Screen Rant’s 15 Most Anticipated Summer 2025 Movies

2025 has already shown some fantastic films and blockbuster hits, but we’re now approaching the most exciting time – the summer movie season. Traditionally, Hollywood launches the summer season earlier with significant movies hitting the screens in March and April. This year is no exception as “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners” are already making waves at the box office. However, the heart of the summer movie season stretches from the first weekend in May to Labor Day in late August.

During the warmer seasons, it’s typical for Hollywood to unveil several of the year’s biggest blockbusters, since students are on vacation and movie theaters offer a cool escape from the heat. Consequently, it’s not surprising that many of 2025’s most eagerly awaited films will be premiering during the summer months. Remarkably, out of the top 25 movies listed as the most anticipated for the entire year on Ebaster’s list, a total of ten are set to hit theaters between May and August.

Each person’s favorite upcoming movies is a personal preference, so lists can vary greatly from one another. To gather diverse opinions, I asked the Ebaster team to share which films they are eagerly waiting for. Out of 17 editors, including myself, we compiled a list of the most anticipated summer movies in 2025 as per the Ebaster editing team. Each editor provided their top 10 list, with 10 points assigned to their number one choice, followed by 9 points for the second, and so on. In total, we featured 37 movies, but here’s our top 15 collective picks:

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15. Eddington

15 Points – Highest Finish: 2nd Place

Watching a new film by Ari Aster is always thrilling, especially considering his impressive contributions to horror with movies like ‘Hereditary’ and ‘Midsommar’. Although ‘Beau Is Afraid’ didn’t resonate as much, ‘Eddington’ promises something extraordinary. By combining Aster’s unique style with a pandemic-era dramedy, this is a significant move. With an impressive cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Austin Butler, Emma Stone, and others, audiences can expect a refreshing change from the usual summer blockbusters filled with action and big budgets.

As a passionate cinephile, I can confidently say that “Eddington” has rightfully earned its place on my anticipated summer movies list for 2025, thanks to two impressive rankings – second by Alex Harrison and fifth by Molly Brizzell. It’s the unique film among our Most Anticipated Summer Movies of 2025 that didn’t make it onto at least three lists, which makes it a must-watch for fans of Ari Aster and those who love a good horror movie.

14. The Phoenician Scheme

17 Points – Highest Finish: 3rd Place

This summer sees another cinematic treat from the creative genius of Wes Anderson, who, after a two-year hiatus since his last feature film, bagged his first Oscar last year for the short film titled “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”. He’s back on the silver screen with “The Phoenician Scheme”, an intriguing espionage comedy featuring Benicio Del Toro. Some familiar faces return to collaborate once more, including Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Interestingly, Michael Cera is teaming up with the director for the first time in a casting decision that seems spot-on perfect.

Thanks to three dedicated editors – Alex Harrison, Jordan Williams, and Stephen Rosenberg – Wes Anderson and his enthusiasts can rejoice as The Phoenician Scheme has secured its well-deserved position. These critics highly appreciated the film, with Alex Harrison and Stephen Rosenberg even ranking it among their top five favorites. Now, everyone is eagerly awaiting the next visually balanced, vibrant, and eccentric masterpiece from Wes Anderson.

13. Karate Kid: Legends

21 Points – Highest Finish: 2nd Place

Over the past few years, it’s been fantastic having “Cobra Kai” around, but 2025 marks a significant milestone as we get to witness the “Karate Kid” franchise make its grand comeback on the big screen. Titled “Karate Kid: Legends“, this new installment brings back Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan as Mr. Han. This fresh take on the franchise aims to rekindle the excitement it’s generated recently, while also venturing into uncharted territory by focusing on a young character played by Ben Wang. Although it isn’t from “Cobra Kai” creators, “Karate Kid: Legends” promises to deliver the first theatrical experience with the series in 15 years.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that “Karate Kid: Legends” has earned a coveted spot on our list, with four of our esteemed editors giving it their seal of approval. Marcelo Leite and Nicholas Raymond have placed it at the very top of their lists, expressing immense anticipation for this film. While Abigail Stevens and Fariba Rezwan have ranked it slightly lower, their inclusion still speaks volumes about its potential.

We, the team at Ebaster, are eagerly awaiting to witness the reunion of Daniel and Mr. Han on the big screen, and any possible connections with “Cobra Kai”. Moreover, we can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the electrifying cinematic fights that this movie promises!

12. Materialists

28 Points – Highest Finish: 2nd Place

Two years following her poignant release “Past Lives”, Celine Song presents her subsequent film project titled “Materialists“. Boasting the talents of Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, this movie delves into a love triangle where Johnson’s character faces a difficult choice: balancing her new affection for Pascal against her former relationship with Evans. With fewer contemporary romantic comedies boasting such high-profile stars and pedigree, the anticipation surrounding “Materialists” is palpable. Get ready to experience an emotional rollercoaster in cinemas this summer!

I’m thrilled to share that “Materialists” made its way onto four of our editors’ lists! Molly Freeman and Rachel LaBonte both ranked it among their top three favorites, while Molly Brizzell and Alex Harrison included it in their top ten. This one is for the fans of Celine Song and Dakota Johnson, along with those who appreciate Pedro Pascal’s charm and Chris Evans’ romantic flair. Here’s hoping this movie becomes a commercial success and captures the hearts of audiences just as much as Song does triangular love stories!

11. Lilo & Stitch

31 Points – Highest Finish: 2nd Place

As a follower of Disney animation, I can attest that Stitch, one of their most iconic animated creatures, holds a special place in the hearts of many Gen Z fans. The upcoming live-action remake of the 2002 hit film is an attempt to rekindle this love by reintroducing the quirky humor and heartfelt emotions of the blue alien on the big screen once more. Unlike some of Disney’s previous animated remakes that relied heavily on traditional star power, the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch stands out for its accurate casting of Hawaiian characters, offering a chance for promising new performances. However, the true excitement lies in revisiting the unique bond between Lilo and Stitch in a fresh format.

The movie Lilo & Stitch is helping to solidify a shared opinion among editors about the most exciting summer releases, as seven of us have listed it. Besides me, Brandon Zachary, Fariba Rezwan, Jordan Williams, Kara Hedash, Matthew Rudoy, and Molly Brizzell also included it. Despite Disney’s live-action remakes showing a trend of decreasing success, we all believe that Lilo & Stitch has the potential to be one of their best creations in years, if not ever.

10. Ballerina

36 Points – Highest Finish: 1st Place

The John Wick film series has emerged as one of the most consistently enjoyable action collections in recent times. As we eagerly anticipate the release of John Wick 5, Lionsgate is creatively broadening the universe. Leading the initial spin-off movie is Ana de Armas, who left a memorable impact with her dynamic action performance in No Time To Die several years ago. Keanu Reeves is also set to reappear as the Baba Yaga character, with franchise director Chad Stahelski guaranteeing that the action will live up to expectations, though he won’t be directly involved in every aspect of the production.

After experiencing some unexpected setbacks that prolonged its release, our anticipation for the movie “Ballerina” has not waned, not even with the news of reshoots. In fact, eight different editors have listed this film among their favorites, placing it at the beginning of their top 10 picks. Among them, Abigail Stevens is particularly thrilled about “Ballerina,” naming it her most anticipated movie of the summer. Fariba Rezwan also included it in her top five choices. Besides these enthusiastic mentions, Jordan Williams, Kara Hedash, Nicholas Raymond, Rachel LaBonte, and I have all listed “Ballerina” among our top 10 picks for the season.

9. Jurassic World Rebirth

37 Points – Highest Finish: 4th Place

It seems like only yesterday that Jurassic World Dominion was slated to wrap up the franchise, but here we are two years later with another installment. By now, there might be a touch of fatigue regarding the series, but Jurassic World Rebirth appears poised for an invigorating new direction. The cast, spearheaded by Scarlett Johansson, has no ties to the previous six films, even as the narrative continues to expand upon decades of world-building. With Gareth Edwards at the helm, this could be the first outstanding Jurassic film since the original.

There’s a lot of enthusiasm among us editors for the movie “Jurassic World Rebirth,” although it might not deliver the highest levels of thrill. Surprisingly, it didn’t secure any top three spots, but it made it onto ten different editor’s lists. Only Nicholas Raymond and Tom Bacon ranked it in their top five, while Abigail Stevens, Kara Hedash, Marcelo Leite, Matthew Rudoy, Molly Freeman, Molly Brizzell, Rachel LaBonte, and I all included it in our top 10 selections.

8. Predator: Killer of Killers

45 Points – Highest Finish: 2nd Place

The upcoming anthology film, titled “Predator: Killer of Killers“, is directed by Dan Trachtenberg from the team behind “Prey“. This exciting production follows various combatants from distinct time periods as they cross paths with the Yautja hunters. Set to debut on Hulu this summer, it offers fresh escapades within the Predator series and softens the anticipation for the upcoming movie “Predator: Badlands“.

This particular item stands out on the list due to several factors. Firstly, it’s the sole animated feature among others such as Pixar’s “Elio”, Paramount’s “Smurfs”, and more, who didn’t make the cut. Additionally, it’s notable that this is the only streaming movie to be included on the list. While summers are usually about experiencing blockbusters in cinemas, “Predator: Killer of Killers” is an exception, generating anticipation for viewers to watch it from home instead.

The film titled “Predator: Killer of Killers” received less attention from our editorial team, appearing on just five lists. However, the high regard our team members held for it managed to secure its place in our top 10. Alisha Grauso, Brandon Zachary, Kara Hedash, Marcelo Leite, and Tom Bacon all ranked it among their top three favorites, with James Hunt also including it in his top 10. If you are a fan of the movie “Prey”, this is definitely worth watching on Hulu.

7. How To Train Your Dragon

50 Points – Highest Finish: 2nd Place

In a shift for live-action adaptations, DreamWorks and Universal are joining Disney’s dominance starting from 2025, as they take on “How To Train Your Dragon”. However, the trailer has sparked worries that it could be a direct replica of the 2010 animated film. Despite the striking similarities, one would expect the original director, Dean DeBlois, to be back to enrich and develop Hiccup and Toothless’ narrative further. The visuals so far have been impressive, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Universal’s confidence in the project is evident, as they’ve already announced a sequel, “How To Train Your Dragon 2”.

Clearly, there’s a palpable eagerness among Ebaster’s editors for the upcoming live-action adaptation. A whopping 10 of us have it on our lists, and Kara Hedash and Molly Brizzell are particularly thrilled about it, placing it in their top three picks. Brandon Zachary, Nicholas Raymond, Tom Bacon, and I all have it in our top five, while Alisha Grauso, Fariba Rezwan, Matthew Rudoy, and Molly Freeman have it in their top 10. Being a fan of the original trilogy of animated movies, I’m confident that this live-action How To Train Your Dragon remake will not disappoint.

6. 28 Years Later

54 Points – Highest Finish: 2nd Place

28 Years Later, released 28 years after its predecessor, continues to generate excitement as the most eagerly awaited horror film of the summer. This highly anticipated third installment in Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic zombie series brings Boyle back as director and features a script by Alex Garland. The star-studded cast includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and Jack O’Connell. Sony has executed an exceptional marketing campaign for 28 Years Later, creating anticipation with visually captivating trailers that promise a chilling and unmissable cinematic adventure.

There’s a lot of excitement building up among the Ebaster editing crew for this upcoming movie. Abigail Stevens, Alisha Grauso, Brandon Zachary, and Jordan Williams have it as their second favorite summer film pick, while Alex Harrison, Fariba Rezwan, Stephen Rosenberg, and I have placed it in our top 10s. If you’re as eager to see it as we are, maybe you can rewatch one of the physical copies of 28 Days Later or 28 Weeks Later beforehand if you happen to own them.

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2025-04-30 18:47