Welcome back to the blog readers. 2024 is officially in the books, and I am happy to report that it was a fantastic year for film. Oscar nominations are on the horizon and I will be reporting on that and all the winners. But since we have already celebrated the year that was with my 2024 year-end ranking lists, our job today is to take a look at the year ahead with some of my most anticipated films of 2025. Will your most anticipated film be on my list? Stick around to find out. And a brief disclaimer before we begin: this list is in no particular order and, as always, this is just my opinion.
M3GAN 2.0
If you remember my origin on this blog, you will remember that I absolutely fell in love with M3GAN (2023) and its wit, charm, and scares. When that doll starts singing, that may just be the hardest I laughed all of that year in the theater. When I heard a sequel was in the works, I immediately cleared my calendar and made my reservation to be seated and present for it. I just hope they are able to keep that same charm that the original had.
M3GAN 2.0 is directed by Gerard Johnstone from a screenplay by Akela Cooper, based on characters created by Cooper and James Wan. The film stars Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Jenna Davis, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Ivanna Sakhno, Timm Sharp, Aristotle Athari, and Jermaine Clement. No plot information has been released as of the writing of this post.
The last few years have given us some great horror films, and M3GAN definitely has the framework to kickstart a legendary franchise (we already have a spinoff called SOULM8TE (2026) in the works). The first film was a smash hit, making $181 million on a $12 million budget, so I am hopeful that this film can continue the winning ways, and we get another killer song moment. M3GAN 2.0 opens in theaters on June 27.
Sinners
Like Brandon Urie said in a Panic! at the Disco song: if you don't know, now you know. Ryan Coogler is a gifted director, giving us some modern classics such as Creed (2015) (a film that got Sylvester Stallone an Oscar nomination), Black Panther (2018) and its sequel Wakanda Forever (2022) (in which Angela Bassett was nominated for an Oscar). When I heard he was doing a horror film, I was both intrigued and excited to see what he's got.
Sinners is written and directed by Ryan Coogler. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo. In the film, Jordan plays twin brothers who attempt to leave their troubled lives behind and return home to start over. When they arrive, they discover a sinister force waiting in the shadows to welcome them back.
There is a golden rule in Hollywood for directors: work with who you know. Coogler knows how to get an A-level performance out of Jordan, who has appeared in every one of his films so far. I cannot wait to see how Coogler entrenches himself in a genre he has not dabbled into yet, especially because I support the idea that every director should try to go out of their comfort zone whenever they can. Sinners opens in theaters on March 7.
The Fantastic 4: First Steps
Man, July is going to rule this year. There is no secret that the three Fantastic Four films that have released thus far: Fantastic Four (2005), its sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), and FANT4STIC (2015), were not very good films. Not many people are sold on this property, so this is going to have to win a lot of people back over. I think there is great promise based on who is in front of and behind the camera, and now that this property is back home, Marvel can do it justice.
The Fantastic 4: First Steps is directed by Matt Shakman from a screenplay by Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, Josh Friedman, Cameron Squires, Eric Pearson, and Peter Cameron. The film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon-Moss Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles. In the film, an already-superpowered Fantastic Four must defend their 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic Earth from the cosmic being Galactus and his enigmatic herald, the Silver Surfer.
Even though Marvel has been in a bit of a lull the last few years, they have had some big wins last year with Deadpool & Wolverine and Agatha All Along (both 2024). There are other MCU films I will talk about later but I think that this is the one that has the most promise and the one I honestly am looking forward to the most. Feige cares about these characters and I trust him wholeheartedly. The Fantastic 4: First Steps opens in theaters on July 25.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
A film that was supposed to release in 2024, it was delayed in order for the crew to shoot more action sequences. It is no secret that I love everything John Wick. If you recall 2023, John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) was my third favorite film of that year. These films are absolutely amazing, and I cannot wait to see what else the creators have up their sleeves when it comes to expanding this world that I love so much.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is directed by Len Wiseman from a screenplay by Shay Hatten (Rebecca Angelo, Lauren Schuker Blum, Emerald Fennell, Michael Finch and Wiseman are credited by the Writers Guild of America West with "additional literary material (not on-screen)"). The film stars Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick (in his final film role), Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves. In the film, ballerina-assassin Eve Macarro begins her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma to take revenge on those who killed her father.
I do have to admit, I was a little nervous to see a John Wick world-film that was not directed by series herald Chad Stahelski, but he did apparently work on some action-heavy reshoots back in February of 2024. The trailer that was released was awesome, and these film just get better with every installment. I trust Stahelski and I know that he has the best interest of the audience in mind. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina opens in theaters on June 6.
Jurassic World Rebirth
Now we get to talk about the second film in the July trifecta. There is nothing I love in film more than seeing dinosaurs eating people, probably stemming from my apparent loving of dinosaurs from when I was two years old. Now the last entry in the franchise: Jurassic World Dominion (2022) was not the greatest film ever made but it was still fun and it did quietly make over $1 billion. I am curious to see what they do with this one though.
Jurassic World Rebirth is directed by Gareth Edwards from a screenplay by David Koepp. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, and Ed Skrein. In the film, a covert ops expert leads a team to an island to extract DNA from three dinosaurs to unlock the key to immortality. When their operation intersects with a vacationing family, they are all stranded on the island where they come face-to-face with a shocking discovery kept from humanity.
That premise really intrigues me, especially if this not only adds to the lore of this world but does what Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) did last year and warrant more stories in this world. I am curious to see Johansson in this film, especially because she is extremely selective in the roles she takes. I am also curious to see Mahershala Ali do this film before Blade comes out. Sorry, Ray Ora. Jurassic World Rebirth opens in theaters July 2.
Mickey 17
There is nothing I love more than a science fiction film done right. 2025 will be a light year for science fiction, but the main one I know about definitely is on my radar after that wild trailer we got for it a few months back. The film has been delayed since that trailer came out, and that really hurt me inside. I have faith in the filmmaker and I think this is something that can be done right.
Mickey 17 is written and directed by Bong Joon-ho, based on the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton. The film stars Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo. In the film, Mickey Barnes signs up to be an "expendable," but things go awry when Mickey 17 unintentionally survives an expedition to an ice planet and he meets new multiple Mickey 18.
Bong really shocked me with how good Parasite (2019) was, which was a film that he won Best Director and Best Picture for at the Oscars in 2020. I love everyone involved in this cast and I hope this film goes into some weird shit very similarly to how Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) did. I am very hopeful that this will be the biggest film of Bong's career. Mickey 17 will open in theaters April 18.
Thunderbolts*
If there is one film that I think will provide me with the most fun theater experience out of the films I have spoken about and will speak about, it is this one. When done right, a buddy cop film can be really good, but the chemistry has to be there. Based on the two trailers that have released thus far, I think we are in good hands on that front. I also just love everyone involved in this film, so give me every damn thing I want.
Thunderbolts* is directed by Jake Schreier from a screenplay by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo, based on the Thunderbolts by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley. The film stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. In the film, a ragtag group of anti-heroes find themselves on the same mission for the American government and must learn to work together while ironing out their own personal drama.
I cannot wait to see what witty chemistry we get from everyone involved in the cast. For example, John Walker and Bucky Barnes will be interacting again for the first time since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). Yelena and Red Guardian will be interacting again for the first time since Black Widow (2021). Plus I am curious to see if Lewis Pullman's character is actually the Sentry and what they plan on doing with his powers. Also what is with the asterisk? Thunderbolts* will open in theaters May 2.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
There is literally no secret that I absolutely love these Rian Johnson-Daniel Craig Knives Out films. Knives Out (2019) was my third favorite film of that year, and Glass Onion (2022) was my fourth favorite of that year. Johnson is able to infuse such a wit and a charm into these films that I am left smiling by the end credits. When I found out the third film (and the second of the two Netflix was paying Johnson $450 million for) was a go, it instantly shot up the ranks of my most anticipated for this year.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is written and directed by Rian Johnson. The film stars Daniel Craig reprising his role as Benoit Blanc, along with Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. No plot information has been released as of the writing of this post, but Benoit Blanc will be solving his "most dangerous case yet." Additionally, O'Connor and Brolin are playing priests and Kunis a police chief.
Come on, look at that cast and tell me you are not excited about this film. There is a healthy mix of newcomers (Scott and Spaeny) and A-list talent (like Brolin, Renner, Close, and Church). I cannot wait to see all of these actors interacting with each other and getting to play off each other. I am also just glad to see Jeremy Renner still acting after his tragic accident in which I thought he would retire. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will release on Netflix at a yet-to-be-revealed date in 2025.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
I am completely aware that I was extremely late to the Avatar train, having seen Avatar (2009) only three months before its sequel The Way of Water (2022) was released. I vividly remember being extremely surprised with how good each film was, although the runtime was the only issue I really had with the films. I have known forever that a third film (and a fourth and a fifth) were in the works, but I kind of doubted these films would happen despite the critical and commercial successes of the first two.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is directed by James Cameron from a screenplay by Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver and a story by Cameron, Jaffa, Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno. The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Winslet, David Thewlis, and Oona Chaplin. No plot information has been released as of the writing of this post. However, it is known that we will be seeing a new tribe of Na'vi based on fire/ash.
Like I said, I was very surprised with how good the first two Avatar films were, and James Cameron is a legendary director so I will be seated for anything he has coming out next. I have been a little worried that we will not be able to reach the same success for the third installment as opposed to the others, but time will tell. Avatar: Fire and Ash opens in theaters on December 19.
Captain America: Brave New World
Marvel is entering a make-or-break year in my opinion, and this is the film that is going to set the tone for the entire year. Between the television series and the films, everything has to be good for Marvel to begin to redeem themselves. I believe we will get there and I have faith in Feige and Big Papa Iger. At least Anthony Mackie can now say he has his own film. Beat that, Tom Holland!
Captain America: Brave New World is directed by Julius Onah from a screenplay by Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Matthew Orton, based on Captain America by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; and Sam Wilson by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. The film stars Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford. In the film, Sam Wilson finds himself in the middle of an international incident following an assassination attempt on new President Thaddeus Ross, and must team up with Joaquin Torres and others to determine the true masterminds behind the attack.
Hearing the reports that this film would harken back to the political thriller ideas of Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) (a film that is regularly called one of, if not, the best comic book films ever made), I instantly got excited because there was so much possibility for this film to be good. Director Julius Onah called this film a "paranoid thriller," so I will be seated for this one. Plus, I just love everybody involved. Captain America: Brave New World opens in theaters on February 14 (the earliest opening of a film in this post).
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
If there is one question that I need answered throughout this entire post, it is this: HOW THE ACTUAL FUCK DO THESE FILMS CONTINUE TO GET BETTER AS THEY GO ON? Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning (2023) is a pinnacle of action filmmaking, and I was completely floored with how awesome it was. This is definitely one of the main 5 films I am looking forward to, and I have some pretty high expectations for it.
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is directed by Christopher McQuarrie from a screenplay by him and Erik Jendresen, based on Mission: Impossible (1966-73) by Bruce Geller. The film stars Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Angela Bassett, and Henry Czerny. No plot information has been released as of the writing of this post.
I really need this film out already, because just thinking about this film having only seen the trailer hurts my heart. It will hurt more if this does turn out to be the final outing for Ethan Hunt, because I basically grew up with this character after having first seen him in Ghost Protocol (2011). There will never be another like Tom Cruise: he basically saved the movies for all of us. We are all in your debt. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning opens in theaters on May 23.
Wicked: For Good
I want to briefly discuss the massive elephant in this room right here. Me talking about this film was absolutely clearly dependent on how the first film was. And as you can see on my year-end lists, I was completely floored at how good Wicked (2024) was. Like I knew that this film was going to be good, I did not think I would feel what I felt. Plus it was commercially successful as well. This film instantly was on my radar.
Wicked: For Good is directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and the musical Wicked by Holzman and Stephen Schwartz. The film stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. In the film, set after the events of Wicked and before, during, and after the events of The Wizard of Oz (1939), Elphaba and Glinda's friendship is put to the test as they embrace their respective roles as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Wicked: For Good is one of my most anticipated films of this year, and I did not think I would be sitting here saying this a year ago. Not knowing how this musical ends, I am curious to see how the events of The Wizard of Oz are sprinkled into the story of the two former friends from Shiz University. With the third of three songs from Glee (2009-15) in this film, as are two new songs (which could get this film a Best Original Song nomination at the 98th Oscars next year), I could not be more excited. Wicked: For Good opens in theaters on November 21.
Superman
Here we are at the final film of this post. And it suffices to say that this is the film, out of all the ones I spoke about (and even the ones I didn't), that has the most pressure on it going in. It is no secret that the DCEU completely died with a whimper based on a subpar 2023 where none of the four films released (FOUR) made over $500 million. The image of DC is extremely tampered and incredibly broken, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel however.
James Gunn and Peter Safran were named co-heads of the newly christened DC Studios in late 2022, where they report directly to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Right out of the gate, they announced a plan and a structure. The beginnings of that are what we saw with Creature Commandos (2024-25), but the real introduction to the new and reimagined DCU is going to be this film.
Superman is written and directed by James Gunn, based on characters from DC. The film stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Anthony Carrigan, María Gabriela de Faría, Sara Sampaio, Skyler Gisondo, Nicholas Hoult, Terrence Rosemore, Wendell Pierce, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, Beck Bennett, Makaela Hoover, and Christopher McDonald. In the film, Superman embarks on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his adoptive human Smallville, Kansas family.
I have loved all of the James Gunn projects I have seen thus far (this includes Peacemaker and the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (both 2022)), and I have complete faith in the man to be able to bring us into something new. Like I said, the pressure is on for Gunn to deliver something special and rehabilitate the image of DC and its characters. I trust him on this front even if you don't. And come on, you have to admit that that trailer was fucking awesome. Superman opens in theaters on July 11.
That will be it for the film side of my upcoming slate in 2025, but there is one thing I want to talk about with you before I go. Not only is 2025 going to be a great year for film, this is also going to be a great year for television with some high-profile series getting released in this calendar year. I will fire off a list of the series I will be doing reviews on (and am excited about nonetheless) in 2025. By the way, these are in no specific order.
The Boys (I am currently unsure of how many seasons I will actually watch, but I want to watch at least the second and third seasons this year)
Gen V season 1 (and possibly season 2 but I doubt it)
The Last of Us season 2
Stranger Things season 5 (I will be doing these reviews weekly regardless of the release structure)
Peacemaker season 2
Daredevil: Born Again
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Shōgun
Ironheart
Andor season 2
Wonder Man
It: Welcome to Derry
Alien: Earth
Fallout
As you can see, between the films I spoke about today (and others I did not like The Amateur, F1, and Flight Risk (all 2025)) and the television series I will be watching, 2025 is going to be a busy year for me and this blog. As always, I appreciate all of the support I have gotten from you, and I hope you will join me once again in 2025 when I talk about the things I love. Thank you all for reading, and I will see you for the next post.
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