It’s a new year, and there is so much good cinema to look forward to in the coming twelve months. Today, I want to highlight specifically twenty-five of these films and count down to the film that I am the most excited to see in the new year. Now, granted, some of these films could theoretically be moved to 2026, but all of the films on my list are either currently listed as 2025 films or are expected to come out this year. If available, I’ll also post trailers for films, but, of course, not every film production has begun its marketing campaign. Also, if you are interested in a longer list of films that I am excited to see in 2025, then allow me to point you in the direction of my Letterboxd list, which contains 80+ films — click here to check it out! But let’s now count down from 25 to no. 1. What are the films that I am the most excited to see in 2025?
#25 — Nouvelle Vague — Dir. Richard Linklater
Linklater is a filmmaker that I think is quite underrated and who should’ve been an Oscar winner years ago for either The Before Trilogy or Boyhood. Perhaps this is the year that things change for the better at the Oscars for Linklater, as he has two films that may be coming out in 2025. One is Blue Moon, a film about songwriter Lorenz Hart starring Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott, and the other is Nouvelle Vague, a film about the production of Jean Luc Godard’s A Bout de Souffle starring Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg. Both films sound really interesting but one of them had to be left off this list, unfortunately.
No release date listed currently.
#24 — The Monkey — Dir. Osgood Perkins
Oz Perkins is making waves. Although his early work didn’t put him on the map, Longlegs certainly did. Now he’s about to have his fifth film as a director released, titled The Monkey, which is an adaptation of a Stephen King short story. This horror-comedy starring Theo James and Tatiana Maslany looks like it could be very entertaining. Oh, and he, too, has another film coming out in 2025, titled Keeper. So it could be another good year for Perkins.
Currently listed with a late February 2025 release date.
#23 — Superman — Dir. James Gunn
Those who have read my blog for the longest time, or who have dug into some of the earliest archives on the site, may know that Superman is a comic book hero that I am desperate to fall in love with again. He meant a lot to me growing up, and I adored Smallville for a little while. But, while I liked Henry Cavill in the part, my feelings on Man of Steel have changed wildly every single time I have watched it, and none of the DCEU sequels with him in them did anything for me. That said, James Gunn’s Guardians trilogy means a lot to me and my family, and I trust in him to bring that love of the character back — so I am really excited to see this.
Currently listed with an early-to-mid July 2025 release date.
#22 — The Fantastic Four: The First Steps — Dir. Matt Shakman
The same goes for this one and, frankly, for similar reasons. I have a lot of nostalgia for this quartet of heroes, but, for whatever reason, they have never gotten the films quite right. However, I am hopeful that now, as it is in the hands of Kevin Feige, it will be taken in the right direction. I like the cast a lot, I like the direction that it seems they are going in, and, frankly, I think the MCU has a lot riding on this. This has to work (and I think it could — just as I also have high hoppes for Thunderbolts*).
Currently listed with a late July 2025 release date.
#21 — The Way of the Wind — Dir. Terrence Malick
Now, to be clear, the main reason why this is at 21 and not in, like, the top 10 is that it is probably the film that I am the most uncertain about when it comes to whether or not I think it is coming out this year. Because, frankly, this could be the most interesting film of the year for cinephiles like myself, as it is essentially a film about the life of Jesus Christ. Now, we’ve seen that before from both great and middling filmmakers, but, with Terrence Malick’s vision, this could be extraordinary.
No release date listed currently.
#20 — Marty Supreme — Dir. Josh Safdie
After years of working together on films like Uncut Gems and Good Time, both of which are must-watch modern films, the Safdie brothers are going their separate ways for two different projects this year. While Benny is making a sports biopic about Mark Kerr starring Dwayne Johnson, Josh’s project, which I’m highlighting here, is making a sports drama inspired by the life or career of table tennis player Marty Reisman. Josh Safdie’s cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and others.
Currently listed with a late December 2025 release date.
#19 — Eddington — Dir. Ari Aster
Although Beau is Afraid divided opinion, Ari Aster’s films are always interesting, fascinating pieces of art, and there is no denying the fact that he has made two of the most memorable horror films of the last decade with Midsommar and Hereditary. What’s next for him? A modern western black comedy starring Joaquin Phoenix as a sheriff in New Mexico, with a supporting cast that includes stars like Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler.
No release date listed currently.
#18 — Black Bag — Dir. Steven Soderbergh
This is a spy thriller from Ocean’s trilogy and Traffic director Steven Soderbergh starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett in what, to me, looks like Soderbergh esque version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, as two intelligence agents who have to choose between their missions and their marriage.
Currently listed with a mid March 2025 release date.
#17 — Die, My Love — Dir. Lynne Ramsay
Admittedly, I have yet to see Ratcatcher, but everything I’ve seen from Lynne Ramsay — Morvern Callar, We Need to Talk About Kevin, and You Were Never Really Here — has been incredible. Now, she’s teaming up with Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, and LaKeith Stanfield for an adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s novel of the same name.
No release date listed currently.
#16 — The Phoenician Scheme — Wes Anderson
Described as an espionage dramedy, Wes Anderson, a filmmaker with one of the most distinct visual styles, has once again gotten an incredible cast of actors together, which includes Benicio del Toro, Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, and many others.
No release date listed currently.
#15 — The Running Man — Dir. Edgar Wright
Edgar Wright hasn’t missed yet. He’s such an exciting and inventive visual filmmaker whose films always have a certain infectious energy about them. Now, he has signed on to make an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man, which, as you may know, was once adapted into a film starring Arnold Scharzenegger. Wright’s film stars Glen Powell, Katy O’Brian, Colman Domingo, and many others.
Currently listed with an early November 2025 release date.
#14 — Sinners — Dir. Ryan Coogler
Fruitvale Station and Creed director Ryan Coogler has come out the other side of the Marvel machine (not necessarily meant as a criticism, as I enjoy most of those films), and he has now set his sights on what is supposedly, if you believe the reports, a period vampire film with Michael B. Jordan playing twin brothers. It sounds awesome, and the trailer is pretty great as well.
Currently listed with a mid April 2025 release date.
#13 — Dust Bunny — Dir. Bryan Fuller
From Hannibal series-creator Bryan Fuller, Dust Bunny is a horror film about a young girl who asks her neighbor to take care of the dangerous monster under her bed. As far as I am aware, the neighbor in question is played by Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen. It doesn’t currently have a release date, but it was reported to have started principal photography all the way back in 2023, so it should be ready soon.
No release date listed currently.
#12 — Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning — Dir. Christopher McQuarrie
Reportedly, one of the most expensive films ever made, Christopher McQuarrie’s latest Mission: Impossible film was originally known as a part two, but, well, that may not be good for business, so they’ve changed up the title. There’s a lot of speculation that this could actually, like the title suggests, be Tom Cruise‘s final film as the center of this franchise. If that is the case, then I’m sure he wants to go out with an epic film. And, even if it isn’t his last dance as Ethan Hunt, these films always entertain with sick stunts and thrilling action.
Currently listed with a late May 2025 release date.
#11 — One Battle After Another — Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
There Will Be Blood-director Paul Thomas Anderson is teaming up with Leonardo DiCaprio for Warner Bros. in this Jonny Greenwood-scored flick. The film, which was once known as The Battle of Bakton Cross, is supposedly an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland.
Currently listed with an early August 2025 release date.
#10 — Bugonia — Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
A remake of Jang Joon-hwan’s Save the Green Planet!, this sci-fi comedy is yet another Emma Stone-Yorgos Lanthimos collaboration. They, famously, make cinematic magic together, so I can’t wait to see this.
Currently listed with an early November 2025 release date.
#9 — The Bride! — Dir. Maggie Gyllenhaal
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s sophomore effort as a director is a super exciting Mary Shelley adaptation (by way of James Whale’s Bride of Frankenstein) starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, as well as family members Peter Sarsgard (husband) and Jake Gyllenhaal (brother). To add to that, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood has composed the score. Such a tasty project.
Currently listed with a late September 2025 release date.
#8 — The Life of Chuck — Dir. Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan doesn’t miss. He is again and again proving he is a master of horror who, at the same time, knows how to make genuinely moving scenes in between the horror. I’ve enjoyed following his career so much, and when I saw that his latest Stephen King adaptation was a Tom Hiddleston-vehicle, I got even more excited than I thought I could be. As if that wasn’t enough, it also won the People’s Choice Award at last September’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Currently listed with a late May / early June 2025 release date.
#7 — 28 Years Later — Dir. Danny Boyle
That original Danny Boyle zombie horror flick holds a special place in my heart, and it is such a treat to know that Boyle, Garland, and, supposedly, Cillian Murphy are all returning to the film series to add to the lore and world. Also, they’re adding Ralph Fiennes to the world, and I think he’s going to make sure this is must-watch zombie entertainment.
Currently listed with a late June 2025 release date.
#6 — Sentimental Value — Dir. Joachim Trier
And now we go to Scandinavia for Copenhagen-born Norwegian auteur filmmaker Joachim Trier’s next highly anticipated film. I adore his Oslo trilogy, and now that he has reteamed with co-writer Eskil Vogt and star Renate Reinsve, his next project was always going to be high on this list. But when you then add the fact that Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning will also be in it, then excitement should overwhelm most cinephiles. This should be good.
No release date listed currently.
#5 — Wake Up Dead Man — Dir. Rian Johnson
Knives Out was an instant classic, and, while it’s not quite as celebrated, I wholeheartedly loved the sequel, Glass Onion, so, of course, Johnson’s third Benoit Blanc murder mystery is high on this list. This time around, Daniel Craig is joined by a cast that includes Glenn Close, Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Andrew Scott, and many others. I can’t wait to see what original mystery Johnson has cooked up this time!
No release date listed currently.
#4 — No Other Choice — Dir. Park Chan-wook
Chan-wook’s last film, Decision to Leave, was such a memorable film to me, and, like with the next filmmakers, their filmographies are so meaningful to me. This film is supposedly a thriller about an unemployed individual, who is frustrated, and who decides to take his frustrations out on the other applicants to the jobs he wants to get.
No release date listed currently.
#3 — Mickey 17 — Dir. Bong Joon-ho
That’s right — two Korean filmmakers in a row (two of my favorite filmmakers working right now, actually)! It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since the masterpiece Parasite was released and, even wilder, Bong Joon-ho hasn’t released a feature film in that time. That is, until now. Mickey 17 is an English-languaged sci-fi film that stars multiple versions of Robert Pattinson. It looks and sounds like a great time at the movies and is, obviously, a must-see.
Currently listed with an early March 2025 release date.
#2 — Den Sidste Viking — Dir. Anders Thomas Jensen
As some of you may know, I am Danish and therefore I always have a special interest in Danish cinema. 2025 is no different, and I am super excited to see the next Anders Thomas Jensen dark comedy thrill ride. He has made some of Denmark’s most popular films of the last 25 years with Flickering Lights, The Green Butchers, Adam’s Apples, and Riders of Justice being among his most popular films. This is yet another Anders Thomas Jensen film that stars both Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Denmark’s two favorite homegrown actors. Kaas and Mikkelsen here play brothers who reunite 14 years after one of the two were thrown in prison for a robbery that they did together. Now, they want to reclaim the money, which they had hidden all the way back then. There’s just one issue, the only brother who knows where the money was hidden has memory issues.
Currently listed for a fall 2025 release in Denmark.
#1 — Frankenstein — Dir. Guillermo del Toro
It really does feel like this could be the year of the Frankenstein monsters, doesn’t it? Like Maggie Gyllenhaal, fantasy and horror-centric auteur Guillermo del Toro has set his sights on one or both of the classic Frankenstein monsters. A cinematic Mary Shelley revival, Netflix is hoping that this will be a prestige genre project that will delight fans and critics alike. The cast stars Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Jacob Elordi, Lars Mikkelsen, and many others, and, frankly, given del Toro’s vision and execution when it comes to horror and fantasy material, this is not just a passion project for him but also a dream project for many cinephiles. I can’t wait to see it.
No release date listed currently.
But what are you looking the most forward to? Maybe it’s one of the blockbusters or sequels that almost made it onto the list, like The Black Phone 2, Return to Silent Hill, The Conjuring: The Last Rites, Jurassic World: Rebirth, or Avatar: Fire and Ash. Or maybe you’re more excited about Kogonada’s next film, Chloé Zhao’s next film, Kelly Reichardt’s next film, Luca Guadagnino’s next film, Darren Aronofsky’s next film, or Derek Cianfrance’s next film, all of which also almost made it onto the list. Do let me know, in the comments below.
– Article Written by Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen.
I'm Jeffrey Rex 