Yahoo Lifestyle The 30 must-see movies to be released in 2025
Mark your calendars, because 2025 is set to be a big year for moviegoers.
While 2024 celebrated the experiential (think Emilia Pérez, The Substance, and more) this year is all about embracing the familiar. Get ready for rebooted franchises like the latest from Jurassic Park, Superman, and Bridget Jones as well as a slate of films featuring some of our favorite famous faces including Cameron Diaz, Ayo Edebiri, and Margot Robbie. Have you been eagerly awaiting a modern day revamp of the vampire genre? Look no further than Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan's southern vampire-slayer epic Sinner that's coming this spring. Are you aching to feel like a teen again? Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan have you covered with Freakier Friday.
Whether you want to laugh, cry, or dive deep into nostalgia, there's a film this year for you. Ahead, Harper's Bazaar has rounded up the 30 movies we can't wait to watch this year.
Back in Action (17 January, Netflix)
This film is a comeback double whammy. Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz (in her much-anticipated return to the big screen) play former CIA agents who are forced to return to their life of espionage once their hidden identities are revealed.
You're Cordially Invited (30 January, Amazon Prime Video)
Book and producing empire aside, we still love Reese Witherspoon most when she's starring in a perfect rom-com. In You're Cordially Invited, Witherspoon and Will Ferrel feature as two parents who realise their children have booked the same wedding venue on the same day. After deciding to share the tiny, intimate space, chaos ensues.
Companion (31 January, cinema release)
This psychological thriller directed by Drew Hancock stars scream-queen-in-training Sophie Thatcher of Yellowjackets fame. After visiting a billionaire's remote estate in the woods in the wake of his untimely passing, a group of friends experiences a chain of grisly events set in motion by his death.
Sly Lives! (13 February, Disney +)
Directed by musical maestro Questlove, this documentary examines the life and legacy of the legendary funk band Sly & The Family Stone. The film will follow the band's "rise, reign, and subsequent fadeout" while analysing the double standards of success for Black artists in America.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (14 February, cinema release))
Did we really need another Bridget Jones installment? Probably not, but we'll tag along for the ride nonetheless. In the fourth film in the popular rom-com franchise, Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is grappling with newfound widowhood and finds unlikely comfort in the arms of a younger man named Roxter, portrayed by recent breakout Leo Woodall (The White Lotus, One Day). It's the latest addition to a string of films like The Idea of You and Babygirl that flip the age-gap conversation on its head.
I'm Still Here (21 February, cinema release)
Living under a powerful military regime, Brazilian mother Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) — a mother of five — is forced to rethink her life after she and her loved ones are subjected to a violent act at the hands their own government. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's biographical book, the film highlights a crucial era in the hidden history of Brazil.
Mickey 17(7 March, cinema release)
In Bong Joon Ho's follow-up to his Oscar-winning film Parasite, Robert Pattinson, one of our last true movie stars, plays an "expendable" who is sent on a dangerous mission to colonise a new ice planet. Every time he dies, a new version of himself emerges with most of his memories intact.
Opus (14 March, cinematic release)
In A24's latest horror offering Opus, Ayo Edebiri stars as a young journalist who is invited to the remote home of a long lost legendary pop star. Upon her arrival, she quickly discovers the musician is running a cult of captive critics and sycophants and is plotting a dark return to the limelight.
Snow White (21 March, cinema release)
Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) takes on one of the most iconic roles within the Disney princess movie canon in 2025's live-action rendition of Snow White. This classic fairy tale needs no introduction; expect stunningly crafted costumes, Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, and Zegler's otherworldly vocals to all take centre stage.
Death of a Unicorn (4 April, cinema releasw)
Starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as father and daughter, the pair accidentally hit and kill a unicorn — yes, a unicorn — while out driving during a weekend retreat. When the father's billionaire boss sees a business opportunity on the horizon thanks to unicorn's alleged curative abilities, all doesn't end well.
Sinners (18 April, cinema release)
Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler can do no wrong. The duo reunites for this southern vampire thriller that delivers a dark twist on the beloved genre. Set in 1930s Jim Crow-era Louisiana, the film follows twin brothers who, in an effort to leave their troubles behind, return to their hometown only to learn that a "greater evil" is waiting for them upon their arrival.
The Wedding Banquet (18 April, cinema release)
Director Andrew Anh's remake of the '90s queer classic stars some of Hollywood's most promising talent, including Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang. The premise is altered a bit for the 2025 version: a lesbian couple lives with their two gay best friends in Seattle and arrange a green-card marriage in order to raise funds for a round of IVF.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (9 May, cinema release)
Margot Robbie, we've missed you! In this time-travel romance, Robbie stars alongside Collin Farrell in a story about two strangers who meet at a wedding and end up on an impromptu road-trip adventure guided by a not-quite-so-normal GPS system. Together, they explore their pasts and a newfound special relationship.
Hurry Up Tomorrow (16 May, cinema release)
Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) will make his feature-film debut in this Trey Edward Shults-helmed thriller alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Described as a "first of its kind theatrical experience," the film will take inspiration from the singer's latest album of the same name and his upcoming tour.
Ballerina (7 June, cinema release)
The John Wick universe is the gift that keeps on giving. In the latest franchise installment (which takes place in between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4), Ana de Armas stars as Eve Macarro, a ballerina undergoing training for the assassin tradition of Ruska Roma. The legendary Anjelica Huston, Gabriele Byrne, and the late Lance Reddick, in his final onscreen role, also star.
F1 (25 June, cinema release)
The cultural phenomenon of F1 is heading to the big screen. In this big-budget production courtesy of director Joseph Kosinski, Brad Pitt stars as a veteran racer who comes out of retirement after a near-death crash years prior that sent him into hiding.
M3GAN 2.0 (27 June, cinema release)
The animatronic doll with a taste for blood is back. While the plot details for this sequel are still under wraps, it's bound to be a hit. The original, which starred Girls and Get Out star Alison Williams, brought in more than $170 million at the box office.
Jurassic World: Rebirth (2 July, cinema release)
Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey take the reins in the latest installment of the Jurassic Park franchise. Taking place five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, Zora Bennett (Johansson) leads a team on a mission to extract precious DNA from some of the last remaining (and most dangerous and massive) dinosaurs in order to help humankind.
Superman (11 July, cinema release)
We've been through a number of cinematic reimaginings of the tale of Superman, but this one, courtesy of James Gunn, seems the most promising. David Corenswet stars as the caped superhero and Rachel Brosnahan takes on the role of his longtime love, Lois Lane, in a story that centers around the hero's exploration of his Kyrptonian heritage. Gunn has already won fans over thanks to the first teaser trailer for the film, which also introduced DC Comics' cutest (and fluffiest) character yet: Krypto the Superdog.
Freakier Friday (8 August, cinema release)
Lindsay Lohan back on the big screen? We are blessed, indeed! Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis revive their roles as mother-daughter duo Anna and Tess Coleman in as they once again accidentally swap bodies, much like the original 2003 film. Most of the original cast including Mark Harmon, Christina Vidal, and Chad Michael Murray are set to return as well, but most importantly, Lohan recently confirmed that the film's fictional band Pink Slip will rock once again.
Bugonia (7 November, cinema release)
If anyone consistently brings the weird, it's Yorgos Lanthimos. In his latest collaboration with Oscar-winner and personal muse Emma Stone, Stone plays a high power tech CEO who is kidnapped by two conspiracy-obsessed men who are convinced she's an alien that wants to destroy Earth.
Wicked: For Good (21 November, cinema release)
Almost exactly a year after Wicked: Part One dropped, the second half of Jon M. Chu’s musical adaptation will release in cinemas in November 2025. Set some time after Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) broke ties with the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), Wicked: For Good will follow the witch’s struggles as she attempts to fight off Ozian propaganda and advocate for animal rights. Things will look a lot different for Glinda (Ariana Grande), too. While working in cahoots with Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and newly engaged to Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), Glinda begins to wonder why her dreams haven’t panned out the way she planned.
Frankenstein (TBA)
While there have been dozens of retellings of the story of Frankenstein, none have been executed by the fantastical genius that is Guillermo Del Toro. In this reimagining, Euphoria star Jacob Elordi portrays the famed green monster who is being tracked down by Dr. Pretorious (and was previously believed to have died in a fire four decades prior). Adding to the star power, Oscar Isaac steps into the shoes of Victor Frankenstein.
Happy Gilmore 2 (TBA)
Almost three decades after the original Happy Gilmore won over audiences' hearts, Adam Sandler is back in the titular role with a few famous friends along for the ride: expect appearances from the likes of Bad Bunny and Travis Kelce in this star-studded sequel.
Materialists (TBA)
Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal as a couple? Consider us intrigued. In Celine Song's first project post-Past Lives, Dakota Johnson stars as a lucrative matchmaker whose business comes under fire once she becomes involved in a toxic relationship of her own.
Mother Mary (TBA)
Anne Hathaway portraying a pop star? Yes please. In this upcoming feature from A24, Hathaway stars as Mother Mary, a global superstar who begins a passionate relationship with a high-profile fashion designer, portrayed by Michaela Coel. Hathaway herself has described the upcoming film as "one of the most extraordinary, transformative experiences I have ever had". We'll be watching.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (TBA)
Benoit Blanc returns. We know very little about what's to come from the third installment of the Knives Out franchise, but it's being billed as the detective's "most dangerous case yet". And, in typical Rian Johnson fashion, the cast is not to be missed: Josh O'Connor, Mila Kunis, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close and many, many more all come together for the latest mystery.
The Housemaid (TBA)
Based on a popular novel by Freida McFadden, this film stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie, a young woman working to get a fresh start, who takes on a job as a housemaid for a wealthy couple, Nina and Andrea (Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar). Trying to escape her own past, Millie soon learns that Nina and Andrew are hiding secrets of their own.
Marty Supreme (TBA)
Leave it to Timothee Chalamet to star in A24's most expensive production yet. In this upcoming film from Josh Safdie, Chalamet portrays real life 1950s ping-pong sensation Marty Reisman, though the film isn't being marketed as a tried and true biopic. Looking at the rest of the cast, the film's budget definitely makes sene; Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler the Creator, Fran Drescher, Sandra Bernhard and more also star.
Avatar: Fire and Ash (19 December, cinematic release)
The world of Avatar continues. In the third installment of James Cameron's blockbuster epic, viewers will be introduced to the Ash People, who, according to Cameron, will bring a heightened dynamic to the film. Original Avatar stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana are slated to return as well.
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