With 2024 coming to a close and 2025 on the horizon (whether we like it or not.) One cannot deny that it will be a packed year for the entertainment industry and that us fans of specific franchises will be eating good. So to get ready for the new year, I've rounded up the movies and shows that are highly anticipated and that I will be watching. Keep in mind that I will be rounding up movies that have cultivated my interest and that I could watch a movie that isn't on this list, but we'll have to wait and see as the year goes by.
20: Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider Man
Formally titled Spider Man Freshman year, this show takes us to an alternate universe in which Peter Parker has received his spider powers in a very different matter and has Norman Osborn (played by Coleman Domingo) be his mentor figure as opposed to Tony Stark. It's definitely an interesting sounding premise and I do enjoy a different take on the spider man story and origin. I've had the opportunity to see the first footage at D23 this past august and it looks very impressive, so if your a spider man fan, it's a definite must watch.
19: Captain America Brave New World
The fourth entry in the Captain America film series sees Sam Wilson take on the mantle of Captain America as he and Joaquin Torres' falcon try to stop an international incident from happening at the hands of the serpent society and Samuel Sterns/The Leader. And from the looks of the trailer we can also see the island of Tiamut shown at the end of Eternals is present that could possibly contain Adamantium (the substance that keeps Wolverine alive if you are unfamiliar). As someone who thought The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was an excellent show, I look forward to seeing what the movie has in store for us.
18: Daredevil Born Again
The long awaited revival of the popular show that ran from 2015 to 2018 (and yes, that does include the incredibly underwhelming Defenders show) see's Charlie Cox taking on the role of Matt Murdock and Vincent D'Onofrio coming back to play The Kingpin as apparent Mayor of New York in this series. With most of the cast of the original show coming back, fans can expect a more violent, and more mature Disney plus show with no holding back on what it promises.
17: Sinners
As someone who isn't into horror yet is a fan of Ryan Coogler, the premise of Michael B Jordan in a dual role fighting vampires in a civil rights era rural south has merit (at least to me anyway) and it's nice to see a horror movie that isn't the usual slasher movie with the same premise and cliches that most horror movies fall into.
16: Andor season 2
The second season to the highly acclaimed show is on the horizon and I have a good feeling the second season could be just as good as the first one and would like to see Cassian Andor as the rebel fighter that we saw him in Rouge One.
15: Thunderbolts*
The highly anticipated film starring Florence Pugh, David Harbor, Sebastian Stan, Hannah John Kamen, Olga Kurylenko, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis Dreyfus, and Lewis Pullman (whose playing Robert Reynolds The Sentry, just saying,) has definitely garnered interest with its black ops team full of people looking for redemption and are the least likely to be heroes is definitely a movie that must be watched if you have been following the MCU for this long.
14: Lilo and Stitch
Disney's track record with live action remakes has been... divisive to say the least. On one hand you have films that honors and respects the original movies while still telling their own narrative like Jon Faverau's Jungle Book, David Lowery's Pete's Dragon, Christopher Robin, and Cruella. But then you have films like The Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland, the Maleficent movies, Beauty and the Beast 2017, Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp 2019, Mulan 2020, Pinocchio 2022 (🤮), The Little Mermaid 2023, and the upcoming Snow White remake. So when the 33 second teaser for the Lilo and Stitch movie was released, we got a very good impression that it could be one of the few good live action movies Disney has made, and given that it's made by Dean Fleschier Camp of Marcel the shell with shoes on fame, I have a good feeling that he will honor the original film.
13: Elio/Win or Lose
A Pixar movie originally slated for a release of earlier this year but was pushed back and had a creative overhaul and having three directors in Domee Shi (Turning Red), Madeline Sarafian (Burrow), and Adrian Molina (Coco) about a space enthusiast named Elio who is mistaken for an ambassador for the planet earth sounds like it could be another funny, entertaining, and heartfelt movie from Pixar. And Win or Lose is the first original series from the studio that looks to be a very different kind of project that focuses on a little league team that focuses on a different perspective on each team player with different styles of animation has garnered my complete interest.
12: Ironheart
A spin-off show starting the breakout title character Riri Williams who made her cinematic debut in Black Panther Wakanda Forever taking on a science vs magic situation with Anthony Ramos playing The Hood and Sacha Baron Cohen in a mystery role (Mephisto) has a lot of merit and we could get to know the character of Riri more and could hopefully open the door for more characters like Lunella Layfette to possibly enter the MCU at some point.
11: Jurassic World Rebirth
The Jurassic Park franchise has seen its share of up and downs over the years (with Dominion being the weakest entry so far.) so with Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rouge One, and The Creator) coming into helm the seventh entry of the franchise and with a more intriguing sounding premise with a new cast of characters that feature Scarlett Johansson and Mahershalla Ali and with Jurassic Park scribe David Koepp returning to write for this entry, it definitely sounds like the fresh breath of life the franchise needs.
10: Superman
James Gunn's highly anticipated film about the man of steel discovering his humanity is definitely on everyone's must watch list. With a new cast and a different story centered around Superman, this could be another exciting movie that could do the last son of Krypton justice after so long.
9: The Fantastic Four First Steps
After 30 years of hardships and ownership disputes, Marvel Studios and Matt Shakman (WandaVision) are giving us a movie that promises to give the first family of comics the adaptation that it deserves. With a very impressive cast, it seems as though fans of the Fantastic Four will finally get a good movie for once.
8: Eyes of Wakanda
an animated show about the history of Wakanda and its different warriors who defended it and its artifacts is definitely a must watch, this was another show that I had the opportunity to see footage of at the D23 expo this past august and it looks amazing.
7: Peacemaker season 2:
the long awaited second season to Peacemaker is finally coming to the DCU in August and as a fan of the show, I can't wait to see where the second season goes.
6: Marvel Zombies
a spin off of What if season one's zombie episode was definitely going to happen, but it is interesting to see where this one off show goes and what direction it can go in.
5: Michael Jackson Bio
It's hard to believe that it's been 15 years since Michael Jackson died, so this movie has definitely garnered interest since his nephew Jafaar Jackson is playing the role of his late uncle.
4: Tron Ares:
The underrated Tron franchise has finally gotten another installment with Jared Leto playing a rouge AI breaking free from the grid. It definitely has a good sounding idea that might be good.
3: Phineas and Ferb revival (TBA)
If I had a nickel for every time Disney revived a show, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't saying much, but it's amazing that it happened twice.
2: Wonder Man
A Hollywood satire set in the marvel cinematic universe with Simon Williams in the spotlight is definitely a weird choice, but marvel can still make it work like they have before. Especially with Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang Chi) involved.
1: Avatar Fire and Ash
The third entry in James Cameron's iconic franchise is expected to take us to another part of Pandora that shows us a different side of the Navi race, and as someone who recently got into the franchise, I am greatly looking forward to seeing it. (Even if it will take it's sweet time)
What are you most anticipated movies and shows of next year?