Our most anticipated films of the year!
2025 has been an incredibly exciting year for cinema so far. With films like Black Bag (dir. Steven Soderbergh), Sinners (dir. Ryan Coogler), Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (dir. Christopher McQuarrie), The Ugly Stepsister (dir. Emilie Blichfeldt), and F1 (dir. Joseph Kosinski), we've already been treated to a fantastic lineup — and the best part is, there’s still so much more to come before the year wraps up.
The W Spotlight team has curated a list of their most anticipated releases set to be released between now and the end of the year.
My Mom Jayne – On HBO June 27
Even though Mariska Hargitay has directed several episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the premiere of My Mom Jayne is her film directorial debut. As someone who has followed Hargitay's work for several years, I am beyond excited to see this next chapter of her career. It is also thrilling to see her take control of her mother's narrative and give Jayne the story and the respect she deserves. Hargitay herself also deserves to share her family and personal story in her own terms.
There’s something incredibly moving about this documentary, and I truly can’t wait to experience this film. (Lara Rosales)
Jurassic World: Rebirth – In theatres July 2
As a dinosaur girlie, the new Jurassic World movie feels incredibly exciting! The franchise has branched out in many different directions over the years, but these movies have always held a special place in my heart. There’s something endlessly thrilling about seeing dinosaurs come to life and watching the stories that unfold around them. I’m really looking forward to seeing what innovations come to life in Jurassic World: Rebirth. (Lara Rosales)
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight - In theatres July 11 (limited), then expanding July 18
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, based on Alexandra Fuller’s 2001 memoir about her white Zimbabwean family’s experiences following the Rhodesian Bush War, marks Embeth Davidtz’s directorial debut. The film screened at both TIFF and Telluride last year. I sadly missed the premiere in Toronto, and I’ve been eager to see the film ever since.
I’m not familiar with the Zimbabwean War for Independence, but I do know that Embeth Davidtz was the perfect person to bring this memoir to the screen. Born in South Africa, Davidtz shared that Fuller’s memoir resonated deeply with her, touching on vital and painful aspects of her own childhood.
I love everything about Embeth Davidtz—her work, her generosity, and the gentleness she brings to everything she does. This project is so dear to her, and I always admire when directors are deeply passionate and personally connected to the stories they tell. When a story is told through a personal lens, it brings a unique emotional depth and authenticity to the screen. I’m literally counting the days until I can finally see this film on the big screen—I just know it won’t disappoint. (Mariane Tremblay)
The Fantastic Four: The First Steps – In theaters July 25
After the enjoyment I felt watching Thunderbolts* earlier this year, my excitement for Fantastic Four: The First Steps has risen greatly. I do hope Marvel can keep at that level they've gotten back to. The IMAX ratio also really excites me, and I am looking forward to seeing where they are going to take the next phase. (Hailey Passmore)
The Naked Gun – In theatres August 1
As your resident Liam Neeson girlie, I am the most excited for The Naked Gun. While remakes are a daunting territory for actors to navigate, Neeson's version appears (from the trailers) to be quite a memorable one. It will be interesting to see the actor dive into comedy, given that his career has predominantly been in action. It is a new era for Neeson, and I cannot wait to see where it leads. (Lara Rosales)
Together – In theatres July 30
After years together, Tim (James Franco) and Millie (Alison Brie) face a turning point when they relocate to the countryside. As tensions rise between them, a mysterious and unnatural presence emerges—one that threatens to unravel their lives, their love, and even their very bodies. With a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 48 reviews) and hailed as “the best horror movie of the year,” Together seems to have everything I want from a horror film.
Michael Shanks describes the movie as a “reflection of something deeply personal,” having based the screenplay on his own relationship with his partner: “Have you ever been in a relationship so long that the line between you and the other person starts to blur?” With Franco and Brie leading the cast, I’m not worried for a second. As a real-life married couple playing a troubled married couple on screen, this is going to be everything! Not to mention that I’m growing more and more fond of horror films. It’s such a versatile genre that allows us to explore so many themes metaphorically, and it always leads to incredible results.
Together will have its Canadian Premiere at Fantasia 2025, and I’m very excited about that! (Mariane Tremblay)
Peak Everything (Amour Appocalypse) – In theatres August 8
Peak Everything, directed by Anne Émond, is another of my most anticipated films of the year. After having had the opportunity to see Émond's 2024 feature, Lucy Grizzli Sophie, I was, and am, very intrigued by her style of filmmaking and the stories she chooses to tell. Peak Everything tells the story of Adam (Patrick Hivon), a kennel-owner who, after a series of events, orders a therapeutic solar lamp and, through doing so, meets a technical support line operator named Tina (Piper Parabo). A woman who can aid and quell all of Adam’s worries. Though this encounter causes a seismic shift and what follows changes everything. Knowing Émond’s work and knowing that she tells different and perhaps uncommon stories, I am incredibly excited for whatever lies in store here and have no doubt that it will be a unique and engaging viewing experience. (Talia Ryckman Klein)
Weapons – In theatres August 8
The plot of Weapons seems just as mysterious as the trailer suggests; it follows a small community after 17 kids from the same classroom mysteriously disappear overnight. This film could go in any direction and might serve as a metaphor for something far darker—and I’m here for it. Directed by Zach Cregger (Companion (2025) and Barbarian (2022)), I’m confident Weapons will be just as compelling as his previous films. I’ve been thinking about it at least once a week since the first teaser trailer was released. (Mariane Tremblay)
The Roses – In theatres August 29
Put Olivia Colman in ANYTHING and it will be high up on my most anticipated films! From the trailer alone, her humour partnered with Benedict Cumberbatch makes this film look like the next best comedy. Let's hope that even though The Roses is a remake (The War of the Roses (1981)), they're able to do something good! (Hailey Passmore)
Sound of Falling – In German theatres September 11
Sound of Falling, directed by Mascha Schilinski, recently won the jury prize at Cannes in a tie with Oliver Laxe’s Sirât. The film is told in a non-linear format across four different generations of women, all of whom live on the same German farm grounds, spanning from WWII all the way to the present day. The film delves into the various experiences of womanhood and the invisible threads that bind them. What excites me most about this film is the fact that the story is told in a non-linear format. I am always drawn to stories that are told differently and uniquely, and from the sounds of it, Sound of Falling is just that. Apart from that, I actively seek out female led films, films that shine light on women’s stories from all over and from different periods in history, and the fact that this focuses on not one, but four different generations of women and the things that tie them together is very exciting and is sure to be incredibly compelling. (Talia Ryckman Klein)
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – In theatres September 19
TRON: Ares – In theatres October 10
TRON: Ares is released fifteen years after TRON: Legacy, as mankind encounters AI for the first time when a sophisticated program named Ares escapes the digital world. The film promises a fresh, high-stakes addition to the TRON saga, and I’m really excited to see how the story evolves, especially since I was a big fan of the last one. (Maria Paula Acosta)
After The Hunt – In theatres October 11 (limited), then expanding on October 1
Luca Guadagnino is always a surprise as a director to me. I go into his films never knowing how I’ll feel by the end, or if they’ll even work for me at all. Some have been added to my list of all-time favorites, while others have been placed in the 'never-watch-again' box. He is impossible to pin down, which is probably why I cannot wait to dive into After the Hunt. Described as "TÁR set in the world of academia", one of my favorite films, we follow a college professor who encounters a dilemma when a star student makes an accusation against another professor.
It is Julia Roberts’ comeback to an auteur project, a meaty screenplay that presages heavy performances. (Kenza Bouhnass Parra)
The Mastermind – In theatres October 17
Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival to great reviews. Josh O’Connor stars as an unemployed carpenter who plans his big first heist, until things go sideways. Kelly’s style has become consistent over the years, while still allowing her to explore new facets of humanity with every feature. There’s a quietness to them that leads to a deep dig into whichever element her film shines a light on. It is no surprise that any upcoming announcement then becomes one of my most anticipated films. (Kenza Bouhnass Parra)
Bugonia – In theatres November 7
After Poor Things (2023) and Kinds of Kindness (2024), in what surreal dimension will Lanthimos – and his fellow companion Emma Stone – take us this time? Personally, I can’t wait to find out what Bugonia has in store. (Giorgia Cattaneo)
Wicked: For Good – In theatres November 21
We’ve been missing our girls, Elphaba and Glinda, since the day we left them, and we couldn’t be more ready to see them reunited on screen for one last time. All of us kids of Oz can’t wait to be changed (for good) again.
As people who’ve been on the Wicked train for quite some time now, we are, of course, eagerly awaiting the second half of this adaptation (and feeling very thankful that audiences only had to wait one year for it to arrive). Not only will we get to hear some of the most well-loved songs from the musical (“For Good,” of course, and “No Good Deed” are two that stand out), but it’s also been confirmed that two new songs will feature in this film, which raises many exciting possibilities.
Wicked: For Good can't come soon enough! (Andie Kaiser and Giorgia Cattaneo)
Hamnet – In U.S theatres on November 27, expanding nationwide on December 12
Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao and adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, is one of our most anticipated films of 2025. Co-written by O’Farrell herself and starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley—two of the most compelling actors of their generation—the film marks Zhao’s return to her independent cinema roots. With cinematography by Łukasz Żal (The Zone of Interest (2023), Cold War (2018)), Hamnet promises to be a masterclass in direction, writing, performance, and visual storytelling.
The story offers a fictionalized account of the early years of William Shakespeare’s marriage to Anne Hathaway (not Anne Hathaway, the queen of Genovia), the birth of their twins Judith and Hamnet, and the devastating loss of their only son—an event that would go on to inspire one of Shakespeare’s most revered plays, Hamlet. At its core, Hamnet is about grief, loss, and the enduring power of art. It also happens to be one of our favourite novels of all time.
As a team that’s always here for women telling other women’s stories, we’re especially excited to see how Zhao approaches the character of Anne Hathaway. The film centers on her perspective as she struggles to come to terms with unimaginable loss in a time when women were often considered less than nothing, something Virginia Woolf poignantly explored in A Room of One’s Own when imagining Shakespeare’s fictional sister. We’re incredibly eager to see how Zhao, who previously gave us Nomadland (2020), brings this haunting and beautiful story to life on screen. (Talia Ryckman Klein, Kenza Bouhnass Parra, and Giorgia Cattaneo)
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – On Netflix December 12
For the third film, Benoit Blanc dives into a new murder mystery that takes on a much darker and more suspenseful tone than before. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the assembled cast brings their characters to life, especially within the rich, gothic, and mysterious atmosphere that Wake Up Dead Man promises. The blend of eerie visuals and intricate storytelling should make for a thrilling and immersive experience. (Maria Paula Acosta)
Avatar: Fire and Ash – In theatres December 19
Jake and Neytiri face a new challenge as they encounter the fierce and aggressive Na’vi tribe known as the Ash People, all while grappling with the deep grief of losing their son, Neteyam. I can already tell Avatar: Fire and Ash is going to deliver breathtaking visuals and powerful storytelling, blending intense action with heartfelt emotional moments that will truly resonate. (Maria Paula Acosta)
Mother Mary – TBC
Come on — Anne Hathaway as a pop star named Mother Mary? No men in the cast? Charli XCX on the soundtrack? We’re definitely seated!
This film shot straight to the top of our most anticipated list the moment it was announced. A pop star, played by Anne Hathaway, is in a relationship with a fashion designer, played by Michaela Coel? Count us in. Then we heard Hunter Schafer was involved, which only added to our excitement.
With original songs by Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX, and such a stellar cast, this film feels like it’s going to be something truly special. We can’t wait to see it. (Talia Ryckman Klein and Giorgia Cattaneo)
Moonglow – TBC
Isabel Sandoval’s upcoming film, Moonglow, is set to combine many of my favourite things: noir, a 1960s setting, and a feminist detective story. When Sandoval said that the film would appeal to audiences who love Wong Kar-wai’s In The Mood for Love as well as the romanticism of classic Hollywood, I knew I was sold. (Andie Kaiser)
So many exciting films coming up! Stay tuned, reviews will be published on our blog throughout the year.
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