The most exciting movies of 2025 from Superman to Freakier Friday

Going to the movies never looked so good, as 2025 is set to be a great year of movies on the big (and small) screen for audiences to enjoy.

There will be a lot to enjoy at multiplexes all year around, from chilling horror movies, to popcorn blockbusters, to films that are fun for the whole family. The battle between DC and Marvel for box office domination will resume in earnest in 2025, as James Gunn and Peter Safran's takeover of DC will be in full swing with the release of Superman while Marvel is bringing a new Captain America film and villain-led spin-off Thunderbolts to the screen.

Awards season favourites will also be landing ahead of the Oscars, while old favourites like Bridget Jones and 28 Years Later are making a comeback. All in all it's good to be a film fan, and here is Yahoo's take on the best films of the year.

Nosferatu | 1 January

Horror fans are getting a treat to start the year with: Nosferatu. Robert Eggers remake of the classic silent film of the same name will transport viewers to the horrifying vampire tales of old, full of blood, gore and scares to send a chill down your spine. Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Bill Skarsgård lead the film, which is sure to terrify and delight in equal measure.

We Live in Time | 1 January

For those in need of a good cry instead of a good scare, New Year's Day will also offer film fans the chance to enjoy We Live in Time. Starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, this touching melodrama follows a couple through the highs and lows of their relationship as they face hurdles from infertility to cancer treatment. Pack your tissues.

A Real Pain | 10 January

Jesse Eisenberg makes his directorial debut with A Real Pain, a touching family drama about brothers who take a journey to their grandma's family home that she was forced from when the Nazis invaded Poland in the Second World War. A frank exploration of grief and generational trauma, the film is both moving and surprisingly funny in a way that proves Eisenberg's skills behind the camera.

Babygirl | 10 January

Hollywood has entered a refreshing new era — romances between older women and younger men. Nicole Kidman's Babygirl looks to be the most surprising of the genre yet, exploring the power dynamic between a successful CEO and her male intern (Harris Dickenson) and the toxic yet exhilarating affair they begin.

Unstoppable | 16 January

Jennifer Lopez, Jharrel Jerome, and Don Cheadle star in Unstoppable, a gripping sports biopic about American wrestler Anthony Robles who was born with one leg and overcame adversity to become a champion. The film will be landing on streaming platform Prime Video in the new year, and its underdog tale will be the perfect way to banish the January blues.

A Complete Unknown | 17 January

Music biopics are all the rage so it is no surprise that Bob Dylan is the subject of one. Unlike 2007's I'm Not There, only one person is playing the iconic musician: Timothée Chalamet. After proving himself in a musical setting in Wonka, it's exciting to imagine what the talented actor is able to bring to a story about Dylan and his rise to fame.

Here | 17 January

Robert Zemeckis reunites with his Forrest Gump stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright for a decades-spanning story of a family's experience of love, loss and life. It has been more than 30 years since the trio made magic on set, can they do it again?

Wolf Man | 17 January

2024 is the year of the classic monster, first the vampire and now the werewolf. In Leigh Whannell's new take on the 1941 classic, Julia Garner will have to contend with a very different kind of beast to what we know when Christopher Abbott's Blake is attacked by an animal and begins to transform the longer the night goes on.

Back In Action | 17 January

She bid farewell to Hollywood in 2018 but Cameron Diaz is back for a new Netflix action thriller opposite Jamie Foxx. The actors star as former CIA spies Emily and Matt who are pulled back into the action (pun intended) when their identities are exposed.

The Brutalist | 24 January

A strong contender for Best Picture at the Oscars, The Brutalist follows the life of visionary architect László Toth (Adrien Brody) and his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) as they escape post-war Europe in search of a new life in America. The three-and-a-half-hour epc has also generated awards buzz for its lead Brody for his startling depiction of Toth.

Love Hurts | 7 February

Fresh off the success of Everything Everywhere All At Once, Ke Huy Quan is ready to show off his martial arts skills once more in a thrilling new action film. The Oscar winner leads Love Hurts as a man whose past comes back to haunt him when his former partner-in-crime (Ariana Debose) and crime-lord brother (Daniel Wu) come for him.

Captain America: Brave New World | 14 February

Marvel has a busy year ahead in 2025, and it begins things with the release of its fourth Captain America movie — but the first to star Anthony Mackie with the shield. The new film sees Sam Wilson faces with danger from multiple angles as he is thrust into the centre of an international conflict, oh and Harrison Ford is Red Hulk, what more could you want?

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy | 14 February

Rom-com fans rejoice because the icon that is Bridget Jones is back for another chapter. After the death of her husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) Bridget is forced to consider what life has in store for her as a single mother. Exploring grief, parenthood, and finding love again Mad About the Boy finds Bridget considering love again when sparks fly between her and young man Roxster McDuff (Leo Woodall).

The Last Showgirl | 28 February

Pamela Anderson could be on the way to Oscars glory with her new film The Last Showgirl, a film by Gia Coppola about a seasoned showgirl who must plan for the fture when her show is closed after 30 years. Anderson is described a giving a "transformative" performance in the role of Shelly, and she has been tipped for a Best Actress nod as a result.

Sinners | 7 March

Ryan Coogler gives the vampire myth his own twist in Sinners, a period drama about twin brothers who return home only to discover that a new evil is waiting for them. Michael B Jordan leads the production alongside Wunmi Mosaku, Christian Robinson, Hailee Steinfeld, and Jack O'Connell.

The Electric State | 14 March

The Russo brothers are teaming up with Netflix for an action-packed dystopian film about the friendship between an orphaned teenager and a mysterious robot as they travel across the American West in search of her brother. Milly Bobby Brown stars alongside Christ Pratt, with a star-studded voice cast including Woody Harrelson, Ke Huy Quan, and Alan Tudyk amongst others.

Snow White | 21 March

Snow White is the latest Disney animation to get the live-action remake treatment, the beloved film will see Rachel Zegler take on the title role opposite Gal Gadot's Evil Queen. While the film has been marred by controversy in the wake of its release, the movie may prove a success like The Little Mermaid.

Wise Guys | 21 March

Robert De Niro stars in dual roles as the heads of Italian American crime families in Barry Levinson's Wise Guys, which tells the story of the rivalry between Vito Genevese and Frank Costello. De Niro will be joined by Shogun breakout Cosmo Jarvis, as well as Debra Messing and Kathrine Narducci.

Black Bag | 21 March

Cate Blanchett teams up with Michael Fassbender in Steven Soderbergh's newest spy drama, little is known about the film but given the calibre of the cast —which includes Pierce Brosnan, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, and Naomie Harris— it is likely one to watch.

A Minecraft Movie | 4 April

Videos game adaptations are (for the most part) on the up, and so Hollywood is hoping to repeat this success with A Minecraft Movie. The sandbox survival game will be brought to life in a live-action setting with Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers and Danielle Brooks teaming up in an adventure that will take them from the cubic Overworld to the real world.

Mickey 17 | 18 April

Bong Joon-ho is following up his Oscar-winning film Parasite with what appears to be his most weird and wonderful movie yet. Robert Pattinson stars as a man who agrees to become a dispensable human, meaning he is sent on a variety of dangerous missions and re-printed when he dies. When one of the Mickey clones survives and returns to camp he discovers a new clone has already been printed, which could have dire consequences for them both.

Thunderbolts* | 2 May

Marvel is ready to give the villains a chance at redemption in Thunderbolts*, the second big Marvel movie of the year will see Yelena (Florence Pugh) team up with washed up bad guys from the MCU for a new mission. Many characters will be returning including David Harbour's Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell's US Agent, and Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes.

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning | 21 March

Ethan Hunt could be on his last mission yet in The Final Reckoning, the eighth instalment of the franchise which follows directly on from Dead Reckoning. The film sees Ethan and his fellow agents trying to stop their most dangerous enemy yet —sentient AI— before it is too late, can they do it? Or will it prove impossible?

Karate Kid: Legends | 30 May

The success of Cobra Kai has proven one thing, viewers are keen for more Karate Kid adventures. Well Hollywood is ready to answer the call with a new film starring Jackie Chan and former Karate Kid Ralph Macchio, as their characters help a new prodigy, Li Fong (Ben Wang) make it in the sport.

Ballerina | 7 June

John Wick may have (possibly) met his end in Paris at the end of the fourth film in the character's titular franchise, but that doesn't mean the assassin films can't continue. Ballerina is a prequel spin-off to the Keanu Reeves-led movies, following Ana de Armas' Eve as she tries to get revenge on those who killed her family — given the stunning visuals and fights we can see from the trailer, it's likely to continue the legacy of the Baba Yaga.

How to Train Your Dragon | 13 June

It became a huge hit in the world of animation, and Dean DeBlois is returning to the franchise to oversee its live-action adaptation. The trailer suggests that the movie will be a faithful recreating of the original film, but it won't be a direct shot-for-shot remake. Fans of the franchise will no doubt enjoy getting to revisit the magical Viking realm, and see the relationship between Toothless and Hiccup (Mason Thames) develop in a new format.

Elio | 13 June

Pixar rarely puts a foot wrong, so its big return to the screen in 2025 is certainly exciting. Its comeback is a space adventure movie Elio, which finds its titular character Elio Solas (Yonas Kibreab) as he is thrust into a misadventure in the stars. The young boy will have to make new friends with the aliens he encounters along the way in order to help them with a crisis of intergalactic proportions — and learn something about himself along the way.

28 Years Later | 20 June

Danny Boyle and Cillian Murphy return to their first collaboration together, 28 Days Later, with their follow-up film 28 Years Later. The plot of the new film is completely under wraps, but what we know is that it will be a direct follow up to the 2002 hit and its 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later. Murphy returns with a new cast, which includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O'Connell and Ralph Fiennes.

F1 | 27 June

Brad Pitt gets behind the wheel in F1, Apple TV+'s newest blockbuster, which will get a theatrical release ahead of its streaming premiere. The drama follows a Formula One driver who comes out of retirement in order to help mentor, and later team with, a younger driver. Pitt is joined on the film by Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, and Simone Ashley.

M3GAN 2.0 | 27 June

She scared and delighted viewers in 2022, and now the lifelike doll M3GAN is back for another round tormenting Gemma (Allison Williams). While plot details are not known, Williams returns alongside Jenna Davis, who voices M3GAN, and Violet McGraw, while they will be joined by Jemaine Clement and Brian Jordan Alvarez.

Jurassic World Rebirth | 2 July

Jurassic World Dominion wasn't the end of the road for Steven Spielberg's beloved franchise, now it's time for a new era to dawn. Set five years after the events of Dominion, Rebirth follows an expedition of scientists who go to isolated regions to extract DNA hoping to make a groundbreaking medical breakthrough. Jonathan Bailey continues his Hollywood domination by starring as Dr. Henry Loomis opposite Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Rupert Friend.

Superman | 11 July

David Corenswet is the new Clark Kent for the revamped DC Universe that James Gunn and Peter Safran are almost ready to launch. The new film will see Superman encounter many familiar faces, including Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), and Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock). Other characters set to appear in the film include Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr, and Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders, aka Hawkgirl.

The Smurfs Movie | 18 July

The Smurfs have often been a mainstay of the big and small screen, and the blue creations of Peyo are back for a brand new adventure from Chris Miller and Matt Landon. Rihanna leads the A-list cast as Smurfette, and she is joined by Hannah Waddingham, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, Natasha Lyonne, Octavia Spencer, and John Goodman. What will the Smurfs get up to this time? Only time will tell.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | 25 July

Third time's the charm for The Fantastic Four, as the family of Marvel are back. Pedro Pascal stars as Reed Richards opposite Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm. In the film the quartet must protect their world from being devoured by Galactus and his right-hand Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).

The Naked Gun | 1 August

Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson star in a new remake of The Naked Gun, continuing Leslie Nielsen's legacy as Frank Drebin. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has penned a new story inspired by the beloved film series, with Neeson playing Frank Drebin Jr who is put on a new case, though little else is known about the plot.

The Battle of Baktan Cross | 8 August

Leonardo DiCaprio always makes interesting choices when it comes to his career, and his newest film could prove to be his best yet. Collaborating for the first time with Paul Thomas Anderson, DiCaprio will lead crime drama The Battle of Baktan Cross and star opposite stellar acting talent from Regina Hall, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro and Alana Haim.

Freakier Friday | 8 August

Lindsay Lohan is enjoying a bit of a renaissance, and her big screen comeback continues with Freakier Friday. The sequel to the 2003 comedy sees Lohan reunite with Jamie Lee Curtis, her onscreen mother who she swapped bodies with in the original. Mark Harmon also returns, with Manny Jacinto, Chad Michael Murray and more appearing in the cast.

The Conjuring: Last Rites | 5 September

The final movie in The Conjuring franchise is set to terrify audiences in 2025, with Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson back as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The pair will be face one last horrifying case, against their most dangerous enemies yet.

Downton Abbey 3 | 12 September

Return to the glamorous world of Downton Abbey in a third (and reportedly final) film of the franchise, with old favourites like Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery returning. The new film will see Paul Giamatti and Dominic West return, while Joely Richardson, Simon Russell Beale, and Alessandro Nivola take on new roles.

Saw XI | 27 September

The Saw franchise continues to endure two decades after the first film shocked audiences when strangers were forced to kill each other on the orders of the Jigsaw Killer. Little is known about the eleventh instalment of the franchise, but it is likely to be another gory, terrifying watch.

Michael | 3 October

Musical biopics are a dime a dozen, but there are perhaps none that can argue it does what Michael does. The Michael Jackson movie will see the iconic musician's nephew Jaafar Jackson portray him on the big screen, in a story that charts the singer's rise to fame to become known as the King of Pop.

Tron 3 | 10 October

Tron: Ares takes the movie franchise to new heights as it follows its titular highly sophisticated system as it is sent from the digital world to the real world. The sci-fi epic imagines humankind's first encounter with sentient AI, as Ares (Jared Leto) is set on a dangerous mission. The action thriller will also star Evan Peters, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Jeff Bridges.

The Black Phone 2 | 17 October

Ethan Hawke had a surprise hit on his hands with The Black Phone in 2021, and a sequel is now in the works with the original cast members Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies and Miguel Mora also returning. Scott Derrickson is on hand to direct the film once more and he will co-write it with C. Robert Cargill.

Mortal Kombat 2 | 24 October

Players, ready! That's right, Mortal Kombat is back for a second round in the cinemas following the success of the 2021 movie. Lewis Tan returns as Cole Young and will appear in the sequel alongside Karl Urban's Johnny Cage, who was not introduced int he first film but is expected to be a big part of the next. Jessica McNamees Sonya Blade and Josh Lawson will return as Sonya Blade and Kano.

Predator: Badlands | 7 November

Elle Fanning leads a new film in the Predator franchise, subtitled Badlands. The film is directed by Dan Trachtenberg with the director co-writing the script alongside Patrick Aison, and the action thriller is said to follow two sisters as they traverse a grim wasteland and discover their horrifying past.

Wicked: Part Two | TBC 2025

The musical adaptation of Wicked continues with its second half, bringing the story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) to a close in stunning fashion. The movie adapts the second half of the West End hit, and will follow Elphaba as she tries to take down the Wizard after being branded the Wicked Witch of the West.

Havoc (Netflix) | TBC 2025

Tom Hardy stars in Havoc, a new thriller from Gareth Evans about a detective who fights his way through the criminal underworld in order to rescue a politician's estranged son. Along the way he unravels a huge web of corruption and lies in the city, and it is sure to be a hit with Netflix viewers.

Happy Gilmore 2 (Netflix) | TBC 2025

Adam Sandler is ready to return to an old favourite, Happy Gilmore. The 1996 comedy followed a hockey player as he decided to take a big swing by joining the PGA, and it was a veritable hit with audiences at the time — could nostalgia ensure it's another win for Sandler? Very possibly, especially with returning cast members like Ben Stiller.

Frankenstein (Netflix) | TBC 2025

The king of horror Guillermo del Toro delivers his take on the Mary Shelley classic Frankenstein with a new film that is sure to be full of his signature gothic style. Oscar Isaac plays Victor Frankenstein opposite Jacob Elordi's Monster, with Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz rounding out the cast. Filmed in Scotland where ghostly apparitions plagued the crew, it is sure to be another hit for the director.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix) | TBC 2025

Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig's third Knives Out movie is another star-studded affair, with guest actors including Josh O'Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Josh Brolin, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, and Glenn Close amongst many others. Benoit Blanc is set to investigate another mysterious case, and while details of the plot have been kept under wraps, it is sure to be another tantalising whodunnit.