Super Bowl LIX aired Sunday, Feb. 9 and featured plenty of advertisements that America’s biggest night became known for. Though Hollywood only took up a fraction of the run-time, these trailers showed that 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for film with a packed blockbuster season.
Jurassic World: Rebirth
The monolith of dinosaur cinema returns with a film that aims to soft-reboot the series. After the disappointing “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “Jurassic World: Rebirth” looks like a return to form for the iconic series. Bringing back David Koepp, the screenwriter for the original “Jurassic Park” and director Gareth Edwards who helmed the “Godzilla” reboot and “Rogue One,” this is sure to be a fresh take on the franchise. Featuring Scarlett Johannson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey, the star-studded “Jurassic World: Rebirth” opens in theaters July 2.
Thunderbolts*
After a string of disappointing releases, Marvel is putting it all on Fantastic Four in July, but before that, some of Marvel’s most iconic antiheroes will be taking the spotlight. “Thunderbolts*” is Marvel’s take on “Suicide Squad” and will give characters a chance to redeem themselves. Previously being relegated to Disney+ originals and post-credit scenes, Seinfeld-made Julia Louis-Dreyfus will finally be assembling her Avengers with The Winter Soldier and Almost Captain America Wyatt Russell. Starring Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh and David Harbor, “Thunderbolts*” will be the final film of the sixth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, releasing May 2.
How to Train Your Dragon
The live-action remakes of animated movies trend continues with DreamWorks throwing their hat in the ring. One-half of the original directing duo Dean DeBlois returns to the world of Berk with legendary cinematographer Bill Pope lending his talent. Along with veteran DeBlois, Gerard Butler will also be returning to portray the character he voiced in the original. With many scenes from the 2010 film being remade shot-for-shot in the trailer and multiple returning cast and crew, DreamWorks promises a faithful recreation of the fan-favorite animated classic. “How to Train Your Dragon” flies into theaters June 13.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
After the “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” trailer aired, star Tom Cruise introduced the Super Bowl in a dramatic sizzle reel of iconic moments from years past. One of the longest running action series in film, the potential final mission for Cruise’s Ethan Hunt looks to be his most dangerous. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” was originally a Part 2 to 2023’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning,” but the title was renamed to fit the higher stakes the marketing seems to be hinting at. Ending his almost 30 year stint with the character, Cruise’s swan song looks to be a thrilling and adrenaline-fueled action movie. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” kicks off the blockbuster season on May 23.
F1
What could be the most straight-forward title of all time, “F1” follows Brad Pitt as a Formula One driver who’s forced into retirement after a career-ending accident. With a reported budget of over $300 million, “F1” is looking to be one of the most expensive movies ever put to screen. Joseph Konsiski, who directed “Top Gun: Maverick” will be leading the project and Hans Zimmer composing the score. Akin to “Top Gun: Maverick,” the movie was “Filmed for IMAX” and will be released in IMAX theaters. Pitt (who is also credited as producer) is joined by Kerry Condon and academy award winner Javier Bardem. “F1” seems to be a spectacle taking full advantage of the big screen, racing into theaters June 25.
M3GAN 2.0
Newcomer horror icon M3GAN took over the pop culture zeitgeist in 2022, so it was only a matter of time before a sequel would make its way to audiences. The plot of the sequel follows the M3GAN AI reprogrammed to become a spy robot who eventually goes rogue and slashing hijinx ensues. The trailer was backed by Chappell Roan’s “feminionomenon” which confirmed that the sequel is doubling down on the ridiculousness of the first M3GAN. Jason Blum’s indie horror machine Blumhouse continues to pump out creative and fresh iterations of classic horror tropes. Blum and James Wan return as producers on the film along with Universal Pictures distributing. “M3GAN 2.0” unleashes in theaters June 27.
Smurfs
The crew of blue return in this musical reboot of the Smurfs. The cast is chock-full of stars with Rihanna in the forefront. Not only will she be voicing Smurfette, but she also served as a producer on the film and wrote new music for its soundtrack. This iteration of The Smurfs was directed by animation veteran Chris Miller, who worked with DreamWorks on storyboarding for the original “Shrek” movies, and directed 2011’s “Puss and Boots.” An enormous cast including, but not limited to: Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Kurt Russell and John Goodman, “Smurfs” is sure to turn heads when it opens July 18.
Lilo & Stitch
Much like the upcoming “How to Train Your Dragon”, “Lilo & Stitch” is again remaking an animated classic by directing duo DeBlois and Chris Sanders. Sanders will also be reprising his role as Stitch with his wonderfully goofy voice that has become synonymous with little blue aliens. Unlike DreamWorks, this is not Disney’s first attempt at live-action remakes and they are actually more likely to have started the trend in the first place. “Lilo & Stitch” starring Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen and Hannah Waddingham releases May 23.
Novocaine
Jack Quaid is on a winning streak of superhero-centric stories. Starring as main character Hughie in Amazon’s “The Boys,” to voicing Superman in the animated “My Adventures with Superman,” to now, where he plays the man who can’t feel pain, “Novocaine.” The film follows Quaids niche of a loser caught in the middle of larger-than-life superhero shenanigans after his girlfriend is kidnapped and he has to save her from a group of bank robbers. A somewhat generic sounding action movie plot mixed with an interesting premise spells something unique for “Novocaine.” Starring Jacob Batalon, Ray Nicholson and Betty Gabriel, “Novocaine” releases March 14.
