Top Movie Sequels to Watch in Late 2025: The Must-See Follow-Ups This Year
20th Century Studios
Explore 2025’s most anticipated movie sequels, from Freakier Friday, to Spinal Tap II, Now You See Me, and Avatar:Fire and Ash, in a year defined by Hollywood’s sequel obsession.
Hollywood’s love affair with sequels shows no signs of slowing down in 2025, as studios double down on familiar franchises to draw audiences back to theatres. From long-awaited comedies to big-budget blockbusters, here are six of the most hotly anticipated follow-ups aiming to recapture the magic of their originals.
Freakier Friday (dir. Nisha Ganatra)
The twist everyone expected, Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) discover that ‘lightning might strike twice’ in the follow up to the beloved 2003 Freaky Friday. Directed by Nisha Ganatra (Late Night, The High Note) the sequel also sees Chad Michael Murray reprise his role as Jake and the addition of Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever).
In theatres 8 August
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (dir. Rob Reiner)
Over forty years since the original mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, the now estranged bandmates are forced to reunite for one final concert in New Orleans following the cancellation of An Evening with Stormy Daniels. Rob Reiner returns to direct Nigel Tufnel, David St Hubbins and Derek Smalls (Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer), with cameos from Elton John, Questlove and Paul McCartney.
In theatres 12 September
Tron: Ares (dir. Joachim Rønning)
A surprising third instalment in the Tron franchise (while a cult classic, the original 1982 film was hardly a box office smash hit, and neither was its 2010 sequel Tron: Legacy), Tron: Ares brings the action out of the computer and into the real world for the first time. Set to a soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails, Jeff Bridges reprises his role as Kevin Flynn, alongside new additions Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club, Morbius), Evan Peters (American Horror Story, X-Men) and Greta Lee (Past Lives, The Morning Show).
In theatres 10 October
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (dir. Ruben Fleischer)
From the director of Uncharted, Venom and Zombieland comes the third instalment of the franchise and sees the return of now crime-fighting magicians Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman and Isla Fisher, alongside new additions Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers), Justice Smith (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) and Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie).
In UK theatres 4 November, US theatres 14 November
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (dir. Emma Tammi)
Promising that “this time, there will be no second chances,” the animatronics are back in the second instalment of this game-to-film adaptation. Emma Tammi returns to direct and Josh Hutcherson reprises his role as Mike, with the events taking place one year after the first film. Horror fans will also note the addition of veteran-scarer Skeet Ulrich — Screamcrossover?
In theatres 5 December
POPULAR ON THE CINEMA GROUP
Avatar: Fire and Ash (dir. James Cameron)
COURTESY OF 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS
With both Avatar and Avatar: Way of Water having grossed over $2 billion worldwide (the original remains the highest-grossing film of all time, non-adjusted), the anticipation for James Cameron’s third return to Pandora is at an all-time high. A darker (and warmer) addition to the blue-tinted universe, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) encounter the Ash People, a fiery group who prove that not all Na’vi are nice.
In theatres 19 December
Wicked: For Good (dir. Jon M. Chu)
The second half of Chu’s Wicked adaptation hits theaters in November. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande return to finish the story of Elphaba and Glinda, now embracing fate, friendship, and flying monkeys.
In theatres 21 November
Nobody 2 (dir. Ilya Naishuller)
Bob Odenkirk returns as Hutch Mansell in the explosive follow-up to 2021’s sleeper hit. With new enemies, more family secrets, and plenty of broken bones, Nobody 2 promises chaos with a conscience.
In theatres 15 august.
The Black Phone 2 (dir. Scott Derrickson)
Ethan Hawke is back as The Grabber in the terrifying sequel to Blumhouse’s breakout hit. A new victim hears the phone ring — and the voices on the other end may just rewrite the rules.
In theatres 17 October
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (dir. Rian Johnson)
Daniel Craig reprises his role as Benoit Blanc in the third Knives Out mystery. Set in the UK, this whodunnit includes a new star-studded ensemble and Johnson’s sharpest script yet.
In theatres 12 December
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (dir. Simon Curtis)
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, The Cinematic Return Of The Global Phenomenon, Follows The Crawley Family And Their Staff As They Enter The 1930S. When Mary Finds Herself At The Center Of A Public Scandal And The Family Faces Financial Trouble, The Entire Household Grapples With The Threat Of Social Disgrace. The Crawleys Must Embrace Change As The Staff Prepares For A New Chapter With The Next Generation Leading Downton Abbey Into The Future.
In theatres September 12
The Conjuring: Last Rites (dir. Michael Chaves)
The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers another thrilling chapter of the iconic Conjuring cinematic universe, based on real events. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last case as renowned, real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in a powerful and spine-chilling addition to the global box office-breaking franchise.
In theatres 5 September
