As a film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have seen countless movies come and go, some leaving a lasting impression while others fade into oblivion. The films slated for release in 2025 seem to be a mix of both potential blockbusters and questionable choices.
Over the past few years, it’s become increasingly challenging for the film industry to accurately forecast a film’s success. Movies that appear destined for triumph can unexpectedly bomb, while lesser-known productions can suddenly gain immense popularity. For instance, the Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson movie “Red One,” despite being a high-budget Christmas production with an exceptional cast and intriguing plot, seems poised to be one of the biggest box office disasters in 2024.
In today’s Hollywood, where consistent success is hard to come by, it can be challenging to predict which films will thrive and which will falter. The concept of a surefire box office hit seems obsolete now. However, speculating about potential flops in 2025’s movie lineup is still an intriguing exercise, not because we wish them to fail, but rather due to certain factors that suggest they might miss the target for one reason or another.
Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2
After wrapping up my role as rancher John Dutton in the hit TV series “Yellowstone,” I found myself yearning to delve back into the rich tapestry of American history. And so, I embarked on a new journey, crafting a fresh film franchise titled “Horizon: An American Saga.” Although this project takes us back to the tumultuous times of the Civil War, it shares some resonant themes with the classic Western genre that I’ve always admired.
Initially, “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2” was scheduled to hit theatres about two months after its prequel in August 2024. However, due to poor reviews and underwhelming box office earnings of “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1,” which grossed less than $40 million, New Line Cinema decided to postpone the second film’s release. It might now come out in 2025, but given the lack of interest from the first film, it seems unlikely that this delay will lead to box office success. Furthermore, early reviews from the premiere of “Chapter 2” at festivals don’t give much hope that the franchise will experience a sudden turnaround.
Thunderbolts*
The blockbuster hit “Deadpool and Wolverine,” which grossed over $1.3 billion, might lead some viewers into thinking that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is thriving again. However, this may not be entirely accurate. This movie stands out due to its unique status, being distinct from the broader MCU and appealing to a specific audience that may not overlap as much as one would assume. Unfortunately, this is concerning because the latest installments of the MCU, such as “The Marvels” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” have underperformed financially.
2025 is set to bring a host of Marvel Studios productions, such as “Captain America: Brave New World” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. However, amidst the excitement for these titles, there’s a sense of apprehension surrounding “Thunderbolts”, given its focus on lesser-known characters and lack of major star power compared to other 2025 MCU films. With fans eagerly awaiting the continuation of Captain America’s storyline and the anticipated integration of former Fox-owned Marvel characters into the MCU, it’s possible that “Thunderbolts” may be the title that viewers might choose to skip if they start feeling overwhelmed with too much Marvel content next year.
Superman
Following about ten years of not reaching the successes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DC Extended Universe officially concluded in 2023 with the debut of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” Now, James Gunn is overseeing a revitalized film series called the DC Universe, which will likely lead to the discarding of much from the DCEU, including Henry Cavill’s depiction of Superman. For viewers, this change means they’ll be introduced to a new interpretation of Superman, with David Corenswet taking on the role.
Although Gunn’s take on the DC movie universe is generating plenty of buzz, it’s uncertain if it will prove profitable. Most of DC’s recent live-action films have underperformed, tarnishing the brand’s image in the eyes of cinema-goers and raising doubts about its future prospects. With a reported budget exceeding $360 million, “Superman” needs to perform exceptionally well to turn a profit, but it isn’t certain if there’s enough demand for another iteration of this DC character.
Dirty Dancing 2
Modern movie studios have taken up a trend of revisiting old, iconic films from past decades with new sequels, often referred to as legacy sequels. The rationale behind this is that these films are established intellectual properties (IP) with a dedicated fanbase who hold fond memories of the original movies. This nostalgia can make it profitable for studios to invest in these projects. However, the results have been somewhat inconsistent, with hits like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Beetlejuice” standing alongside flops such as “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and “The Matrix Resurrections.
It appears that “Dirty Dancing 2” is expected to fit into category number two, given its development history and current status of information. Originally planned as the third installment following the 2004 prequel “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” it has been in production for over four years and encountered several setbacks. The tentative release window is summer 2025, but details about the film, such as cast members apart from Jennifer Grey, remain scarce. With Patrick Swayze (who passed away in 2009) not appearing in this movie, it might be difficult to draw in viewers.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
When the initial “John Wick” movie premiered in 2014, it demonstrated that there remained a substantial market for hard-hitting action films featuring impressive fight scenes. Furthermore, this film served as a reminder to Hollywood producers that it’s not necessary to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in production and promotion to launch a successful franchise. Subsequently, three more installments were produced, including the critically acclaimed “John Wick: Chapter 4.” However, given its financial success, it was unlikely that this series would conclude after just four films.
Over the past few years, multiple spin-offs have been in the works, and the first theatrical production is titled “From the John Wick Universe: Ballerina.” This film takes place between the third and fourth installments of the series, featuring Ana de Armas portraying a ballet dancer transformed into an assassin. However, there’s uncertainty about whether audiences will be interested in a “John Wick” movie without Keanu Reeves in the leading role (the trailer for “Ballerina” does hint that John Wick makes an appearance). Production on this film has faced challenges as well; originally scheduled for release in June 2024, reports indicate that almost the entire production has been reshot, with Chad Stahelski replacing Len Wiseman. This change doesn’t seem to bode well for the project overall.
Mickey 17
2020 found me standing on stage with an Academy Award for Best Picture, clutching my trophy for “Parasite.” Ever since then, it’s been no secret that I’ve become quite the sought-after talent in Tinseltown. But when Warner Bros. Pictures came knocking, offering to bring my next venture, the adaptation of Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey7,” to life on the big screen, well, I couldn’t resist. You can catch this thrilling sci-fi adventure, starring none other than Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, starting in April 2025. In this story, our protagonist is a disposable laborer who keeps coming back to life in new bodies after meeting his maker. But when he miraculously survives an incident that was supposed to be his last, Mickey finds himself squaring off against a version of himself from a previous life. It’s going to be one wild ride!
There’s some debate about whether “Mickey 17,” Bong Joon-ho’s latest film, will achieve the same level of success as his previous projects. Firstly, its budget is nearly 14 times larger than that of “Parasite,” which significantly increases the challenge for the movie to become a financial triumph. Additionally, the film is quite distinct from Bong’s past works and might not align with fans’ expectations. Moreover, there have been whispers of creative differences between the studio and director, with allegations that the executives desire “Mickey 17” to be more accessible for audiences.
Elio
Ever since 2017’s masterpiece “Coco” graced our screens, I feel like we haven’t seen a truly outstanding original animated film that left an indelible mark. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some impressive successes, but they’ve mostly been sequels, prequels, or adaptations of existing franchises such as “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Even the fresh new tales from Disney and Pixar like “Soul,” “Wish,” and “Encanto” haven’t quite captured our hearts in the same way.
Although Pixar smashed records in 2024 with “Inside Out 2” earning over $1.6 billion, there aren’t many encouraging signs that their 2025 release, “Elio,” won’t flop. The fact that it’s a science fiction movie doesn’t bode well, as animated sci-fi films have typically underperformed or been complete failures at the box office. Two examples of this are “Treasure Planet” and “The Iron Giant.” Considering these factors, the outlook for this Pixar movie isn’t particularly promising.
The Bride!
The “Frankenstein” franchise hasn’t exactly been relevant for several decades, but that hasn’t stopped Maggie Gyllenhaal from writing and directing an adaptation of the 1935 film “Bride of Frankenstein.” Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley are set to play Frankenstein’s monster and his bride, with Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, and Annette Bening in supporting roles. Uniquely, “The Bride!” is a musical that will feature large dance numbers that are intended to appeal to adults and younger audiences alike.
“The Bride!” may encounter fierce rivalry in the horror genre, as it will debut alongside the upcoming fourth “Conjuring” film and eagerly awaited “Saw XI.” This could lead to audiences being overwhelmed with three horror films within the same month. However, the primary challenge lies in the unique concept of a horror musical based on an old black-and-white movie, which typically appeals to a limited audience. With a substantial budget of $80 million, “The Bride!” must achieve significant success financially to be profitable.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
If everything goes as expected, the year 2025 might see the comeback of the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” movie franchise with an unnamed fourth installment. Excluding the direct-to-video film titled “I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer,” this new movie can be considered a follow-up to the 1998 slasher flick, “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.” However, it’s worth noting that the sequel did not fare well either in terms of box office success or critical acclaim, which could indicate that the horror series may have lost its appeal beyond the initial buzz.
The movie is scheduled for release during a busy summer season, filled with many rival productions. Among them are “Superman,” “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” “Jurassic World Rebirth,” and a new musical by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. With such strong competition lined up before its premiere, it seems challenging for the as-yet-unnamed “I Know What You Did Last Summer” to avoid being a box office failure.
F1
Set for release on June 25, 2025, “F1” is a sports drama directed by Joseph Kosinski, best known for Top Gun: Maverick. The film boasts the talents of Lewis Hamilton, Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt (who also stars), and Hans Zimmer in its production team. The story revolves around Brad Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula One driver who guides Damson Idris’ Joshua Pearce as he embarks on his racing journey.
Formula One, or ‘F1,’ faces significant hurdles in terms of popularity. Movies like the 2019 film ‘Ford v Ferrari’ and the upcoming 2023 ‘Ferrari’ have struggled to be box office successes, despite some progress made by F1 in the U.S. market over the past few years. The 2013 movie ‘Rush’ grossed less than $100 million, while the critically acclaimed documentary ‘Senna’ earned just over $10 million. With a reported budget of $300 million, the upcoming ‘F1’ film will have to generate almost $1 billion in revenue to be considered financially successful. The filmmakers behind ‘F1’ have disputed this figure, but even a budget close to that amount is too high for a racing movie with limited audience appeal.
Michael
On October 3, 2025, the movie titled “Michael” is scheduled to be released. This musical biopic features Jaafar Jackson portraying his late uncle, Michael Jackson. The film chronicles the life of the King of Pop, from the early years with the Jackson 5 all the way up to his passing in 2009. Antoine Fuqua, director of “Training Day”, is at the helm of this production, which is based on a script by John Logan, renowned for writing “Skyfall” and “Spectre”.
Having a budget exceeding $155 million could pose a challenge for “Michael” in achieving profitability. Breaking into the musical biography genre is no small feat. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” for instance, became a blockbuster, but its success was largely due to the global popularity of Queen and an outstanding portrayal by Rami Malek. Comparable films like “Rocketman” haven’t managed to replicate that success, while movies such as “Stardust” and “Nina” were financial disappointments.
There’s a lot of debate about Michael as the film’s subject. The filmmakers claim that “Michael” will provide an impartial portrayal of his life, but Dan Reed, director of “Leaving Neverland,” felt they had minimized allegations of child sexual abuse after reading the script draft. Given that much of Jackson’s story has already been told, it remains uncertain if there is any interest in a project like this.
If you suspect child abuse or know someone who might be a victim, reach out to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or use their live chat services for support.
A Minecraft Movie
“The Minecraft Film” marks another venture into video game cinematography. Known for his work on “Napoleon Dynamite,” Jared Hess is at the helm of this production. The story follows three ordinary individuals who mysteriously end up in the pixelated universe of “Minecraft.” There, they meet a character named Steve (originally from the game), and must adapt to this bizarre landscape they’ve been thrust into. Jack Black takes on the role of Steve, while Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, and Danielle Brooks form part of the principal cast.
There’s a good possibility that this movie could be successful given its basis on a beloved children’s property with global recognition. However, it faces some challenges due to the unpredictable nature of video game adaptations. For instance, “Borderlands” demonstrated that such films can flop dramatically at the box office despite occasional exceptions like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Moreover, “A Minecraft Movie” might struggle with narrative focus since the original game emphasizes exploration over storytelling.
Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
The ‘Mission: Impossible’ series not only solidified Tom Cruise as an action movie heavyweight, but it also thrived for nearly three decades. Each release was a box office hit, however, the enchantment seems to have dwindled with the latest installment. The 2023 film, ‘Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,’ earned approximately $570 million, but this is against a production cost of over $290 million. These figures aren’t particularly impressive, and it appears that Paramount Pictures is feeling a bit uneasy about the future: the 2025 sequel has abandoned the ‘Part Two’ title and is now known as ‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.’
In terms of financial success, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” needs to surpass its predecessor significantly, earning over $1 billion, given its projected budget that may reach 400 million dollars. However, the potential decrease in viewer interest for the franchise might persist with this supposed last appearance of Ethan Hunt, making it a challenging feat. Adding to the difficulty are fierce competitors such as live-action adaptations of “Lilo & Stitch” and “How to Train Your Dragon,” as well as the debut of “Jurassic World Rebirth.” Consequently, this sequel could struggle not to be a flop.
Snow White
In 2025, Disney’s ongoing effort to re-create its classic animated films into less enchanting live-action versions persists with the release of “Snow White.” Directed by Marc Webb, known for “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and written by Greta Gerwig, famous for “Barbie,” and Erin Cressida Wilson from “Vinyl,” this adaptation promises a fresh take on the 1937 masterpiece “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The film features Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Gal Gadot as the Wicked Queen, with Andrew Burnap, Ansu Kabia, and Martin Klebba in supporting roles.
Disney’s live-action adaptations have shown varying success in box office earnings and critic reviews, creating uncertainty over whether “Snow White” will appeal to viewers, considering the original was released many years ago. The movie has also been caught up in several debates, attracting undesired negative feedback. Some of these disputes stem from alterations in the plot and characters, as well as responses to remarks by Zegler regarding changes to the tale by Disney. Shifts in cultural expectations since the animated version’s release have contributed to this backlash.
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2024-12-10 04:31