Superman, already burdened with the weight of world-saving, now finds himself tasked with reviving the summer movie season. This Herculean effort isn’t his alone, as Marvel Studios also makes a significant return to cinemas with “Thunderbolts” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Despite the film industry facing immense challenges over the past five years, starting with the halt instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic and further troubles from industry strikes, it still struggles to regain its former vigor. Although some critics argue that the superhero genre is overdone, it’s evident that these films remain crucial, especially after a few summers with fewer blockbuster releases.
However, a thriving movie market requires more than just superheroes, and studios are catering to diverse audiences this year. There is an impressive lineup of over 40 wide releases across various genres. “This is the summer where all this product that we’ve all been working on for the last few years is finally coming into the marketplace, so I’m very optimistic,” expresses director Joseph Kosinski, who has been working on his film “F1” featuring Brad Pitt.
The summer 2025 film slate is packed with exciting options.
Hollywood’s summer kicks off the first weekend of May, a pivotal period that historically contributes about 40% to the annual box office revenue. After the previous year’s disruptions, Disney reclaims this prime weekend with “Thunderbolts.” Memorial Day weekend may also hold immense potential with premiers such as the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” and “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” With new installments like “Jurassic World,” “How to Train Your Dragon” in live-action, and a Formula One-themed film scheduled throughout June and July, this summer could become the most significant since the pandemic.
The variety doesn’t end with blockbusters. Moviegoers can anticipate family films like “Smurfs” and “Elio,” action-packed tales such as “Ballerina” and “The Karate Kid: Legends,” and spine-chilling horrors including “28 Years Later,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” and “M3GAN 2.0.” Romance lovers will find options like “Materialists” and “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life,” while drama enthusiasts can explore “Sorry, Baby” and “The Life of Chuck.” Wes Anderson fans can also look forward to “The Phonecian Scheme,” alongside comedies such as “Freakier Friday,” “Bride Hard,” and “The Naked Gun.”
Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, refers to the lineup as a “blueprint of a perfect summer.” Directors are equally optimistic, with “Thunderbolts” director Jake Schreier dubbing the movie “a fun twist on what a movie like this could be.” Meanwhile, “Superman” director James Gunn highlights the film as a “personal journey for Superman,” enriched with elements like flying dogs and robots. Matt Shakman, steering “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” emphasizes the importance of character, relationships, heart, and humor in storytelling, even in large-scale productions.
Gareth Edwards, directing “Jurassic World Rebirth,” acknowledges the pressure to meet fan expectations, especially honoring Steven Spielberg’s legacy. “Weirdly what’s great about doing a Jurassic movie is that everybody knows deep down that like half the reason they’re in this business is because of that film and Steven’s work,” he muses.
Why could 2025 be a breakout year for cinema?
Prior to the pandemic, almost every summer since 2007 saw box office takings surpass $4 billion. Since 2020, only 2023 reached that milestone, with “Barbie” leading the resurgence. Interestingly, an unstable economy might boost moviegoing habits, as even with rising ticket prices, films remain the most budget-friendly out-of-home entertainment. Historically, cinema attendance often spikes during economic recessions, with the domestic box office first crossing the $10 billion threshold in 2009.
“By the end of this summer, hopefully people aren’t talking about being in a funk anymore and it feels like we got our mojo back and we’re off to the races,” concludes Joseph Kosinski, who also directed the pandemic-era sensation “Top Gun: Maverick.”