The io9 Crew’s Most Anticipated Movies, Shows, and Games of 2025
Over the past two weeks, we here at io9 have looked back at movies, showsand games from 2024, and considering our own individual takeaway food on certain trends that took place this year. Now is the time to think about what’s next – and specifically what we’re looking forward to in 2025. Feel free to tell us what you are excited for (and hope reaches the goal) in the comments below.
Gundam Mobile Suit: GQuuuuX
M3GAN 2.0
If of Superman too useful option, consider another contender for hero of the summer: a child-sized AI robot with killer dance moves, killer fashion sense, killer instinctsand (probably) murderous revenge in its sequel. M3GAN 2.0 is once again directed by Gerald Johnstone and written by Aquila Cooper, and brings back Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw), plus there will be a whole new crop of characters. We have every reason to believe that the return of our best friend will be just as hilarious, gory and scream-inducing as ever – and we’re counting down the days until June 27, 2025. – Cheryl Eddy
Wicked: For good
The first Wicked blew movie audiences away, proving that the movie musical works if you just come out and say it’s a musical. The continuationwhich will expand on the play’s second act, rumored to include more original music and the events of L. Frank Baum The Wizard of Oz. We’re interested to see how Dorothy’s journey will be incorporated alongside Elphaba and Glinda’s. Plus we have room for more memes. – Sabina Graves
Avatar: Fire and Ashes
After two movies, I think we can safely stop joking Avatar. The first movie was good second movie it was a lot ok and now we wait third partwhich is sure to be one of the biggest hits of the year. Plus, in addition to the further study of the world of Pandorait’s always exciting to see a new James Cameron movie. Especially since with each of these sequels, he continues to push the technology bar with dynamic, character-driven storytelling. – Germaine Lucier
Like a Dragon: A Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii
The like dragon franchise went from a quirky, niche series of open-world games to a household name thanks in large part to its title’s prequel, Yakuza 0, and his later English-dubbed recordings. While Yakuza purists turn up their noses at the concept, accessibility is essential and the language barrier is no different. That’s why developer Ryu Ga Gotoku is coming out a year after releasing three Yakuza games, only to announce a fourth in early 2025 led by the fan-favorite character (and Yakuza 0 spotlight stealer) Goro Majima – truly a Kendrick Lamar-esque series of events. What’s more, the studio that famously reuses tons of its high-detail assets to make games every so often (we love conscientious developers) is righting Ubisoft’s mistake of bringing a nasty and long-delayed pirated game live in Skull and bones by making the pirate game it promised Yakuza pirate in Hawaii. We trust RGG. – Isaiah Colbert
Predator: Wastelands
Loot it was a pleasure in 2022 and even before it was over it was clear Predator franchise was looking for a comeback. Details about Predator: Wastelands have been scarce, besides it will do the alien the star while Elle Fanning does double duty as twin sisters. Eventually we’ll find out what Wastelands has under the hood and can’t wait to see what it brings to theaters on November 7, 2025. And he’s not even the only one Predator I click hit next year! – Justin Carter
Andor Season 2
Star Wars has had a bit of trouble with itself lately as the series struggles to chart a clear path forward with a vision of what it actually wants Star Wars to be. But one of the rare highlights of this malaise, showing clarity of purpose, has finally returned after a delayed wait: Cassian will finally find us all in of Andor second, final season on April 22. Expectations are through the roof after amazing first seasonand every little piquancy with which we have hitherto been teased makes us hope for another Andor the high might last us long enough to get to Lucasfilm and be able to get a movie out in theaters again. – James Whitbrook
Sinduality: Echoes of Hell
As a usual mourner for Titanfall as a video game franchise, any hint of a new sci-fi mech that has the potential to be a spiritual successor while being anime-AF is like catnip to gamers around the world, and Bandai Namco Sydnduality: Echo of Ada can fill those shoes. Its characters look beautiful, its mechs even more so, and its battle cutscenes make every mecha fan’s brain itch to pilot their giant robot through a wave of oncoming missiles using their over-the-top UIs. Let’s hope it lives up to the hype. – Isaiah Colbert
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
As we saw with Mario, zelda, and more, Nintendo treats its OG titles with special care. That is why it will take almost two decades to build a highway Metroid a game that was announced almost a decade ago. and yes Metroid Dread it was great. but Primary 4 promises to be much bigger and more ambitious. A true return to the world of Samus Aran in a way that gamers have been waiting for, in some cases, a lifetime. – Germaine Lucier
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
The Xenoblade series has become one of my favorite JRPG sets of all time, but one of its best entries was locked to the Wii U for the better part of a decade. This changes with the release of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Switch, which means more people can finally experience this fascinating refraction of Xenoblade that jukes where the sci-fi series usually pokes fun at, leaning much more heavily on the previous genre to deliver one of Nintendo’s best open-world RPGs. A meh game that actually keeps you going away from the giant robots on the cover for the first half of the game, X makes up for its relatively light narrative beats with a truly remarkable world to discover that rewards players willing to engage in exploration with an incredibly rich setting. I can’t wait for every entry in one of my favorite series to finally be playable in one place. – James Whitbrook
Witch’s Hat Studio
Last year saw a huge boom in fantasy anime with shows like Freeze: Beyond Journey’s End and Delicious in Dungeon. To complete the trifecta of what was dubbed as the fantasy big three is the upcoming anime adaptation of Bug Film Witch’s Hat Studio. considering that Freezing and Delicious in Dungeon flourish accordingly with their character work and world-building, Witch’s Hat Studio surpasses both, with an ingenious magic system. Also, the series is loaded with themes similar to that of 2024 A look backwhich describes the trials and tribulations of learning a new skill. Instead of tuning in to anything Harry Potter slop Warner Bros does ad nauseam, reward yourself by doing Witch’s Hat Studio your anime to watch in 2025 – Isaiah Colbert
Sinners
After handling Creed and Marvel, Ryan Coogler is about to show us his own original take on horror. The prospect for Michael B. Jordan playing twins confronting something supernatural in their hometown is too good to pass up and made even more interesting once first trailer hit. Throw in the inevitably amazing score from Ludwig Göransson, and yes, sign us up for Sinners. – Justin Carter
Want more io9 news? See when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Warsand Star Trek releases, what’s next for DC Universe on film and televisionand everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
English