2025 is promising to be a stellar year for movie lovers, especially those who can’t get enough of their favorite franchises. With exciting sequels lined up to revisit beloved characters, expand thrilling universes, and dredge up equal parts nostalgia and innovation, it’s time to mark your calendars. Whether you’re a horror junkie, action aficionado, or comedy fanatic, there’s something coming that’ll have you counting the days. From long-awaited comebacks to high-octane finales, here’s your ultimate guide to the most anticipated movie sequels hitting screens in 2025!
1. The Black Phone 2
The horror hit The Black Phone is back with a highly-anticipated sequel, and fans of the original couldn’t be more excited. With its mix of supernatural scares and emotional depth, the first movie left audiences enthralled, especially Ethan Hawke’s chilling turn as the sinister “Grabber.” While details about The Black Phone 2 remain under wraps, horror fans can rest easy knowing it’s slated for an October 17, 2025 release. Expect more of that eerie tension and heart-wrenching storytelling that made the original unforgettable.
2. Mortal Kombat 2
Video game adaptations are a tough nut to crack, but the 2021 reboot of Mortal Kombat broke through with spectacular fight sequences, memorable characters, and nods that delighted hardcore fans of the franchise. Mortal Kombat 2, set to release on October 24, 2025, promises to crank up the action even further. Rumors are swirling about fan-favorite characters like Johnny Cage making their big-screen debut, so prepare for a fresh tournament and some mind-blowing battles.
3. Freakier Friday
A sequel we didn’t know we needed, Freakier Friday reunites Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis for a fresh spin on their 2003 body-switching comedy classic. It’s always fun to explore how characters and their dynamics evolve over time, and this follow-up is bound to be a hilarious exploration of generational quirks in 2025. Disney has already announced August 8, 2025, as the premiere date, so get ready for another round of laughs, heartfelt moments, and maybe a new twist on the swap concept.
4. Happy Gilmore 2
Golfer Happy Gilmore is making his way back onto screens, and fans couldn’t be happier. Happy Gilmore 2 sees the return of Adam Sandler to the role that solidified him as a comedy superstar. This time, Happy is older but not necessarily wiser, and we’re in for more epic sports rivalries and potentially some emotional developments. This sequel will begin streaming on Netflix starting July 25, 2025. Grab your golf clubs (or your remote) and get ready to relive the hilarity.
5. 28 Years Later
Zombie fans will finally get answers to the questions left by 28 Days Later and its gripping follow-up, 28 Weeks Later. Set decades after the initial outbreak, 28 Years Later dives into how society has (or hasn’t) rebuilt itself in the aftermath of the rage virus. This long-awaited installment, directed by Danny Boyle, promises plenty of suspense, scares, and social commentary. Mark your calendars for June 20, 2025, because this one is shaping up to deliver big time for the apocalypse-loving crowd.
6. M3GAN 2.0
AI babysitter-turned-killer-doll M3GAN stole the show in her first feature, blending horror, sci-fi, and dark comedy into something truly unique. Although the exact release date for M3GAN 2.0 hasn’t been locked in yet, fans are buzzing about what’s to come. Will M3GAN get an upgrade? How will her deadly AI logic confront new challenges? Whatever happens, you can bet on creepy dance moves, biting humor, and another chilling commentary on our tech-obsessed lives.
7. Another Simple Favor
If you loved the stylish mystery and dark humor of A Simple Favor, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Another Simple Favor. Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are both reprising their roles, taking us deeper into their captivating, twisted friendship. While there’s no confirmed release date as of now, the allure of more secrets, shocking twists, and killer fashion is enough to make this sequel a must-watch.
8. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
It’s the end of an era. Tom Cruise will make his final turn as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, wrapping up one of the best action franchises of all time. With its jaw-dropping stunts and intricate plots, the first part of this two-part finale left fans on the edge of their seats. Set to hit theaters on May 23, 2025, the second installment promises to go out with a bang, tying up loose ends while delivering more of the high-octane action the series is known for.
9. Karate Kid: Legends
The Karate Kid franchise has stood the test of time, and now it’s returning to the big screen with Karate Kid: Legends. While details are still under wraps, fans are wondering how closely this movie will tie into the hit series Cobra Kai. Either way, you can count on exciting martial arts sequences, characters finding their inner strength, and lessons that stick with you long after the credits roll. The movie is slated for May 30, 2025, so prepare for an emotional and action-packed ride.
10. The Accountant 2
Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Christian Wolff, a math genius with a penchant for danger, struck a chord with audiences in The Accountant. The sequel, set for an April 15, 2025 release, aims to expand on Christian’s story and bring more of the gritty, brainy action we loved the first time around. Fans of thrillers with plenty of twists and turns won’t want to miss this one.
11. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
The gritty world of crime drama makes a comeback with Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. While details on the exact release date are yet to appear, this sequel is expected to take the heists to new levels as the characters tackle international schemes. Gerard Butler is back as “Big Nick,” and fans of the intense heist genre are in for a treat with this globe-trotting follow-up.
Start planning those theater visits (or Netflix marathons), because this is a year you won’t want to miss!
