Edwards is the new director while Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey are the new leads in this Jurassic franchise. I’m told, so far, that this one involves the lives of both humans and dinosaurs, and what their world unfolds for them. I hated the last two films, so I think I can speak for everyone by saying: this one better be good.
“Superman” (In Theaters July 11)
David Corenswet will play the Man of Steel in James Gunn’s latest entry, as he deals with his Krypton heritage and his life on Earth. We’re also going to get Rachel Brosnanhan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luther, and even Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern. And we get to see his dog Krypto. So bring on the fanbase.
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (In Theaters July 25)
I guess every decade we’re going to get a new “Fantastic 4” franchise. The 2005 film had one sequel, the 2015 had many haters including myself, and the upcoming 2025 version has Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie himself) as The Thing. Can it survive the MCU? We shall see.
“The Bad Guys 2” (In Theaters August 1)
The sequel to the Dreamworks Animation hit features our favorite bad guys trying to go good, but are forced to do one last job by some an all female crew with voices from Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, and Maria Bakalova. I enjoyed the first film, which shared its love for Tarantino and Soderbergh movies, and I think I’ll have fun with this sequel, too.
“The Battle of Baktan Cross” (In Theaters August 8)
Not much is known about Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest entry, other than his cast which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Sean Penn, and his “Licorice Pizza” star Alana Haim. He has made one masterpiece after another, so anything is possible.
“Tron: Ares” (In Theaters October 10)
This sequel to the popular franchise which takes place in a video game world is going to be dealing with A.I. Jared Leto will play the new lead Ares, while Jeff Bridges will reprise his iconic role of Kevin Flynn. I wonder what the future unfolds here.
“Wicked: For Good” (In Theaters November 21)
The first part of “Wicked” has been a big hit with fans and critics alike. I was very happy to take my mother to see it, as she did with her mother with the original Broadway show. It all comes down to this as Cynthia Erivo as the Wicked Witch of the West and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch.
“Zootopia 2” (In Theaters November 26)
The original “Zootopia” was very high on my Best of 2016 list, one of the reasons being that the Disney animated masterpiece had its own ways on expressing equality and segregation without being too dark or too sappy. It knew how to be delightful in every aspect. So far in this sequel, we’re going to get some reptiles and sea animals. I wonder what’s going to come out of this case.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” (In Theaters December 19)
Other than the Spider character being stupid and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) acting like a dick the last time, James Cameron’s franchise has so far been able to win fans of all ages with its visuals and commitment to the world of Pandora. What’s going to happen this time? Maybe the upcoming teaser will tell us.
I’m a film critic, not a fortune teller, so I guess we’re going to have to wait to see what hidden treasures are going to be found, and which friends will be dropped off at the pool.