The Biggest Announcements from CinemaCon 2025: Marvel, Spidey, Smurfs & More!

CinemaCon 2025 delivered a blockbuster-worthy lineup of announcements, trailers, and exclusive reveals that have fans and theater owners alike hyped for the future of film. From superhero epics and high-stakes thrillers to long-awaited sequels and nostalgic reboots, this year’s presentations proved the theatrical experience is more alive than ever.

Here’s your entertainment-packed roundup of the three biggest reveals from each major studio, with dates, casting updates, and a few surprises you won’t want to miss.

Sony Pictures: Spidey Swings, The Beatles Reimagined, and Karate Kid Returns

Sony kicked things off with a double dose of Spider-Man. Tom Holland returns in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, arriving July 2026. This new entry teases a grounded, street-level Peter Parker story following the multiverse chaos of No Way Home.

Meanwhile, animation fans rejoiced as Sony confirmed “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” is back on track. The long-awaited follow-up to 2023’s Across the Spider-Verse promises an emotional and visually bold finale to Miles Morales’ saga, though no release date has been officially locked in just yet.

Then came a cinematic surprise: Sam Mendes’ Beatles project. Not one, but four interconnected films are coming in April 2028, each named after a band member—Paul, John, George, and Ringo. Cast includes Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. This never-before-seen narrative experiment will chronicle The Beatles’ journey from four unique perspectives.

Also on the slate: “The Karate Kid” (Dec. 13, 2025), uniting Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio for the first time, and “They Listen”, a creepy tech horror starring John Cho (Aug. 30, 2024).

Lionsgate: Magic Returns,and the Hunger Games Reignite

Lionsgate brought a star-powered, genre-spanning slate to CinemaCon 2025, exciting fans with the return of major franchises and bold new storytelling. Leading the charge was “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t”, the long-awaited continuation of the magic-fueled heist series. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the film reunites the Horsemen for another globe-trotting adventure filled with deception, spectacle, and signature illusions. While plot details remain under wraps, audiences can expect a return to the clever tricks and thrilling twists that made the franchise a fan favorite.

One of the biggest emotional draws of the showcase was “Michael”, the official biopic of pop legend Michael Jackson, directed by Antoine Fuqua. The film promises to dive deep into Jackson’s life—from his Motown roots to his record-shattering solo career—capturing both the triumph and the tragedy of his story. Michael will be portrayed by Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, with Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller rounding out the cast. The film hits theaters on October 3, 2025, and is expected to feature recreations of Jackson’s most iconic performances.

Lionsgate also officially revealed “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping”, a new prequel set 24 years before the original series. This installment follows a young Haymitch Abernathy during the brutal 50th Hunger Games, exploring the events that shaped his character long before he mentored Katniss Everdeen. With Francis Lawrence returning to direct, the prequel is set to release on November 20, 2026, and promises to expand the dystopian world Suzanne Collins first created in thrilling new ways.

Beyond those headliners, Lionsgate teased “The Long Walk”, an adaptation of the haunting Stephen King novel about a deadly endurance competition where 100 teenage boys must walk without stopping—or die trying. Finally, it wouldn’t be a Lionsgate presentation without a dose of action, and that came in the form of the highly anticipated “John Wick: Chapter 5”. Keanu Reeves will return to the role that redefined action cinema, with director Chad Stahelski back at the helm. The film is currently in development, alongside an animated prequel exploring the mysterious “Impossible Task” that made Wick a legend. Filming is expected to begin sometime in 2025.

Warner Bros.: Superman Soars, F1 Shines, Final Destination Reawakens

James Gunn made a grand entrance to debut footage from “Superman”, starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan. With a hopeful tone and classic heroism at its core, it hits theaters July 11, 2025, and sets the stage for the new DCU.

The studio also unveiled “F1,” a Formula One drama starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski. Slated for June 27, 2025, the film blends real racing footage and high-octane thrills from the world’s fastest motorsport.

In horror news, “Final Destination: Bloodlines” revives the deadly franchise with a prequel twist, helmed by Freaks directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein. Expect Rube Goldberg-style deaths and mythology deeper than ever when it arrives later in 2025.

Angel Studios: Animated Mayhem, Nazi Resistance, and a Birth That Changed the World

Angel Studios turned heads at CinemaCon with a trio of bold, emotionally charged films for 2025. First up is “Sketch,” a wildly imaginative action-comedy directed by Seth Worley, where a grieving young girl’s drawings come to life—causing chaos in her small town. It hits theaters August 6, 2025.

Then comes “Truth & Treason” (October 17, 2025), a harrowing historical thriller based on the true story of Helmuth Hübener, a teenager who defied the Nazi regime with extraordinary courage.

Finally, “Zero A.D.”, directed by Sound of Freedom’s Alejandro Monteverde, explores a tyrant’s attempt to stop a prophecy by targeting a child destined to change history. It arrives December 19, 2025.

Universal Pictures: Jurassic Comeback, Minions Mayhem & Wicked Singing

Universal got the crowd roaring with its new “Jurassic World Rebirth” film, set to release July 2, 2026. With a new cast and a terrifying survival-horror tone, it’s a fresh start for the dino-saga.

Minions madness continues in “Despicable Me 4” (July 3, 2024), where Gru faces a new villain and navigates parenting teenaged minions.

And the big showstopper: “Wicked: Part One,” featuring stunning performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. This musical prequel lands November 27, 2024, just in time for holiday magic.

Amazon MGM: Sci-Fi Powerhouses, Crime Noir, and Box Office Goals

Amazon MGM aims for the stars with “Project Hail Mary,” a space survival film starring Ryan Gosling, adapted from Andy Weir’s novel (The Martian). Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, it launches March 20, 2026.

Also announced: “Crime 101”, a slick heist-thriller with Pedro Pascal and Chris Hemsworth, set against the California coast. Release expected in 2025.

Amazon also declared its theatrical ambitions, aiming for 15+ releases per year by 2027, proving it’s not just a streamer anymore.

Paramount Pictures: Avatar Legacy, Impossible Missions & Smurfette Sings

Paramount Pictures captivated audiences at CinemaCon 2025 with a thrilling slate of films. Kicking things off is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, set to hit theaters on May 23, 2025, marking Tom Cruise’s grand finale as Ethan Hunt. The action-packed film promises jaw-dropping stunts, including a high-octane plane sequence and more, capping off the legendary franchise.

Family-friendly fare will be served with The Smurfs, featuring Rihanna voicing Smurfette and debuting July 18, 2025. Expect vibrant animation, new Rihanna tracks, and a storyline involving the Smurfs navigating the real world.

For comedy lovers, The Naked Gun reboot is on the horizon, starring Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr. The film, directed by Akiva Schaffer, promises to bring the classic slapstick humor back to the big screen with a fresh twist. It’s slated for August 1, 2025, and will feature a star-studded cast including Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser.

Also, keep an eye out for The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, an animated feature set to expand on the Avatar universe, arriving October 10, 2025.

Disney: Fantastic Four Assembles, Avatar Expands & Stitch Returns

Marvel fans went wild for the first footage from “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” releasing July 25, 2025. With Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the film blends retro sci-fi style with MCU spectacle.

James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” explores the fiery “Ash People” and continues the Sully family saga, hitting screens December 19, 2025.

And in a heartfelt remake, “Lilo & Stitch” premieres May 23, 2025, with Chris Sanders returning as Stitch and Zach Galifianakis joining the cast.

CinemaCon 2025 wasn’t just a pitch to theater owners—it was a cinematic mic drop. With so many iconic franchises returning, bold originals on the way, and theatrical release slates stacking up through 2026, one thing’s clear: moviegoing is back in a big way.

Stay tuned as teasers and trailers begin to drop. The big screen is calling.