(This article was updated by Tanay Shrotriy on February 5, 2025) From Mickey 17 to Toy Story 5, these are the most anticipated upcoming Hollywood movies in 2025, 2026.
As we drop in on 2025, Hollywood is all poised with its releases that are being counted upon by film enthusiasts all over the world. The next two years are sure to be two for the books with the slate including overdue sequels, potential blockbusters, new projects from renowned directors, and everything in between. Genres abound; there will be something for everyone – from provocative dramas (Die, My Love) and otherworldly science fiction (Mickey 17) to stimulating adventures (Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning). The 2025–2026 slate guarantees a mix of potential tentpoles and movies that will push the boundaries of aesthetic possibilities on screen. Given the directors’ reputations, the star-studded casts of the films complemented with bold, out-of-the-box storytelling, many films have started generating immense hype.
The return of iconic characters is also imminent in much-awaited reboots like James Gunn’s Superman, which promises a brand new spin on the beloved superhero in classic James Gunn fashion, adding further dimensions to the character’s origin. So, mark your calendars, as we bring you some of the most noteworthy titles, not too distant in the future.
Upcoming Hollywood Movies
1. 28 Years Later (20 June 2025, USA)
The long-awaited sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later is just around the corner. The film will be set in a post-rage virus-ravaged world, dealing with the aftermath and how it affects the surviving lot. Alex Garland, the screenwriter who penned the original, reteams with director Danny Boyle to recreate the same frugal and tense atmosphere. The cast includes the likes of Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes. The movie would probably move into the complexities of the rebuilding of humanity after devastation.
2. After the Hunt (TBA, 2025)
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, After the Hunt is a drama about a college professor that unravels the obsession and guilt of the protagonist at the center. It is set to star Julia Roberts and Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield in prominent roles. After the critical successes of Challengers and Queer, Guadagnino will continue his trend in storytelling about emotional and psychological pain combined with the themes of isolation within sensual intimacy.
3. Captain America: Brave New World – February 14, 2025
Captain America: Brave New World is the first Captain America movie without Chris Evans as the titular character. The Falcon/Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie) has picked up the shield and become the new Captain America. Harrison Ford is set to star alongside the returning Mackie and Sebastian Stan.
There is little to no information about this movie, but it is speculated to be very similar to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. It is also supposedly going to take aspects from the Aldous Huxley classic Brave New World.
4. Black Bag (14 March 2025, USA)
The latest spy thriller from Steven Soderbergh stars Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as the central couple caught in the crossfire of espionage and find themselves lost in the complex world of spies, secrets, and betrayals. The screenplay is penned by David Koepp, renowned for classics like Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible. Known for his taut narratives and thrilling style, Soderbergh will more than likely deliver a high-stakes, suspense-filled ride.
4. Die, My Love (TBA, 2025)
An adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s novel, Die, My Love, marks the long-awaited return for the director Lynne Ramsay. It will star Jennifer Lawrence playing a woman spiraling toward obsession and madness. Robert Pattinson will star as her husband. Other cast members include LaKeith Stanfield and Sissy Spacek. Ramsay’s impeccable filmography needs no introduction. With Martin Scorsese as one of the producers, Ramsay is all set to deliver another emotionally complex portrait of a woman, using her trademark with visceral tension and subjective gaze.
6. Father, Mother, Sister, Brother ( TBA, 2025)
Jim Jarmusch’s film, as the title very clearly lays out, is about a family and its fluctuating dynamics. The cast includes Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, Charlotte Rampling, Vicky Krieps, and Tom Waits. It’d be interesting to see what Jarmusch brings to the family drama with his trademark laid-back approach. Longtime collaborator Carter Logan has again produced the film. The film will likely explore communication gaps and emotional distances that emerge, more often than not, within a family unit.
7. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (23 May 2025, USA)
The 8th instalment in the MI series marks the culmination of Ethan Hunt’s action adventures. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, with regulars Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames. Christopher McQuarrie, who directed Rogue Nation and Fallout and Dead Reckoning: Part 1, promises an action-packed ending with higher than ever emotional stakes. The movie will put Hunt through his most grueling adventure so far, as his crew gets together to save the world from a global disaster. Wade Eastwood will also return to direct some fantastic, jaw-dropping action sequences for the film.
8. Mickey 17 (7 March 2025, USA)
Bong Joon-ho’s long-awaited sci-fi adventure is based on Edward Ashton’s book Mickey 17. It marks his first film since Parasite took the world by storm in 2019. Robert Pattinson plays Mickey, an employee, who’s cloned every time he fails at his task to aid in a colonization mission. The movie will delve into Mickey’s existential struggle with how the constant reenactment of death affects his mind. For that task, Bong has teamed up with cinematographer Darius Khondji; so, expect nothing less than a gorgeous film.
9. Novella Vague ( TBA, 2025)
Directed by Richard Linklater, Novella Vague delves into the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s new wave classic, Breathless. The milieu at hand offers juicy ammunition for a fantastic film about film and filmmakers. Linklater will likely organize the film as connected vignettes and reflect on how a classic like Breathless comes to be and what events lead to its creation. Linklater’s trademark conversational storytelling is a perfect match for the subject that he has chosen.
10. One Battle After Another (TBA)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest is said to be an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland. The film is set to star Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Sean Penn, and Alana Haim in lead roles. The film was test screened recently and is being called an action-filled comedy-thriller that updates Pynchon’s novel for the modern era. There have been reports that the film has been delayed to 2026, but these remain unsubstantiated as of now. Anderson’s longtime collaborator Jonny Greenwood also returns as composer to score the film.
11. The Phoenician Scheme (TBA, 2025)
Wes Anderson’s next is said to be a ‘dark tale of espionage following a strained father-daughter relationship.’ Anderson remains as reliable a director as ever. His offbeat, visually arresting output is yet to disappoint. For this project, he’s enlisted the likes of Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, and Bill Murray. Anderson’s usual crew, including production designer Adam Stockhausen and composer Alexandre Desplat, are also set to return, likely making the film another worthwhile Wes Anderson joint.
12. Frankenstein (TBA, 2025)
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein will reimagine Mary Shelley’s classic of horror, fantasy, and emotional depth. Jacob Elordi will star as Frankenstein’s monster, with Oscar Isaac playing Victor Frankenstein. The gothic world will come alive in del Toro’s signature visual style, reminiscent of The Shape of Water and Pan’s Labyrinth. Cinematographer Dan Laustsen, who collaborated with del Toro on The Shape of Water, is expected to return, bringing to the project his trademark haunting and visually stunning imagery. The film promises an exploration of creation, identity, and abandonment.
13. Ballerina – June 6, 2025
Ballerina is an upcoming action thriller that takes place in the same universe as the John Wick films. It is the first spin-off (not a direct sequel) in the franchise, and takes place canonically between the third and fourth John Wicks. Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick are set to reprise their roles.
Ana de Armas stars as an assassin who is seeking revenge on the people who killed her family. So far, it sounds like a female version of John Wick, but the cast and production stills have created an undeniable buzz.
14. Elio – June 13, 2025
Elio is the newest addition to the Disney/Pixar Rolodex. It will be Pixar team member Adrian Molina’s (Coco, Turning Red, etc.) directorial debut and will feature voices by America Ferrera (Barbie), Jameela Jamil (The Good Place), and Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond).
It’s about a young boy named Elio who is chosen by aliens to be an ambassador for Earth. His mother, Olga, also deals with space; she works to decode alien messages. He finds that maybe he fits in more in space than he ever did on Earth.
15. F1 (27 June 2025, USA)
Written and directed by Joseph Kosinski, F1 features Brad Pitt as an accomplished Formula 1 driver facing off against a much younger challenger. The film will explore both the personal lives of drivers and the intense professional demands of the sport – fierce competition, media scrutiny, and personal sacrifices. Kosinski’s previous directorial venture, Top Gun: Maverick, showcased his talents for action filmmaking. So, it’d be interesting to see those applied to the high-stakes, fast-paced world of racing. Cinematographer Claudio Miranda and editor Billy Weber, longtime collaborators of Kosinski, will bring their expertise to the action-packed racing scenes.
16. Superman (11 July 2025, USA)
James Gunn’s Superman will offer a fresh take on the iconic hero, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman. Gunn, known for Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, promises a trademark mixture of humor with heart. The film will explore Clark’s dual identity and the responsibilities that come with his powers. Gunn also penned the screenplay, with longtime collaborators like composer John Murphy and cinematographer Henry Braham expected to shape the film’s action and tone.
17. Avatar: Fire and Ash (19 Dec 2025, USA)
Avatar: Fire and Ash, directed by James Cameron, will be the new chapter in his Pandora saga. It will introduce new territories in the world of Pandora and the lifestyle of its population as they confront renewed hostilities from human aggressors. Returning stars include Sam Worthington as Jake Sully and Zoe Saldana as Neytiri. James Cameron’s innovative use of 3D and visual effects will take the film a step further in the photographic and cinematic world. Cinematographer Mauro Fiore and composer James Horner, who worked with Cameron on the first film, are expected to return, likely making the film another stunning visual and auditory experience.
18. Toy Story 5 (19 June 2026, USA)
Andrew Stanton is set to helm the next in the Toy Story franchise, which will continue the adventures of Woody and his gang. The film will focus on themes of change and loyalty as the toys navigate an ever-changing relationship with their owner, Bonnie. Some key cast members, Tom Hanks for Woody and Tim Allen for Buzz Lightyear, are slated to return for voice duties. The film will continue the series tradition of heartfelt storytelling and stunning animation, thanks to Pixar’s usual team of animators, including director of photography Sharon Calahan and composer Randy Newman.
19. Avengers: Doomsday (1 May 2026, USA)
The upcoming film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) sixth phase has fans more than excited since its announcement. The plot, however, is currently under wraps. The ensemble cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Pedro Pascal, and other recurring actors. The team behind Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, working with the Russo Brothers’ and their knack for large-scale action and emotional storytelling, will likely make the final chapter of the Avengers saga an unforgettable one.
Wrapping Up
As Hollywood gears up for a first-rate yield, hopes for international cinema are also running high. Films like Alpha (Julia Ducounau), No Other Choice (Park Chan-Wook), Red Rocks (Bruno Dumont), and Young Mother (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne) have cinephiles all over the globe raring to go as the catalogue sets out for kicks and wallops. With potential blockbusters and international masterpieces in the pipeline, both 2025 and 2026 show all signs of being cinematic belters.
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