The year 2025 is poised to be an exciting time for film enthusiasts, featuring an impressive lineup of original movies directed by some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed filmmakers. As the cinematic landscape for next year begins to solidify, moviegoers are eagerly anticipating not just major franchise entries like Superman and Avatar: Fire and Ash, but also several fresh and innovative projects driven by renowned directors.
Returning to the director’s chair in 2025 are noteworthy names such as Wes Anderson, Spike Lee, and Ryan Coogler, after a quieter 2024. Fans can also expect Bong Joon-ho’s much-anticipated sequel to Parasite, along with Paul Thomas Anderson finally teaming up with Leonardo DiCaprio. This blend of high-profile franchise films and distinctive standalone offerings promises to make 2025 a diverse and captivating year for cinema.
10 Wes Anderson – The Phoenician Scheme
Release Date: TBA
Wes Anderson had a prolific year in 2023 with the release of his Roald Dahl-inspired short films on Netflix, alongside Asteroid City. Currently, he is fine-tuning The Phoenician Scheme, an espionage comedy-drama. Although a release date has not yet been confirmed, with filming wrapped as of June, it’s anticipated that it will debut in the first half of 2025.
This new project promises to showcase Anderson’s signature visual flair, featuring a star-studded ensemble including familiar faces like Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman, alongside newcomers Riz Ahmed and Michael Cera. While specific plot details remain confidential, fans can expect a film that embodies Anderson’s distinct aesthetic.
9 Steven Soderbergh – Presence & Black Bag
Presence: January 25, Black Bag: March 14
Renowned for his diverse array of successful films, Steven Soderbergh will return to theaters with two movies in 2025. Presence, a horror film filmed from a first-person perspective featuring Lucy Liu, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024. After a year-long wait, it is set to enter theaters soon.
Following Presence, Soderbergh’s next offering, Black Bag, set for its premiere shortly after, stars Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender in a gripping espionage narrative complemented by a robust supporting cast, including Pierce Brosnan and Regé-Jean Page. Although fans are buzzing about a potential Ocean’s 14, Soderbergh delivers more exciting films to look forward to in 2025.
8 Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Release Date: March 7
Ryan Coogler has forged a strong collaboration with Michael B. Jordan, having directed the acclaimed Fruitvale Station, the Creed series, and Black Panther. In 2025, he will venture into original storytelling with Sinners, showcasing his innovative storytelling prowess.
7 The Russo Brothers – The Electric State
Release Date: March 14
Anthony and Joseph Russo, famed for their work within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will debut The Electric State in March 2025. This adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel promises a stunning visual treat as it transports viewers to a dystopian 1990s America, featuring Millie Bobby Brown on an impactful quest involving robots and familial ties.
The film will also showcase a strong ensemble including Chris Pratt and Stanley Tucci, with several notable voice actors adding to the character-driven narrative. A trailer already hints at the thrilling journey ahead.
6 Ethan Coen – Honey Don’t!
Release Date: TBA
Ethan Coen’s solo directorial effort, Drive-Away Dolls, garnered praise in 2024, and he is amping up anticipation for his subsequent project, Honey Don’t! Set to be part of a “lesbian B-movie trilogy,”this film stars Margaret Qualley as a private investigator and includes other big-name talents like Chris Evans and Aubrey Plaza.
5 Bong Joon-ho – Mickey 17
Release Date: April 18
After winning an Oscar for Parasite, Bong Joon-ho has finally announced Mickey 17, a film that has slowly materialized since its 2022 production. This original black comedy revolves around a character who can be resurrected when he dies, portraying themes of rebirth and existential humor. Starring Robert Pattinson, the film promises to blend dark comedy with engaging storytelling.
4 Paul Thomas Anderson – The Battle Of Baktan Cross
Release Date: August 8
Finally, after years of speculation, Paul Thomas Anderson will collaborate with Leonardo DiCaprio in The Battle of Baktan Cross, a big-budget crime thriller. While specific plot details are scarce, it has been speculated to draw inspiration from Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, adding layers of complexity to its narrative.
3 Yorgos Lanthimos – Bugonia
Release Date: November 7
Yorgos Lanthimos is set to unveil Bugonia, in which Emma Stone stars as a pharmaceutical CEO kidnapped by an eccentric conspiracy theorist who believes she is an alien. This English-language remake of a Korean sci-fi comedy tackles bold themes and quirkiness, expected from Lanthimos’s unique directing style.
2 Edgar Wright – The Running Man
Release Date: November 21
Edgar Wright is set to put his own spin on The Running Man, based on the Stephen King novel. Unlike the original movie, which primarily highlighted Arnold Schwarzenegger’s star power, Wright aims to provide a more faithful adaptation that delves deeper into the source material. Glen Powell leads the cast, bringing a fresh interpretation to this classic story.
1 Spike Lee – Highest 2 Lowest
Release Date: TBA
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington continue their successful collaboration with Highest 2 Lowest, an ambitious remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low. Although details remain under wraps, the film’s premise has already garnered significant attention, hinting at Lee’s innovative twist on the classic narrative.
Highest 2 Lowest appears to follow a trend within Apple TV+ of supporting renowned filmmakers in bringing their unique visions to life, echoing recent collaborations such as Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Fans are hopeful this partnership will yield a more favorable outcome than Lee’s previous adaptation of a foreign classic, Oldboy, which saw a mixed reception.
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