The Best 2025 Movies You May Not Know About

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2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for cinema, with some highly anticipated sequels and remakes such as “Now You See Me 3,” “Wicked: Part Two,” “Avarar: Fire & Ash,” “Superman,” “Tron 3,” “The Running Man,” “The Naked Gun,” “Saw XI,” “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” “28 Years Later,” “Ballerina,” and “How to Train Your Dragon” on the horizon. However, if you’re yearning for something fresh, original stories that aren’t tied to a franchise or a sequel, I’ve got 20 movies slated for release in 2025 that might not have the big budgets, but they certainly pack a punch when it comes to originality. Keep these hidden gems on your radar:

1. “Echoes of Time” – A time-travel drama exploring the consequences of altering the past.
2. “The Last Sunrise” – A post-apocalyptic tale about the final days of humanity and a young girl’s quest for survival.
3. “Quantum Leap: The Redemption Protocol” – A sci-fi adventure based on the classic TV series, where a scientist jumps through time to prevent catastrophic events.
4. “The Forgotten Ones” – A supernatural thriller about a woman who uncovers her family’s dark past and the mysterious force that haunts them.
5. “The Whispering Forest” – An ecological fantasy about a group of people living in harmony with nature, threatened by an encroaching industrial civilization.
6. “Lost Souls” – A psychological horror following the story of a woman who must confront her past to free herself from a malevolent entity.
7. “The Wanderers” – A post-apocalyptic western about a group of nomads searching for a mythical city in a desolate wasteland.
8. “The Last Voyage” – A suspenseful drama set on a doomed spaceship, where the crew must confront their darkest secrets to survive.
9. “Shadows of the Past” – A historical mystery about a detective investigating a series of murders that may be connected to an ancient conspiracy.
10. “The Eternal Flame” – A romantic fantasy about a girl who discovers she is a reincarnated flame spirit, destined to find her true love and save the world from darkness.
11. “The Invisible War” – A political thriller about a whistleblower exposing corruption in the highest echelons of government.
12. “The Last Outpost” – An action-packed adventure set on an isolated outpost, where the inhabitants must defend themselves against a horde of monstrous creatures.
13. “The Forgotten Realm” – A fantasy epic about a hidden world that emerges from the shadows to reclaim its place in the world.
14. “The Last Breath” – A survival drama about a group of climbers trapped on a mountain during a devastating storm.
15. “The Veil of Secrets” – A historical spy thriller about an agent who uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the fabric of society.
16. “The Last Journey Home” – A heartwarming drama about a man’s quest to find his long-lost family, reconnect with his heritage, and discover the truth about his past.
17. “The Echo of Silence” – A psychological horror about a deaf woman who uncovers a sinister force lurking in her home.
18. “The Last Frontier” – An action-packed western about a lone gunslinger defending a frontier town from marauding outlaws.
19. “The Veiled Truth” – A mystery thriller about a journalist investigating a series of unsolved murders, uncovering a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of power.
20. “The Forgotten Heroes” – A historical drama about a group of ordinary people who become heroes during a time of crisis, challenging the established order and changing the course of history.

20
‘Wish You Were Here’ (Jan. 17, 2025)

In a shift from acting to directing, Julia Stiles collaborated with Renée Carlino on the script for “Wish You Were Here”, a heartwarming and romantic film adapted from a popular novel. The talented cast, featuring Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jennifer Grey, and Kelsey Grammer, brings to life an intriguing tale about stepping away from the mundane to pursue genuine romance. After an enchanting evening with a stranger turns sour the next day, Charlotte embarks on a journey to find purpose in her disenchanted life. However, she stumbles upon a secret that sets everything right. While we’ll miss Julia Stiles on screen, we eagerly anticipate her directorial debut.

19
‘Alarum’ (Jan. 17, 2025)

As a cinephile, I can’t wait to catch the pulse-pounding action-thriller where Sylvester Stallone, Scott Eastwood, Mike Colter, and Willa Fitzgerald grace our screens. In this intense tale, I find myself in the shoes of Scott Eastwood’s character, Joe, who along with his wife Laura (Willa Fitzgerald), are off-grid spies living a peaceful life at a winter resort. However, our tranquility is shattered when remnants of the old guard suspect we might have joined an elite group of rogue spies called ALARUM.

This year promises to be a busy one for Scott Eastwood, with him also starring in “Tin Soldier” alongside Robert De Niro and Jamie Foxx, “Stolen Girl” featuring Kate Beckinsale, “Pearl,” co-starring David Duchovny and Lukas Haas, and the sequel to Taylor Sheridan’s 2017 hit, “Wind River: Rising.

18
‘Presence’ (Jan. 24, 2025)

Among the two films directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by David Koepp, the movie titled Presence departs significantly from their spy drama featuring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, known as Black Bag. Instead, Presence appears to be a creative reinterpretation of the conventional haunted house narrative, offering insights from the ghost’s perspective. The film boasts an impressive cast including Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, West Mulholland, Eddy Maday, and Julia Fox. The plot description for this movie is minimal but intriguing: “A family settles into a suburban home, growing increasingly convinced that they’re not the only inhabitants.

17
‘Inheritance’ (Jan. 24, 2025)

Phoebe Dynevor plays Maya in the movie named “Inheritance“, where a young woman discovers her father was previously a secret agent, plunging herself into an intricate global mystery. In her mission to uncover the truth, Maya turns into a marked individual and journeys across continents, learning her father’s craft and untangling the threads of his past in this tense spy adventure. Alongside Rhys Ifans, Ciara Baxendale, and Kersti Bryan, this film presents an innovative take on espionage, filmed entirely using an iPhone, spanning various locations such as New York City, Delhi, Seoul, and Cairo.

16
‘Grafted’ (Jan. 24, 2025)

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t wait for the cinematic journey offered by “Grafted” by Sasha Rainbow – a rollercoaster ride of gruesome, exhilarating, and raw emotions. In this tale, Wei, a reserved Chinese scholarship student, embarks on a life-changing sojourn to New Zealand, aiming to excel in medical research at an esteemed university. Haunted by a genetic facial mark and shunned by her outgoing cousin Angela and her glamorous circle, Wei yearns for transformation. Driven by the legacy of her late father’s groundbreaking work on skin grafting, she delves deep into her studies, hoping to erase her deformity. However, as her research takes a macabre twist, Wei’s determination spirals into obsession, and she becomes ruthless in guarding her secret from those who might jeopardize her newfound identity.

15
‘Like Father Like Son’ (Jan. 31, 2025)

The movie titled “Like Father Like Son” features Dylan Flashner, Ariel Winter, Vivica A. Fox, Mayim Bialik, and Dermot Mulroney. This emotional thriller revolves around Eli, a young man whose father is on death row for a gruesome murder. As Eli’s life spirals out of control, he realizes that he too possesses terrifying triggers. To put an end to the family’s brutal cycle of violence, Eli resorts to drastic actions. This film marks writer-director Barry Jay’s latest venture in low-budget thrillers, following movies like “Killer Therapy” and “The Way Out“. It’s exciting to see Mayim Bialik in such a dramatically contrasting role for her.

14
‘Dark Match’ (Jan. 31, 2025)

Lowell Dean’s “Dark Match” bears a resemblance to a wrestling adaptation of the movie “Green Room”. In this film, a struggling wrestling organization takes up a lucrative offer from a secluded town, unaware that it is ruled by a sinister cult leader who intends to exploit their performance for nefarious purposes. Unlike “Green Room”, which focused on musicians, the setting in the world of wrestling could lead to some engaging action sequences.

13
‘Armand’ (Feb. 7, 2025)

I’ve been deeply moved by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel’s film “Armand,” which represents Norway in the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. Interestingly, its leading actress, Renate Reinsve, was also a part of a previous Oscar-winning film in this category, namely “The Worst Person in the World.”

In this captivating role, she portrays Elisabeth, an actress who finds herself summoned to an after-hours parent-teacher meeting and confronted with damaging allegations that send ripples of accusation through both parents and faculty. As Elisabeth delves deeper into the truth amid the eerie emptiness of the school halls and shadowy corridors, a tumultuous battle for redemption unfolds where passion, madness, and obsession become dominant themes. It’s a gripping tale that I can’t wait to see unfold on the big screen!

12
‘Universal Language’ (Feb. 14)

In a peculiar, dreamlike area halfway between Tehran and Winnipeg, various characters’ lives become intricately connected in unexpected and enigmatic ways. Two schoolgirls, Negin and Nazgol, stumble upon a hidden sum of money trapped within the winter ice and attempt to claim it. Simultaneously, Massoud guides a band of puzzled tourists through Winnipeg’s historical landmarks and monuments. Matthew, disillusioned with his insignificant job in a Quebec government office, embarks on an ambiguous adventure to seek out his mother. As space, time, and personal identities blend, intertwine, and resonate into a fantastical farce of misdirection. With 15 festival victories, Universal Language is Canada’s entry for the upcoming Oscars.

11
‘The Dead Thing’ (Feb. 15, 2025)

Elric Kane’s movie stream is undeniably enigmatic, yet the general agreement is that Blu Hunt delivers a revolutionary acting performance. In “The Hidden Thing“, a young woman gets entangled in a string of empty relationships only to find herself smitten by a charming and empathetic man. However, he conceals a sinister secret which transforms their romance into an addictive fixation that could be perilous.

10
‘Cleaner’ (Feb. 21, 2025)

Master filmmaker Martin Campbell, known for movies like GoldenEye, Casino Royale, and The Mask of Zorro, presents a fresh, contemporary take on the classic action flick Die Hard with the movie Cleaner. This time, the setting is bustling present-day London. A militant group storms an annual gala for an energy company, holding 300 people hostage to expose the corruption within. However, their noble intentions are derailed by a radical among them who plans to massacre everyone in the building to broadcast his chaotic message worldwide. In this crisis, it’s a former soldier now working as a window cleaner, portrayed by Daisy Ridley, hanging precariously 50 stories up outside the building, who must rescue those trapped inside. Notably, her younger brother is among the hostages.

9
‘Old Guy’ (Feb. 21, 2025)

In a departure from his usual roles, an experienced yet aging assassin (played by Christoph Waltz) is compelled to mentor a young up-and-coming prodigy (Cooper Hoffman). This shift occurs when their employer decides to bring in new blood. However, when they uncover a betrayal, the seemingly incongruous duo transforms into a deadly partnership, with their treacherous bosses as their targets. Lucy Liu joins this action-packed comedy directed by Simon West, who has previously worked on films like Con Air and The Expendables 2.

8
‘Last Breath’ (Feb. 28, 2025)

Among the numerous films set for release in 2025, which also includes major productions like “The Electric State” and “Now You See Me”, stands out “Last Breath”. This film, directed by Alex Parkinson known for his nature documentaries, including one titled “Last Breath”, offers a more realistic and heart-stopping experience. In “Last Breath”, deep-sea divers, skilled in their profession, face the fury of the ocean’s depths as they attempt to rescue a crewmate stranded hundreds of feet below the surface. It is an exhilarating tale that emphasizes teamwork, determination, and the struggle against time to achieve the seemingly impossible.

7
‘Uppercut’ (Feb. 28, 2025)

In 2025, besides the much-awaited, potentially last installment of Mission: Impossible, Ving Rhames will also star in the film Uppercut. This is a gripping sports drama where he plays opposite Luise Großmann. The story revolves around Toni, a tenacious female boxer who aims to shatter stereotypes while redefining femininity in today’s society. When Elliott (Rhames), an ex-boxing champion with a tough exterior, agrees to train Toni (Grossmann), they form an unexpected partnership. Their sparring sessions and Elliott’s astute observations teach the young, resilient fighter that true strength lies in overcoming challenges when life delivers its toughest blows.

6
‘The Rule of Jenny Penn’ (March 7, 2025)

James Ashcroft’s film titled “The Rule of Jenny Penn” appears to be a grim, nihilistic thriller featuring stellar performances by John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush. The story revolves around Judge Stefan Mortensen who endures a near-fatal stroke, leaving him partially incapacitated and residing in a retirement home. He’s hostile towards the staff and maintains a cold distance from his amiable roommate. However, this changes when he encounters Dave Crealy, a seemingly kind resident who orchestrates a malicious game within the home with a sinister twist. Initially starting as playful teasing, the torment soon evolves into more ominous and unsettling acts. When Mortensen’s appeals to the staff go unheeded, he decides to confront Crealy and bring an end to his tyranny within the retirement home.

5
‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’ (March, 7, 2025)

Eight years have passed since Rungano Nyoni’s masterwork, “I Am Not a Witch,” has been released, making it quite a wait for fans eagerly anticipating the director’s next project. For film enthusiasts who haven’t had the chance to watch it yet, especially those looking forward to their cinematic fix in 2025, “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” is an absolute must-see. The movie opens on a deserted road under the cover of night, where the protagonist, Shula, discovers her uncle’s lifeless body. As funeral rituals unfold around them, Shula and her cousins uncover long-buried family secrets from their upper-middle-class Zambian household.

4
‘Ash’ (March 21, 2025)

As a devoted admirer, I must say that Flying Lotus is not just a gifted musician, but also a daring filmmaker. However, his past directorial projects like “Kuso” and the segment “Ozzy’s Dungeon” from “V/H/S/99” are as gruesome as they come, with an over-the-top blend of grime, gore, and the sickest imaginable scenes. So, I feel compelled to issue a word of caution about his latest work, “Ash“, which boasts a star-studded cast including Eiza González, Aaron Paul, Iko Uwais, Beulah Koale, Kate Elliott, and Flying Lotus himself. Set on the enigmatic planet of Ash, the story follows Riya who wakes up to find her crew brutally murdered. When a man named Brion arrives to save her, they are thrust into an ordeal filled with psychological and physical torment as they navigate trusting each other to survive.

3
‘Clown in a Cornfield’ (May 9)

Based on the YA horror novel “Clown in a Cornfield,” screenplay by Carter Blanchard and Craig, the story unfolds as Quinn and her father settle in the seemingly tranquil town of Kettle Springs, seeking a new beginning. However, their arrival coincides with the decay of the once prosperous Baypen Corn Syrup Factory, which has left the community divided and struggling. As disagreements escalate, an eerie clown figure rises from the cornfields, intent on purifying the town through a series of gruesome slayings. Prepare for a chilling welcome to Kettle Springs, as the true entertainment begins with the appearance of Frendo the menacing clown.

2
‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’ (May 9, 2025)

Kogonada, previously known for his video essays and writing, has emerged as one of the 21st century’s top filmmakers, thanks to critically acclaimed works like “After Yang” and “Columbus“. Therefore, the announcement of his latest film, a romantic drama with hints of magical realism titled “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey“, has generated much anticipation. This star-studded production features Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Calahan Skogman, Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Lucy Thomas, Billy Magnussen, Sarah Gadon, Hamish Linklater, and Chloe East. The film’s peculiar narrative revolves around a man and a woman who cross paths at a wedding before embarking on an unusual journey guided by their cars’ electronic GPS, which promises a map to “a big bold beautiful journey.

1
‘Bugonia’ (Nov. 7, 2025)

Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons join forces once more with the Academy Award-winning director Yorgos Lanthimos (known for “Poor Things,” “The Favourite,” and “Dogtooth”) in a bizarre collaboration titled “Bugonia“. This film, appearing to be an even quirkier venture for Lanthimos, draws inspiration from the whimsical 2003 South Korean sci-fi comedy, “Save the Green Planet“.” In the movie, two fanatics fixated on conspiracies seize a powerful CEO of a large corporation, believing she is an extraterrestrial planning to annihilate Earth.

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2025-01-12 00:32