Disney movies in 2025 everyone’s buzzing about

Get ready for Disney’s most-awaited lineup

2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling year for Disney fans, with a stacked release calendar crossing animation, live-action reimaginings, Marvel adventures, and even some prestige drama.

From long-awaited sequels and nostalgic reboots to brand-new franchises and daring storytelling experiments, Disney and its sister studios are delivering something for everyone.

Whether you’re in for animated heart or high-stakes heroics, this year’s offerings are not to be missed.

Snow White

Walt Disney Pictures reimagined its very first princess tale with Snow White, which released on March 21, 2025. This live-action adaptation starred Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, blending nostalgic fantasy with fresh musical numbers.

Directed by Marc Webb, the film modernized the original story’s themes while delivering classic Disney magic. Audiences were drawn in by the visual splendor and emotional depth of this updated take on a beloved classic.

Thunderbolts*

Marvel Studios unleashed Thunderbolts* on May 2, 2025, bringing together a team of reformed villains and antiheroes. The ensemble includes Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, and Wyatt Russell’s U.S. Agent, among others.

This darker, edgier Marvel film aims to explore blurred moral lines and team dynamics in the wake of Captain America: Brave New World which released this year on Valentines day. Directed by Jake Schreier, it’s a major pivot in tone for the MCU that fans won’t want to miss.

Elio

Pixar stepped into the stars with Elio, launching June 20, 2025. This original animated feature tells the story of an imaginative boy accidentally abducted by aliens who believe he’s Earth’s ambassador.

It’s a coming-of-age sci-fi comedy with heart and interstellar misadventures, directed by Adrian Molina. Pixar promises dazzling visuals and emotional resonance, continuing its tradition of innovative storytelling.

Elio’s journey to define himself on a cosmic scale marks Pixar’s most daring concept in years.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

On July 25, 2025, Marvel Studios finally brought The Fantastic Four: First Steps into the MCU. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the beloved super-family.

Rather than an origin story, it drops the characters into an already-lived world, teasing a fresh take with rich world-building. With cosmic stakes and emotional roots, this film marks a turning point for Phase 6.

Lilo & Stitch

Walt Disney Pictures introduced a live-action Lilo & Stitch on May 23, 2025. Set in Hawaii, this heartfelt remake follows young Lilo and her misfit alien companion Stitch as they redefine family and belonging.

The film combines live-action and CGI to reimagine the 2002 animated classic, while maintaining its emotional weight and humor. A tropical, vibrant aesthetic with deeper character development and contemporary cultural awareness woven into this fan-favorite tale of ohana.

Freakier Friday

On August 8, 2025, Freakier Friday turned the body-swap chaos up a notch. This long-awaited sequel reunited Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, reprising their iconic mother-daughter roles from the 2003 hit.

Directed by Nisha Ganatra, the story explores what happens when generational roles shift yet again, this time with new family members involved.

The updated twist reflects today’s more complicated relationships, with humor, heart, and multigenerational mischief at the core of this fresh comedic collision.

Tron: Ares

Tron: Ares races into theaters October 10, 2025, introducing Jared Leto as a digital entity crossing into the real world. Directed by Joachim Rønning, the film expands the digital frontier with an evolved aesthetic and cutting-edge visuals.

As a continuation of the Tron legacy, it explores AI autonomy, identity, and the blurring lines between creator and creation. With new tech and a philosophical edge, Tron: Ares sets the stage for a bold sci-fi rebirth.

Predator: Badlands

Predator: Badlands stalks theaters on November 7, 2025, from 20th Century Studios. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, this new standalone story is set in the American Southwest, far removed from previous installments.

With a fresh cast and a more horror-rooted tone, Badlands emphasizes survival and suspense over spectacle, promising to reinvigorate the franchise through grounded storytelling and atmospheric tension.

Zootopia 2

On November 26, 2025, Zootopia 2 speeds into theaters co-presented by Walt Disney Animation Studios. This sequel takes Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde beyond the city, exploring new districts and confronting evolving social dynamics.

The film broadens its satire with sharper humor and timely themes around trust, change, and interspecies cooperation.

Visually rich and story-driven, it introduces memorable new characters while expanding on the buddy-cop charm that made the original a cultural touchstone.

Sea Lions of the Galapagos

The Disneynature movie, Sea Lions of the Galapagos, arrived on April 22, 2025. This oceanic documentary invites audiences into the lives of these playful, resilient animals navigating one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth.

Featuring stunning real-world cinematography and a narration-driven storyline, the film balances intimate family moments with ecological urgency.

It continues Disneynature’s mission to inspire awareness and conservation by turning the wild into a personal, emotional journey on the big screen.

The Amateur

The Amateur landed in theaters on April 11, 2025, from 20th Century Studios. This gripping thriller stars Rami Malek as a CIA cryptographer thrust into action after a devastating personal loss.

Directed by James Hawes, the film blends espionage tension with psychological unraveling as one man takes justice into his own hands.

The narrative’s cerebral focus and Malek’s intensity promise a grounded, edge-of-your-seat spy tale rooted more in character stakes than blockbuster flair.

Deliver Me From Nowhere

Set for an October 24, 2025, release, Deliver Me From Nowhere is a dramatic chronicle of Bruce Springsteen’s creative process while crafting his landmark album Nebraska.

Directed by Scott Cooper, the film stars Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen, with Paul Walter Hauser, Odessa Young, and Stephen Graham in supporting roles. The movie aims to capture the emotional vulnerability and stark vision behind a musical turning point.

Swiped

Coming to Hulu in 2025, Swiped tells the real-life story of Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, played by Lily James. Directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, the film traces Wolfe Herd’s journey from co-founding Tinder to building a feminist tech empire.

It examines gender politics in Silicon Valley, digital dating culture, and the resilience of a young entrepreneur pushing against toxic norms.

The Roses

Searchlight Pictures bloomed with The Roses on August 29, 2025. This darkly comedic film follows a wealthy family unraveling amid generational shifts, secrets, and scandal.

With an ensemble cast and razor-sharp dialogue, the movie is described as a modern-day satire of legacy, privilege, and dysfunction. It’s a bold entry for late summer, combining upscale aesthetics with emotionally raw storytelling.

Ella McCay

Ella McCay makes its debut on December 12, 2025, via 20th Century Studios. Directed by James L. Brooks, the film stars Emma Mackey as a young political leader balancing personal conviction with public responsibility.

Described as a heartfelt drama with comedic undertones, it marks Brooks’ return to form and explores modern politics through a compassionate, character-driven lens. With a stacked cast and nuanced script, Ella McCay is poised to stand out as a smart, timely reflection on leadership.

A Very Jonas Christmas

The Jonas Brothers are reuniting on-screen for A Very Jonas Christmas, a Disney+ original movie premiering during the 2025 holiday season.

It marks a full-circle moment since their Disney Channel debut on Hannah Montana. The festive film follows the trio’s snowy adventure from London to New York, filled with laughs, mishaps, and brotherly banter.

The movie arrives alongside their new album Greetings from Your Hometown and 20th anniversary tour, JONAS20: LIVING THE DREAM as Disney welcomes Jonas Brothers for holiday comedy.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

James Cameron returns with Avatar: Fire and Ash, hitting theaters December 19, 2025. This installment delves deeper into the Metkayina clan’s legacy while introducing new biomes of Pandora.

The plot intensifies with internal Na’vi conflicts and a darker turn in the RDA’s strategy. As always, expect groundbreaking visuals, ecological themes, and immersive storytelling.

This film acts as a crucial midpoint in the saga, as Avatar 3: Fire and Ash unleased the new tribes laying emotional and narrative groundwork for the epic final chapters ahead.

With so much at stake, what are your theories for Pandora’s future? Share your predictions in the comments and leave a thumbs up.

Read More From This Brand:

• Disney “Afraid” Amid Snow White Premiere Pivot
• Disney Faces $10B Lawsuit Over Moana 2
• Disney Reaches $2B Domestic Box Office Milestone

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.