When I initially looked at movies that were coming out this year, I was fairly disappointed. As has become increasingly common, so many 2025 movies were sequels and remakes. But despite that, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find some unexpected gems in here. Have a look. Here are the films coming out this year that most interest me.
Mickey 17
Watching the trailer now, Mickey 17 is more comedy than I’d have expected when I’d initially posted it. But despite the quirkiness, I’m interested. The film is out later this month, and I might just catch it in the theater on January 31st.
The Electric State
Until writing this article, I’d had no idea that The Electric State even existed. This is likely because it’s a Netflix film. But for me, it brings to mind Daniel H Wilson’s excellent novel Robopocalypse, with the odd addition of the strange smiley face robots. It’s not a sure bet, but consider me hopeful that the film is a good one.
Sinners
I’ve gotten a bit more into horror movies this past year. And while anything with Michael B Jordan is going to be good, Sinners also stars Delroy Lindo and Hailee Steinfeld.
The Running Man
In general, I’m just not a big fan of remakes. But according to director Edgar Wright, the 2025 remake of The Running Man will be a closer adaptation of the original Stephen King novel than the Arnold Schwarzenegger film we all know. It stars Glen Powell, a movie star who really blew up in 2024, as the protagonist in the Arnold role, and Josh Brolin as the Richard Dawson game show host. Also Michael Cera, William H Macy, and David Zayas. It’s the cast that has me most excited about this project.
A Minecraft Movie
Yeah, I know, I know. But did you expect The Lego Movie to be good before you’d seen it? Eh, whatever. I’ve got high hopes and low expectations for this one.
Naked Gun
With Liam Neeson standing in for Leslie Neilsen, this remake should fill the gap in stupid comedy we’ve had the past few years. Like so many of the films in my list, it’s a gamble as to whether it will be a good film or an outright dumpster fire.
Star Trek: Section 31
I’m a fan of Michelle Yeoh. Not just for Everything, Everywhere, All At Once and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but certainly those are at the top of the list. I do like most of the new Star Trek shows, although I’ve not seen every episode. This being a film lets us get in and out without the commitment of going into a new season, so I’ll certainly check out this movie when it comes out later this month.
Superhero Movies
Since Marvel exploded, superhero content has been ubiquitous, and to put it kindly, the quality has been less than consistent. But there are four superhero films coming out this year that have my attention.
Captain America: Brave New World
If you’re like me, you saw this trailer a few times while waiting for the ball to drop on New Years’ Eve. It’s terrible that after William Hurt’s long run as General Thunderbolt Ross in every film since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, we now have to recast that character just when he’s going red. I like Sam Wilson as Captain America, and I’m excited to have a new big Marvel film. I just don’t like having to wait until Valentines Day.
Thunderbolts*
The asterisk seems to be indicating that only The Red Guardian calls them that, and that the rest of the group might be hesitant to even consider themselves part of any team. In line with The Suicide Squad, this hesitant band of would-be antiheroes get together to do some job. Hey – I try to do what I can to not spoil myself. But I love the characters, and I’m hoping that’s where the focus is.
Superman
More than just a remake, the 500th version of Superman looks to be James Gunn’s complete reset on the entire DC extended universe. And it looks like he’s including a lot of characters and lore that have never been on screen before. I’m interested largely because it looks like such a new direction for DC, whose films have been largely disappointments with the notable exception of The Dark Knight and the second Suicide Squad movie.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel’s third big movie of 2025, which is quite a few given that Deadpool & Wolverine was the only movie out this past year, and that’s kind of barely even the MCU. This new Fantastic Four ushers in the beginning of Marvel’s phase six, which is supposed to include a new Spider-Man movie, the big Avengers movies which will conclude the multiverse saga, and also that Mahershala Ali Blade movie I’ve been waiting for. I don’t yet know how I feel about the casting, but I’m certainly very excited to see The Fantastic Four: First Steps this summer.
Sequels
28 Years Later
I was a fan of 28 Days Later, at least until the last act, and 28 Weeks Later wasn’t bad either, introducing the novel concept of an asymptomatic carrier for the zombie virus. I’m hopeful for the conclusion of this trilogy.
Tron: Ares
I was more a fan of the action and the style of Tron: Legacy than I was of its plot. Most of all, I was a fan of its amazing Daft Punk soundtrack. Tron: Ares will feature for the first time a program entering the real world rather than a human entering the digital world. While Daft Punk won’t be scoring this film, we get the next best thing, which is a soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
I’ve never been a huge fan of the Mission: Impossible series. But over the holiday break, I watched Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, and was surprised at how good it was. An artificial intelligence makes an intriguing foe. My only disappointment was that it really felt like only half a film. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is that second half and will conclude the story.
Predator: Badlands
In the past, I’d have totally written off a seventh Predator film. So many of them have been just terrible. But the 2022 film Prey was so surprisingly good that I’ve had to reevaluate. Dan Trachtenberg, who directed Prey, will be the director of Predator: Badlands. I’m a fan of Dan from back in his Totally Rad Show days, and I’ve enjoyed the work he’s done as a director.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron is a visionary, and he’s directed some of my favorite films of all time: Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Aliens, and The Abyss just to name a few. But the endless Avatar sequels really do feel superfluous. But I’m sure I’ll watch it once it’s available for home viewing.
