For movie fans, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. The summer movie season is here and with it, the promise of exciting popcorn films that could become future classics. Now, does that usually happen? No. Of course not. We’re lucky if each year one or two films jump out and become those certified, all-time crowd-pleasers (like Barbie or Top Gun: Maverick in recent years). But that doesn’t stop studios from trying, or from audiences hoping, each time they buy a ticket and the lights go down.
Here are all the sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and superhero movies that could be contenders this summer. Will any make the grade?
What movies are coming out in May 2025?
Thunderbolts (in theaters now)
You may have already seen this one as it’s currently in theaters but, we have to say, it’s a strong start to the summer. Not as epic as some of Marvel’s previous early May films, but entertaining nonetheless.
Watch the Skies (May 9)
Drawing inspiration from Amblin films of the 1980s, this Swedish film is about a young woman who teams up with some UFO nuts to try and find her missing father, who she believes was abducted by aliens.
Clown in a Cornfield (May 9)
The title pretty much says it all, does it not?
Final Destination Bloodlines (May 16)
As you can already tell, horror is big this summer and maybe the biggest out of those is the sixth film in the Final Destination series. This time, the idea of death following a group of unintended survivors gets taken up a notch as it trickles down to an entire family. We’ve seen it, and can assure you it’s a gruesome, hilarious blast.
Hurry Up Tomorrow (May 16)
Popular musician the Weeknd stars in, came up with the story for, and did the music in this mysterious, trippy thriller co-starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.
A Breed Apart (May 16)
Hayden Panettiere co-stars in this indie about a group of influencers invited to an island, who then have to survive and hunt man-eating dogs, or get eaten themselves.
Lilo & Stitch (May 23)
One of Disney’s most popular modern animated films joins its growing list of live-action remakes. However, unlike this year’s earlier release, Snow White, audiences seem extremely excited for this one. We expect it to be one of the biggest hits of the summer.
Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning (May 23)
Picking up the story from 2023’s “Dead Reckoning,” Tom Cruise returns as secret agent Ethan Hunt in what may be his final Mission film. Expect big stunts, big stakes, and a story that brings all of the other films in the franchise together.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (May 23 on Netflix)
The latest film in Netflix’s series of R.L. Stine adaptations, Prom Queen follows a young woman who decides to go up against the popular girls trying to win the crown. But then, those girls all start disappearing.
Karate Kid Legends (May 30)
Taking place after the events of Cobra Kai, but not an official sequel, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio star as two senseis who work together to train a new Karate Kid. Will this live up to the original trilogy of films or the hit Netflix show? We’ll find out soon.
Bring Her Back (May 30)
The directorial team behind the hit Talk to Me, Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou, are back with another new horror film. This one features Sally Hawkins leading a house where, we think, she resurrects dead children? We aren’t quite sure, but we can’t wait to find out.
What movies are coming out in June 2025?
Dogma (June 5)
Yes, Kevin Smith’s 26-year-old (they missed the 25th anniversary) film is coming back to 1,500 screens this summer. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon play angels who attempt to disprove the word of God. It’s a weird, dated movie, but still lots of fun.
Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye (June 6)
Yes, your favorite anime is coming to the big screen for a limited event. It will “screen last season’s start of the ‘Evil Eye’ arc, along with the first three episodes of the new second season, in addition to an exclusive interview with series co-directors Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Gongora.”
Ballerina (June 6)
Officially titled From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, the film follows another killer assassin—this time played by Ana de Armas—on her journey through Wick’s world. The action looks right on par with the previous films, and Keanu Reeves himself even makes a cameo.
The Ritual (June 6)
Who doesn’t love a good exorcism movie? Especially one that stars—and this is real—Al Pacino! It’s based on a true story and co-stars Dan Stevens too!
The Phoenician Scheme (June 6)
The latest, and maybe weirdest yet, movie from Wes Anderson follows a wealthy man (Benicio del Toro) travels the world setting his affairs in order as he prepares to leave his fortune to his estranged daughter. It co-stars Michael Cera, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, and many, many, many more.
The Life of Chuck (June 6)
Based on the Stephen King story of the same name, Tom Hiddleston and multiple other actors play a man named Chuck in the story of one man’s life told backwards. Frequent King collaborator and fan Mike Flanagan directs, and after winning some big film festival awards, we expect it to be something special.
Dangerous Animals (June 6)
Sometimes the official description does all the heavy lifting. “When Zephyr, a rebellious surfer, is abducted by a shark-obsessed serial killer and held captive on his boat, she must figure out how to escape before he carries out a ritualistic feeding to the sharks below.” Yup. In.
How to Train Your Dragon (June 13)
Not a shot-by-shot remake, but close at times, this live-action film aims to recapture the magic of its 2010 animated original. And, guess what? It does exactly that. If you love the story of Hiccup, Toothless, and the Berk crew, you are going to love seeing them in a whole new way.
28 Years Later (June 20)
Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle returns to one of the franchises he helped bring to prominence with this first film in a planned trilogy taking place, you guessed it, 28 years after the original. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes star in the new zombie tale.
Elio (June 20)
A new original film from Pixar centers on a young boy who travels to space as the mistaken representative of the planet Earth. Fingers crossed it can live up to its Pixar legacy.
M3GAN 2.0 (June 27)
The bitch is back. Literally. After a new AI based on M3GAN threatens to really mess things up, the killer doll AI is brought back to life with a bunch of new upgrades. If it’s half as wacky as the original, we’re in for a real treat.
What movies are coming in July 2025?
Jurassic World Rebirth (July 2)
The first trilogy is over. The second trilogy has, mercifully, concluded. So what’s next for the world of Jurassic Park? Well, it’s the seventh film in the series, starting a whole new tale focused on characters played by Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, and others. Gareth Edwards, director of Rogue One and Godzilla, is at the helm.
Superman (July 11)
It all comes down to this. Though James Gunn’s take on Superman is literally the first film in a whole new DC Universe, it feels like it has the weight of the world on it. The expectations are insane but, if any character can take those on, it’s the Man of Steel. We have high, high hopes.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (July 18)
Look. If you live in Southport, North Carolina, and you and your friends accidentally kill someone, please own up to it. Maybe if that happened, there wouldn’t be so many more brutal killings in the aftermath. It happened in 1997 and now it’s happening again, blending the cast of the original film (Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr.) with a brand new generation.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25)
Much like Superman kicks off a new era for DC, Fantastic Four starts a new era at Marvel. The first family of the brand is finally part of the cinematic universe and we expect them to play a very, very big role moving ahead. So, hopefully, this first film will make us want to see Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Thing, and Human Torch again and again.
Happy Gilmore 2 (July 25 on Netflix)
This isn’t technically a genre film (though no one can really hit a golf ball like that) but we are just so excited to see Adam Sandler back in one of his most iconic roles, and with the whole gang back together too.
Together (July 30)
Real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie play a couple who encounter a supernatural force that begins to fuse their bodies together. Literally. It looks absolutely bonkers.
What movies are coming in August 2025?
The Bad Guys 2 (August 1)
Summers are usually overflowing with major animated films but, this year, that’s not the case. You’ve got Elio and you’ve got this sequel to the hit 2022 film about bunch of villains who team up for a heist. This time, the bad “guys” meet their match when they run into the bad “girls.”
The Naked Gun (August 1)
While there’s plenty of humor this summer, there isn’t a lot of comedy, especially in theaters. The biggest exception is this reimagining/sequel to the classic 1990s franchise, this time featuring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. It looks utterly ridiculous, and we can’t wait.
Freakier Friday (August 8)
This body-swapping sequel to the 2003 remake brings back the mother-daughter team of Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, and makes this freakier by adding in another, younger generation. The film will surely be a nice, late summer blend of family-friendly humor and nostalgia.
Weapons (August 8)
With Barbarian, director Zach Cregger set a high bar for himself. One that says he makes original horror movies with huge concepts and lots of twists. And, he seems to have lived up to that with Weapons, his sophomore film which stars Julia Garner and Josh Brolin. It tells the tale of what happens when a single classroom of students mysteriously disappears.
Nobody 2 (August 15)
The first Nobody was one of the biggest surprises to come out during the pandemic and so it rightfully got a sequel. Now we get to see the full, theatrical might of Bob Odenkirk kicking ass when someone does wrong by his family. Which is the plot this second time around.
Witchboard (August 15)
Director Chuck Russell made cult classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Eraser, and The Mask; he’s back with a new film in that same tone. It’s about a witch who is mistakenly released and wreaks havoc in New Orleans.
The Wizard of Oz (August 28 in the Sphere)
This is kind of a cheat but we figured it was worth mentioning anyway. Starting this summer, one of the best movies of all time, The Wizard of Oz, will become the first Hollywood film to play in the Sphere in Las Vegas. You thought IMAX was big? It’s got nothing on this. It should be insanely epic.
The Toxic Avenger (August 29)
What better way to end the summer with a super disgusting, offensive remake of one of Troma’s finest creations? Peter Dinklage stars as the titular hero, who kills people with a radioactive mop after being thrown into toxic waste by his evil boss, played by Kevin Bacon.
Abraham’s Boys (Date TBD)
Based on a short story by Joe Hill, Abraham’s Boys follows two boys who soon realize their father (named, you guessed it, Abraham) has a mysterious history with Dracula. Oh, their last name is “Van Helsing.”
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
