As a cinephile who has spent countless hours watching movies from all corners of the globe, I must say that these upcoming sci-fi sequels are truly something to behold! From the grand spectacle of James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” to the action-packed martial arts adventure of “Skyline: Warpath,” there is certainly no shortage of excitement for fans of the genre.
Science fiction films provide an engaging escape from everyday life while also addressing concerns about the future, making them particularly relevant in today’s context. The year 2025 promises a wealth of cinematic offerings, with many sci-fi titles among them. Upcoming movies include original tales (“Elio,” “Flowervalley Street”), reimagined classics (“Bugonia,” “The Running Man”), and adaptations from beloved literature (we’ll see two distinct takes on “Frankenstein” by Maggie Gyllenhaal and Guillermo del Toro). However, sequels often receive the most anticipation. Given that people are naturally drawn to movies that continue the worlds and stories they cherish, it makes perfect sense.
2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for science fiction enthusiasts, as we’ll see a variety of sequels from space odysseys to post-apocalyptic wastelands, action-packed superhero tales to spine-tingling horror, and everything in between. While not all may live up to expectations, rest assured that even the disappointing ones will likely still be worth a look for sci-fi fans. Here’s Looper’s rundown of every officially confirmed science fiction movie sequel set for release in 2025.
Captain America: Brave New World
Amongst the three Marvel Cinematic Universe films slated for 2025 release, “Captain America: Brave New World” is the sole official sequel. Unlike “Thunderbolts” which picks up on storylines from various previous Marvel productions without being a direct sequel, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” represents an entirely new chapter for the franchise. As the fourth Captain America movie, “Brave New World” aims to carry forward the narrative from the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” rather than the third Captain America film. Sequels in the MCU can indeed be quite intricate!
On Disney+, the film is categorized as a science fiction/action-adventure movie. In this story, Anthony Mackie’s character Sam Wilson (previously Falcon and now Captain America) confronts President Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, who doubles as the Red Hulk. Directed by Julius Onah, this political thriller underwent numerous reshoots. Fingers crossed that all the effort invested will prove worthwhile as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) seeks to regain its footing after a string of inconsistent projects over the years.
“Captain America: Brave New World” opens in theaters on February 14, 2025.
28 Years Later
In a casual and clear manner: Zombie movies are usually considered as horror rather than science fiction, but the movie “28 Days Later” from 2002 gave the genre a chilling level of scientific possibility with its “rage virus” outbreak. Now that “28 Years Later,” the third film in the series, is arriving after an actual (and fortunately less catastrophic) pandemic, it’s likely to have even greater impact.
In the U.S., Sony will soon release the latest installment in the series, which brings back director Danny Boyle, writer Alex Garland, and actor Cillian Murphy who didn’t participate in the 2007 sequel “28 Weeks Later”. This time, we also have Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes joining the cast. The intention is to create a trilogy of sequels; filming for the second part of this trilogy, titled “28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple,” has already commenced.
“28 Years Later” opens in theaters on June 20, 2025.
M3GAN 2.0
A week after “28 Weeks Later” premieres, another significant science fiction horror sequel is set to debut: “M3GAN 2.0,” the continuation of the beloved “M3GAN.” The malevolent robot doll M3GAN emerged as the Gen Z’s first horror icon in 2023, and shifting the release date from the winter lull to the heart of Summer blockbuster season suggests that they have high hopes this sequel could surpass the success of the original.
In the upcoming sequel by director Gerard Johnstone and writer Akela Cooper, there are numerous chances to explore escalating concerns about artificial intelligence. However, some may find it ironic that production company Blumhouse, with its recent AI-generated projects, seems to be making such social commentary itself. If a single “M3GAN” sequel doesn’t satisfy you, prepare for the release of an R-rated erotic thriller spinoff titled “SOULM8TE,” scheduled for 2026.
“M3GAN 2.0” opens in theaters on June 27, 2025.
Jurassic World Rebirth
A Star Wars Story” and “Godzilla” from 2014, will direct.
“Rebirth” presents Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey working together in a covert operation to gather dinosaur DNA in tropical locations, aiming to create a groundbreaking life-saving medication. The plot reveals that this team will uncover a chilling, mind-blowing secret hidden for over 60 years from the global population.
“Jurassic World Rebirth” opens in theaters on July 2, 2025.
TRON: Ares
The “TRON” series hasn’t gained mass appeal, but its devoted fanbase has consistently drawn Disney back to the digital world. The forthcoming “TRON: Ares,” helmed by Joachim Rønning, is being marketed as a self-contained sequel, distinct from a direct continuation of 2010’s “TRON: Legacy.” (Previously, Joseph Kosinski discussed the reasons why his “TRON 3” didn’t materialize.)
The movie “TRON: Ares,” like other films focusing on AI, revolves around a potent computer character portrayed by Jared Leto, who breaks free from the TRON digital realm into our world on a crucial assignment. While the initial TRON series was captivating due to its remarkable art direction and visual effects in the video game setting, it’s uncertain how well a real-world-based TRON film will fare compared to its predecessors. However, one aspect that’s certain to be impressive is the soundtrack, as Nine Inch Nails will carry on the legacy of Wendy Carlos and Daft Punk with another anticipated score for the series.
“TRON: Ares” opens in theaters on October 10, 2025.
Predator: Badlands (and a secret Predator movie)
Looking back now, it appears that Disney and 20th Century Studios made a significant error in releasing “Prey”, the highest-rated film in the “Predator” series, directly on Hulu. They are rectifying this oversight by providing “Predator: Badlands”, a new standalone sequel directed by Dan Trachtenberg (who also directed “Prey”) and written by Patrick Aison, with a full theatrical release instead.
As a gamer diving into the world of upcoming sci-fi movies, I’m intrigued by the enigma surrounding “Badlands.” The killer alien antagonists and their entry to the storyline remain shrouded in mystery. However, what we do know is that this movie will follow the distinct journeys of two twin sisters, portrayed by the talented Elle Fanning. Additionally, there’s another intriguing tidbit: a secret “Predator” film from director Trachtenberg, which has been announced by Steve Asbell at 20th Century Studios. All we know is that it will be released before “Badlands,” but the details are still under wraps.
“Predator: Badlands” opens in theaters on November 7, 2025.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
If you’re aiming to guess the top-grossing movie of 2025, it wouldn’t be wise to go against James Cameron. The filmmaker is set to release his third “Avatar” film, named “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” only three years after “Avatar: The Way of Water.” This is a considerably shorter gap compared to the 13-year wait between “Way of Water” and the original “Avatar,” as both sequels were filmed concurrently. With two consecutive blockbusters under his belt, it’s clear that audiences are still captivated by Cameron’s blue alien creatures in Pandora.
Without a doubt, the movie “Fire and Ash” is expected to showcase some of the most jaw-dropping special effects this year. The stunning concept art hints at an impressive display. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, actor Jack Champion, who played Miles “Spider” Socorro in “The Way of Water” and reprises his role here, shared with The Hollywood Reporter that the script veers off significantly from the patterns set by previous movies. The emergence of a new fire-based Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, could potentially add moral complexities to the storyline, steering it towards darker territories.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” opens in theaters on December 19, 2025.
Skyline: Warpath
Discussing the upcoming sci-fi sequels slated for 2025 means delving into some series that might be unfamiliar to you. For instance, did you realize that the 2010 alien invasion film “Skyline,” which received critical backlash, has evolved into a direct-to-VOD franchise with its fourth installment on the horizon? And who would have thought that these often disregarded sequels are reportedly superior to the initial movie? Granted, this is not setting the bar particularly high – the original film holds a 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. So, what can we anticipate from the next installment of this lesser-known franchise?
In the sequel to “Beyond Skyline,” Iko Uwais reappears as Sua, the head of an underground human rebellion. Apart from battling aliens, Sua will also engage in combat with the human antagonist Eric, portrayed by renowned martial arts action star Scott Adkins. Writer/director Liam O’Donnell has been building a lot of anticipation for the film, telling Deadline that they view it as a unique blend of the fast-paced action style of “Fast Five” and the ensemble feel of “The Avengers,” aiming to create an epic sci-fi martial arts adventure by bringing together characters from past installments.
“Skyline: Warpath” will be released domestically in early 2025, per Deadline.
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2024-12-08 18:30