CinemaCon 2025: The Must-See Films Coming to Theaters This Year

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Apr 6

Written By Jonathan P. Moustakas

**Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment, speaks onstage during Disney Studios at CinemaCon 2025 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 03, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.** Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

As the dust settles in Las Vegas, this year’s CinemaCon has made one thing clear: the theatrical experience is far from dead.

Held annually at Caesars Palace, CinemaCon is more than just a trade show for industry insiders—it’s a pulse check for the state of cinema. With studios, exhibitors, and creatives gathering under one roof, the convention serves as a forecast of what moviegoers can expect over the next year, both in terms of spectacle and strategy. This year’s convention came at a pivotal moment. After a tumultuous first quarter at the box office and a shifting media landscape, studios arrived with more to prove than ever before.

2025’s edition of CinemaCon was particularly significant due to mounting concerns around theatrical viability. With streaming platforms continuing to alter release strategies and consumer behavior in flux post-pandemic, exhibitors are more desperate than ever for a return to form. And while challenges persist—such as shortened theatrical windows, studio consolidations, and the lingering aftereffects of 2024’s dual Hollywood strikes—the energy in the Colosseum felt optimistic. Studio after studio reiterated a commitment to theatrical-first strategies, with executives from Disney, Warner Bros., Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount, Lionsgate, Sony, and Universal making their cases to theater owners.

These weren’t just words. The convention featured extended first-look footage, star-studded appearances, and even live performances aimed at demonstrating the irreplaceable value of the theatrical experience. From Brad Pitt arriving to introduce “F1” to Wes Anderson unveiling “The Phoenician Scheme,” CinemaCon proved that Hollywood is still betting big on the big screen.

For movie fans, the benefit of CinemaCon is the preview of films long before they hit theaters. Many trailers and clips shown during the convention have yet to debut online, giving attendees the first glimpses at what could become the year’s biggest blockbusters, most thrilling horror hits, and buzziest awards contenders. Whether it was glimpses of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” a first look at “Thunderbolts,” or the reveal of Paul Feig’s “The Housemaid,” 2025’s film slate looks ambitious, diverse, and—most importantly—made for theaters.

Here’s a breakdown of the most talked-about titles and exclusive footage that left audiences buzzing from the showroom floor to the Strip.

Thunderbolts (May 2)

Marvel Studios surprised attendees with a behind-the-scenes featurette for "Thunderbolts," its upcoming antihero ensemble film. Featuring interviews with Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, and director Jake Schreier, the footage teases brutal action sequences and a gritty espionage tone. With characters like Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Ghost, and Red Guardian in the mix, "Thunderbolts" aims to explore the murkier corners of the MCU.

F1 (June 27)

Directed by Joseph Kosinski ("Top Gun: Maverick") and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, this high-octane drama stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired driver pulled back into the world of Formula One. With Javier Bardem playing the racing team’s owner and Pitt mentoring a hotshot rookie, the film aims to blend adrenaline and heart in equal measure.

M3GAN 2.0 (June 27)

The viral AI doll returns, now in a digital-only form, to combat a rogue military-grade robot named Amelia. The sequel promises higher stakes, more mayhem, and a sleek redesign for M3GAN as she saves the day once again. Expect horror with a side of satire.

The Naked Gun (August 1)

Liam Neeson picks up the mantle from Leslie Nielsen in this modern reboot of the beloved slapstick franchise. The trailer teases absurd disguises, dog-related hijinks, and unapologetic goofiness. Paramount might have a cult comedy classic in the making.

Weapons (August 8)

**Zach Cregger.** Michael Tran/AFP/Getty

Zach Cregger, following his breakout horror hit "Barbarian," returns with a chilling mystery about missing children and unraveling secrets in a Florida suburb. With a cast including Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, and Benedict Wong, "Weapons" promises psychological horror that hits close to home.

Caught Stealing (August 29)

**Darren Aronofsky presenting at CinemaCon.** Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Darren Aronofsky’s first foray into action-comedy, based on Charlie Huston’s novel, stars Austin Butler as a washed-up baseball player caught in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in 1990s NYC. With Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Bad Bunny rounding out the cast, this might be Aronofsky’s most mainstream project yet.

The Long Walk (September 12)

**David Jonsson and Mark Hamill star in "The Long Walk."** Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Adapted from Stephen King’s dystopian novella, this chilling thriller directed by Francis Lawrence follows a deadly endurance contest where stopping means death. With a cast led by David Jonsson, Cooper Hoffman, and Mark Hamill, it's a tense and timely reflection on youth, survival, and spectacle.

Tron: Ares (October 10)

Jared Leto stars in the long-awaited next installment of the "Tron" franchise, which brings the Grid into the real world for the first time. The footage teased at CinemaCon highlights a slick new digital landscape and upgraded suits, as Ares, a sentient program, seeks connection in the human realm. With cutting-edge visuals and a pulsating Daft Punk-inspired score, "Tron: Ares" is poised to revive the sci-fi saga for a new generation.

The Running Man (November 7)

**Glen Powell, director Edgar Wright, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin presenting "The Running Man" footage at CinemaCon.** Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage/Getty

Edgar Wright reimagines the 1987 cult classic with Glen Powell as a wrongfully accused man forced into a deadly game show. With Colman Domingo and Josh Brolin also starring, this version leans into satire, stylized violence, and Wright’s kinetic visual flair.

Wicked: For Good (November 21)

Part two of the "Wicked" saga brings Elphaba and Glinda to their fateful crossroads. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande lead a cast that also includes Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh. Director Jon M. Chu promises a grand conclusion that stretches past Dorothy’s arrival in Oz.

Zootopia 2 (November 26)

**Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return in "Zootopia 2."** Disney

Judy and Nick are back—and headed to couples therapy. Disney returns to the animated world of "Zootopia" with new voices including Quinta Brunson and Ke Huy Quan. Expect more heartfelt humor and social commentary, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19)

**"Avatar: Fire and Ash."** 20th Century Studios

James Cameron introduces the Ash clan, fierce volcanic warriors unlike anything seen in Pandora before. The visuals are fiery, the tone is darker, and Stephen Lang’s Quaritch is still in relentless pursuit. It's a fiery new chapter in the epic saga.

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The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (December 19)

**"The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants."** Paramount Pictures

SpongeBob is "grown up" (slightly) and ready to face his biggest foe yet: the Flying Dutchman, voiced by Mark Hamill. The movie is a nautical adventure packed with the franchise's signature humor and visual zaniness.

The Housemaid (December 25)

**Amanda Seyfried, Paul Feig, and Sydney Sweeney.** Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Paul Feig takes a psychological turn in this adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel. Sydney Sweeney stars as Millie, a housemaid entangled in a web of secrets in a wealthy household. Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar co-star in this Christmas Day thriller.

Project Hail Mary (March 2026)

**Ryan Gosling presenting footage of "Project Hail Mary."** VALERIE MACON/AFP/GETTY

Ryan Gosling stars in this Andy Weir adaptation about a schoolteacher-turned-astronaut on a mission to save Earth—with help from an alien companion. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the sci-fi epic blends heart, humor, and high-concept spectacle.

The Phoenician Scheme (May 2, 2026)

Wes Anderson returns with another symmetrically stylized ensemble piece. In this eccentric caper, Benicio del Toro stars as Europe’s richest man, Zsa-Zsa Korda, who, after surviving a sixth plane crash, begins grooming his daughter (Mia Threapleton) to inherit his legacy. The supporting cast is stacked: Michael Cera, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Jeffrey Wright, and Benedict Cumberbatch.