Cinema enthusiasts across the USA and UK have plenty to look forward to as the year unfolds with an extraordinary lineup of blockbuster releases and prestigious award ceremonies. From highly anticipated sequels to groundbreaking original films, the global movie landscape promises excitement, entertainment, and artistic excellence throughout the coming months.
Hollywood’s Most Anticipated Releases
The slate of upcoming movies from Hollywood studios showcases an impressive mix of franchise continuations, innovative storytelling, and star-studded productions that are generating significant buzz among moviegoers. These new movie releases promise to deliver unforgettable cinema experiences across multiple genres.
James Cameron returns to his visually stunning world with Avatar: Fire and Ash, scheduled for December 19, 2025. This third installment in the groundbreaking franchise introduces audiences to the Ash People, a new tribe of Na’vi who represent fire and present a darker, more challenging perspective than previous films. With returning stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Sigourney Weaver, alongside newcomers Michelle Yeoh and Oona Chaplin, the film explores new biomes on Pandora whilst deepening the mythology of this spectacular universe. Following the massive success of The Way of Water, expectations are sky-high for this next chapter in Cameron’s ambitious saga.
Animation fans will rejoice with the return of beloved characters in Zootopia 2, where rabbit police officer Judy Hopps and fox detective Nick Wilde reunite for what promises to be their most perilous case yet. The original film captured hearts worldwide and generated over a billion dollars at the global box office, making this sequel one of the most eagerly awaited animated features of the year.
Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery arrives on Netflix December 12, following a limited theatrical release starting November 26. Daniel Craig returns as the charismatic detective Benoit Blanc, joined by an exceptional ensemble cast including Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Cailee Spaeny, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, and Thomas Haden Church. Early glimpses suggest this mystery involves religious figures and questions of faith, promising the clever plotting and sharp wit that made the previous Knives Out films such delights.
Josh Safdie directs the intriguing Marty Supreme, an A24 production starring Timothée Chalamet as legendary ping-pong player Marty Reisman. This biographical drama marks Chalamet’s second major release following his acclaimed performance in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. The supporting cast features Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler The Creator, Odessa A’zion, and Fran Drescher in what promises to be an unconventional sports story told with Safdie’s distinctive visual style.
Paul Feig brings psychological thriller elements to Christmas Day with The Housemaid, adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel. Sydney Sweeney stars as a struggling woman who accepts employment as a housemaid for an affluent couple portrayed by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. As she settles into her new role, disturbing secrets begin to surface, transforming this domestic setting into something far more sinister.
Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly pairs George Clooney and Adam Sandler in a thoughtful dramedy about a famous movie star and his loyal manager embarking on a European press tour. The film examines the choices that have shaped both their lives, delivering what critics have praised as a funny, bittersweet, and contemplative character study. Laura Dern rounds out the principal cast in this December release.
UK Cinema Highlights
British cinema continues to demonstrate its creative vitality with several compelling productions that showcase the nation’s storytelling prowess. Danny Boyle reunites with writer Alex Garland for 28 Years Later, the long-awaited third installment in the celebrated zombie apocalypse series. This return to the franchise that began with 28 Days Later explores survivors living on a small island decades after the rage virus outbreak, examining how both the infected and uninfected have evolved in the intervening years.
Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths offers a characteristically incisive examination of contemporary British life through the story of Pansy, portrayed by Marianne Jean-Baptiste from Secrets & Lies. This London-set drama explores post-pandemic anxieties and family dysfunction with Leigh’s trademark blend of sharp observation and deep empathy for flawed human beings.
Aneil Karia brings a fresh perspective to Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy with Hamlet, featuring Riz Ahmed in the title role and Morfydd Clark as Ophelia. This production reunites Karia with Ahmed following their Oscar-winning short film The Long Goodbye, promising a contemporary interpretation of the classic Danish prince’s story.
The beloved Paddington franchise continues its success with ongoing releases that have captured both British hearts and international audiences. These family-friendly adventures maintain their charm whilst introducing new generations to literature’s most famous marmalade-loving bear.
The Awards Season Landscape
The 2025 awards season has already delivered memorable moments and celebrated exceptional cinematic achievements. The 78th British Academy Film Awards ceremony took place on February 16 at London’s Royal Festival Hall, with Conclave and The Brutalist each securing four awards. Conclave triumphed in major categories, including Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing, whilst The Brutalist equally dominated its nominated categories.
Emilia Pérez, the Spanish-language musical crime drama, generated significant attention with eleven BAFTA nominations, ultimately winning Film Not in the English Language and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña’s powerful performance. Saldaña’s success continued throughout awards season, with additional victories at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globes, and Academy Awards, solidifying her position as one of cinema’s most accomplished performers.
Adrien Brody’s portrayal in The Pianist earned him Best Actor honours at both the BAFTAs and Oscars, marking his second Academy Award win and establishing him among the elite actors with a perfect Oscar record. Kieran Culkin achieved a rare quadruple victory for his supporting role in A Real Pain, collecting awards from SAG, the Golden Globes, the Oscars, and BAFTAs. Mikey Madison’s breakthrough performance in Anora earned her both BAFTA and Oscar recognition at just 25 years old, signaling the arrival of a major new talent.
The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026, providing an extended awards season timeline compared to previous years. This adjusted calendar allows greater opportunity for audiences to discover nominated films and for industry professionals to celebrate cinematic excellence across all categories.
Looking Ahead
As we progress through the calendar, movie lovers across the USA and UK can anticipate an exceptional array of entertainment options. Hollywood’s upcoming films range from massive franchise entries to intimate character studies, whilst British cinema continues producing work that resonates internationally. The combination of blockbuster spectacle, innovative storytelling, and award-worthy performances ensures that cinema remains a vital cultural force.
Whether you’re drawn to the visual splendor of Avatar’s Pandora, the mystery-solving brilliance of Benoit Blanc, the dystopian thrills of zombie-ravaged Britain, or the nuanced character work being recognized during awards season, there’s something extraordinary waiting on cinema screens. These upcoming movies represent the best of contemporary filmmaking, demonstrating why audiences continue choosing the theatrical experience for stories that move, entertain, and inspire.
The convergence of commercial entertainment and artistic achievement makes this an exciting time for cinema enthusiasts. As streaming services and theatrical releases coexist in the modern landscape, quality storytelling remains paramount, with filmmakers pushing creative boundaries whilst honouring the traditions that have made cinema such an enduring art form. For fans of new movie releases, the months ahead promise unforgettable experiences that remind us why we fell in love with movies in the first place.