Summer is (almost) here! And, with it comes a sizzling lineup of films and TV series ready to set your screens on fire. Whether you are craving heart-pounding thrillers or epic adventures, this season’s entertainment slate has something for everyone. After two years of chasing that electrifying box office magic, 2025 appears poised to deliver an extraordinary lineup that blends nostalgia with innovation. This year’s roster offers everything from groundbreaking superhero adventures to chilling psychological thrillers, with several films already generating serious awards chatter. From Hollywood blockbusters to other international gems, there is an array of must-watch titles that will keep you glued to your seat all summer long.
The Big-Screen Thrills: Movies That Demand Your Attention
- Sinners
Brace yourselves for Sinners, the scorching new crime thriller that’s already generating Oscar buzz. Directed by the visionary Ryan Coogler, this film throws audiences into the underbelly of 1980s New York, where loyalty is currency and betrayal can feel as close as family. With powerhouse performances from Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, Sinners is a masterclass in tension, a razor-sharp edge. If you love morally complex characters and twisty narratives, this one’s your ticket to cinematic euphoria. It is already showing in the theatres.
- Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning
Could this truly be Ethan Hunt’s last mission? Tom Cruise reprises his iconic role in what may be his final outing as the IMF’s most daring operative. Filmed concurrently with Dead Reckoning Part One, this chapter sees Hunt confronting an unprecedented threat: the rise of artificial intelligence. Returning allies Atwell, Rhames, and Pegg provide continuity, while Ted Lasso standout Waddingham joins in an enigmatic capacity. The burning questions remain: Will Cruise finally achieve his dream of a spacebound stunt? And who could possibly inherit this high-octane franchise?
Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning opens in theatres on May 23. It is directed by Christopher McQuarrie and stars Tom Cruise, Hannah Waddingham, Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, and Angela Bassett.
- Bring Her Back
A24 continues its reign over the horror genre with this terrifying follow-up to Talk to Me from the Philippou twins. The story centres on siblings who discover their foster mother’s remote home harbours unspeakable rituals. With Oscar winner Hawkins taking the lead, could this be her career-defining horror performance? Given A24’s pedigree for unsettling cinema, sleep may be optional after viewing.
Bring Her Back premieres in theatres on May 30. It is directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, and it stars Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, and Sally-Anne Upton.
- Fountain of Youth
Ritchie swaps London’s criminal underworld for a globetrotting treasure hunt in this high-stakes adventure. Krasinski and Portman star as siblings pursuing the legendary spring capable of reversing aging. With filming spanning Vienna to Cairo, the production promises National Treasure-style escapism infused with Ritchie’s trademark wit. Could this be the season’s most purely entertaining ride?
Catch it at the theatres also on May 23. It is directed by Guy Ritchie. It stars John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Domhnall Gleeson, Eiza González.
- The Phoenician Scheme
Anderson’s latest whimsical creation finally delivers the Michael Cera-as-German-enthusiast moment cinephiles never knew they needed. This sprawling ensemble piece—featuring Oscar winners (Del Toro, Hanks, Cranston) and breakthrough talents (Threapleton, Ahmed)—follows a wealthy patriarch, his estranged daughter, and their eccentric European acquaintances. Early footage confirms Anderson’s signature visual poetry and dry humour remain gloriously intact. Directed by Wes Anderson—and starring Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed and Jeffrey Wright—it will be in the theatres starting from May 30.
- The Life of Chuck
Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) brings Stephen King‘s unconventional novella to life in what’s been described as “the apocalypse with heart.” Hiddleston portrays Chuck, a man reminiscing about his life as civilisation collapses around him. Given Flanagan’s gift for blending horror with profound emotion, prepare for an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Catch it from June 6 at the theatres. Mike Flanagan directed it. And superstars like Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, and Mark Hamill appear in it.
- Materialists
Following her critically adored Past Lives, Song returns with this romantic triangle drama featuring Johnson as a professional matchmaker caught between Evans and Pascal. With Song’s husband (Challengers’ scribe Kuritzkes) potentially influencing the script, Pascal’s scenes might just break the internet anew. It opens in theaters from June 13. Directed by Celine Song, it stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal.
- Echo Valley
Two generations of acting powerhouses collide in this intense family drama. Sweeney plays a struggling addict whose fractured relationship with Moore’s fiercely protective mother reaches its breaking point. If their on-screen chemistry matches the script’s raw intensity, expect this to dominate next awards season. It’s opening in theatres on June 13. It is directed by Michael Pearce. For the casting, we have Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney.
- 28 Years Later
Boyle resurrects his seminal zombie franchise, transporting audiences decades beyond the original outbreak. Taylor-Johnson, Comer, and Fiennes lead a band of survivors in a world still ravaged by the rage virus. With a follow-up already completed, the undead apocalypse shows no signs of ending.
Opening in theatres on June 20, it is directed by Danny Boyle and starrs Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes.
- Elio
Pixar’s latest imaginative journey follows an eleven-year-old boy (Kibreab) mistakenly identified as Earth’s representative by confused extraterrestrials. With Turning Red‘s Shi co-directing, anticipate the studio’s signature blend of humour and heartfelt storytelling. It starts showing in the theatres from June 20 and features a line-up of actors like Zoe Saldaña, Jameela Jamil, Brad Garrett, and Yonas Kibreab. It was directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina.
- M3GAN 2.0
The murderous android sensation returns, with Williams reprising her role as the morally compromised roboticist Gemma. Original scribe Cooper‘s involvement ensures more deliciously campy thrills, and likely another show-stopping dance sequence. Catch it at the theatres on June 27. It stars Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, and Brian Jordan Alvarez.
- F1
Pitt stars as a retired racing legend mentoring a rookie driver in this high-velocity drama. Authenticity comes from filming at actual Grand Prix events and having champion Lewis Hamilton as producer. Early buzz suggests this could be Top Gun: Maverick for racing enthusiasts. Directed by Joseph Kosinski—and starring Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Simone Ashley—it opens in theatres on June 27.
- Sorry, Baby
This Sundance sensation follows a woman’s emotional unravelling after a life-altering trauma. Critics praised its unique balance of “dark humour and poignant vulnerability,” marking Victor as an exciting new voice in cinema. This is a fresh direction by Eva Victor and it opens in theatres on June 27. The movie stars Eva Victor herself, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, and John Carroll Lynch.
- Jurassic World Rebirth
Prehistoric creation lovers, rejoice! The dinosaur franchise roars back to life with Johansson and Bridgerton‘s Bailey leading a team extracting prehistoric DNA. Because in this universe, humanity never learns from its mistakes. It’s opening in theatres on July 2. Directed by Gareth Edwards, it stars Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, and Rupert Friend.
- The Old Guard 2
Yes! Finally, it’s coming back. Theron’s immortal warrior Andy returns, now facing Thurman’s formidable new antagonist. If it captures half the kinetic energy of its predecessor, this sequel promises another wildly entertaining ride. Let’s catch it on Netflix starting from July 2. It was directed by Victoria Mahoney, starring Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Uma Thurman, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
- Superman
The future of DC rests on Gunn’s fresh take featuring Corenswet as a hopeful Man of Steel and Hoult as Lex Luthor. With Maisel‘s Brosnahan as Lois Lane, this reboot could finally give DC its much-needed win. Right? It’s released into the theatres on July 11. James Gunn directed it, and it stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and Nathan Fillion.
- Eddington
Aster’s (Hereditary) enigmatic Western stars Phoenix as a small-town sheriff in a deadly confrontation. Its teaser poster reveals three buffalo keeling off a cliff; it is the follow-up to Beau Is Afraid, and it will have its world premiere in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler. With this cast and Ari Aster‘s singular vision, we should expect something truly extraordinary when it opens in theatres on July 18.
- I Know What You Did Last Summer
The 90s slasher classic, directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, gets a modern makeover, with original stars Hewitt and Prinze Jr. passing the torch to Outer Banks‘ Cline. Will the iconic hook make a bloody return? We are finding out at the theaters starting from July 18. Expect to see, starring in it, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Freddie Prinze Jr.
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Directed by Matt Shakman, Marvel’s perpetually troubled franchise gets another chance with Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. They are to be supported by Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn. This stellar cast might finally crack the Fantastic Four curse. Can’t wait to find out by July 25 at the theatres!
- Happy Gilmore 2
Sandler’s unhinged golfer returns, directed by Kyle Newacheck, likely to terrorise caddies and break every golf etiquette rule. If it delivers half the quotable lines of the original, fans will be thrilled. It opens in theatres on July 25. Starring your faces like Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, and Ben Stiller.
- Together
Real-life partners Brie and Franco star in this surreal body horror romance. Sundance audiences described it as “both disturbing and deeply moving.” (Shivers in excitement.)
Directed by Michael Shanks, it opens in theatres on July 30.
- The Naked Gun
Neeson attempts to fill Nielsen’s shoes as the blissfully incompetent detective. Wait. Can the dramatic actor master absurdist comedy? Early signs are promising, as it is directed by Akiva Schaeffer. We will see more on the big screen when it opens in theatres on August 1. Get set to watch your faves: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, and Paul Walter Hauser.
- Wednesday Season 2
Netflix dropped the teaser trailer and release date for Wednesday Season 2 on the 23rd of April, and we can’t wait! The two-minute preview offers a glimpse into another dark, eerie season of the hit show, as Wednesday Addams returns to Nevermore Academy, now under the principal, Barry Dort, played by Steve Buscemi. Netflix revealed that Wednesday Season 2 will debut in two parts in summer 2025. The first teaser trailer confirmed Part 1’s release on August 6, 2025, followed by Part 2 on September 3, 2025.
There is a new cast line-up: Billie Piper, Steve Buscemi, Joanna Lumley, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter and Noah Taylor. Lady Gaga will also have a cameo.
Cast like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez, Joy Sunday, Emma Myers and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo will return alongside the titular Wednesday, played by Jenna Ortega.
Wednesday Season 2 is directed by Tim Burton, Paco Cabezas and Angela Robinson. And it looks like Netflix and MGM Television are planning a spinoff centered on Uncle Fester.
- Freakier Friday
The beloved body-swapping comedy returns on August 8 with even more generational chaos. Curtis and Lohan’s reunion alone makes this worth the price of admission. Nisha Ganatra directed it. And it stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Harmon, and Chad Michael Murray.
- Eden
This harrowing true story, directed by Ron Howard, follows settlers on a remote island whose utopian dreams descend into madness. Howard’s direction and the stellar cast of Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, and Sydney Sweeney are hyped to produce something truly special. We get to see it on the big screen starting on August 22!
- Caught Stealing
Under the direction of Darren Aronofsky, Butler plays a former athlete dragged into New York’s criminal underworld. Aronofsky’s idea of “fun” typically involves psychological torment—in the best possible way. Starring great actors like Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, and Regina King, it opens in theatres on August 29.
- The Roses
This acerbic remake of The War of the Roses features Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as a couple whose divorce turns vicious. With The Favourite‘s writer involved, expect razor-sharp dialogue, especially under the direction of Jay Roach. It premieres in theatres on August 29.
Why This Summer’s Lineup is Unmissable
From the gritty streets of Sinners to the nostalgic air of sequels like Happy Gilmore 2 and M3GAN 2.0, this summer’s entertainment lineup is stacked with stories that thrill, move, and mesmerise. Whether you’re in the mood for action, drama, laugh-out-loud comedy or something delightfully weird, there’s no shortage of brilliance hitting screens worldwide. This season has you covered. The only question remains: How many times can you visit the theatre before your wallet stages a rebellion?
So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and curl up, because the best season for storytelling is officially here!
All images are courtesy of IMDB unless otherwise stated.
