If 2024 reflected the immediate ramifications of the Hollywood strikes — with fewer movies and blockbusters lighting up the box office due to production delays — then 2025 could mark one of the greatest comebacks in history.
This year will bring Jeremy Allen White portraying Bruce Springsteen, two different takes on Frankenstein’s monster courtesy of Christian Bale and Jacob Elordi, and a showcase of talents from some of the industry’s most cherished actors, including Nia Long as Michael Jackson’s mother, Toni Collette as a romantic lead, and Keanu Reeves in three high-profile projects that aren’t part of the “John Wick” franchise.
Let’s not forget thrillers starring Julia Roberts (“After the Hunt”), sports flicks featuring Brad Pitt (“F1”), superhero films with Pedro Pascal (“The Fantastic Four: First Steps”) and prestige dramas starring Colin Farrell (“The Ballad of a Small Player”).
We’ll also see some of our favorite director-actor collaborations, including Spike Lee and Denzel Washington (“Highest 2 Lowest”), Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”), Noah Baumbach and Adam Sandler (“Jay Kelly”) and Kelly Reichardt and John Magaro (“The Mastermind”).
Last year, we saw the same actor riding a sandworm and playing a folk-singing legend, two witches defying gravity, a naked woman emerging from another woman’s body, and a Spanish-language musical featuring the lyrics, “penis to vagina.” With that in mind, the year ahead promises to be just as exhilarating, showcasing performances from some of the industry’s most prominent actors and rising stars.
To celebrate the return of a full slate of films spanning multiple genres, Variety ranks the 54 most anticipated performances of 2025.
Note: Not every film has an official release date or U.S. distributor; all are subject to change. Only one actor is highlighted per movie to cover the broadest range of upcoming performances.
Honorable mentions: Adria Arjona, “Splitsville” (Neon); Jodie Comer, “The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde” (No U.S. Distribution); Jai Courtney, “Dangerous Animals” (No U.S. Distribution); Zoey Deutch, “Nouvelle Vague” (No U.S. Distribution); Cameron Diaz, “Outcome” (Apple Original Films); Ralph Fiennes, “The Choral” (Sony Pictures Classics); Woody Harrelson, “Ella McCay” (20th Century Studios); Tom Hiddleston, “The Life of Chuck” (Neon); Cooper Hoffman, “The Long Walk” (Lionsgate); André Holland, “The Actor” (Neon); Scarlett Johansson, “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (Universal Pictures); Rashida Jones, “In the Blink of an Eye” (Searchlight Pictures); Diego Luna, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (No U.S. Distribution); John Magaro, “The Mastermind” (Mubi); Rami Malek, “The Amateur” (20th Century Studios); Robert Pattinson, “Mickey 17” (Warner Bros.); Joaquin Phoenix, “Eddington” (A24); Tahar Rahim, “Alpha” (Neon); Mark Rylance, “The Way of the Wind” (No U.S. Distribution); Ben Whishaw, “Peter Hujar’s Day” (Janus Films/Sideshow)