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(The Post News)- 2025 has been an exciting year for movie and tv watchers, as the first half of the year delivered a wave of high-profile releases, breakout hits and adaptations that kept audiences captivated.
From thrillers and horrors to animated features and franchise finales, the cinematic landscape has offered something for everyone. Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s Southern Gothic vampire tale, stunned both critics and viewers, while Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning delivered a high-octane farewell to Tom Cruise’s iconic Ethan Hunt. Horror fans were treated to Final Destination: Bloodlines, a chilling revival that breathed new life into the long-running franchise. Meanwhile, nostalgic audiences welcomed two major live-action adaptations—The Minecraft Movie, a playful and visually inventive take on the beloved game, and Disney’s heartfelt Lilo & Stitch remake, which soared at the box office to become one of the year’s top earners.
On the topic of adaptations, The Last of Us returned to the small screen with a second season that deepened its post-apocalyptic world while sparking debate among fans. At the same time, The Handmaid’s Tale concluded its six-season run, offering a powerful and emotional end to its dystopian saga. On a different note, Adolescence, a fresh and compelling new series, made waves with its honest and nuanced portrayal of coming-of-age challenges.
But the year is far from over.
As we step into the second half of 2025, the release calendar promises even more to get excited about. From long-awaited franchise returns to fresh takes on familiar worlds, here are the most anticipated movie and TV releases from June through December 2025:
Most Anticipated Releases – June to December 2025
🔹 Ballerina – June 13
A spin-off from the John Wick universe, Ballerina stars Ana de Armas as a deadly assassin on a revenge mission. Expect stylized action, stunning cinematography, intense choreography, and deep lore for franchise fans.
🔹 How to Train Your Dragon – June 13
DreamWorks’ beloved animated franchise gets the live-action treatment, introducing a new generation to Hiccup, Toothless, and their heartwarming story of friendship and bravery.
🔹 28 Years Later – June 20
Danny Boyle returns to his groundbreaking zombie horror universe with a long-awaited sequel to 28 Days Later. The film follows group of survivors of the rage virus lives who live on a safe remote island but they’re forced to return to the mainland where they discover buried secrets and horror. Boyle reinvents apocalyptic terror by shooting most of the film using the iphone, thus creating a raw, documentary-like intensity.
🔹 Ironheart (mini series) – June 24
Marvel’s next-gen genius, Riri Williams, finally gets her spotlight in this action-packed Disney+ series. Set after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ironheart follows Riri’s journey as she balances her cutting-edge technology with her personal growth in Chicago.
🔹 Squid Game (Season 3) – June 27
The dystopian survival thriller returns for its third and final season. The series offers the same players as season 2 but with new games and even higher stakes.
🔹 M3GAN 2.0 – June 27
The killer AI doll is resurrected in a sequel that promises more campy horror and tech-fueled terror. M3GAN 2.0 is expected to lean even further into its satirical tone and social commentary.
🔹 Gen V (Season 2) – September 17
The Boys spin-off returns with more blood, betrayal, and teenage superpower politics.
🔹 Fantastic Four: First Steps – July 25
Stakes are high as Marvel’s First Family finally joins the MCU in a reboot poised to reshape its future. Directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision), this film brings together Pedro Pascal as Reed RichardS / Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing. It is blends the modern marvel multiversal stakes with retro aesthetics as it is set in an alternate 1960s-inspired world.
🔹 Wednesday (Season 2) – August 6
Jenna Ortega returns as the goth icon Wednesday in Netflix’s highly successful series. With more mysteries to solve at Nevermore Academy, Season 2 is expected to dive deeper into supernatural lore.
🔹 Jurassic World: Rebirth – July 2
The action dino film now starring scarlett Johansson, marhershala ali and jonathan bailey return once again in a franchise reboot. The film picks up five years after the events of Jurassic world dominion. With David Koepp – co writer of the original Jurassic Park (1993) and writer of The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) – the film is said to be be looking to reinvigorate the franchise.
🔹 Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – December 12
Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc returns in Rian Johnson’s third mystery installment. With a new ensammble cast of individuals like Kerry Washington Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis , and Josh O’conner, this whodunit is already getting high praises from film critics.
🔹 Stranger Things (Season 5)
Netflix’s sci-fi saga draws to a close with an epic final season. With the fate of Hawkins hanging in the balance the fans are bracing for emotional goodbye. There will be a time jump of nearly a year as season will pick up in the fall of 1987. The eight part season will be divided into 3 parts.
Volume 1: November 26
Volume 2: December 25
Volume 3: December 31
As 2025 continues to unfold, it’s clear that the second half of the year promises unforgettable cinematic and streaming moments.
Get your calendars ready—this is one release season you won’t want to miss.
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