The movie landscape of 2025 is already delivering major hits, but the most anticipated films of the year are still ahead. From big-budget superhero flicks to Disney’s magical releases and long-awaited sequels, studios are saving some of their best for the second half of the year. Importantly, we’re focusing only on films with confirmed release dates that haven’t premiered yet — no speculation, no TBDs. So, clear your calendars and make room on your watchlists. Here are the biggest confirmed films still to come in 2025 and everything we know about them so far.

May 2025

Thunderbolts
📅 May 2, 2025
The MCU continues to expand with Thunderbolts, a film focused on a team of morally gray antiheroes. Think of it as Marvel’s answer to the Suicide Squad, but with characters fans already know and love. Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova, joined by the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and more. Directed by Jake Schreier, this film could redefine how the MCU handles redemption arcs and flawed heroes.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
📅 May 23, 2025
Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt for what may be his final mission. This installment concludes the Dead Reckoning arc, bringing back franchise favorites like Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Simon Pegg. Expect high-octane stunts, intense espionage, and a showdown with the AI villain known as The Entity. Christopher McQuarrie returns to direct, promising an explosive send-off for the iconic character.

Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action)
📅 May 23, 2025
One of Disney’s most beloved animated films gets the live-action treatment. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), this reimagining brings the story of found family and alien hijinks to life with fresh faces and a mix of CGI and practical effects. While the project has stirred online debate, there’s high curiosity about how Stitch will be brought to screen — and if the emotional core of the original will remain intact.

The Karate Kid: Legends
📅 May 30, 2025
For the first time, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio share the screen, merging the 1984 and 2010 Karate Kid universes. The film follows a new martial arts student mentored by both Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle (The End of the F*ing World), this movie promises plenty of nostalgia for longtime fans and fresh energy for new ones.

June 2025

Elio
📅 June 13, 2025
Pixar takes audiences to space with Elio, a story about a misfit boy who accidentally becomes Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy. Directed by Adrian Molina (Coco), the film explores themes of identity, belonging, and finding your voice. After a year with few original Pixar entries, Elio is expected to reignite the studio’s creative spark.

28 Years Later
📅 June 20, 2025
Danny Boyle returns to the world of 28 Days Later with a new chapter set nearly three decades after the original outbreak. While plot details are scarce, we know that Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson will headline a cast trying to survive in a world forever scarred by the Rage virus. Expect intensity, dread, and social commentary — hallmarks of the series.

July 2025

Eddington
📅 July 18, 2025
Ari Aster’s (Hereditary, Midsommar) newest film trades supernatural horror for psychological tension. Eddington takes place in a New Mexico town at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a powerhouse cast including Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix, the film explores how paranoia and isolation impact a tight-knit community. Early buzz already has this pegged as one of A24’s most thought-provoking films yet.

August 2025

The Naked Gun
📅 August 1, 2025
Get ready to laugh — or groan — because the slapstick spoof franchise returns. Liam Neeson (yes, that Liam Neeson) stars as Frank Drebin Jr. in a reboot of The Naked Gun. Directed by Akiva Schaffer (Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers), the film attempts to revive Zucker-style humor for a modern audience.

Freaky Friday 2
📅 August 8, 2025
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reunite after two decades for a sequel to the beloved 2003 body-swap comedy. Directed by Nisha Ganatra (Late Night), the story reportedly involves another magical switch-up, possibly with a third generation in the mix. This is a full-on nostalgia play, but with these two leads, it might just work.

October 2025

TRON: Ares
📅 October 10, 2025
A brand-new story in the TRON universe arrives with Jared Leto leading the charge. Directed by Joachim Rønning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil), TRON: Ares reportedly focuses on AI crossing over from the digital realm into the human world. With production finally moving after years of delays, fans are cautiously optimistic.

The Black Phone 2
📅 October 17, 2025
After the success of the first film, Scott Derrickson is back for more psychological horror. While details remain under wraps, Ethan Hawke’s terrifying “Grabber” left a lasting impact, and fans are curious to see if the sequel will expand on the supernatural elements or introduce a new villain.

November 2025

Wicked: Part Two – For Good
📅 November 21, 2025
Following the success of 2024’s Wicked: Part One, the second chapter brings closure to the untold story of the witches of Oz. Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) return, and Jon M. Chu directs once again. Expect big musical numbers, emotional payoffs, and a tie-in to Dorothy’s arrival in Oz. For Good will include fan-favorite songs and finish the arc started in Part One with heart and spectacle.

Zootopia 2
📅 November 26, 2025
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back for another buddy-cop-style adventure through the animal metropolis of Zootopia. Disney has been tight-lipped about the plot, but the sequel is expected to tackle modern societal issues again — all wrapped in slick animation and witty dialogue.

December 2025

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
📅 December 5, 2025
The surprise hit horror adaptation is back for a second round. Directed once again by Emma Tammi, the sequel will dig deeper into the terrifying animatronic mythology. While the first film leaned heavily on jumpscares and nostalgia, the sequel is expected to ramp up both the lore and the horror. Fans of the franchise — and YouTube reaction videos — will definitely be tuning in.

Final Thoughts

2025’s movie calendar is stacked with crowd-pleasers, emotional stories, and big-franchise fare. With confirmed release dates and trailers already starting to drop, the rest of the year promises to deliver some of the biggest cinematic moments of the decade. Whether you’re into action, musicals, animation, horror, or sci-fi, there’s at least one major release left this year that’ll have you racing to the theater.

Keep it locked to The Game of Nerds for reviews, behind-the-scenes coverage, and everything nerdy in between. Let us know in the comments or on socials — which 2025 movie are you most excited to see?

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