HOLLYWOOD—Well, 2024 is long gone, and 2025 is upon us. Yes, awards season is about to gear up, but let’s be clear you’re not about to see too many ‘Oscar Caliber’ flicks in the month of January, but there are plenty of potential blockbusters coming for 2025.
January is when studios release flicks that are not expected to be big draws for audiences or moviegoers. I think the biggest film of the month might be “The Wolf Man” which I think would have been better reserved for a release in like October, November or December 2024. I mean it is a scary movie, and it stars Julia Garner, so October would have been a perfect month for its release.
With that said, we get our fourth and I mean fourth installment in the “Captain America” franchise with “Captain America: Brave New World” on February 14. Now, those expecting Chris Evans in the titular role will be disappointed because Evans is not returning, his co-star from the previous two flicks, Anthony Mackie is donning the shield as he does battle against Harrison Ford as the Red Hulk. Will comic book fans flock to see it? I think so, but you have to know in your gut Evans will be missed.
The month of February also sees the return of Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” that hits theaters February 14. Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson will also return for the romantic comedy that many will be looking forward to. Ryan Coogler returns to the director’s chair for the thriller “Sinners” starring Michael B. Jordan hitting theaters on March 7. The live adaptation of “Snow White” with Rachel Zegler in the title role arrives on March 21, and Gal Gadot is portraying the Evil Queen. That looks like fun.
Audiences will also get live action version of the popular game series “Minecraft” that hits theaters on April 4. I would be lying if I told you I’m not eager to see what happens with the sequel “The Accountant 2” starring Ben Affleck that hits theaters on April 25. The first movie was a surprise, so to see a sequel could be quite enthralling.
The eighth movie in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, ‘The Final Reckoning’ hits theaters on May 23. What will happen? Will this be the end of the franchise? It all depends on those box-office receipts. I have already seen the teaser trailer for “Karate Kid: Legends” which arrives on May 30 and stars Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, and sign me up it looks like fun.
If you’re looking for zombies, get ready for “28 Years Later” that sees Cillian Murphy back in a movie that many may not know launched his mark into the film industry. The original was fantastic, so to see Murphy back with new players Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer should be quite fun. That terror arrives on June 20. You remember that killer robot that did that iconic dance, well she is back in “M3GAN 2.0” that hits the multiplexes on June 27, however, the big sequel or requel I have marked on my calendar is July 18 with “I Know What You Did Last Summer” that sees the return of Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.) as a new fisherman or perhaps an old one returns to cause more terror with a hook.
I cannot believe we are getting ANOTHER entry into the “Jurassic Park/World” franchise after that terrible legacy sequel, this time we have “Jurassic World Rebirth” starring Scarlet Johannson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey for the kickoff to the festive Fourth of July holiday on July 2. If you need your comic book/superhero fix, get ready for ANOTHER reiteration of the caped crusader as “Superman” arrives on July 11. This time, James Gunn is taking the helms as the director with David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. If you haven’t seen the trailer, we have a Superdog which should be plenty of fun.
Another fun reboot could be the return of “The Fantastic Four” with “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” hitting theaters on July 25 with new actors as our fearless four with Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss Bachrach as Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing. However, Dr. Droom is not the big villain this time around, hey will battle Galactus and the Silver Surfer.
Sequel fun continues with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan returning for “Freakier Friday” on August 8. Oh, this is going to be so much fun. For chills, the final entry in the “The Conjuring” franchise, “Last Rites” hits theaters on September 7 with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprising their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. “The Bride” looks like some serious fun also hitting theaters on September 26 with a new take on the Bride of Frankenstein. With talent like Maggie Gyllenhaal and Christian Bale I’m already sold.
If you want to see a biopic about one of the biggest pop sensations ever, “Michael” arrives October 3. The nephew of Michael Jackson, Jaafar Jackson will portray his famed uncle with Nia Long and Colman Domingo portraying Katherine and Joe Jackson. Domingo is totally rising as a talent people. Another new reiteration worth noting is Glen Powell taking on the role previously held by Arnold Schwarzenegger for “The Running Man” based on the 1987 classic.
Of course, we can’t wrap up all the buzz for 2025 big flicks, how can we not talk about the second part of the musical “Wicked” with “Wicked: For Good” hitting theaters on November 21. How will it all end? I don’t know, but that makes me eager. We have our third entry into the VERY POPULAR “Avatar” franchise with “Avatar: Fire and Ash” hitting theaters on December 19. The last sequel was fantastic, so I don’t think James Cameron will disappoint with this third outing. So, 2025 has plenty from sci-fi, to horror, to drama to action, to comedy and animation for all moviegoers. Starting marking dates on your calendars.