GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Hollywood is hoping for a better 2025. According to Statista, the North American box office’s projected total for 2024 is $8.5 billion — 24% short of its 2019 haul and more than 35% short when adjusted for ticket price inflation.
The 2023 writers’ strike and an economic crunch certainly played a role, but there’s no guarantee that consumer habits will return to pre-pandemic levels.
So, what’s on tap for 2025? Here are some of the major movies on my radar for the upcoming year.
Let’s start with one that technically came out before the new year. “September 5” had a limited theatrical release on Dec. 13 but will come out nationwide on Jan. 17.
Peter Sarsgaard and John Magaro lead a deep cast telling the story of the 1972 Munich Olympic hostage crisis through the eyes of the ABC Sports broadcast team burrowed in just yards away from it all.
It seems like an interesting way to add drama to a portrayal of a historical event where we already know the outcome.
I’m not a horror fan, by any means, but these days Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are about as close as you can get to a slam dunk. They have already delivered both award winners and giant hits, including “Fruitvale Station,” “Creed” and the two Black Panther films.
Details of the plot have been kept pretty close to the vest — though we do know Jordan will play the twin brothers in the film — but the latest trailer paints a thriller that is sure to generate some screams. The current release date for “Sinners” is March 7.
Speaking of proven commodities, Bong Joon-ho’s follow-up to “Parasite” is expected to be released this spring. The sci-fi adaption "Mickey 17" will star Robert Pattinson as a “disposable” employee whose body is regenerated whenever he dies.
The trailer shows off what looks to be a quirky, morbid story that is set to tackle some ethical questions. Plus, the cast is stacked: it also stars Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, and Steven Yeun. It is currently set to be released on April 18.
Comic fans are back on the bandwagon following the trailer release of James Gunn’s “Superman,” the celebrated director’s first film since taking the reins at DC Studios. In the wake of his adored “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, the studio hopes Gunn can revive a brand that has repeatedly tried and failed to match their rivals at Marvel.
Like anything Gunn has done in the past, the movie will likely take some big swings, and they will likely land. “Superman” is tentatively slated to be released on July 11.
Speaking of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: can Marvel build on the success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” or was it a one-off? Marvel Studios has three theatrical releases set for 2025, including a sequel, a new team-up movie and the debut of one of the company’s biggest properties.
“Captain America: Brave New World,” including Harrison Ford’s MCU debut, is set to release on Feb. 14. Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus lead the “Thunderbolts*” — scheduled for May 2. Finally, Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby enter the picture with “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” That one, which has been moved back several times already, is set to release on July 25.
There are some interesting family-friendly films on the docket as well. Disney continues to adapt its animated classics with live-action reboots. This year, we will get “Disney’s Snow White” on March 21 and “Lilo & Stitch” on May 23.
Pixar has an interesting space adventure called “Elio” set to release on June 13. We also have “Zootopia 2,” “Bad Guys 2” and “A Minecraft Movie” on the way.
The third installment of the Avatar saga is also tentatively set for a 2025 release (Dec. 19). Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver all return. The talented Michelle Yeoh and Oona Chaplin also join the story.
2009’s “Avatar” and 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” combined to gross more than $1.4 billion domestically, and parts of the fourth installment have already been shot. So, the studio is banking on “Fire and Ash” being a success.
Arguably the most anticipated film of the year is the second half of “Wicked.” Part two, dubbed “Wicked: For Good,” has already been shot and is slated to premiere on Nov. 21.
After five weeks, “Wicked: Part One” has already grossed $383 million domestically and has become a cultural phenomenon. Even with high expectations, Ariana Grande and company managed to clear the bar with ease, making fans antsy for the final act.
