10 Major Actors Starring in Upcoming Movies Releasing in 2025

As we near the end of 2024, movie enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the cinematic gems that 2025 has in store. The upcoming year promises an impressive lineup, featuring some of the biggest names in Hollywood, many of whom took a quieter approach in 2024. Icons such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie are expected to make significant comebacks with intriguing projects that could redefine their careers.

While major franchises typically dominate film discussions, the allure of a high-profile star often generates excitement for standalone films long before their release dates. 2025 is shaping up to be no exception, with exciting projects from top box office draws like Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington, and Emma Stone. Each of these films remains largely under wraps, yet the star-studded cast is enough to ignite anticipation among fans and critics alike.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio

The Battle Of Baktan Cross

One of the most awaited productions starring Leonardo DiCaprio is The Battle of Baktan Cross, a collaboration with renowned director Paul Thomas Anderson. Fans have longed for this partnership, as Anderson’s films are celebrated for extracting breathtaking performances from actors. With DiCaprio’s talent, this project holds the promise of being yet another milestone in his illustrious career.

Although details about the film are scarce, rumors suggest it might adapt Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland. Given Anderson’s successful attempt with Pynchon’s Inherent Vice, this direction seems plausible, and moviegoers are eager to see how this unfolds.

2. Ke Huy Quan

Love Hurts

Ke Huy Quan, fresh off his Academy Award win, will star in the romantic-action film Love Hurts, set to hit theaters just in time for Valentine’s Day. This charming adventure showcases his martial arts prowess through some thrilling fight sequences, and could turn out to be an ideal date night movie.

The film appears to share stylistic elements with the John Wick franchise, yet leans into a comedic narrative. Featuring a strong supporting cast that includes Ariana DeBose and former NFL player Marshawn Lynch, Love Hurts aims to blend humor and action, potentially making it a standout film of early 2025.

3. Anya Taylor-Joy

The Gorge

Following her notable performances in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Dune: Part Two, Anya Taylor-Joy takes on a remarkable role in The Gorge. This Apple TV+ movie features her alongside Miles Teller as snipers tasked with guarding a mysterious chasm rumored to be a gateway to Hell. This unique blend of romance and supernatural elements sets the stage for an alternative dating movie experience.

Releasing on Valentine’s Day, the chemistry between Taylor-Joy and Teller could significantly influence the film’s reception, alongside a cameo from Sigourney Weaver which adds to the intrigue surrounding the story.

4. Cate Blanchett

Black Bag

Acclaimed actress Cate Blanchett will star in Black Bag, a spy thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, known for his innovative storytelling. This film showcases Blanchett in a complex role alongside Michael Fassbender, exploring the challenges faced by spies who must navigate personal and professional secrecy.

With a March release, this film will demonstrate Soderbergh’s versatility as he transitions from horror to thiller. Additionally, Blanchett has another project, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, directed by Jim Jarmusch, expected to release later in 2025.

5. Robert De Niro

Alto Knights

In Alto Knights, Hollywood veteran Robert De Niro returns to the gangster genre, portraying notorious mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello from the 1950s. The film, penned by Goodfellas screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi, promises to deliver an engaging narrative through De Niro’s dual role.

Barry Levinson, who garnered acclaim for Rain Man, directs this anticipated flick, making it his first venture since 2021. These creative forces align to potentially create a cinematic triumph that could stand among De Niro’s most memorable roles.

6. Margot Robbie

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

After her breakout role in Barbie, Margot Robbie is set to return in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, a romantic fantasy in which she co-stars with Colin Farrell. Directed by Kogonada, known for his insightful filmmaking, this film follows two individuals as they embark on an enchanting road trip guided by a magical GPS.

7. Brad Pitt

F1

Brad Pitt’s anticipated film F1 marks a significant shift from his action comedy in 2024. With one of the largest production budgets for an original film in history, F1 features Pitt as a retired Formula One driver tasked with revitalizing a struggling racing team. Unlike his Moneyball character, it appears he will re-enter the competitive world of racing.

This film will captivate a global audience of Formula One enthusiasts, particularly as it features real-life drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, playing themselves, alongside stars like Javier Bardem. With Joseph Kosinski at the helm, F1 aims to replicate the high-octane energy of Top Gun: Maverick.

8. Emma Stone

Bugonia

Emma Stone continues her collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos in the intriguing project Bugonia. This film, set for release in November, is an English-language adaptation of the acclaimed work Save the Green Planet!, featuring Stone as a pharmaceutical CEO who faces an unexpected kidnapping by conspiracy theorists.

Stone’s adaptability and talent position her as an ideal fit for Lanthimos’ distinctive style, keeping audiences curious about her performance alongside co-stars Jesse Plemons and Alicia Silverstone.

9. Lily Gladstone

The Wedding Banquet

Lily Gladstone is poised to make waves again in 2025 with her role in The Wedding Banquet, following her impactful performance in Killers of the Flower Moon. This romantic comedy, directed by Andrew Ahn, is a remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic and follows a Taiwanese man in New York City orchestrating a fake marriage to appease his family.

Gladstone’s role might reimagine the lead character’s portrayal, enticing viewers with her unique take on the story. The film directs its focus toward themes of identity and acceptance, premiering to eager audiences at the Sundance Film Festival in January before an April release.

10. Denzel Washington

Highest 2 Lowest

Denzel Washington, a perennial award contender, is set to collaborate with Spike Lee on Highest 2 Lowest, a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s revered police drama, now set in contemporary New York. This partnership is particularly exciting as it marks nearly two decades since their last project together, Inside Man.

While Washington’s specific role remains under wraps, many anticipate a resonant portrayal akin to that of Toshiro Mifune’s character from the original film. As they explore modern moral complexities through this narrative, fans eagerly await how this stellar duo will narrate the evolving landscape of justice.

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