Six upcoming releases to look out for in 2025

Horror and drama dominates our first few months in next year’s cinema

Everyone’s rushing to add Nolan’s latest project announcement to their Letterboxd watchlists, but don’t forget about the outstanding horror slate ahead of us whilst on your way to do the same!

As you’re finishing off the last of your Christmas chocolate, (or maybe the beginning, I don’t know) take a quick read through six films scheduled for UK release between now and spring that you’ve maybe forgotten about in the shadow of Nosferatu.

Babygirl: 10th January 2025

I sense I’ll have several things to say after watching this in the New Year, but in fairness, I can’t turn onto any corner of the Internet without seeing Harris Dickinson’s promo for this film. Where’s Nicole Kidman’s embarrassing little videos? I want to see them too! This is being marketed as an adult Christmas film, with festive A24 logo and all in its trailer.

Am I comfortable with watching this in a room full of other people? No. Will we all do that? Yes, because A24 distribution is awful and we’ll not get another chance for ages. Neither will you, so make sure you don’t miss this so you have every opportunity to make that funny one-liner review.

Presence: 24th January 2025

Is this the rise of the first-person POV film we’re seeing? Although exceptionally different stories, Nickel Boys brought attention to this style of filmmaking and Steven Soderbergh is piling on top with the horror genre; with perhaps the spookiest trailer I’d seen in a while. Not giving much away in its teaser, and even less on its official trailer released on TikTok, I can’t wait to feel nauseous with tension in a slightly-uncomfortable cinema seat.

Clearly from the perspective of a supernatural being haunting a family home, Soderbergh is bringing his genre-spanning talents to the world of suspense once more - and this isn’t the last time you’ll see his name in this list: keep reading!

Companion: 31st January 2025

My favourite thing about Companion so far is its trailer’s boastful proclamation of being from the ‘unhinged creators of Barbarian’ - which should be enough to put anyone off (mostly me, what haunting imagery in that film). Jack Quaid & Sophie Thatcher seem to be in the world’s most dysfunctional relationship (and no, yours was not as bad as this) avec distressing violence paired with equally distressing levels of seeming consent?

We shall see what said unhinged creators have in store for us, but I’m sensing a little cross between Fresh & Bones and All, so strap in for those over-saturated TikTok edits come March.

The Last Showgirl: 10th February 2025

If you haven’t already watched Mikey Madison and Pamela Anderson’s Variety Actors on Actors interview, please at least watch some of Pamela’s answers. Aging with beauty, defying the image bestowed upon her by the industry and telling a tale not oft explored on-screen, Gia Coppola (yes, Coppola!) brings the Vegas showgirl to the screen through Anderson.

I haven’t explored much of the advertised story yet other than the trailer: I want to keep my expectations hazy for this one. Starring Brenda Song and Dave Bautista alongside the Baywatch star, we’ve a while to wait for this one - so let’s pray for some previews.

The Monkey: 21st February 2025

Osgood Perkins and Stephen King should not be allowed to collaborate in any way possible: yet here we have a new horror, The Monkey. Starring a slightly clueless looking Theo James (with glasses, mind), some darkly-lit body horror, and the faces of some more-than-startled children, this trailer bodes well for Perkins’ success following the craze of 2024’s autumn, Longlegs.

With Theo James having a mixed bag of recent performances including a lead role in the Guy Ritchie The Gentleman adaptation for TV and some voice acting gigs, this could be a challenging return to the screen for him - will the horror genre suit Theo?

Black Bag: 14th March 2025

Looking a little further ahead to March, Soderbergh treats us to some more drama and thrilling suspense, hand-in-hand with Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender. It feels like a lot of filmmakers are turning their attention the Bond-shaped hole in cinema at the moment, whilst anticipating the Mission Impossible franchise’s end.

In this spirit, Soderbergh’s story following a pair of married spies in love marred by suspected deceit sounds like it could have great box office success. Promising classic explosions, fast-paced chases and hard stares in its trailer, I’ll be seated for Soderbergh twice in the New Year - happily so.

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If there’s any films you think I should be looking out for, that may have slipped under my radar, let me know! Similarly, I’d love to hear if any of these will be making their way to your watchlists, or why they’ll be standing on the sidelines for now - drop me a line in the comments.