After a fair to slightly better than average spring, the 2025 summer movie season is finally upon us! Here are some early looks at some of the most talked-about films hitting theaters and the streamers between May and August. After hits like Sinners, Thunderbolts*, and A Minecraft Movie dominating the box office, this summer has its own thrills in store – from more Marvel (Fantastic Four) spectacle to a deluge of horror, original and reboots!
Will remakes rule the season? Which stars will become the breakouts of the summer? And which film will be the must-see, unequivocal hit? Behold, the breakdown and shakedown!
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD – MAY 9, 2025
The Slasher Novel Comes to Life on the Big Screen
Based on the terrifying YA horror novel by Adam Cesare, Clown in a Cornfield follows Quinn Maybrook (Katie Douglas) as she moves to the foreboding town of Kettle Springs—only to face a murderous clown named Frendo. Expect brutal kills and social commentary in equal measure for what many are predicting will be the sleeper indie hit of the season.
A BREED APART – MAY 16, 2025
Influencers vs. Hungry Dogs in This Wild Thriller
From the directors of Nightmare Shark comes A Breed Apart, where social media stars fight for survival against ravenous hounds on a secluded island. There’s already some great marketing woven in as this indie horror holds the world record for most visual effects shots in an indie film.
FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES – MAY 16, 2025
Death Finds New Victims in the Horror Sequel
The current marketing is already making waves, and who ever wants to ride behind logs ever again?! The franchise returns after 14 years with a terrifying twist— Death is now coming for an entire family. One reason to see this revival? Tony Todd in his final performance as the iconic mortician makes – making this a must-watch for horror fans.
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH – MAY 23, 2025
Natalie Portman and John Krasinski Star in Guy Ritchie’s Adventure Flick
Ritchie returns to theatres in this heist film following estranged siblings (Portman and Krasinski) racing to find the legendary Fountain of Youth. Will Portman and Krasinski have any chemistry on screen as brother and sister? We are intrigued. What we can definitely expect is Ritchie’s singular dialogue, wild action scenes, and biting comedy.
BRING HER BACK – MAY 30, 2025
The Talk to Me Directors Spin Another Terrifying Tale
The horror genre is in the midst of a renaissance as of late and there are a slew of them releasing across the next few months. From the creative minds behind Talk to Me comes this A24 horror flick starring Sally Hawkins as a foster mom who performs a dangerous ritual. A24 has proven to be the new big kid on the block when it comes to horror and if their track record is any indication, prepare to experience some disturbing, haunting scenes that last well after the last frame.
KARATE KID: LEGENDS – MAY 30, 2025
Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan Unite in the Legacy Sequel
If any series is ready for a reboot it is this one and just as the television series ends its run, the series returns to the big screens. Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) and Mr. Han (Chan) team up to train a new Karate Kid (Ben Wang). Will this convergence of franchise eras deliver the knockout of nostalgia everyone is hoping for?
BALLERINA – JUNE 6, 2025
Ana de Armas Kicks Ass in the John Wick Spinoff
The trailers have been teasing us for months and the cat is nearly out of the bag in one of the most anticipated spin-offs in recent years. Ana de Armas stars as assassin Eve Macarro and Keanu Reeves returns as well, so expect brutal fight scenes, dark humor, and stylish mayhem.
DEEP COVER – JUNE 12, 2025
Bryce Dallas Howard and Orlando Bloom Go Undercover
Howard has proven many times on screen her comedic chops as an actress, but now Orlando Bloom is testing the waters in this duo movie from Prime Video. The comedy follows improv actors (Howard, Bloom, Nick Mohammed) pretending to be gangsters. What shenanigans could possibly ensue?
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – JUNE 13, 2025
Hiccup, Toothless and Astrid Come to Life
If Disney can do it, why not Dreamworks?! Their first live-action remake brings back fan favorites—Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Toothless in glorious CGI. If it’s a hit, be prepared for a barrage of more live-action remakes in the coming summer seasons.
28 YEARS LATER – JUNE 20, 2025
Ralph Fiennes and Jodie Comer Fight the Rage Virus
We won’t get Cillian Murphy in this installment, but Danny Boyle’s long-awaited sequel returns to a quarantined, zombie-ravaged England. Early buzz says this could be the horror event of the summer, and if so, the third planned movie in this new trilogy will be a go, and possibly, so will Murphy.
M3GAN 2.0 – JUNE 27, 2025
The Killer Doll Returns
M3GAN, the doll none of us thought we needed is back, and this time she’s embracing action-hero tropes. She’s bigger, better, faster, and OMG! Will she dance, kill, or Siri-cide them all!?
JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH – JULY 2, 2025
Scarlett Johansson vs. Mutant Dinosaurs
It’s clear Scarlett ran to her team and requested a new franchise to front and behold, here it is! The franchise reboots for the second time with Johansson leading a new cast against genetically enhanced dinos. Expect lots of chaos, crazy CGI chases, and more than a few new dinosaurs.
THE OLD GUARD 2 – JULY 2, 2025
Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne Return as Immortal Warriors
It only took five years between the original film and the sequel, but who’s counting? The Netflix original finally arrives, with Theron and Layne battling new threats, including Uma Thurman serving up Kill Bill fever. Will it live up to the original’s hype or has the long lull between the films hinder its success?
SOVEREIGN – JULY 11, 2025
Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay Play Anti-Government Extremists
Many people will be going to see this film if only to see a grown-sized Jacob Tremblay. This intense drama follows a father-son duo (Offerman, Tremblay) on a dangerous path. Early word? Powerhouse performances from Offerman and Tremblay and awards may be in their future in the coming months.
SUPERMAN – JULY 11, 2025
David Corenswet Soars as the Man of Steel
Before we have Superman save the world, we need James Gunn to save DC. His first real crack at rerouting that ship begins with this release as the newly minted DCU introduces a new Superman (Corenswet) with heart, humor, and Krypto the Superdog. Will this version of Superman and the DCU finally take and can James Gunn save it all? Early reviews are in his favor.
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER – JULY 18, 2025
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. Return in the Slasher Sequel
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Brandy may not be back, but Hewitt and Prinze, Jr. are picking up the slack! The OG survivors are back—but a new group of teens faces the hook-wielding killer. Will this revival recapture the ‘90s horror magic or will this be the one horror remake too many this summer?
SMURFS – JULY 18, 2025
Rihanna Voices Smurfette in This Hybrid Musical
Fans of Rihanna’s music are being encouraged to spend their money on her upcoming animated film as this is probably the closest they will get to music from her. But on paper, the voice casting speaks volumes: John Goodman’s Papa Smurf and Rihanna’s Smurfette lead a live-action/animated adventure. Will it be charming or cringe?
BAMBI: THE RECKONING – JULY 25, 2025
The Twisted Childhood Universe Gets Even Darker
No one could have predicted the dark path audiences would be taken on once the classics were left open to interpretation. Up next? Bambi as a horror villain. If Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey was any indication, this will be just as controversial.
NOBODY 2 – AUGUST 15, 2025
Bob Odenkirk Is Back as the Reluctant Assassin
Hutch Mansell’s (Odenkirk) family vacation turns deadly in this action-comedy sequel. Come for the dad jokes, the excellently brutal fight scenes, and this time around, Sharon Stone!
HONEY DON’T! – AUGUST 22, 2025
Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza Star in Ethan Coen’s Lesbian B-Movie Sequel
Margaret Qualley is quietly becoming one of our favorite go-to nepo-babies we love to love and here she stars alongside Aubrey Plaza, so expect plenty of well-orchestrated chaos in this campy crime romp.
CAUGHT STEALING – AUGUST 29, 2025
Austin Butler Gets Drawn into Crime in Darren Aronofsky’s Thriller
Is Austin Butler truly a leading man? This summer may give us the definitive answer as he plays a former baseball player seduced by the NYC underworld in this gritty ‘90s-set drama.
Who Will Rule 2025 Summer?
With superheroes (Superman), horror icons (M3GAN 2.0, 28 Years Later), and legacy sequels (Karate Kid, I Know What You Did Last Summer), this summer is stacked. Will remakes (How to Train Your Dragon, Smurfs) dominate? Or will original stories (Sovereign, Caught Stealing) steal the spotlight? Who’ll be the breakout star? Mason Thames (Hiccup)? Ben Wang (Karate Kid)? Or an unexpected dark horse? One thing’s for sure: Between killer clowns, immortal warriors, and Bambi on a murder spree, summer 2025 will be anything but boring!
