The Big Picture: CinemaCon 2025
CinemaCon 2025 wasn’t just a celebration of movies—it was a statement. Held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, this year’s event delivered surprise reveals, long-awaited trailers, and franchise revivals across every major studio. Whether you’re a theater owner, a film fanatic, or somewhere in between, this is your front-row recap of the most significant theatrical updates.
And right at the heart of the conversation? The Ticket to Ride podcast, recorded live on stage by Screendollars, spotlights the role indie theaters continue to play in Hollywood’s ecosystem.
Day 1: Sony Kicks Things Off
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026) Tom Holland returns in a soft reboot that follows the aftermath of No Way Home. Titled “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” the film sets the stage for a new arc while leaving the door open to familiar faces.
The Beatles Biopics (April 2028) Director Sam Mendes is going bold: four standalone Beatles films, each told from the point of view of a different band member. Paul Mescal (Paul), Harris Dickinson (John), Barry Keoghan (Ringo), and Joseph Quinn (George) star. The films will be released weekly across April 2028.
Beyond the Spider-Verse (June 4, 2027). The animated trilogy wraps with Miles Morales on the run. No footage was shown, but fans welcomed the date reveal with open arms.
Karate Kid: Legends (May 30, 2025) Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio reprise their roles following the conclusion of Cobra Kai. An intergenerational martial arts saga is in store.
28 Years Later (June 20, 2025) and The Bone Temple (January 16, 2026), Danny Boyle returns with a tense, claustrophobic follow-up, while Nia DaCosta takes the reins for the sequel. Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes star.
Beneath the Storm (August 1, 2025) is A survival thriller produced by Adam McKay and directed by Tommy Wirkola, starring Phoebe Dynevor and Djimon Hounsou. Expect tension, grit, and unpredictable stakes.
Anaconda (December 25, 2025) A remake of the 1997 creature feature with Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Thandiwe Newton, and Steve Zahn. It drops on Christmas Day.
GOAT (February 13, 2026) Stephen Curry produces this animated sports comedy, set to launch alongside NBA All-Star Weekend.
Day 2: Lionsgate and Warner Bros. Bring the Heat
John Wick 5, Animated Prequel, and Ballerina (June 6, 2025): Keanu Reeves is back for more high-stakes action. Ana de Armas stars in the spin-off Ballerina, with extended footage showing what may be the most intense one-on-one fight ever filmed. An animated prequel is also in the works.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20, 2026). This prequel follows a young Haymitch during the deadly 50th Hunger Games. Footage teased a new volcanic arena transforming into a snake.
Michael (October 3, 2025). Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this Michael Jackson biopic stars Jaafar Jackson and will feature over 30 songs. It promises an in-depth, complex look at the icon’s life.
Superman (July 11, 2025) James Gunn reboots the franchise with David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult. Themes of hope, humanity, and Krypto the Superdog take center stage.
Final Destination: Bloodlines (May 16, 2025:) Death by MRI? One of the franchise’s most brutal set pieces yet.
Weapons (August 8, 2025) Directed by Zach Cregger (Barbarian), this horror entry teases possession, vanishings, and something sinister in the woods.
One Battle After Another (September 26, 2025) Paul Thomas Anderson directs Leonardo DiCaprio and Regina Hall in a politically charged epic. A breakdown scene shown at CinemaCon stunned audiences.
The Bride! (March 6, 2026) Maggie Gyllenhaal remixes “Bride of Frankenstein” with Jessie Buckley in a genre-blending take that fuses monster lore, romance, and punk rock energy.
The Cat in the Hat (February 27, 2026) Bill Hader headlines this reboot as part of Warner Bros.’ push into animated theatrical releases. It’s the first of five family-friendly features in development.
Day 3: Universal, Amazon, MGM, and Disney Close Out Strong
Wicked: For Good (November 21, 2025) Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return, with new footage revealing a complex relationship between Elphaba, Glinda, and the introduction of Dorothy.
Jurassic World: Rebirth (July 2, 2025) Scarlett Johansson leads a reboot of the iconic franchise, featuring a new island, new species, and a mosasaur-led water chase.
How to Train Your Dragon (June 13, 2025) Dean DeBlois returns to direct the live-action adaptation. The full film was screened and received a standing ovation.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (December 5, 2025) Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return in a teaser filled with animatronic chaos.
M3GAN 2.0 (May 2025) Footage shows M3GAN facing off against a rival bot with upgrades that are both terrifying and hilarious.
Amazon/MGM Studios: A Bold Theatrical Push
Project Hail Mary (March 20, 202,6) Ryan Gosling plays a teacher-turned-astronaut waking up in deep space with no memory. Directed by Lord & Miller, the trailer hinted at emotional weight and visual spectacle. Early Oscar buzz surrounds both the film and Gosling.
The Accountant 2 (April 25, 2026) Ben Affleck returns, now joined by Jon Bernthal. Gavin O’Connor directs this character-driven sequel, leaning into intense action and sibling dynamics.
Masters of the Universe (June 5, 20,26) Nicholas Galitzine stars as He-Man opposite Jared Leto’s Skeletor. Behind-the-scenes footage revealed a loyal recreation of the original series.
Crime 101: Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry headline a stylish heist thriller. No footage yet, but both stars spoke passionately about the film’s tension and character dynamics.
Mercy (January 23, 2,026) Chris Pratt races against the clock to prove his innocence before a dystopian AI justice system executes him. Rebecca Ferguson plays the digital judge.
After the Hunt (October 17, 2025) is an anthology film by Luca Guadagnino, featuring Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri. The teaser teased emotional range and sharp visual storytelling. God Is a Woman, Janelle Monáe, and Sterling K. Brown lead this genre-blending revenge story that fuses Greek tragedy and spaghetti western—a bold adaptation of Aleshea Harris’s stage play.
Verity (May 2026) Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Josh Hartnett headline this Colleen Hoover adaptation. Footage teased a dark, layered thriller steeped in manipulation and obsession.
Paramount: Cruise, Chaos & Crowd Favorites
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (May 23, 2025). Tom Cruise introduced the final installment with a heartfelt tribute to Val Kilmer. The crowd gave him the loudest applause of the week. He also honored Christopher McQuarrie with the CinemaCon Director’s Award.
The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright, is a reimagining that stars Glen Powell and Josh Brolin. The extended scene previewed satirical world-building and physical intensity.
The Naked Gun: Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson star in this reboot that stays faithful to the original’s sight-gag style. The crowd laughed loudly and often.
Roofman Channing Tatum stars as a serial McDonald’s bandit in a crime dramedy based on real events. It balances ambition with absurdity.
Smurfs (July 18, 2025) Rihanna voices a new Smurf in this animated reboot, aiming for vibrant visuals and wide demographic appeal.
SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (December 19, 2025) Mark Hamill lends his voice to this underwater adventure, packed with surreal visuals and familiar characters.
Scary Movie Reboot (June 6, 2025) The classic parody franchise returns. Footage suggests it still has sharp timing and broad laughs.
G.I. Joe x Transformers (2027) Confirmed: Paramount is merging these two Hasbro properties into a shared cinematic universe.
Disney: Star Power and Legacy Revivals
The Fantastic Four (July 25, 2025). Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are Marvel’s new first family. No footage, but the casting alone drew big cheers.
Thunderbolts (May 2, 2025) Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus return in this morally complex Marvel ensemble. Concept art hinted at a darker tone.
Freakier Friday (August 8, 2025) Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return for more body-swap chaos, joined by a younger generation. Early footage was met with genuine laughs.
Zootopia 2 (November 26, 2025): Ke Huy Quan and Quinta Brunson join the cast. Expect timely themes and sharp wit, in line with the first film.
Elio (June 20, 2025), Pixar’s upcoming original film, follows a boy who accidentally becomes Earth’s ambassador to a galaxy of aliens. Ten minutes of footage received a glowing response.
The Amateur (April 11, 2025) Rami Malek leads a grounded spy thriller from James Hawes. Co-stars include Rachel Brosnahan and Laurence Fishburne. Footage promises a cerebral approach to espionage.
Screendollars Spotlight: Ticket to Ride Goes Live
The heart of the event wasn’t just trailers—it was a conversation. Recorded live at Caesars Palace, the Ticket to Ride podcast brought together Thaddeus Bouchard (Screendollars), Paul Dergarabedian (Comscore), and Mike Polydoros (PaperAirplane), along with Michael O’Leary and Colleen Barstow of Cinema United.
The panel focused on the enduring strength of community theaters and why independent exhibitors remain vital to the cinematic experience. Stream the episode now wherever you get your podcasts.
Final Thoughts
CinemaCon 2025 reminded us what movies look like when everyone, from studios to showrunners to theater owners, believes in the magic of the big screen. With bold swings, fresh ideas, and plenty of familiar faces returning, one thing is certain: the theatrical experience isn’t going anywhere.
Stay with Screendollars for more recaps, interviews, and deep dives into the world of film.
