Most Anticipated 2025 Films
2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for movies. I’m speaking it into existence.
Now that the country has fully emerged from the pandemic and the aftermath of the Hollywood strikes has settled, 2025 is poised to be the best movie year of the 2020s.
This year, iconic directors like Spike Lee, Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Bong Joon-ho, and more are releasing highly anticipated films. On top of that, A-list stars such as Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Timothée Chalamet, Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, The Rock, Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence, Zendaya, Michael B. Jordan, and others are set to light up the big screen.
With so much talent behind and in front of the camera, there are countless films to look forward to in 2025.
Here are my top 10 most anticipated 2025 films:
10. Mickey 17 (March 7th)
Mickey 17 is a sci-fi dark comedy produced, written, and directed by Bong Joon-ho, the visionary behind Snowpiercer, Okja, and Parasite. The film features an all-star cast, including Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and Steven Yeun.
“Mickey Barnes, an “expendable” employee, is sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. With one regeneration, though, things go very wrong.”
Like all Bong Joon-ho films—at least the ones I’ve seen—Mickey 17 will likely explore themes of class, wealth, and capitalism. The premise certainly suggests that direction.
Whenever a director with such a strong track record releases a new film, I’m always intrigued, especially when it stars someone like Robert Pattinson.
9. Whitney Springs (July 4th)
For a long time, this movie was untitled, and little information was available, except that Kendrick Lamar and the creators of South Park were involved. Their collaboration alone is intriguing to me.
Kendrick Lamar has had an incredible run recently—beating Drake in what might be the biggest rap battle of the 21st century and performing at the Super Bowl. So, seeing him star in a feature film, especially a comedy, is a surprising career move.
Labeling Kendrick simply as a rapper or musician feels limiting; he’s an artist, first and foremost. His venture into film is nothing short of fascinating.
“A black man interning as a slave re-enactor at a living history museum finds out that his white girlfriend’s ancestors once owned his.”
With Trey Parker directing, who knows what absurd and controversial elements might make their way into this film. Given such a juicy plot, I’m excited to find out.
8. Highest 2 Lowest (Summer 2025)
Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky, & Ice Spice
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are teaming up again, likely for the final time before Denzel retires. Malcolm X and Inside Man are two of my all-time favorite films, so you can be sure I’ll be seated for anything Lee and Washington do together.
“An English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosowa’s 1963 crime thriller High and Low.”
My one concern about this film is that Ice Spice and A$AP Rocky are reported to play significant roles. However, with Lee at the helm, and Washington and Jeffrey Wright also starring, I’m confident that concern will fade.
7. The Smashing Machine (“Mid” 2025)
The Rock as Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine
For much of his movie career, The Rock has starred in mostly mediocre to bad action films, which has led audiences to not take him seriously as an actor. The Smashing Machine is his attempt to change that perception.
“MMA fighter Mark Kerr struggles with addiction, winning and love during his peak era in the UFC.”
Written and directed by Benny Safdie, who co-wrote and co-directed Uncut Gems with his brother, The Smashing Machine should be a powerful and gritty drama about the brutality of professional fighting and the toll it takes on the fighters.
6. F1 (June 27th)
Brad Pitt, fast cars, and the guy who directed Top Gun: Maverick? Hell ya!
“Racing legend Sonny Hayes is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver—while chasing one more chance at glory.”
F1 also stars Damson Idris, known for his role in Snowfall. I've long believed he should make the jump to film. While this isn’t his first feature, it’s by far the biggest and most prestigious movie he’s been a part of, and I’m excited to see his performance as the young hotshot driver. Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, and Shea Whigham also have roles in the film—actors I typically enjoy.
Do I think F1 will be thematically or emotionally deep? Probably not. But I do think it's going to be a rip-roaring good time at the movies.
5. Sinners (April 18th)
I've long been eager to see what Ryan Coogler would do once he was done playing in the Marvel sandbox. He’s directed four films before Sinners, two of which were Black Panther movies, and another was the first Creed. I’m excited to see him return to telling an original story.
“Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.”
Michael B. Jordan stars as twins in this period piece, with Hailee Steinfeld joining him. If you can, avoid the trailer or any additional plot details—it’s best to go in blind. There’s something about the film that I know, and honestly, I wish I didn’t!
4. Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning (July 12th)
The 8th and final Tom Cruise Mission Impossible film.
I love the Mission: Impossible series. It might be the best action franchise of all time. Tom Cruise performing insane stunts at his age never fails to impress me.
“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.”
I’m excited to see Ethan Hunt one last time before he passes the Mission: Impossible reins to a younger star or the franchise comes to an end.
3. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (May 9th)
Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell
An imaginative tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.
This is one of the most vague and meaningless loglines for a movie I’ve ever seen—it could apply to so many films. That said, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey features Margot Robbie in her first film since Barbie, and Colin Farrell, two actors I truly adore. Kogonada has proven with films like After Yang that he’s a more than capable filmmaker.
2. Marty Supreme (Christmas Day)
Timothée Chalamet and Josh Safdie on the set of Marty Supreme
As Bill Simmons would say, I’m a Timothée Chalamet season ticket holder at this point. If he’s in a film, I’m going to see it. Chalamet has proven he has excellent taste in roles. Teaming up with Uncut Gems writer and director Josh Safdie for this period sports movie about a ping pong player feels like another smart move for a rising star aiming to follow in the footsteps of icons like Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Jack Nicholson.
Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.
I have no idea what the tone or tenor of this film will be, but the people involved have me genuinely excited about a ping-pong movie. I can't say I ever thought I’d be into that!
1. One Battle After Another (August 8th)
Leonardo DiCaprio on the set of The Battle of Baktan Cross
Paul Thomas Anderson is one of America’s best filmmakers. With masterful films like There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights, The Master, and more, Anderson knows how to craft a truly exceptional film.
Leonardo DiCaprio remains Hollywood’s top hitmaker. Pairing these two and giving Anderson his biggest budget ever is bound to produce a remarkable result.
When their evil nemesis resurfaces after 16 years, a band of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own.
DiCaprio isn’t the only notable actor—Sean Penn and Regina Hall will join him, along with one of my favorite up-and-coming talents, Teyana Taylor.
Whenever one of America’s most prestigious filmmakers releases a film, I can’t help but get excited.
Well, there you have it. The ten 2025 films I’m looking forward to most. Check out this link for a long list of must-see 2025 films.
Which 2025 film are you most anticipating?