A lot of the most exciting movies set for 2025 are sequels, including some which are bringing back dormant franchises. Sequels can always be marked on the calendar long in advance, since audiences roughly know what they’re in for. Before any of 2025’s other movies have started to generate buzz and release trailers, fans know that some upcoming sequels promise a good time.
Like any other year, 2025 will see some huge franchises returning with blockbuster sequels.Mission: ImpossibleandCaptain Americawill excite action fans, whileAvatarandJurassic Worldlook set to be some of the year’s biggest sci-fi movies. There are also some more surprising sequels coming out in 2025, includingNow You See Me 3and28 Years Later,both of which will bring back franchises which most fans thought were long gone.
10Now You See Me 3
November 14
Now You See Me 3is one of 2025’s most surprising sequels.Now You See MeandNow You See Me 2came out in 2013 and 2016 respectively. The ending of the sequel teases the future of the franchise, as the Horsemen are granted access to the mysterious organization known as the Eye, but this cliffhanger has remained unresolved for years. It seemed like the heist franchise was dead, butNow You See Me 3will finally continue the story nine years later.
Now You See Me 3is set to bring back most of the key cast, including Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo and Morgan Freeman.
Now You See Me 3is set to bring back most of the key cast, including Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo and Morgan Freeman. Isla Fisher will also be returning after her absence inNow You See Me 2.One notable loss will be Michael Caine, who has since retired from acting. The old cast members will be joined by some new faces, including Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike, although her role remains unspecified.Until a trailer is released, the plot will remain a mystery.
9Freakier Friday
August 8
Just likeNow You See Me 3,Freakier Fridayis the sequel nobody saw coming. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are returning for a sequel to their 2003 hitFreaky Friday,and the early plot details promise even more comedic body-swapping fun. Over 20 years later, Anna Coleman has children of her own, which sets up a four-way body swap that spans three generations of the Coleman family.
Anna Coleman has children of her own, which sets up a four-way body swap that spans three generations of the Coleman family.
Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis aren’t the onlyFreaky Fridaystars whose returns have been confirmed for the sequel.NCISstar Mark Harmon will reprise his role as Tess' husband Ryan, while Stephen Tobolowsky and Chad Michael Murray are among the other returning faces. They will be joined by some child actors, presumably playing the roles of Anna’s children.The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto also has an unspecified role.
828 Years Later
June 20
It’s been 17 years since28 Weeks Later,but the post-apocalyptic sci-fi franchise is finally returning. Possibly the most exciting update is that28 Days Laterdirector Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland will be on board.28 Weeks Laterisn’t a bad sequel by any means, but critics generally agree that the first movie is the superior one, so seeing Boyle and Garland working together again is a positive sign.
28 Years Laterrecently wrapped filming, andthere will be two more sequels coming shortly after. Cillian Murphy is returning to the franchise, over 20 years after his breakthrough role in28 Days Later.He will be joined by an impressive cast of British talent, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes all playing undisclosed roles. Not much is known about the plot, but fans can reasonably expect to see a trailer soon.
7Jurassic World Rebirth
July 2
TheJurassic Worldfranchise has consistently raked in huge numbers at the box office, but its critical reputation has taken a hit with each installment.Jurassic World Dominion’s 29% Rotten Tomatoes score illustrates how far the franchise has fallen, butJurassic World Rebirthhas already given fans some hope that things could change. As the title suggests,Rebirthis set to usher in a new era for the franchise.
As the title suggests,Jurassic WorldRebirthis set to usher in a new era for the franchise.
Jurassic World Rebirthwill carry on the franchise’s story with a new cast. Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and BD Wong are being replaced by Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali, although their exact roles are still a little mysterious. The other big question about the cast is whether fans will see any of the legacy characters, played by Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill.Rogue OneandGodzilladirector Gareth Edwards will bring his sci-fi prestige to the sequel.
6Zootopia 2
November 26
A sequel toZootopiawas always a strong possibility after the success of the first movie, andZootopia 2looks like it will finally pay off the tease of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde working together as partners. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman will both be reprising their roles, althoughthe plot ofZootopia 2remains a mystery at this point. Disney has slowly been revealing a few details as the release date draws closer, however.
The most exciting new character revealed so far is Gary the Snake, who will be voiced by the Oscar-winningKe Huy Quan.
There are some big stars joining Goodwin and Bateman in thecast ofZootopia 2, including Shakira, who will be playing the pop star Gazelle again. The most exciting new character revealed so far is Gary the Snake, who will be voiced by the Oscar-winning star ofEverything Everywhere All at Once,Ke Huy Quan. Gary looks likely to be the main villain ofZootopia 2, although there could be another twist like the firstZootopia.
5Captain America: Brave New World
February 14
A lot of the most exciting new movies of 2025 are slated for release in the summer or the holiday season, but Marvel fans won’t have to wait too long to seeCaptain America: Brave New World.SinceBrave New Worldis coming in February, Marvel has already revealed a lot of details about the sequel as anticipation builds. Anthony Mackie will be following Chris Evans' popular portrayal of Captain America, as Sam Wilson takes over the title from Steve Rogers.
Brave New Worldwill follow on from the Disney+ seriesTheFalcon and the Winter Soldier,and it holds an important place in the future of the MCU’sPhase Five.Thunderboltsis slated for release in May. Aside from Mackie, the most exciting name in the cast ofBrave New Worldis Harrison Ford. TheStar WarsandIndiana Jonesstar will be playing Thaddeus Ross, the United States President who transforms into the Red Hulk.
4Avatar: Fire & Ash
December 19
Both of James Cameron’sAvatarmovies are among the highest-grossing movies of all time, with 2009’sAvatarstill sitting in the top spot.Fire and Ashis likely to continue this trend, so another $2 billion haul is possible. TheAvatarmovies have become required viewing for lovers of big-screen cinematic spectacle, with Cameron transporting his audience to a faraway planet.
Avatar: Fire and Ashis one of three more sequels that Cameron has confirmed for the franchise so far.
Avatar: Fire and Ashis one of three more sequels that Cameron has confirmed for the franchise so far. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña lead the returning cast, but they will be joined by some new faces too. Oona Chaplin and David Thewlis are the two names confirmed to be joining.Michelle Yeoh won’t be appearing until the franchise’s fourth movie, so fans will have to wait a little while longer to see her character.
Release Date TBA
Rian Johnson’s thirdKnives Outmovie wrapped filming in August 2024, but there is still no news yet of when the movie will be streaming on Netflix. It’s possible that Netflix will relent to Johnson and Daniel Craig’s wishes by givingWake Up Dead Mana theatrical run, and this consideration could explain why the release date has yet to be announced. Either way, fans can expect to see Benoit Blanc again at some point in 2025.
Daniel Craig will be joined by another star-studded cast of suspects, which features Glenn Close, Josh Brolin and Jeremy Renner.
Knives Outlooks like a classic whodunnit mystery in the style of Agatha Christie, but it’s a surprisingly subversive tale. The first sequel,Glass Onion,added another layer to Johnson’s game with his audience.Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mysterywill have to contend with the fact that Johnson’s audience is wiser to his tricks than ever, but he’s sure to have a few tricks up his sleeve. Daniel Craig will be joined by another star-studded cast of suspects, which features Glenn Close, Josh Brolin and Jeremy Renner.
2Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
May 23
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoningwill be the franchise’s eighth entry, and there are a lot of rumors flying around that it could be the last.The newly-revealed title certainly seems to hint that this will be Ethan Hunt’s last adventure, although nobody associated with the franchise has confirmed that this is the case. The movie was originally going to be calledMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two,but this plan was scrapped long ago.
The trailer forThe Final Reckoningpromises more of the jaw-dropping stunts and gorgeous locations that fans of theMission: Impossiblefranchise love, but it doesn’t reveal much about the story that can’t be extrapolated fromDead Reckoning. Ethan and his team at IMF will still be trying to put a stop to the Entity, and this will probably hinge on their ability to locate the submarine known as the Sevastopol. IfThe Final Reckoningreally is the end, theMission: Impossiblewill surely go out with a bang.
1Wicked Part Two
November 21
Wickedis already a huge box office success, so the sequel is as close to a guaranteed hit as possible. After the exciting ending ofWicked,some fans will be disappointed that they have to wait almost an entire year to see the story’s conclusion on the big screen. SplittingWickedinto two parts was a controversial decision when it was first announced, since it meant expanding on the popular musical. This gamble seems to have paid off.
SplittingWickedinto two parts was a controversial decision when it was first announced. This gamble seems to have paid off.
There are still a lot of great songs from theWickedsoundtrack that are expected to be inPart Two,and some additional songs have been written specifically for the movie. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have both been praised for their vocal performances inWicked,soPart Twooffers an exciting opportunity to witness more of the same. The only drawback is the long wait after such a tantalizing finale toWicked.
