It’s a new year, and that means a new round of blockbusters are looking to make their mark on the box office. It goes without saying that 2024 proved something of a holding year, no thanks to the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes, which led to a number of tentpoles getting delayed until this calendar year, namely Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
In a time in which mainstream Hollywood seems to be in flux, 2025 is likely to be an important and exciting year for the film industry. As such, we’re looking at the upcoming calendar year, analyzing the biggest releases, and making some forecasts about likely/destined hits.
James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Needs to Hit Big
This Will Kickstart the DCU
There’s no blockbuster in 2025 that needs to hit more than James Gunn’s Superman. Comic book movies are no longer the box office guarantee they once were, but no brand has taken more hits on their reputation than DC, as almost every single one of their recent films has bombed, with arguably only 2022’s The Batman proving an exception.
Since Superman is a full reboot, it’s not an understatement to say it needs to get people excited about the titular character again. James Gunn’s track record in this genre speaks for itself, but will it be enough to stave off superhero fatigue from the public? We’ll just have to see.
Will the Next ‘Mission: Impossible’ Prove a Comeback?
The Franchise Needs a Win
In hindsight, the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon was too much for even Tom Cruise to conquer; while Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning did decently overall, it had the misfortune of releasing a week before our generation’s defining double feature. But Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning doesn’t have nearly as much competition this time around, having at least two weekends to itself to dominate.
Obviously, we’ll be there opening day, as there are few things in life more satisfying than watching Tom Cruise run or defy death for our entertainment. Cruise inarguably helped save the theatrical experience post-COVID with Top Gun: Maverick, but only the coming months will tell if that will translate here as well.
What Other Trends Does 2025 Have to Offer?
It’s a Big Year for the MCU and Sequels
After sitting most of 2024 out, this year will see Marvel returning in full force to the big screen, but none of their three films has to hit bigger than The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which not only has to finally do big-screen justice for its title characters after three previous failed attempts, but the next two Avengers installments will follow directly from it. If this gets people excited for Doomsday and Secret Wars, Marvel may be back on track, but if it doesn’t, it’s going to be a long few years.
Sequels, once again, are set to dominate the calendar year. After the massive success of Wicked this year, 2025’s concluding chapter, Wicked: For Good, seems as good a guarantee as any to hit big. In 2022, Avatar: The Way of Water had to prove that its franchise was still viable, but it passed that test with flying colors, and there’s no reason to assume that Avatar: Fire and Ash won’t also be a hit. And audiences love dinosaurs, so it’s a safe bet that Jurassic World Rebirth will get them to the theaters.
Related
10 Superhero Movie Flops Everyone Saw Coming
Some superhero movie flops have been so easy to spot they might as well have been flying through the sky in a cape and tights.
The non-franchise films are mostly gambles. Music biopics still make money, and even though October’s Michael will undoubtedly reignite debates over Michael Jackson’s legacy, it’s certain to get his fans in seats. Meanwhile, Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski is bringing his vehicular filmmaking to the racetrack with F1, but its supposedly $300 million budget raises uncertainty.
However, the biggest question mark is Paul Thomas Anderson’s currently untitled film. While his quality track record speaks for itself, his movies have almost never had box office success. Warner Bros. still felt comfortable giving him a $100+ budget, believing that star Leonardo DiCaprio would be enough to justify the cost, but will it pay off?
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