Following some box office surprises in 2024, 2025 looks to capitalize on more people returning to theaters. Despite the overall decline of the movie industry due to streaming, there are still many movies to look forward to in 2025. Below are my five most anticipated movies of the year.
- Captain America: Brave New World
Releases: February 14, 2025
Following Marvel’s massive success with Deadpool and Wolverine, they look to capitalize with a new installment of the Captain America franchise. Although it’ll be disappointing not to see Steve Rogers on screen again, I’m still looking forward to this film. For one, Marvel has been dedicated to reshoots on this film. Ever since the switch from the old Disney CEO to the former CEO Bob Iger being back in charge, Disney has shifted their philosophy with Marvel Studios. In the years following Avengers: Endgame, which were marked by a noticeable decline in the quality of Marvel’s projects, the company focused heavily on quantity rather than quality. However, I’m hoping now with Iger back at the helm working with Kevin Feige, that we start to see that to change. What I’m most excited about with this film is that it’s supposed to be in a similar style to Captain America: Winter Soldier, one of Marvel’s best films. This movie is supposed to be more grounded. It should be a nice shift from previous projects. I’m not 100% certain this movie will be good but it has me excited.
2. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Releases: May 23, 2025
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is supposed to be the final installment of the franchise. Although it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility that we get more. This movie is probably not going to be an artistic masterpiece. None of the Mission Impossible movies really were. However, I think it’ll be an exciting action-packed movie like the other ones. Also: how is Tom Cruise still running around full speed?
3. Superman
Releases: July 11, 2025
This is easily my most anticipated movie of the year. Why? It’s the first installment of the new DC universe. The first trailer for the movie was released about a month ago. I was pleasantly surprised. The movie looks fresh while also staying true to the core of the character. The biggest plus for me with this movie is that James Gunn is directing it. Gunn transformed the Guardians of the Galaxy into one of the most well-liked lineups in the entire MCU.
4. Fantastic Four: First Steps
Releases July 25, 2025
The Fantastic Four have failed many times in theaters. However, they have yet to be produced by the MCU. I’m excited for this movie for two reasons. The first is that Marvel usually takes their superhero movies pretty seriously. They usually receive more attention and effort than the solo movies. The Fantastic Four are already one of the best lineups in the Marvel universe. Additionally, the film has a great cast. Pedro Pascal is playing Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby is playing Sue Storm, and Joseph Quinn is playing the Human Torch to name a few roles. There’s also the possibility that we get a small cameo in this movie from Robert Downey Jr.
5. Michael
Releases: October 3, 2025
This should be a highly interesting movie. This biopic looks to tell the story of Michael Jackson and his rise to fame as one of the greatest musicians of all-time. Since Jackson is already so three dimensional in real life, it allows for more material in this film.
