Knock on Wood

After an unconventional and strange 2024 failed to reach the heights of years previous, we’re ready to delve into an IP-driven (and yet still very exciting) 2025. Iconic filmmakers like Kathryn Bigelow, Paul Thomas Anderson, Bong Joon-ho, James Cameron, Wes Anderson, Spike Lee, and Ryan Coogler are returning to the fold, and apart from exciting prospects like the theatrical beginning of James Gunn’s DCU, new (properly exciting) Marvel movies, and the conclusion of franchises like Mission: Impossible, there are a host of original stories to look forward to. There are plenty of films, whether they be original, adaptations, or sequels, that we’re looking forward to this year. Here are a few, curated by our contributors.

Dog Man

I am a reading tutor at a local elementary school, and the kids have picked up on the fact that while I do not see everything, I do stay pretty tuned in to what movies are out and what movies are coming out soon. Sometimes, they ask me if I’ve seen their current favorites (they were shocked to hear that not only have I not seen Sonic 3, I also haven’t seen Sonic 1 or 2). They’ll ask me when I plan to see the movies they like (and then they’re disappointed when I say seeing Sonic 3 isn’t my top priority right now). But somehow, by weaponizing the proper blend of enthusiasm for the franchise and respect for my opinions about movies, the kids have gotten me excited to see Dog Man. When the trailer came on before Moana 2, Rowan’s father leaned over and whispered “That looks terrible.” Rowan agreed. I, however, had been thinking something more along the lines of “I wonder if I can convince Rowan to see Dog Man in the theater when it comes out?” I have never read the books. I have never read the Captain Underpants books (Rowan has informed me that “Dog Man is intrinsic to the Underpants lore”). So, fine, one of my most anticipated movies of the year is Dog Man so I can impress the kids at work. But Rowan didn’t ask me to write a blurb about the 2025 film I think will be the best, he asked me to write about something I’m excited to see. And I’m excited to see Dog Man. (Davis Mathis)

The Life of Chuck

Mike Flanagan has been the go-to Stephen King adapter for almost as long as he’s been a well-renowned horror filmmaker; not only has he found success with Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, but he’s currently developing series adaptations of Carrie and The Dark Tower for Amazon. But, surprisingly, his latest King adaptation doesn’t fall into the horror genre – The Life of Chuck, which originated as a short story in the King collection If It Bleeds, is an uplifting, life-affirming tale of Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston), told in reverse, showing us how he lived his life. It seems unremarkable on the surface, but the King and Flanagan of it all suggests it will be far more than it appears. The stellar ensemble cast includes Jacob Tremblay, Nick Offerman, Karen Gillan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mark Hamill, Heather Langenkamp, Kate Siegel, Matthew Lillard, David Dastmalchian, Harvey Guillén, Carl Lumbly, Rahul Kohli, and many more. And if that wasn’t enough, The Life of Chuck made waves at last year’s Toronto Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award. Everything I’ve heard about the film seems like it was made exclusively with me and my tastes in mind, and I could not be more excited to finally see it. (Rowan Wood)

28 Years Later

The return of Alex Garland and Danny Boyle as the film’s writer-director pairing, the introduction of Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Aaron Taylor Johnson to the cast, the fact that the original 28 Days Later remains one of the greatest horror films of all time… Though the title may be false advertising (this sequel releases 23 years after the original film), there is no shortage of reasons to be excited for 28 Years Later. If the chilling trailer released last month is any indication, this is shaping up to be as unrelenting in its terror as the original film. (Foster Harlfinger)

Ballerina

What is the most vibrant, rich, and vast new cinematic world introduced in the past decade? You might not expect an answer to be for an action franchise, but that is the absolute truth due to Derek Kolstad’s John Wick. From the first film, you knew this vast world of spies and assassins was something worth exploring. Each new entry in Keanu Reeves’ journey expanded this world and added layers in terms of mythology. But we are now ready to blow this package of potential wide open. Underworld director Len Wiseman might be taking the reins from stellar action director Chad Stahelski (which is the most concerning aspect of this spinoff) but this is a world ready to be explored. When you have one of Hollywood’s most exciting young performers taking the lead as well, the charming and alluring Ana de Armas, that is quite the exciting prospect in itself. But with the likes of Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, and Anjelica Huston returning as well, you have some fun characters to enjoy as well. John Wick is one of the greatest action franchises ever, and it has raised the bar for action, choreography, and stunts. Another entry in this beloved series that will expand it and introduce even more fascinating characters into this dangerous world of assassins is something worth getting excited about. (Shane Conto)

Warfare

Since Band of Brothers got its second companion piece in 2024’s Masters of Air, Warfare is my pick as a spiritual successor to Saving Private Ryan. Not since the 1998 epic has a movie featured nearly the entire bevy of young, male Hollywood. Reservation Dogs’ D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai stars as a young version of the co-director and co-writer of the film, Ray Mendoza, as he and his platoon of Navy SEALS fight their way through a mission during the Iraq War. The other half of Ray Mendoza, Alex Garland, is fresh off of the well-received Civil War, where he directed up-and-comer Cailee Spaeny. Now instead of one, he directs a horde of young talent, including (but not limited to) Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Kit Connor, Noah Centineo, Finn Bennet, Taylor John Smith, Cosmo Jarvis and Will Poulter. Essentially, if you’ve watched TV in the last 5 years, you probably recognize one of them. It will be interesting to see where the story takes them, considering it is reportedly in real-time, but if for no other reason, Warfare could be a glimpse at what the next 30 years of cinema could look like. (Ian Hubbard)

Wicked: For Good

Before Wicked was released, I tried to keep my expectations low. For a while, I maintained that the first film, covering Act One of the stage musical, would be pretty good, and then the second film would probably be worth skipping. This was based partially on the fact that Act Two of the stage show is significantly less entertaining than the first, and partially due to me just not wanting to get my hopes up. Aside from the (at times) unacceptably bad coloring, Wicked far surpassed my expectations. A nearly three-hour movie adapting only Act One of a musical rightfully made me skeptical, but while watching it I was grateful for every choice to add moments that weren’t in the show or expand on the moments that were. As the movie played, I found myself getting excited about Wicked: For Good. It’s not often that I go into a movie skeptically and leave excited by not only the movie but also the sequel that I already know the entire plot of. But knowing what happens in Act Two of the show, I cannot wait to see it adapted by this team. Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda was a major highlight of Wicked, and by the end of “No One Mourns the Wicked” (the opening song) I was already thinking about the performance she’d give in Part Two when her character gains a lot more depth. Not to mention Cynthia Erivo’s vocals, which left plenty of people in my theater crying, and will be on full display in “As Long as You’re Mine,” “No Good Deed,” and an original song written for the movie. I got emotional when “For Good” instrumentals played during the score in Part One, so I do not doubt that watching Grande and Erivo perform the song will have me crying as much as they did on the press tour. (Davis Mathis)

Sinners

The true nature of Black Panther director Ryan Coogler’s latest film, a period piece that stars Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers in the American South, is still mysterious. Marketing has been (appropriately) vague, showcasing the twins’ return to their hometown, upon which they find themselves drawn into a sinister plot. Is this a movie about vampires? Will Coogler give us a supernatural rendition of the “brother against brother” motif that has dominated surface-level Civil War conversation for over 150 years? Either way, I’m thrilled to see Coogler stretch beyond the bounds of the Marvel machine with a wholly original story, and even more excited to see him work with an almost brand-new cast. This will be one that genre fans will be talking about for a long time. (Rowan Wood)

No Other Choice

The new film directed by Park Chan-wook, that’s the pitch! In describing his intention to shoot No Other Choice as his next film back in 2019, Chan-wook stated he hoped to make this film as his masterpiece — a bold and exciting claim from the director of Oldboy and The Handmaiden. As no trailer has yet been released, all we know is that the plot follows a recently fired 25-year employee who engages in a violent hunt for a new job. Knowing Chan-wook’s fearless storytelling ability and impeccable direction, there should not be a doubt in any self-respecting cinephile’s mind that No Other Choice will be one of the must-see films of the year. (Foster Harlfinger)

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Is this really it? If the title has any indication, one of the greatest action franchises in the history of cinema just might be coming to an end. Tom Cruise said he could do it until he was 80, but it looks like Paramount might be ready to close the book on Ethan Hunt and his colleague in the Impossible Mission Force. After Dead Reckoning Part One did not meet its financial needs at the box office, you might not be surprised that the sun is setting for Ethan, Benji, and Luther. But Dead Reckoning did set the stage with great quality, and now it is all the more exciting to see The Final Reckoning and how Ethan will take down this all-powerful AI threat. The action is guaranteed to be amazing, with Christopher McQuarrie already proving with his other Mission: Impossible efforts. This film is filled to the brim with talent, from the newly-introduced Hayley Atwell to returners like Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Angela Bassett, Henry Czerny, and Vanessa Kirby. With a wild ensemble and guaranteed incredible action, The Final Reckoning is an exciting prospect for the franchise that keeps getting better with each new entry. (Shane Conto)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

It’s no secret that Marvel has been on a rough streak as of late when it comes to their theatrical releases — just watch last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine, and you’ll see Marvel have its own characters making fun of their output these last few years. What The Fantastic Four: First Steps offers the MCU is the chance to rebuild. Directed by Matt Shakman who recently helmed the largely excellent WandaVision — one of the few bright spots of Marvel’s Phase Four — the promotional materials for First Steps display a refreshingly retro 1960s aesthetic. Audiences already have a built-in connection to the Fantastic Four, and with such an inspired new cast, it is difficult not to feel a glimmer of hope at the direction this reboot seems to be headed. (Foster Harlfinger)

Death of a Unicorn

In a world of sequels and cinematic worlds to play within, it can be discouraging if you’re on the hunt for a new idea. Enter Death of a Unicorn. With two producing credits to his name, first-time writer and director Alex Scharfman promises an intriguing story – Paul Rudd and his daughter Jenna Ortega accidentally run over a unicorn while on their way to meet the wealthy Leopold family for a business summit. The unicorn’s body is discovered to have major restorative powers, and while the Leopolds (played by Will Poulter, Tea Leoni, Richard E. Grant and Anthony Carrigan) try to commercialize these findings, the deceased unicorn’s mate begins to hunt them. Horror-comedy can be a tough tone to blend, but with these veteran comedic actors teaming up against a score led by horror icon John Carpenter, his son, and his godson, we should expect to see hilarity being chased at the heels by monstrosity. (Ian Hubbard)

Predator: Badlands

What made Predator such an iconic and masterful execution of genre filmmaking? The film had the perfect mix of horror, science fiction, and action unlike any film before it. John McTiernan directed the heck out of this Arnold Schwartzenegger led flick. But the franchise was never able to reach the same height again…until Prey. Unfortunately relegated to Hulu, Dan Tractenberg’s horror/sci-fi/action flick was a revelation. The context and period were shuffled up in an effective and satisfying way as we follow Amber Midthunder’s Naru, a member of the Comanche Nation, as she must go toe-to-toe with a more primitive (for their standards) Predator. Tractenberg has been saddled with this franchise and we know it is in great hands. Badlands promises to shake things up again as Tractenberg seeks to keep his revamped Predator franchise going in new and exciting directions. There is not a ton to base expectations off of, but having not just one but two Predator films from this talented filmmaker and a return to the theaters is going to make this one of the big releases of Fall 2025. (Shane Conto)

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

The third in Rian Johnson’s series of stylish, subversive murder mysteries titled after classic rock tunes, Wake Up Dead Man reunites us with our favorite modern detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) as he descends into yet another chaotic situation accompanied by a stellar ensemble. We don’t know too much about this third Knives Out film, but if its predecessors are any indication, it will be a true delicacy of wit, snark, and biting social commentary. Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and up-and-comer Cailee Spaeny are just some of the supporting cast members who are lending their talents to Johnson’s latest venture, and I hope Netflix repays his efforts in kind with a proper theatrical release. (Rowan Wood)

The Bride!

We are in a horror renaissance. With the vibrant success of The Substance, and recent memorable turns from established actors like Ralph Fiennes, Hugh Grant, and soon-to-be Al Pacino, (looking at you, The Ritual) there’s never been a better climate to put out a scream scene. So good, in fact, that there was the underseen Lisa Frankenstein of 2024 in the rearview mirror with two more Frankenstein movies coming out this year. But Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein this is not. This is instead Maggie Gyllenhaal’s follow-up to her exciting debut endeavor, The Lost Daughter. Also an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s work, though inspired as well by The Bride of Frankenstein, and set in 1930s Chicago, The Bride! looks to be electrifying, even if we don’t know much yet. Jessie Buckley stars as the eponymous bride, with Christian Bale as her monster, and John Magaro, Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, Jake Gyllenhaal and Annette Bening rounding out a superb cast. Perhaps this will be similar to 2023’s Poor Things, as both feature a recently deceased woman yearning for purpose. Or it might feel akin to 2019’s Joker, sharing cinematographer Lawrence Sher, as apparently, The Bride! contains a multitude of important dance numbers. Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood being attached to the score is the final nail in the coffin to suggest that this monster flick will be a fright to remember. (Ian Hubbard)