You would think that putting together a list like this would be easier because there are so many spots to fill up, but here’s the thing: this was not easy. So many movies are coming out that are REALLY promising that it was difficult to narrow this down to the top 10. I also can’t take out my excitement for things so… yes… here we are. I did it. I made the list and would like to see your lists as well or even just comment on what movie you are excited about this year. 

Also, to spice things up a bit, I added a little prediction to all of the movies so it will be even more exciting to look back at this list. Now. Let’s get into it!

10. Mickey 17

 Director: Bong Joon Ho 

Big dramatic sigh. Yes. I am aware this movie was on my Most Anticipated of 2024 list too; I clearly didn’t think they would push it back to 2025. Not only that, but first it was supposed to come out in January and now it is coming out in March. Why? I have no idea. There’s no explanation for these pushbacks; they just happen. I am really hopeful that it’s not because the studio is meddling too much with the movie, but you know… wishful thinking I guess. What changed since last year, though, is that I read the book Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton.

The book is awesome. It basically grabs the age-old question of “Can you sacrifice one to save many?” and goes on a big discovery route about it through the seven lives of Mickey. It truly is a great story and although I had doubts about why they changed it to Mickey 17, seeing the new trailer I think I know what they will go for. Even though it’s been pushed around a lot with the release date, I am still very much looking forward to seeing what Bong Joon-ho made this time around, with actors like Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, and Toni Collette. 

Prediction: Bong Joon Ho’s name will give it enough of a push to do decently at the box office, but it will definitely not be a box office success, given how much it got pushed back.
Rotten Score prediction: I have faith in Bong Joon Ho… 85% 

9. Superman

Director: James Gunn

And so the new era of DC will start this year. David Corenswet will officially become Clark Kent aka Superman on the big screen, and the James Gunn DC Universe will begin. Obviously, the Snyder boys are already screaming bloody murder after dropping the first trailer and nit-picking everything. They now even have problems with comic-accurate looks (Looking at you, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner), suddenly praising the suit they had a problem with in the past just diminishes how the new one looks, so… nothing new here. They are literally the living embodiment of why it is absolutely impossible to please everyone. And to be fair it shouldn’t be the goal to please everyone.

I can safely say that after watching the trailer, it was honestly the first time I felt hopeful for a DC project in a very long time. The entire thing radiates what Superman should be all about, and it is honestly gorgeous to look at. I am still cautious about it all, and I will still follow my tactic of waiting for the Rotten Tomatoes score to drop, BUT… I am excited to see what they made. 

Prediction: Snyder boys can cry all they want; this will be an easy box office hit.
Rotten Score prediction: I will project my hope for this movie: 80% 

8. The Conjuring: Last Rites

Director: Michael Chaves

Here we are. I am a big fan of The Conjuring movies especially the amazing performances of Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson so it is bittersweet to know that we arrived at the final chapter. I am obviously super excited to see which of the Warrens’ cases they will use for the final installment as there are still a lot of stories left to use. I admittedly would love to see the werewolf storyline, but I have a feeling it’s not the direction they will go with.

It’s a bit sad that James Wan won’t be back in the director’s chair, but despite The Devil Made Me Do It being the weakest film in the trilogy, I am still excited to see what Michael Chaves created. And even though Ed and Lorraine’s story will get closed down with this movie, there are still a lot of cursed relics the Warrens collected that could be the basis of movies. Who knows what the future will hold for this universe of demons, ghosts and cursed dolls. 

Prediction: The Conjuring franchise has its own fanbase so I am pretty sure it will do very well at the box office. Definitely won’t hit the one billion mark but it will easily bring back its budget.
Rotten Score prediction: 65-70%

7. Captain America: Brave New World 

Director: Julius Onah

Sam Wilson used Captain America’s shield for the first time in 2021 and became the new Captain America. Now, in 2025, he is finally stepping on the big screen in full costume. It will be exciting to see Anthony Mackie lead his first movie inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has come a long way ever since he first showed up in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  

Harrison Ford also joined the MCU, taking over the role of Thaddeus Ross from the late William Hurt. Not to mention that he will become the Red Hulk, which is quite something to look forward to. The trailers are very promising and are bringing back The Winter Soldier’s vibes. The posters are beautiful and it is honestly great to have Mackie in a bigger role within the MCU. I will be seated, of course, as I always have been ever since the MCU started its run. Let’s go! 

Prediction: It will do well at the box office, but not billion-dollar well.
Rotten Score prediction: (really hoping for) 80% at least 

6. Wicked: For Good

Director: John M. Chu 

Wicked – as was expected – blew up at the box office, became the highest-grossing musical adaptation of all time, and on top of it all, it was a great movie with spectacular performances. In most cases, I am not a fan of breaking a movie into two parts, but with Wicked I fully understand why they chose to do it. If this story had been cramped into a single movie, we would have lost plenty of songs and it would have been way too rushed. Now, the story actually has room to breathe and to make its points more clearly and build itself up. Also, it will be an absolute joy to watch Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande again this year. They truly were born to play these roles. 

Prediction: This will do even better than part 1. It will be an easy box office win, no doubt about it.
Rotten Score prediction: 85%

5. How To Train Your Dragon

Director: Dean DeBlois

Listen. I agree, the live-action adaptations of popular animated movies are definitely getting out of hand. I won’t argue with you. But this year, there are not one but two of my most beloved characters getting the same treatment, and I am terrified and over-the-moon excited at the same time. It is a very weird feeling I won’t lie to you. 

The How To Train Your Dragon trilogy sits near and very dear to my heart. I love every minute of it with all its flaws. Toothless is my spirit animal, no questions asked, and I adore the story behind it all. I was terrified when I heard they would turn it into live-action.

Then it was announced that Dean DeBlois, who directed the animated films, is back in the director’s chair and my heart calmed down. AND THEN they showed behind the scenes of the dragons being animatronic and oh boy… excitement went through the roof. AND THEN they announced that Gerard Butler would reprise his role as Stoick, Hiccup’s dad. WHAT!? *read this in a high-pitched screaming voice* AND THEN they dropped the first trailer and I cried. It looks fucking amazing, and I can’t put into words how truly excited I am and how extremely disappointed I will be if it fails to be a good movie. 

Prediction: The animated movies are well-loved; it looks gorgeous, and the original director is back. It will easily bring back its budget. I think people are hungry for a good, heartwarming story and adventure.
Rotten Score prediction: 80% will probably not reach the heights of the animated. (first movie is at 99% on Rotten) 

4. Lilo and Stitch 

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

I love Stitch. 

I have 15 different Stitch T-shirts. 

I have countless Stitch accessories. 

Stitch is great. 

Stitch is cute. 

Stitch is love. 

If you don’t like Stitch I don’t trust you. 

This movie better blow me away and make me fall in love with him all over again; otherwise, I will throw the biggest tantrum in the history of tantrum. 

That’s it. 

Prediction: I honestly think it will get really close to the billion-dollar mark at the box office.
Rotten Score prediction: I want 90% but if I am a realist it will probably sit at around 75-80% 

3. Jurassic World: Rebirth

Director: Gareth Edwards 

I think it is very safe to say that this year was designed for me PERSONALLY. I claim this year to be mine fully. The movies that are coming out just scream: LILY, LILY, LILY. And I accept that. I will spend a shit ton of money at the cinema and that is how it should be. If you know me, you know that I am one of the biggest fans of the Jurassic franchise. I love it with such a deep passion that I didn’t think was possible. Yes, it is full of flaws and silly a lot of times, but it has dinosaurs. Beautiful, majestic dinosaurs.

And Sam Neill. That’s when it’s the best, when Sam Neill is in it. And I adore Bryce Dallas Howard too, but I think Jurassic World: Rebirth knew exactly what it was doing when they cast Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan FREAKING Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. It’s all for me. Okay… jokes aside (it’s not a joke). 

Gareth Edwards is a great filmmaker, so that’s also a big win, and David Koepp is back as a screenwriter. For those who don’t know who David Koepp is, he is the screenwriter of Jurassic Park. So… WIN WIN WIN. 

Prediction: It will be a billion-dollar behemoth. I have no doubts about it.
Rotten Score prediction: I have faith in David Koepp’s writing: 70% 

2. 28 Years Later

Director: Danny Boyle 

2002… 28 Days Later came out. It becomes an easy classic in the horror genre. Cillian Murphy is a freaking powerhouse. 

2007… 28 Weeks Later arrives. It’s a different pace, leaning more into action than horror. Jeremy Renner, zombie Robert Carlyle, Idris Elba, and Harold Perrineau are all at the top of their games. Brilliant continuation. 

2025… 28 Years Later. The writers forgot that there are also months, but you know, small details. The trailer is a masterclass in itself. Cillian Murphy returns to the role that made him famous, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Jodie Corner come in to support and take the lead, and the excitement level goes through the roof. Danny Boyle is back directing and writing with Alex Garland, so all the stars have aligned. 

If this one turns out the way I hope it will these movies will enter the very rare league of perfect movie trilogies. And I hope they will. 

Prediction: It will EASILY make back its budget. But I am also hoping for an ever bigger success and entering the 500 million dollar club.
Rotten Score prediction: 90% (yes, I have a LOT of faith in this movie) 

1. AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH 

Director: James Cameron 

If you thought for even a second that this wouldn’t be in the very first place, you clearly haven’t read enough of my articles. James Cameron’s Avatar franchise is one of the biggest loves of my life. It’s beautiful; it’s full of action and love for the characters, story and nature. The third installment arrives at the end of this year, once again as a birthday gift for me and I honestly couldn’t be more excited. 

I love these characters with a passion and I want to know how their story will unfold. I want to return to Pandora, and I want to know what will be the solution for the human/na’vi conflict. I just want to be there as Cameron’s vision unfolds. When the movie arrives, it will be a glorious day indeed. 

Prediction: Easy two billion megahit. People can lie to you and say no one cares about this… it’s not true. Way of Water was a great proof of this very false belief. 

Rotten Score prediction: 75-80%