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Following the Hollywood writers strike in 2023 and audiences becoming more accustomed to getting more content than ever on streaming, there was always a question mark as to how the box office would perform in 2024.
Just when everyone assumed that Disney’s Marvel could do no wrong, it was clear major superhero franchises had overstayed their welcome. 2024 was inundated with sequels, prequels and remakes. Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine were the biggest performers, and though fewer franchises were released, box office numbers were steady, but generally underwhelming. In comparison, twelve films broke the $500 million barrier at the box office in 2023, with only seven hitting that marker in 2024.
Despite the fact that audiences naturally gravitate toward existing IP, studios have promised to offer more original content. With the world economy continuing to grow at a steady pace, and audience appetite still as high as ever, 2025 should be a huge improvement.
Check out our picks for the top 10 anticipated films of 2025.
In The Grey
Dir: Guy Ritchie | Lionsgate
Revolves around two extraction specialists who have to designate a route of escape for a senior female negotiator, as they team up to get hold of millions of dollars in stolen money. Featuring Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Jake Gyllenhaal and Rosamund Pike, Guy Ritchie’s action thriller has a theatrical release date of the 17th January.
28 Years Later
Dir: Danny Boyle | Sony Pictures Releasing
This post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle is the third instalment in the series, and sees Cillian Murphy reprise his role. Taking place after the events of 28 Weeks Later, the Rage Virus has returned, and a group of survivors must survive in a world ravaged by hordes of the infected. Also featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer, it has a theatrical release date of the 20th June.
Mickey 17
Dir: Bong Joon-ho | Warner Bros.
Mickey 17 is a science fiction film written, directed, and co-produced by Bong Joon-ho, and is an adaption of Ashton Edward's novel 'Mickey7'. With Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo and Steven Yeun in this star-studded cast, it follows the story of Mickey 17, an "expendable", who is a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. The film has a theatrical release of the 18th April.
Wake Up Dead Man
Dir: Rian Johnson | Netflix
Daniel Craig, who reprises his role as master detective Benoit Blanc in the third instalment of the Knives Out film series. A standalone sequel to Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), the film has an ensemble cast, featuring Glenn Close, Josh Brolin and Kerry Washington, and many more, as Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet. Rian Johnson's mystery film comes to Netflix on the 18th April.
Eddington
Dir: Ari Aster | A24
Revolves around a couple stranded in a small New Mexico town during the pandemic. Initially welcomed, the town takes a sinister turn by nightfall. It reunites director Ari Aster with Joaquin Phoenix, portraying a sheriff with bigger ambitions. Also featuring Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler, the contemporary Western black comedy is expected to be in theatres in Q1.
F1
Dir: Joseph Kosinski | Warner Bros. Pictures
Brad Pitt stars as an ex-Formula One driver who comes out of retirement to mentor rookie prodigy Joshua Pearce for the Apex Grand Prix team. Also starring Damson Idris, Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem, director Joseph Kosinski’s sports action drama is in collaboration with the FIA and has a theatrical release of 25th June.
Roofman
Dir: Derek Cianfrance | Paramount Pictures
This crime drama, directed by Derek Cianfrance, is a biopic of the fugitive Jeffrey Manchester, a former United States Army Reserve officer. Channing Tatum stars as Manchester, known colloquially as Roofman after evading capture from police by hiding in the roof of a Toys "R" Us store. Also starring Kirsten Dunst, Peter Dinklage and LaKeith Stanfield, it has a theatrical release of 3rd October.
Bugonia
Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos | Universal Pictures
In this science fiction comedy starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth. An English-language remake of South Korea's 'Save The Green Planet!’ from director Yorgos Lanthimos, the film has a theatrical release of 7th November.
Judy
Dir: Alejandro González Iñárritu | Warner Bros. Pictures
From director Alejandro González Iñárritu, the film follows the most powerful man in the world who tries to prove he is humanity's saviour before the disaster he's unleashed destroys everything. Starring Tom Cruise in the lead role, this black comedy drama, due to be released in Q4, has an ensemble cast including Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Jesse Plemons, and Riz Ahmed.
The Thursday Murder Club
Dir: Chris Columbus | Netflix
Based on the 2020 novel by Richard Osman, this crime comedy from director Chris Columbus has a huge British cast, including Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, David Tennant and Celia Imrie. Coming to Netflix in Q3, the story follows four friends living in a retirement village who enjoy getting together to investigate and solve cold cases, until they have a real murderer in their midst.
Our top 10 anticipated games for 2025
