For us here at Screen One, 2025 promises to be a cinematic juggernaut, packed with highly anticipated blockbusters, visionary auteur projects, and exciting franchise entries. With beloved directors returning and fan-favorite franchises expanding, the upcoming year has something for everyone. Based on our buzz here is our list of what we simply can’t wait to see!
NB We haven’t included Nosferatu as that’s out New Years Day so we don’t have to wait for that now. But it would be on the list otherwise
1. Alto Knights
Director: Barry Levinson
Anticipation Scale: 7/10
Release Date: 15th November
Because, Robert DeNiro, gangster epic, Barry Levinson and Nicholas Pileggi
Barry Levinson, the legendary filmmaker behind Rain Man and Good Morning, Vietnam, directs this gritty crime drama that follows a group of friends navigating organized crime. With a seasoned director at the helm and a compelling premise, this could be a sleeper hit of the year.
Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, a pair of Italian Americans who run two separate crime families in the mid-20th century. Genovese attempted to assassinate Costello in 1957, although Costello retired from the mob.
2. The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Director: Matt Shakman
Anticipation Scale: 9/10
Release Date: 25th July
Because we may finally be getting the best version of Marvel’s first family.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe reboots its First Family under Matt Shakman (WandaVision), and fans couldn’t be more excited. Promising a fresh take on the iconic characters, early glimpses suggest a more character-driven, grounded approach to Marvel’s most imaginative superhero team.
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.
3. Tron: Ares
Director: Joachim Rønning
Anticipation Scale: 8/10
Release Date: 10th October
Becuase it’s the sequel we’ve watied for, for a very long time. (we loved Tron: Legacy)
Continuing the legacy of Tron: Legacy, Tron: Ares delves deeper into the Grid, with dazzling visuals and an intriguing story set to expand the lore of this cult franchise. With Jared Leto leading the charge, the film is poised to reignite the Tron fanbase.
A highly sophisticated Program called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
4. Mickey 17
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Anticipation Scale: 10/10
Release Date: 18th April
From Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite), Mickey 17 is a sci-fi epic based on Edward Ashton’s novel about an expendable clone on an ice planet. With Bong’s impeccable storytelling and Robert Pattinson in the lead, this is easily one of the most exciting projects of 2025.
Mickey Barnes has found himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job… to die, for a living.
5. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Director: Len Wiseman
Anticipation Scale: 8/10
Release Date: 6th June
Becuase Ana de Armas was awesome in Bond, so this could be incredible especially working with the John Wick team. Match made in heaven.
Expanding the John Wick universe, Ballerina stars Ana de Armas as a deadly assassin seeking revenge. With promises of sleek action and deeper world-building, this spinoff has all the ingredients to captivate fans of the franchise.
Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Eve Macarro begins her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.
6. The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Anticipation Scale: 7/10
Release Date: 24th January
Because it looks huge scale, epic cast and feels of the old school 70’s dramas.
This visually arresting period drama, starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, explores ambition, betrayal, and artistic integrity. With its mix of bold storytelling and stunning visuals, The Brutalist has the potential to become a critical darling.
Escaping post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage to his wife Erzsébet after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes. On his own in a strange new country, László settles in Pennsylvania, where the wealthy and prominent industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren recognizes his talent for building. But power and legacy come at a heavy cost.
7. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Anticipation Scale: 10/10
Release Date: 21st May
Because the trailer knows how to make you want to see a blockbuster. Plus we get to watch the latest way Tom Cruise tries to give insurance companies coronaries. At this point he’s like the inventor of the Batman 60’s TV show death traps.
Tom Cruise returns for what promises to be the most explosive chapter of the Mission: Impossible saga. McQuarrie has crafted increasingly high-octane installments, and fans are eager to see how Ethan Hunt’s journey concludes.
Our lives are the sum of our choices. After escaping a calamitous train crash, Ethan realizes The Entity is stashed aboard an old Russian submarine, but a foe from his past named Gabriel is also on the trail.
8. Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M. Chu
Anticipation Scale: 9/10
Release Date: 21st November
Because unless you’re in denial, you loved the first one and despite the shows second half being slightly weaker than the first, it has the better songs and you all want to get back in the cinemas to get your theatre-kid on once more.
The second part of the Wicked adaptation delves into the climactic moments of Elphaba and Glinda’s story. With Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) directing and a star-studded cast, For Good is set to enchant audiences and deliver emotional payoffs.
Follows Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The second of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
9. Karate Kid Legends
Director: Jonathan Entwistle
Anticipation Scale: 7/10
Release Date: 30th May
Becuase the two universes come together and the thought of Jackie Chan with Ralph Macchio together was the combo you didn’t know you needed. Plus after Conra Kai finale, this will be your fix to keep you going.
Rebooting the beloved Karate Kid franchise, Legends introduces a new generation to the timeless story of martial arts and self-discovery. With Jackie Chan returning as Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso, nostalgia meets fresh storytelling.
After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.
10. Elio
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Anticipation Scale: 8/10
Release Date: 13th June
Becuase this ones been a long time coming, from seeing the first trailer over a year ago, we’ve been waiting…
Pixar’s latest feature follows Elio, a boy mistaken for the ambassador of Earth by an intergalactic council. With Pixar’s track record of heartwarming, imaginative tales, Elio is poised to be another standout in their storied history.
Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination, finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.
Also On the Radar
While the above films are leading the anticipation race, several other exciting projects are on the horizon:
- Superman (James Gunn): Gunn’s DCU debut promises a fresh take on the iconic hero.
- The Running Man (Edgar Wright): Wright’s reimagining of the dystopian classic is already generating buzz. Plus it is the latest installement of Glen Powell’s rise to super-stardom.
- 28 Years Later (Danny Boyle): The long-awaited follow-up to 28 Days Later reunites Boyle with screenwriter Alex Garland.
- The Amateur (James Hawes): A gripping espionage thriller that’s bound to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
2025 is shaping up to be a monumental year for cinema. With visionary directors, iconic franchises, and fresh narratives, there’s plenty to look forward to. Whether it’s the emotional highs of Wicked: For Good, the adrenaline-pumping thrills of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, or the thought-provoking brilliance of Mickey 17, these films promise to make 2025 unforgettable for movie lovers everywhere.
