Get ready for an avalanche of new movies, everyone, because 2025 is going to deliver a whole heap of them. From highly anticipated comic book films including James Gunn's Superman movie and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, to indie hits and horrors aplenty, there'll be lots to enjoy on the big screen this year.
The world's biggest studios aren't hanging about when it comes to new releases, either. Indeed, there are three new movies for UK audiences to check out this weekend (January 4 and 5), while Australian viewers can treat themselves to seeing Paddington in Peru. Live in the US? You'll have to make do with one of late 2024's big hitters, such as Nosferatu or Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
We'll be updating this article with many more films in the weeks ahead, so this list isn't an exhaustive one yet. Rest assured, though, you'll know all about the most exciting big-screen entertainment fare in due course. In the meantime, read on to learn more about the films that are due out in January.
New movies: January
Nosferatu
Release date: out now (worldwide)
An unusual time of year for a gothic horror film, but Christmas Day will be the first time that viewers (in the US, anyway) will likely be terrified by director Robert Egger's reimagining of Bram Stoker's Dracula novel.
Nosferatu stars Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, a young woman who the vampiric Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard) becomes infatuated with. As Orlok's obsession grows ever stronger, he begins to leave untold horrors in his wake, leading Hutter and her husband Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) to seek the aid of any and all scientists, bounty hunters, and other individuals who'll stop the terrifying supernatural blood-sucker from tracking her down. Expect this one to be a big hit before 2024 ends, especially in light of its 92% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes.
2073
Release date: out now (US and UK); TBC (Australia)
Described as a "visionary documentary" from celebrated and award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, 2073 blends archival footage with a fictional sci-fi drama tale to warn us for the umpteenth time about the biggest challenges facing humanity and planet Earth as a whole.
With mixed reviews from critics (it currently holds a supremely average 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), 2073 doesn't sound as engaging or innovative as it could be. Still, if you haven't had your fill of harbinger-worthy storytelling and factual information dumps, it might be worth catching in a theater near you.
We Live in Time
Release date: out now (US and UK); January 16 (Australia)
Two of the UK's brightest acting talents in Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield star in this A24 dramady that'll aim to make you laugh, cry, and maybe even re-evaluate your own life. In it, the pair play Almut and Tobias, whose paths cross after a chance encounter, end up falling in love, and then deal with some absolutely devastating moments that truly put their relationship to the test.
Almost three months after its initial US release, We Live in Time is finally out in the UK and, while its Rotten Tomatoes scores weren't strong enough to book it a full spot on our 52 best movies of 2024 list, it's still another emotional rollercoaster of the flick from indie darling studio A24. Catch it ASAP.
Companion
Release date: January 9 (Australia); January 31 (US and UK)
A pre-Valentine's Day psychological thriller that'll make you think twice about throwing yourself into your next romantic relationship. Companion stars Heretic's Sophie Thatcher and The Boys' Jack Quaid as Iris and Josh – singletons who, judging by Companion's trailer, soon get more than they bargained for during a weekend trip to a billionaire's lakeside estate.
Little else is known about this movie's plot, so expect plenty of twists, turns, and backstabbing (literal and metaphorical) to take center stage upon release.
Conclave
Release date: out now (US and UK); January 9 (Australia)
From Edward Berger, director of Netflix's harrowing war flick All Quiet on the Western Front, this religious conspiracy thriller – based on Robert Harris' book of the same name – sees Ralph Fiennes play Cardinal Lawrence, who leads the Catholic Church's search for a new Pope when the current incumbent dies. The covert process is made all the more difficult, however, by a power struggle within the Vatican, as well as an unsettling discovery Cardinal Lawrence makes.
With a strong supporting cast including Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow, and Stanley Tucci among its ranks, and a 93% critical Rotten Tomatoes rating, Conclave is a must-see religion-based mystery thriller that'll keep you guessing throughout its two-hour runtime.
Babygirl
Release date: out now (US); January 10 (UK); January 30 (Australia)
The second A24 film that'll debut in UK and Australian cinemas this month, Babygirl is yet another romance-laced thriller that'll aim to seduce and unsettle viewers. In it, Nicole Kidman plays a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins having a steamy affair with a young, domineering intern.
Critics have enjoyed one of January's new movies more than general audiences have (according to Rotten Tomatoes, anyway), but maybe it'll have enough about it to intoxicate film buffs outside of the US in the weeks ahead.
A Real Pain
Release date: out now (US and Australia); January 10 (UK)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Batman v Superman) and Kieran Culkin (Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Succession) team up in this Eisenberg-directed comedy-drama that drew plenty of praise the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. In it, the pair play mismatched cousins who reunite to embark on an awkward tour of Poland in honor of their recently deceased grandmother.
Unfortunately for UK and Australian viewers, A Real Pain will arrive after much later than its US debut, so those of us who don't live stateside have got a lengthy wait on our hands. Still, its official trailer makes it look really good, and its 95% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating confirms it is, too. In short: this is one of those new movies that may be worth the wait.
Paddington in Peru
Release date: out now (UK and Australia); January 17 (US)
The first two Paddington movies are some of the best family movies we've seen in a long, long time. The debuting of the third movie's trailer and confirmation of its release dates (sorry, US and Australia, you've got a longer than expected wait on your hands), then, has been met with celebratory marmalade sandwiches among the movie series' global fanbase.
Unsurprisingly, Paddington In Peru sees the titular bear return to his homeland – with the Brown family in tow – to visit in Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton). However, upon arriving in the South American nation, the group learn that Lucy has gone missing in the Peruvian jungle. Cue a riotously fun quest to find out where she's gone. A movie that's not as good as its predecessors but, with a 92% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's one that's still absolutely worth seeing.
Wolf Man
Release date: January 16 (Australia); Janaury 17 (US and UK)
Leigh Whannell's modern retelling of The Invisible Man was a surprise hit upon release in 2020, and he'll aim to replicate that success with his second horror film reimagining with this month's Wolf Man.
Starring Ozark alumnus Julia Garner and Girls' Christopher Abbott, the mid-budget supernatural horror flick sees the pair play Charlotte and Blake, a married couple and parents to Ginger who relocate to Oregon from San Francisco. Not long after settling into their new surroundings, though, Blake is attacked and injured by a werewolf. Cue a slow and horrifying transformation for Blake, and a fight for survival for Charlotte and Ginger against the man who was sworn to protect them at all costs.
A Complete Unknown
Release date: out now (US); January 17 (UK); January 22 (Australia)
Timothée Chalamet will aim to pick up his first Academy Award with A Complete Unknown, the forthcoming biographical drama that charts the rise of (and at-the-time musical controversies surrounding) legendary musician Bob Dylan in 1960s America. Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, and Scoot McNairy are among its starry cast.
After his latest film – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – flopped at the box office last year, James Mangold will hope to rebuild his reputation with a flick that feels like a shoo-in for multiple nominations on the 2025 awards circuit. Its 74% Rotten Tomatoes critical score, though, suggests it may not be a multi-award nominated flick.
Better Man
Release date: out now (UK and Australia); January 17 (US)
A biopic unlike you've ever seen before, Better Man will tell the extraordinary story of UK popstar Robbie Williams. From his meteoric rise as a member of '90s boyband Take That, to his playboy lifestyle and fall from grace, and then his career resurrection, this flick from The Greatest Showman filmmaker Michael Gracey is one that Williams fans won't want to miss.
Okay, so what's the catch? Rather than hire an A-lister to portray Williams in this tale inspired by real-life events, the singer-songwriter and UK actor Jonno Davies provided mocap performances that, under the watchful eye of multi-award-winning visual effects studio Weta, have been digitally recreated to turn Williams into a chimpanzee. That's how Williams apparently sees himself, after all. With a surprisingly great 88% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating, don't be surprised if its unique approach to movie biopics is a hit in British, Irish, and Australian cinemas.
The Brutalist
Release date: out now (US); January 23 (Australia); January 24 (UK)
Clocking in at a staggering three hours and 35 minutes, this epic historical drama will really test your runtime limits when it lurches into theaters. But, based on its 96% Rotten Tomatoes critics rating and numerous 2025 Golden Globes nominations, it sounds like the Brady Corbet written and directed film is absolutely worth it.
Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, and Joe Alwyn, The Brutalist follows visionary architect László Toth (Brody) who, after escaping post-war Europe, travels to the US to rebuild his life, career, and marriage to Erzsébet (Jones). Expect this one to earn its fair share of prizes on next year's awards circuit.
September 5
Release date: out now (US); January 24 (UK); January 30 (Australia)
A film that's going to cut a little too close to home due to ongoing events in the Middle East, September 5 is a harrowing drama inspired by true events. Set during the 1972 Olympics in Munich, it tells the tale of a US sports broadcasting team that quickly pivots to live coverage of an unfolding hostage situation involving Israeli athletes in the German capital. John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, and Leonie Benesch are among its main cast.
Given its positioning as a late 2024/early 2025 film release, it seems Paramount Pictures is gearing up to put September 5 forward as a contender for next year's awards ceremonies. With an impressive 92% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating, it may just win a gong or two, too.
Saturday Night
Release date: out now (US and Australia); January 31 (UK)
Saturday Night Live has become a cultural juggernaut since its October 11, 1975 debut, but it was almost a complete failure ahead of its inaugural show. Almost 50 years on from that night, Jason Reitman (2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife) delivers a wild, "inspired by true events" flick that tells the story of the 90 minutes leading up to the sketch/improv comedy series' first-ever showing.
It's got a whole host of big names attached to it, too. Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard, iconic actors J.K. Simmons and Willem Dafoe, Perry Mason's Matthew Rhys, The Fablemans' Gabriel LaBelle, Bottoms' Rachel Ann Sennott, Dickinson's Ella Hunt, and The Responder's Emily Fairn are just some of its all-star ensemble cast. With a 78% critical and 84% audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, it's one to catch in a theater near you.
New movies: February 2025
Queer
Release date: out now (US and UK); February 6 (Australia)
Tackling a role that's a complete departure from his James Bond days and current lead status in Netflix's Knives Out film franchise, Daniel Craig could be in the running for Best Actor on the 2025 awards circuit if his outstanding performance in Queer is anything to go by.
Luca Guadagnino's latest feature sees Craig play William Lee, a US expat and loner living in 1950s Mexico. However, when he strikes up an unexpected friendship with former soldier Eugene Allerton, Lee finds that he may finally have found someone to develop an intimate relationship with. With critics already hailing its towering acting performances and unusual visuals, and its largely positive 77% Rotten Tomatoes score, Queer could perform surprisingly well at the box office.
Want more new movies recommendations? Our new Netflix movies, new Max movies, new Prime Video movies, and new Disney Plus movies lists are full of streaming-based suggestions for a night at home instead.
