CinemaCon 2025 blasted theater owners and attendees away as studios, like Walt Disney, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Sony, and Lionsgate showcased what’s to come. Though audiences have already been shown a future slate of what else is releasing in theaters this year and 2026, there are a few notable films that you should be watching.
Here’s a few picks from this year’s CinemaCon that everyone should be keeping a lookout for!
1. How To Train Your Dragon (Universal Pictures)
CinemaCon 2025 attendees were treated to a full showing of Universal Pictures’ live-action adaptation of How To Train Your Dragon to celebratory praise. Given the pre-release reactions, as well as the announcement of a sequel in the works, Dean DeBlois’ upcoming take is one that many should be anticipating ahead of its release on June 13, 2025.
The film, starring The Black Phone’s Mason Thames and Nico Parker, re-imagines Dreamworks’ iconic animated film for a live-action realm. Though it follows the narrative of uniting man and dragon together, this new take on How To Train Your Dragon stays incredibly faithful to what makes the animated original movie work.
2. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (Sony Pictures)
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is a ride-or-die for Sony Pictures’ animated Spider-Man world given how it’s the finale of this film series. Given how popular this take on Miles Morales’ multiversal adventure has been, this film will undoubtedly make a lasting impact for Marvel fans. This feels especially with its closeness to Avengers: Secret Wars, with this film releasing on June 4, 2027.
The film will see Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) fighting for his universe’s survival against the Spot (Jason Schwartzman). With the help of his friends, including Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and more, Miles will have to do everything he can to save the Spider-Verse.
3. Masters of the Universe (Amazon MGM Studios)
While no one expected Masters of the Universe at all, it made a shock when footage was showcased at this year’s CinemaCon. With a sizzle reel showcasing Red, White, & Royal Blue’s Nicholas Galitzine working hard, the Sword of Power and more, this film, releasing on June 5, 2026, will have much to offer.
Additionally, Jared Leto, Camila Mendes, and Idris Elba are also set to start alongside Galitzine. With such a stacked cast for a film based on Hasbro’s iconic toys as well, this modern live-action adaptation has high expectations placed upon it.
4. John Wick Chapter 5 (Lionsgate)
Given John Wick: Chapter 4’s ending, everyone thought that it would be the end for Keanu Reeves’ hardened assassin. Though the world of John Wick is being explored through Ballerina and Donnie Yen’s spin-off, no one knows how Lionsgate will bring Wick back from the grave. However, if there’s one thing for certain: never count Reeves out.
While the film has gone through several iterations, Chad Stahelski promised that John Wick: Chapter 5 would be a separate story. As the film is still currently in development, it’s likely that fans could see a new side in John Wick’s character we still have yet to see.
5. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (Lionsgate)
Suzanne Collins knows how to create a compelling story and she’s continued to do so through the world of The Hunger Games. Though fans got a taste of what it was like before Katniss Everdeen’s rise with Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, fans will see how Haymitch got involved with this film in November 2026.
Though it still remains to be seen who will be playing the younger Haymitch, it’s certain that everyone is excited to see Collins’s world come to life again. Given how recent Collins’ book came out very recently, Hunger Games fans are already wanting this adaptation to come sooner than expected.
6. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (Universal Pictures)
As the video game-to-big screen renaissance continues, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 will finally bring fans the long-awaited return of Scott Cawthon’s killer animatronics. Though the film will include the second iteration of Freddy Fazbear and friends, the film’s story will have a huge diversion from what fans know about the second game.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 will see the return of Mike Schmidt (Josh Hutcherson), his sister Abby (Piper Rubio), and Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) as they’re forced to survive another murderous rampage from William Afton (Matthew Lillard). In addition, Wayne Knight, Mckenna Grace, and Teo Briones are also set to join this exciting sequel.
7. Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Sony Pictures)
The next installment in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man film series was recently unveiled as Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Though little is known about it so far, aside from Sadie Sink’s involvement, it’s very likely that this sequel to the MCU Spider-Man films will follow Dan Slott, Marc Guggenheim, Bob Gale, and Zeb Wells’ original comic.
While the film is set to release on July 31, 2026, MCU fans are wondering how Brand New Day will connect to the larger universe given Secret Wars. Though that’s yet to be discovered, at least fans will see Holland’s web-slinging hero return once again.
8. James Gunn’s Superman (Warner Bros.)
To say that James Gunn’s Superman will make or break the DCU is an understatement. Though the success of Creature Commandos and Peacemaker solidified Gunn’s position as DC Studios’ creative head, Superman is a whole different challenge. However, we’ve only seen brief glimpses of the film, which offers a return to the upbringing of the Man of Steel.
The film itself also features several other characters, like Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced). However, with the film’s focus placed on the tension between Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and Superman (David Corenswet), Gunn’s take has a clear vision of what else the DCU will offer.
9. The Fantastic Four: The First Steps (Walt Disney Studios)
The Fantastic Four: The First Steps will forever change the level of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only does this mark the first time the Fantastic Four have been all together on screen since 2015’s Fantastic Four, but also the film without any connection to any prior MCU project. As such, this film certainly feels like a landmark for Marvel Studios.
The film will see Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, as Marvel’s first family as they face off against the Eater of Worlds, Galactus. With the film releasing on July 25, 2025, Marvel fans will certainly get a new taste of what Phase Six will have to show.
10. Avatar: Fire and Ash (Walt Disney Studios)
James Cameron’s Avatar series has forever changed the entertainment industry for the better and Avatar: Fire and Ash will test it further. This time, with Cameron setting out to explore new sides of the Na’vi not seen before and experimenting with new VFX, Fire and Ash will truly prove to audiences that this sci-fi action-adventure story about love and sacrifice is one for the books.
With Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and more returning and coming into Avatar: Fire and Ash for the first time, this film serves as another landmark for the film world. Cameron has already proven he’s a game changer, but Fire and Ash, releasing December 19, 2025, will see if what’s new in Pandora can work.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.