From Sequels To Heartfelt Originals, These Are The Most Anticipated Movies Of The 2025 Holiday Season

HOLLYWOOD, CA — The 2025 holiday season is shaping up to be a landmark stretch for moviegoers, with studios unleashing prestige dramas, franchise juggernauts and daring original works in rapid succession.

From Chloé Zhao’s elegiac “Hamnet” to Rian Johnson’s church‑set mystery “Wake Up Dead Man,” the lineup spans intimate art house storytelling and high‑octane spectacle, bringing together quiet dramas and crowd‑pleasing thrill rides.

Disney returns with “Zootopia 2,” while James Cameron expands his epic saga in “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Auteurs such as Park Chan‑wook, Mona Fastvold and Josh Safdie add bold new projects to the mix, ensuring the season showcases a wide range of creative voices.

Bradley Cooper’s “Is This Thing On?,” Craig Brewer’s musical drama “Song Sung Blue” and family fare like “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” round out the calendar, with marquee titles landing nearly every weekend from Thanksgiving through Christmas Day.

Together, these films create a mosaic of spectacle, reinvention and joy — the kind of cinematic offering that defines year‑end moviegoing.

Below is a chronological guide to the season’s most anticipated releases, complete with cast highlights, directorial perspectives and the stories set to close out 2025 at the movies.

Most Anticipated Movies Of The 2025 Holiday Season

“Zootopia 2”

Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman; directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush

Disney returns to its metropolis of mammals with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde tackling fresh mysteries. The sequel expands Zootopia’s geography, introducing new districts and characters, including Ke Huy Quan as Gary De’Snake. With Michael Giacchino’s score and Disney’s animation prowess, the film promises both familiar charm and inventive allegory. Positioned as the family blockbuster of the season, it is expected to dominate holiday box office charts and spark renewed merchandising frenzy.

“Zootopia 2” is in theaters Nov. 26.

“Hamnet”

Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley; directed by Chloé Zhao

Chloé Zhao’s elegiac adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel explores the reverberations of grief in Elizabethan England. Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley portray William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne, mourning the death of their son Hamnet, a loss that ultimately inspires the creation of “Hamlet.” Zhao, known for “Nomadland,” brings her meditative style to the story, blending intimate performances with sweeping natural imagery that turns landscape into a backdrop for human sorrow. The result is a film both raw and profoundly beautiful, insisting on the dignity of grief and the necessity of art.

“Hamnet” is in theaters Nov. 26.

“Eternity”

Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller; directed by David Freyne

A24’s holiday release blends romance, fantasy and comedy in a story set in the afterlife. Elizabeth Olsen stars as Joan, a woman faced with an impossible choice: spend eternity with her lifelong partner (Miles Teller) or reunite with her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her arrival. Olsen anchors the film with luminous vulnerability, while Turner embodies longing suspended in time. The ensemble includes John Early, Olga Merediz and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, with Freyne infusing the premise with both heartfelt drama and whimsical humor. The result is a romantic comedy that dares to ask whether love is measured in years or in forever.

“Eternity” is in theaters Nov. 26.

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”

Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington; directed by Rian Johnson

The third installment in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed whodunit series sharpens its knives in sacred halls, as Benoit Blanc investigates a murder within a church community. Daniel Craig returns with his signature Southern drawl, joined by an ensemble cast including Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner and Kerry Washington. Johnson probes faith, guilt and deception, crafting a congregation where devotion and duplicity collide. His trademark wit remains intact, but the darker tone makes this mystery feel both playful and profound.

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” is in theaters Nov. 26.

“Ella McCay”

Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis; directed by James L. Brooks

Veteran filmmaker James L. Brooks returns with a political comedy‑drama centered on a young governor navigating the pressures of leadership and personal sacrifice. Emma Mackey stars as Ella McCay, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Rebecca Hall and Albert Brooks rounding out the ensemble. Known for “Broadcast News” and “Terms of Endearment,” Brooks blends sharp dialogue with emotional resonance, making this one of the season’s most anticipated prestige releases. Early festival chatter suggests Mackey’s performance could be an awards contender.

“Ella McCay” is in theaters Dec. 12.

“Avatar: Fire and Ash”

Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana; directed by James Cameron

The third installment in James Cameron’s epic saga continues the story of Jake and Neytiri as their family grapples with grief after Neteyam’s death. They encounter the Ash People, a fierce new Na’vi clan led by Varang, played by Oona Chaplin, escalating the conflict on Pandora while introducing a new moral focus. Returning cast members include Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet, with Cameron promising groundbreaking visuals and the longest runtime in the franchise at over three hours. Early buzz suggests the film will be a holiday box‑office powerhouse, with Disney positioning it as a global tentpole release.

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” is in theaters Dec. 19.

“Is This Thing On?”

Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Bradley Cooper; directed by Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper directs and co‑writes this comedy‑drama inspired by the life of British comedian John Bishop. Will Arnett stars as Alex Novak, a man navigating divorce and reinventing himself as a confessional stand‑up comic in New York City. Laura Dern plays Tess, his ex‑wife, whose own journey collides with Alex’s attempts at reinvention.

The ensemble includes Andra Day, Sean Hayes, Amy Sedaris and Ciarán Hinds, with Cooper himself appearing in a supporting role. Cinematographer Matthew Libatique brings a crisp, intimate look to the performances, while Cooper balances humor with poignancy in a story about family, identity and the risks of starting over.

“Is This Thing On?” is in theaters Dec. 19.

“The Housemaid”

Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried; directed by Paul Feig

Based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling 2022 novel, “The Housemaid” follows Millie, a young woman with a troubled past who is hired as a live‑in maid for the wealthy Winchester family. What begins as a chance at redemption quickly spirals into a nightmare as Millie uncovers the family’s dark secrets. Sweeney plays Millie with a mix of vulnerability and grit, while Seyfried portrays Nina Winchester, whose polished exterior hides dangerous truths. Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone and Elizabeth Perkins round out the ensemble.

With Feig at the helm and a screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the film blends psychological tension with glossy production values. Lionsgate has positioned it as a major holiday release, with early buzz suggesting it could be one of the season’s breakout thrillers.

“The Housemaid” is in theaters Dec. 19.

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants”

Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke; directed by Derek Drymon

Nickelodeon’s beloved sponge returns to the big screen in a new animated adventure that sends SpongeBob on a quest to rescue himself from the clutches of the Flying Dutchman. With Bikini Bottom in peril, SpongeBob and Patrick embark on a surreal journey through the undersea world, encountering familiar faces and new allies along the way. The voice cast includes Clancy Brown, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence and Lori Alan, with Tom Kenny once again voicing SpongeBob. Directed by Derek Drymon, the film blends slapstick humor, heart and dazzling animation, continuing the franchise’s tradition of appealing to kids and nostalgic adults alike. Paramount has positioned it as a major family release for the holiday season.

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” is in theaters Dec. 19.

“Father Mother Sister Brother”

Tom Waits, Adam Driver; directed by Jim Jarmusch

Winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Jim Jarmusch’s latest is a wry, tender anthology exploring the intricacies of family dynamics. Told in three chapters set in New Jersey, Dublin and Paris, the film follows adult children navigating strained relationships with parents and each other. The ensemble cast includes Cate Blanchett, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat, blending remarkable performances with Jarmusch’s signature idiosyncratic style.

“Father Mother Sister Brother” is in theaters Dec. 25.

“Song Sung Blue”

Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson; directed by Craig Brewer

Craig Brewer’s musical drama tells the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a Milwaukee couple who found fame performing as a Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline tribute act called Lightning & Thunder. Jackman portrays Mike, while Hudson plays Claire, capturing both the soaring highs of stage success and the devastating lows of personal tragedy. The ensemble includes Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi. Brewer, known for “Hustle & Flow” and “Dolemite Is My Name,” blends musical spectacle with intimate character work, and Neil Diamond himself has praised the film for its emotional authenticity.

“Song Sung Blue” is in theaters Dec. 25.

“Marty Supreme”

Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow; directed by Josh Safdie

Josh Safdie, co‑director of “Uncut Gems,” delivers A24’s most ambitious project to date with a $70 million sports comedy‑drama loosely inspired by legendary table tennis player Marty Reisman. Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, a brash young man determined to make his mark in the competitive ping‑pong world of the 1950s.

The ensemble cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Fran Drescher, Tyler Okonma (better known as Tyler, the Creator), and even “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary in a surprising supporting role. With cinematography by Darius Khondji and music by Daniel Lopatin, the film blends Safdie’s gritty realism with surreal humor and high‑energy sports sequences.

“Marty Supreme” is in theaters Dec. 25.

“The Testament of Ann Lee”

Amanda Seyfried, Thomasin McKenzie; directed by Mona Fastvold

Mona Fastvold, known for “The World to Come,” delivers an ambitious historical drama about Ann Lee, the 18th‑century religious leader who founded the Shaker movement. Amanda Seyfried portrays Lee with intensity, capturing both her visionary zeal and the personal sacrifices demanded by her utopian ideals. Thomasin McKenzie narrates as Mary Partington, while Lewis Pullman, Tim Blake Nelson, Christopher Abbott and Stacy Martin round out the ensemble. Featuring choreography by Celia Rowlson‑Hall and a score by Daniel Blumberg, the film integrates more than a dozen traditional Shaker hymns into its storytelling, creating a rapturous blend of music, faith and rebellion.

“The Testament of Ann Lee” is in theaters Dec. 25.

“Anaconda”

Paul Rudd, Jack Black; directed by Tom Gormican

Nearly three decades after the cult 1997 creature feature, Sony revives the franchise with a meta‑horror comedy that both reimagines and lampoons the original. Paul Rudd and Jack Black lead a cast that includes Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior and Selton Mello, playing a group of friends who set out to remake their favorite jungle adventure only to encounter a very real monstrous snake. Directed by Tom Gormican (“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”), the film fuses satire, action and horror, showcasing self‑aware humor alongside cutting‑edge CGI spectacle.

“Anaconda” is in theaters Dec. 25.

“No Other Choice”

Lee Byung‑hun, Son Ye‑jin; directed by Park Chan‑wook

Park Chan‑wook, the visionary behind “Oldboy” and “Decision to Leave,” adapts Donald Westlake’s satirical novel “The Ax” into a Korean black comedy thriller. The film follows Man‑soo (Lee Byung‑hun), a laid‑off paper factory worker who devises a chilling plan to eliminate his competition in order to secure a new job. Son Ye‑jin, Park Hee‑soon, Yeom Hye‑ran, Cha Seung‑won and Yoo Yeon‑seok round out the ensemble, with Park himself appearing in a comedic supporting role.

“No Other Choice” is in theaters Dec. 25.