Sequels excite movie lovers by expanding beloved worlds. While standalone films spark curiosity, sequels deepen our connection to familiar stories and characters. This year, many popular franchises are releasing sequels that promise to attract audiences to theaters. Here is a shortlist:
28 Years Later
Releasing June 20th, 2025
A sequel to the 2002 film, 28 Days Later, and the 2007 film, 28 Weeks Later, Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later continues the brand of post-apocalyptic horror established by its predecessors. Nearly three decades after the rage virus escapes from a biological weapons lab, people are still living in a ruthless quarantine. While some people manage to survive, others fall victim to the infection, and in the midst of all of this, a mutation is discovered, which impacts both the infected and the survivors.
Jurassic World: Rebirth
Releasing July 4th, 2025
In a mission to secure genetic material from dinosaurs in an attempt to provide life-saving benefits for humanity, Zora Bennett leads a highly skilled team into the island research facility for the original Jurassic Park. As the mission continues, the risk gets higher, and a sinister discovery is made.
Superman
Releasing July 11th, 2025
Constantly navigating his two identities, Superman works to reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human childhood and upbringing with his adoptive family. As he fluctuates between being Superman and Clark Kent, he also must determine a way to keep his essence intact — his pursuit of truth and justice — in a world which seems to hold no value for it.
The Conjuring: Last Rites
Releasing September 5th, 2025
The fourth installment of the Conjuring franchise, The Conjuring: Last Rites follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they once again encounter mysterious entities they must confront. Four years after the last Conjuring film, this sequel is also set to be the supposed end to the Conjuring franchise, otherwise dubbed the Conjuring Universe.
Tron: Ares
Releasing October 10th, 2025
The third instalment of the Tron franchise, Tron: Ares takes on the advent of AI in today’s day and age. The titular Ares is a highly sophisticated program that is sent from the digital world into the human world — our world — on a dangerous mission, as mankind encounters AI beings for the very first time.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
November 14th, 2025
The Four Horsemen take to the silver screen once again in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the third film in the franchise. Along with a new generation of illusionists, the Four Horsemen try to take down a dangerous villain. Their plan will play out on screen with plenty of tricks, illusions, and of course, some cinema magic.
Zootopia 2
November 26th, 2025
Detective duo Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves once again investigating a mysterious case in Zootopia. As they pursue a new and mysterious reptile resident, the two go undercover in new parts of town. As the duo works on cracking the case, their friendship and partnership are tested at every turn.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Releasing December 12th, 2025
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the third instalment of the Knives Out franchise, a standalone sequel to Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. While little has been revealed about the mystery at hand, Daniel Craig returns to his role as Benoit Blanc as he takes on his most dangerous case yet.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Releasing December 19th, 2025
The third film of James Cameron’s Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash continues to explore the story of Pandora. Conflicts are on the rise as Jake and Neytiri’s family, already grappling with grief, encounters a new, aggressive Na’avi tribe, the Ash People. As of yet, Avatar: Fire and Ash stands in the middle of the five-part saga planned for the Avatar universe.
Words Ayushie Shahane
20.06.2025