2025 is loaded with exciting movies ranging from new installments of major franchises to potential Oscar contenders and star-studded indies, and all are among Screen Rant’s most anticipated movies of the year. The year is even more stacked than usual thanks to studios delaying a few of these upcoming titles to 2025. Now that this is all behind us,2025 looks to be a very promising year in film. And while some highly anticipated titles are likely to disappoint in some fashion, that’s not a factor when considering titles that are inherently exciting for various reasons.
Putting together a list of the 25 most anticipated movies of any year is no easy task, as some films have to be overlooked. Not every 2025 Marvel Cinematic Universe movie can make the cut. Meanwhile,there’s the return of franchises likeTron,Now You See Me,Five Nights at Freddy’s,Nobody, and morethat are also on the outside looking in. And while there are multiple movies projected for 2025 releases that could shake up the Oscars race, most do not have confirmed release dates, which means they’re left off this list. These are Screen Rant’s most anticipated movies of 2025.
Jeremy Allen White has become a huge TV star in recent years thanks toThe Bear, building off his success withShameless. But 2025 is his test to be a potential movie star as he is set to play Bruce Springsteen inDeliver Me From Nowhere. Directed by Scott Cooper (Out of the Furnace),the film has lofty expectations to get Springsteen’s life and music right. The chance to see Jeremy Allen White tackle that challenge makes the film so exciting, especially after his outstanding performance inThe Iron Claw.
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson were once megastars of young adult book-to-movie franchises, but those days are well behind them, with each leveling up to be some of the best working performers in their 30s. They are set to unite inDie, My Love- a new film from director Lynne Ramsay (We Need To Talk About Kevin) - as Lawrence plays a woman struggling with life in a dark comedy. Thefirst lookDie, My Loveimagesalready tease the potential entertainment factor that Lawrence and Pattinson’s screen time together will provide.
Building off his double hit year in 2024 withDune: Part TwoandA Complete Unknown, Timothée Chalamet has another incredibly exciting film set for 2025. He’s the star ofMarty Supreme, the first solo directorial feature for Josh Safdie after previously directingUncut Gems,Good Time, and more with his brother Benny. This movie is responsible for Chalamet’s much-publicized mustache as he dawns the appearance for the ping-pong-focused film. Considering hecould be a Best Actor Oscar winnerby the timeMarty Supremereleases, it will be a big deal.
Ballerinais the firstJohn Wickspinoff movie, and it was originally meant for a release last year - which is why it was on our list ofmost anticipated movies of 2024. Despite the delays and reports of reshoots, excitement has not dipped.The firstBallerinatrailer is encouraging, and all those reshoots were done to amplify the action so the film is more on par with Keanu Reeves' mainJohn Wickmovies. Chad Stahelski getting more involved, as reported, should only be for the benefit of Ana de Armas' spinoff.
Stitch is one of Disney’s most popular creations, so his return to the big screen in the 2025 live-actionLilo & Stitchis inherently exciting. The film might be somewhat familiar in its story depending on how closely it sticks to the original animated film. Still, there is an opportunity for audiences to fall in love with Lilo and Stitch all over again or for younger audiences to discover them for the first time. If another reason to be excited is needed,Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) directing it is very promising.
The firstZootopiais a bigger hit than it really gets credit for, and the mass love for the film should translate over to the sequel.Zootopia 2brings back the same great characters and voice actors from the first film while adding new ones, like Ke Huy Quan as a snake. Details on the sequel are still pretty bare. Still, withEncanto’s directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard taking control of the film, there’s a good chanceZootopia 2winds up as one of the biggest hits and possibly the best animated movie of 2025.
Alex Garland delivered one of 2024’s best movies withCivil War, so it is delightful to know that another film from him is coming so quickly.Warfareis a film he co-directed and co-wrote with Ray Mendoza,Civil War’s military advisor, based on Mendoza’s actual experiences fighting in Iraq. The initialWarfaretrailer teased its real-time story and soldier-focused narrative.Anything from Garland is worth getting excited about, but add in Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Noah Centineo, Michael Gandolfini, Kit Connor, and more, andWarfare’s cast is loaded with rising stars too.
Scott Derrickson and longtime collaborator C. Robert Cargill delivered one of the best horror movies of 2021 withThe Black Phone. So, the decision to return to this world andhave Ethan Hawke reprise his role as The Grabberin a new installment is incredible. Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw also return after their breakout roles.The Black Phone 2is very likely to terrify audiences once again. Seeing what Derrickson delivers from an idea conceived by the original short’s writer, Joe Hill, makes it among the most exciting of2025’s horror movies.
Cobra Kaihas done an incredible job of revitalizing interest in theKarate Kidfranchise over the last few years, but 2025 brings the series back to movie theaters. Seeing Jackie Chan return as Mr. Han and interact with Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso makes the film a can’t miss entry. There are sure to be new revelations that help push the franchise forward andconnect Mr. Han and Daniel.Karate Kid: Legendsmay have missed its original perfect release date timed with the franchise’s 40th anniversary, but it can now fill the void left byCobra Kaiseason 6 ending.
The lastJurassic Worldmovie only came out in 2022, and while it was billed as the final installment, that’s only really true for Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and the originalJurassic Parkstars.Jurassic World Rebirthis, as the title implies, a fresh start for the series - and the talent involved is very exciting.Gareth Edwards (Godzilla,Rogue One) is a master of scope and scale that should be perfect for taking on the dinosaur franchise, while Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey headlineJurassic World Rebirth’s cast. This could be a great franchise rebirth.
