IT General

There are some things that I don't need to know, like how much money I've spent on iced oat milk lattes or the sheer number of pens I’ve purchased this year — and how many of them are already lost. (Where do they all go?) And yet, apps keep finding new ways to quantify our lives, presenting us with data we never asked for.

Enter "Your Year in Asana," a feature that turns your 2024 work habits into a highlight reel — complete with task tallies, collaboration stats, and a subtle reminder that you're either crushing it or teetering on the edge of burnout.

SEE ALSO: Don't fall for the productivity aesthetic. It's a scam.

Imagine my surprise when I opened Asana today (Dec. 5), only to be greeted by this stark reminder of our capitalistic times.

Credit: Asana

"Congrats!" the app says, proudly informing me how many tasks I completed this year (1,914 and counting), how much time I saved (what does that even mean?), and my most frequent collaborators. It felt less like a celebration and more like the kind of progress report you didn’t ask for but can’t ignore—complete with the subtle pressure to do even more next year.

Because, really, do I need a virtual round of applause for checking things off a to-do list? Or a reminder that my "most active day" is Wednesday, as if I need another reason to dread that day of the week? This isn't the first time Asana has launched a year-in-review product, but this year's version looks more like Spotify Wrapped, with sleeker visuals, personalized stats, and a sprinkling of celebratory flair. And the end result feels more like a work report than a playlist of greatest hits.

Credit: Asana

Asana joins apps like Spotify and YouTube that quantify our lives into shareable summaries. But while Spotify Wrapped reminds you of your favorite songs and YouTube tracks your video binges, Your Year in Asana takes a different approach — it turns your work habits into a performance review you didn’t sign up for.

It’s less about what brought you joy and more about what kept you busy, complete with stats that feel maybe a little too revealing.

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I didn’t ask for a glowing pat on the back from an algorithm for simply doing my job, but here it is — turning my work life into something shareable, whether I want it to be or not.

On the first day of launches, OpenAI gave to thee: ChatGPT Pro for hefty fees.

The new ChatGPT Pro subscription tier, available now, costs $200 a month.

On Thursday, OpenAI announced the new subscription tier as part of its "12 Days of OpenAI" extravaganza. ChatGPT Pro comes with unlimited access to its models, GPT-4o, Advanced Voice Mode, and the full version of o1 which is out of preview as of today.

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OpenAI also unveiled o1 pro mode, which is an exclusive feature for ChatGPT Pro that can handle more compute for complex math, programming, and writing problems. OpenAI says o1 pro mode performs better on machine learning benchmarks for math, coding, and PhD-level science questions. ChatGPT Pro is built for "power users," said CEO Sam Altman. Given the level of complexity for tasks, o1 pro mode will take longer to respond, which is why it will show a progress bar.

The price hike is not entirely unexpected. According to a report from the New York Times, OpenAI is considering raising the cost of the ChatGPT Plus subscription to $44 a month over the next five years. OpenAI has ambitious (some may argue unrealistic) goals of tripling its revenue by next year and $100 billion by 2029. Users can expect to OpenAI to start milking more money out of its products. The ChatGPT maker is also considering an ad model.

As of today, o1 is fully released. The reasoning model which was previously available as a limited preview is now live for ChatGPT Plus and Teams users with Edu and Enterprise users getting access next week.

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OpenAI says the o1 model is 50 percent faster and outperforms o1 preview on "difficult real-world questions" by 34 percent. The o1 model now supports multimodal input, meaning it can understand uploaded images. The company added that they're working on tools for web browsing and file uploads.

Less than two hours before the livestream, the announcement was leaked on X by software engineer Tibor Blaho (per TechCrunch). Blaho discovered of a page of pricing plans with information about ChatGPT Pro including price and features.

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Blaho also leaked another page about the ChatGPT Team plan which included "limited preview of GPT-4.5" as part of its offerings. The reference has since been taken down, but it might be a hint of what's to come over the next few weeks.

Microsoft has introduced a preview version of Copilot Vision. It's a new AI tool for Microsoft Edge that can look at your current tab and provide answers.

A drop-down list in a Microsoft Word document lets readers select from a predefined list, handy if you're building a form, quiz, or similar. Adding a drop-down list is fairly easy—here's how.

Android 15 has been out for a while for phones such as the Google Pixel, and yet, there's a notable absence throughout the update rollout news cycle: Samsung. Now, the One UI 7 beta is finally arriving for Samsung phones, and it's packed with a lot of changes.

There's no real way to predict TikTok trends. If you could, you'd be both fabulously wealthy and an out-of-touch, IRL social pariah incapable of integrating into polite society. It'd be impossible to foresee, for instance, that an emo song I enjoyed in 2016 would resurface on my TikTok FYP in 2024. And yet that's exactly what's been happening with Mom Jeans and their nearly decade-old song "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA."

Now if you're unfamiliar with Mom Jeans — the band, not the style of denim slacks — they're an indie, Midwest emo band out of California. I enjoy their music, so my FYP might be a little biased, and I think "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" is a really good song. Here's the studio version of the track, off of the 2016 album Best Buds.

So, yes, the song is good, but why are people covering an eight-year-old track on TikTok? The best reason I can decipher begins with the fact that the song has a quite nostalgic feel to it. It starts primarily with an acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics, then layers in a trombone and loud drums. The song also has great sing-along moments and a distinctive style, all while addressing the ideas of moving on and being content with that. Those facts in mind, the song's been used in a number of TikTok edits made to elicit nostalgia like — randomly enough — a compilation of highlights from former NFL star Todd Gurley.

I've covered the trend of indie rock soundtracking sports highlights — it's not a new trend — but the Gurley clip racked up 2.5 million views, which is an unusually high figure. And a number of recent similarly nostalgic viral videos have used "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA," so much so that there are videos reacting to the very idea of Mom Jeans being viral. I know, I know, it's all very confusing and snake-eating-its-tail, but such is the internet.

So, with the song on lots of folks' FYPs, it tracks that suddenly there'd be lots of people covering the song. And that's how we got the trend of covering a relatively obscure indie rock song from 2016. But the covers rule. My personal favorite comes from the account @pattakerhasnopats, a kid seemingly playing the song during gym class or at a sporting event while sitting in the bleachers. The background din of other teens really adds a nostalgic haze to what's already a great cover.

That cover from @pattakerhasnopats — who has just over 2,000 followers on TikTok — has racked up nearly half a million views, which is effectively an identical number to the views on Mom Jeans' most popular live version of the song on YouTube. In other words, that cover of the song has become as popular as the song itself. And it's far from the only "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" cover racking up hundreds of thousands of views.

Every TikTok in this article is from the last month or so, and it feels as if the viral moment for the song is hitting its crescendo — basically, the moment the horns come in on "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA."

So if you enjoy this kind of music, you might see covers on your FYP for a bit longer. But soon enough, it stands to reason, you'll be looking back on this moment fondly. If only there were a song for that.

SAVE UP TO 32%: Espresso machine, coffee grinders, and coffee makers are all on sale at Amazon this week that'll save you up to 32% on premium brands like Breville and OXO.

Best coffee deals at Amazon Best espresso machine deal Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880BSS, Stainless Steel) $693.15 at Amazon (save $306.80) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer (40-ounce, Black) $237.30 at Amazon (save $101.70) Get Deal Best coffee grinder deal OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Silver) $67.99 at Amazon (save $31.96) Get Deal

My love for coffee began in college. Not only did caffeine fuel my studies, I started working as a barista during my sophomore year. I learned a ton about coffee during my time there because not only did we pull creamy espresso shots all day long, we roasted our own coffee beans. Coffee roasting is pretty magical (and precise) art that led me deep into the world of coffee, flavors, and what makes it taste so good.

While I no longer work at a coffee shop, the lessons remain: good coffee requires good equipment. (You'll also need good beans but that's an entire TED talk). Coffee is a particular thing, and while it might seem that all coffee makers and espresso machines could do the job just fine, that's not really the case. If you're looking to make coffee-house quality drinks at home, these are the deals I recommend buying at Amazon this week.

Best espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880BSS, Stainless Steel) $693.15 at Amazon
$999.95 Save $306.80 Get Deal Why we like it

The perfect coffee equation has several important elements with two of the top being water temperature at extraction and pressure at extraction. That's where the expertise and reliability of the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine come into play to help take the pressure off you as an at-home barista. The Breville comes with a simple touch-screen interface so you can select your ideal drink like an Americano, latte, flat white, cappuccino, or espresso. The integrated steam wand works to create perfectly foamed milk which Breville says measures a least a million bubbles per milliliter, but we haven't been able to count that ourselves.

The Breville is currently 31% off at Amazon in the stainless steel finish, coming in at $693.15 which is the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon by a long shot.

Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Moccamaster Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer (40-ounce, Black) $237.30 at Amazon
$339.00 Save $101.70 Get Deal Why we like it

Coffee is very picky about water temperature which is why many drip coffee makers don't do the beans justice. If you're in the mood for some drip coffee that's full of flavor and neither under or over brewed, Moccamaster makes some of the most impressive machines. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, the Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer with a 40-ounce thermal carafe is on sale for $237.30, down from the typical price of $339. That's a 30% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon on this model.

With an impressive 40-ounce brewing capacity, the Moccamaster takes as little as four minutes to brew into the thermal stainless steel carafe. That means if you wake up an hour after someone brewed coffee, you'll still be treated to a hot cup.

The Moccamaster excels when it comes to precise water temperature, using a copper boiling element that heats water to a temperature between 196 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it automatically shuts off once the water reservoir is empty.

Moccamaster also uses a unique method of coffee extraction that's similar to what you'd get with a pour-over coffee method, which includes an initial blooming of the ground coffee for a better flavor.

Best coffee grinder deal Opens in a new window Credit: OXO OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Silver) $67.99 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $31.96 Get Deal Why we like it

Great coffee beans call for using a great coffee grinder. It's likely the one in your grocery store's coffee aisle isn't all that great. Instead, you'll want a reliable burr grinder which is where the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder comes in handy. While the grinder usually costs $99.95, it's on sale at Amazon for just $67.99 which comes within $3 of the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. To get this sale price, select the silver colorway.

With 15 grind settings and additional micro-settings, the OXO burr grinder is capable of giving you perfectly ground fresh coffee each day. Go super fine for pulling espresso shots or opt for a coarse grind for the French press. Whichever route you go, the OXO has a large-capacity hopper that can hold 16 ounces of beans. The hopper's UV-blocking tint is also designed to help keep your coffee beans fresh because light is an enemy of roasted coffee beans.

Inside, stainless steel conical burrs work hard to give you a perfect grind that's uniform in size. The one-touch timer ranges from 1 to 30 seconds, which means you can grind the exact amount you'll need.

More coffee deals that are worth your money at Amazon:

• OXO Brew Single Serve Pour-Over Coffee Maker — $14.39 $17.95 (save $3.56)

• AeroPress Original Coffee Maker — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)

• Instant Pot Milk Frother — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• OXO Brew Rapid Brewer — $31.99 $39.95 (save $7.96)

• Bialetti Moka Express (6 cups) — $37.13 $50 (save $12.87)

• OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker — $41.59 $51.95 (save $10.36)

• Nespresso Vertuo Next — $104.99 $179.95 (save $74.96)

• KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

GET $20 OFF: As of Dec. 5, you can get a PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller for just $54.99. That's 27% off the original price or $20 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Playstation PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller $54.99 at Best Buy
$74.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Skill at console gaming is all about controller mastery: When you know your controller you succeed, when you don't you fail. The PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller is advanced in every way. Right now you can get it for $20 off at this late Cyber Week Best Buy deal.

No matter if you're a PlayStation fan shopping for yourself, or you're looking for a present for a loved one who's a little game-obsessed, this is a deal you won't want to miss.

SEE ALSO: Give the gift of gaming with three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for under $50

PlayStation is a storied system that's home to great unique games like the modern classic AstroBot, as well as cross platform hits. Whether you're into absolute immersion in the most sprawling of RPGs, or you're the teammate always reviving a fallen buddy in twitchy co-op shooters, PlayStation has games for you.

The PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller can handle it all. With two joy pads, adaptive triggers that alter their tension based on in-game actions, and advanced haptics including a gyroscope and accelerometer, this controller bridges the gap between you and the gameplay.

Using Chrome with its default settings can hinder your experience, compromise your privacy and security, and use up significant system resources. If you want to optimize your Chrome experience, improve your workflow, and protect your privacy, I recommend turning off the following features.

A new exhibition at London's Tate Modern, titled "Electric Dreams", looks at the period between WWII and the invention of the internet to explore the relationship between digital art and technology.

In this Mashable Original, we speak to assistant curator Odessa Warren about how artists in 20th century played with the new, cutting-edge tools that society at the time often feared.

"Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet" is showing at Tate Modern until June 1 2025.

Internet browsing is a "lonely experience," says Microsoft. Copilot Vision is your AI companion that can visually process what you're browsing and help you out along the way.

On Thursday, Microsoft announced a preview version of Copilot Vision for Copilot Pro subscribers. Microsoft introduced Vision in October as a solution to the problem that users have to explain what they're seeing to Copilot.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Copilot can talk now: 3 new features that make it more like ChatGPT and Google Gemini

Vision sits on the bottom of your Microsoft Edge browser and, when enabled, "it sees the page you're on, it reads along with you, and you can talk through the problem you're facing together."

Vision is one of the first features to debut in Copilot Labs, its testing ground for AI projects. Labs, which has a noticeably softer and warmer look is Microsoft's way of sharing "works-in-progress" geared towards helping users with everyday tasks.

One demo shows Copilot Vision helping a user find the right place to stay, another helps a user make sense of photos of their grandmother's handwritten recipes. It can also help you out in a Minecraft game or with holiday shopping by pointing out the right products on the page.

How Copilot Vision handles privacy

If Copilot Vision reminds you of Windows Recall, Microsoft's "privacy nightmare" tool that consistently takes screenshots of your computer screen, there are several key differences. First, Vision is opt-in, so you can choose if you want to use it. Second, as soon as you end the session, you Copilot conversation is deleted. That said, "only Copilot’s responses are logged to improve our safety systems," read the announcement.

Microsoft has also thought through some of the sticky issues of web browsing when it comes to paywalled and sensitive information. Vision only works with a select set of websites for now, and it is programmed to "to not provide responses based on paywalled content," according to its FAQs page.

Crucially, Microsoft says Copilot Vision does not store or use any publisher content to train its models. Microsoft also says Vision "honors website controls for usage of their content by Copilot," which presumably means sites with robots.txt code that block web crawlers. Mashable has reached out to Microsoft for further clarification of Vision's data controls and will update this story with a response.

Starting today, Copilot Vision is rolling out to a limited set of Copilot Pro subscribers. A Copilot Pro subscription costs $20 a month.

GET $50 OFF: As of Dec. 5th, you can get an Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital console for $399.99. That's 12% off the original price, or $50 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital Console $399.99 at Best Buy
$449.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Cyber Monday might be coming to a close, but its not too late to blast some digital cyborgs on your dream console. The Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital is still on sale. Order now and get it for $50 off.

The Xbox Series X offers some of the best game experiences out now. Through the Xbox Store you'll be able to load up on modern classics like Cyberpunk 2077, or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass and run through unlimited titles with your friends online.

SEE ALSO: My favorite LG TV is still on sale after Cyber Monday

Whether you're into deep single-player RPGs from studios like Bethesda or online co-op titles like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Xbox Series X is packed with content for all ages and play styles.

The All-digital edition downloads titles over your internet connection, however, the 1TB edition should have more than enough space to get started building a game library. If you need more space there are plenty of options for adding storage.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Dec. 5: OUR TOP PICK Lego Icons Poinsettia building kit $34.99 (save $15) Get Deal BEST BEAUTY TECH DEAL Shark SmoothStyle $69 (save $30.99 + get $2.60 in Amazon credit) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Amazon Fire HD 10 $74.99 (save $65) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) $119 (save $30) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 $45 (save $44.99) Get Deal

Cyber Weekend may be gone, but many of the deals remain — especially if you're shopping at Amazon. Don't fret if you missed out on the biggest sale of the season. We've rounded up a few of the best deals still sticking around on Dec. 5.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Check out our picks from yesterday, Dec. 4, as well. Many of those are still live, including a record-low price on the excellent Sony ULT Wear headphones.

Our top pick: Lego Icons Poinsettia building set Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Poinsettia building kit $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

We're huge fans of the Lego Icons Botanical collection, but like most Lego sets, they can get pretty expensive. In other words, when we see a good deal, it's always worth highlighting. As of Dec. 5, the Lego Icons Poinsettia building kit is down to just $34.99 from $49.99. That's 30% in savings and a new low price. The 608-piece set builds out into a realistic Lego interpretation of a Grande Italia poinsettia plant inside a woven basket flowerpot. You can pose the flowers however you desire and use the finished product as a centerpiece for your holiday celebrations. No maintenance required.

Shark SmoothStyle Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark SmoothStyle $69.00 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.99 + $2.60 in Amazon credit Get Deal

Essentially a fancier version of Revlon's One-Step, the Shark SmoothStyle serves as a round hot air brush that can take your hair from wet to styled without frying it. Starting with your hair wet, you can use the three preset air temperatures to dry and style. Once it's dry, use it like a thermal brush, with one preset heated smoothing comb setting. The comb itself has ceramic-coated plates to prevent damage to your locks. It's typically $100, but you can still get it for $69 at Amazon post-Cyber Monday. That's 31% in savings and its best price ever. Plus, you'll get a $2.60 Amazon credit with your purchase.

Bose SoundLink Flex Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) $119.00 at Amazon
$149.00 Save $30.00 Get Deal

The small-but-mighty SoundLink Flex got an upgrade earlier this fall, making the go anywhere portable speaker even better. It features the same rugged texture, waterproof and UV light resistant build, up to 12-hour battery life, and bold sound as its predecessor. However, the latest generation streamlined the controls and offers customizable EQ in the Bose app. It's usually $149, but you can snag it on sale for $119 at Amazon as of Dec. 5. That's a 20% price drop — its first discount since its September release.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $74.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a no frills tablet to browse the web, watch your favorite shows, answer some emails, or read on the go, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is still sitting at its best-ever Black Friday price. Mashable reviewer SaVanna Shoemaker says it's "lighter and faster than its predecessors, with a long battery life and vivid picture that makes it great for on-the-go entertainment." It's regularly pretty affordable at $139.99, but as of Dec. 5, you can slash the cost by 46% and pick it up for only $74.99.

Check out our full review of the Amazon Fire HD 10.

AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 Opens in a new window Credit: AeroGarden AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 $45.00 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $44.99 Get Deal

Want to try growing your own herbs and veggies? The AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 is down to only $45 at Amazon, its lowest price on record, making it 50% more affordable for the curious home gardener. It's just 10.6 inches wide and 16.4 inches tall (including the adjustable light height), so it doesn't demand a ton of counter space. However, it has enough room to grow six different plants using its hydroponic system. You don't need to buy soil or nutrients; it comes with liquid plant food and otherwise just requires water. The second-generation Harvest model also features a one-button control nutrient reminder and a detachable 15W grow light.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

The best late Cyber Week vacation deals Best hotel deal Wyndham Hotels Take up to 30% off hotel bookings of two+ nights and more Get Deal Best cruise deal Royal Caribbean Cruises Save up to $750 on cruises Get Deal

It’s Thursday, Dec. 5th, and Cyber Monday is in the rear-view mirror... reflecting off our bank statements. However, if you’re thinking of booking travel, rejoice, because a few deals on hotels and cruises like Wyndham and Royal Caribbean are still live until the end of Friday.

Book quick! Because a few of these deals end today.

Best hotel deal

Wyndham

Opens in a new window Credit: Wyndham Wyndham Hotels Take up to 30% off hotel bookings of two+ nights and more Get Deal Why we like it:

Hotels are expensive worldwide, but Wyndham’s Cyber Week sale drops the price significantly, especially on longer stays. Wyndham members get 30% off on bookings for two or more nights, or 20% off for one-nighters, including stays at vacation clubs. Non-members get something too, with 20% off on two night trips.

Stay in lavish hotels between the United States, Asia, The Middle East, and Europe; just take advantage of the savings before Friday, December 6 comes to a close.

More hotel deals

• Hilton: Take 20% off through April 21, 2025. Book by Jan. 5 to get the deal.

• Hyatt: Get 20% off on hotels in the Americas until April 20, 2025. Book before Dec. 9 and use the code SAVENOW.

Best cruise deal Opens in a new window Credit: Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean Cruises Save up to $750 on cruises Get Deal Why we like it:

A cruise vacation is a vacation for the books, and it’s easy enough to take the whole family. Whether you’re booking a romantic getaway for two, or treating two generations of kids and grandkids to a tour of the seas, cruises are full of excitement and fun.

Book the Royal Caribbean Cyber Week sale now and take up to $750 off on your vacation, with options including Liberty of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and more.

More cruise deals

• Atlas Voyages: Take 20% off and get a $600 credit for use onboard.

• Disney Cruises: Get 20% off on select cruises.

• Norwegian Cruise Lines: Take 50% off on cruises. Book airfare for one and get the second ticket free. Use code CRUISEFIRST for $250.

GET TWO FREE KINDLE TITLES: Amazon Prime members who are signed up for the free Amazon First Reads program can select two free Kindle titles during the month of December.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Two free Kindle titles with Prime membership Non-Prime members can purchase one title for $1.99 Get Deal

Even if you missed Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, we're still seeing some great deals stick around. One of our favorite robot vacuums is still at a great discount, and Amazon still has some awesome sale prices sticking around. If you happen to be a Prime member and love reading, you'll also want to check out this completely free deal.

Until Dec. 31, Prime members can score one free Kindle title from the editor's selections at Amazon First Reads. Non-Prime members are eligible to snag one title for just $1.99. After that, you'll be eligible to score an additional free title from a selection of Kindle favorites. To snag this deal, you'll need to be signed up for the completely free Amazon First Reads program.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Snag the Sony ULT Wear headphones while they're still at Cyber Monday pricing

Each month, Prime members can browse the selected titles in the First Reads program and select one for free. Non-prime members aren't totally left out through because they can purchase one title for the low price of $1.99. Typically, Amazon tosses in an additional bonus title for free, like a short story.

For the Amazon First Reads program in the month of December, Amazon has eight Kindle titles available to choose from. Bitter Passage by Colin Mills is perfect for any historical fiction fan, taking us along on a survival adventure through the Northwest Passage. Or for those who prefer thrillers, The Drowning Game by Barbara Nickless dives into the world of mega money on superyachts and the dangers that can lurk deep within.

After you choose from one of the eight First Reads titles, Amazon is treating all of us to additional free title through Dec. 31. The extra free options include 15 titles that range from a Christmas-themed short story to science fiction to a story of espionage.

Since we're not well into cozy season, it's a great time to take advantage of these free Kindle titles from the Amazon First Reads program. Not only does this month offer Prime members a free title, Amazon is tossing in another great read, too, for the low price of totally free.

Babes, can you handle this collision of supreme talent? Nicola Coughlan, who won our hearts on Derry Girls and Bridgerton, is joining Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa for the latest Doctor Who Christmas Special, titled "Joy to the World."

Written and executive produced by former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, this holiday special stars Coughlan as the title character, a single woman named Joy, whose quiet Christmas break in London is interrupted by a "top secret mission" with a certain wildly charismatic Time Lord (Gatwa).

SEE ALSO: 'Doctor Who' Christmas specials ranked, and where to watch them

What else is in store? Well, double Doctors, self-reflecting drama, and....dinosaurs! Joy to the world indeed.

How to watch: Doctor Who "Joy to the World" will premiere on Disney+ Dec. 25 9:10 a.m. PST / 12:10 p.m. EST.

"Wrapped season" might be coming for cuffing season's lunch. The popularity of Spotify Wrapped has caused other apps — from sex toy orgasm tracking to banking — to come up with their own year-end stats. The latest to join wrapped season is Grindr with "Grindr Unwrapped 2024."

SEE ALSO: Grindr is testing an AI 'wingman' bot, CEO says

In 2024, Grindr users sent over 130 billion chats and almost 10 billion taps, according to the app's data. Grindr also surveyed 10,000 worldwide users on questions ranging from sex position of the year to mother of the year, and here's what it found:

Missionary won sex position of the year, with backshots (from behind), 69, side, and spooning rounding out the top five. Kissing was Grindr users' favorite foreplay activity of 2024, followed by oral (if you count oral sex as foreplay...), rimming, "hand stuff," and frotting (penis-to-penis rubbing).

As for mother of the year, Charli XCX won over Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and Chappell Roan. Charli also won ally of the year and "BRAT" was Grindr users' album of the year — there must be a lot of 365 party girls on the app. Chappell Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!" was Grindr users' top song of the year, though, proving the newcomer's star power.

Check out all of the app's findings at Grindr Unwrapped.

Writer Richard Curtis shares the journey of adapting his children’s books into the intertwined holiday stories that make up That Christmas. He reflects on his personal Christmas traditions and how they inspired the heartfelt themes of family, community, and love in the film.

That Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.

TL;DR: Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions for free with a 30-day free trial of Prime Video.

Thursday Night Football returns with Week 14 action, which kicks off with an NFC North showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. The Packers are 9-3, which puts them in third place in their division. The Lions are leading the entire NFC, not just the NFC North, at 11-1. The two teams are separated by the 10-3 Minnesota Vikings.

Detroit has not lost since Week 2, giving them all the momentum, on top of being the home team, where the Lions are 5-1. Green Bay has won four of their last five games, including the last three straight. The Packers are also 4-1 on the road. The odds currently favor Detroit.

When is Packers vs. Lions?

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Dec. 5. The two teams will face off at Ford Field in Detroit.

Al Michaels is expected to do the play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreit will join him in the booth as the analyst.

How to stream Packers vs. Lions for free

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions is available to live stream on Prime Video in the U.S., but anyone can watch this game for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (not to mention other Thursday Night Football fixtures).

If you're already a member, or have already used the 30-day trial, Prime Video subscriptions start at $8.99 per month.

Best streaming services for Packers vs. Lions

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens will be aired locally in both Green Bay and Milwaukee. It may be available in some other markets, but NFL games are subject to local blackouts.

If you do not have a cable package in those markets, you have options. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Packers vs. Lions on local networks.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling TV Sports Plan Get Deal

Sling TV offers its Orange & Blue package of 48 channels at $55 per month that would serve your needs for locally available NFL games. Sign up to enjoy a first-month discounted rate of $27.50.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

For in-market games: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Again, Bengals vs. Ravens is subject to local blackouts. It is available nationally on Prime Video.

How to watch Packers vs. Lions from anywhere in the world

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of the NFL from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Packers vs. Lions from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

5. Watch Packers vs. Lions from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

2025 is looking to be an utterly bonkers year at the movies. New films are expected from such obsessed-over stars as Pedro Pascal, Florence Pugh, Will Ferrell, Robert Pattinson, Ke Huy Quan, and Michael B. Jordan. Celebrated directors like Antoine Fuqua, Barry Levinson, Akiva Schaffer, and Jon M. Chu have highly anticipated projects on the way. Beloved characters like Paddington, Captain America, Bridget Jones, Ethan Hunt, and SpongeBob SquarePants will pop up for fresh fun. And a barrage of sequels, reboots, adaptations, and bold new visions are already on the release calendar.

Whether you're seeking spine-tingling chills, side-splitting comedy, heart-wrenching drama, mind-bending thrills, or bone-crunching action, 2025 has cinema made with you in mind. We've scoured the trailers, casting announcements, and every scrap of entertainment news worth reading to map out what the year in movies will look like. And there are plenty of exciting options ahead of us.

Here's Mashable's 2025 movie preview, organized by release date.

JanuaryBetter Man

Sick and tired of bog-standard biopics? Well, let Robbie Williams and company entertain you with a rags-to-riches musical biography that plays like Billy Elliot meets Rocketman meets Planet of the Apes.

The English pop icon not only provides a cheeky narration to Better Man, but he also embraces The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey's wild idea to transform its central subject from bad boy to rowdy chimpanzee. Actor Jonno Davies (Hunters) and the Wētā FX team collaborate to create a portrait of Williams that is as outrageous as it is riveting.

But that's not all. Better Man also boasts extraordinary musical numbers that combine Williams' hits with spirited choreography and awe-inspiring staging that turns everything from double-decker buses, glamorous yachts, and dodgy drug dens into a stage fit for a king of showmanship. As I cheered in Mashable's rave review out of TIFF 2024, "Rich in vibrant emotion, body-rocking musical numbers, daring performances, and a scorching tenderness, Better Man more than rocks. It rules."

Starring: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Anthony Hayes, and Kate Mulvany

How to watch: Better Man opens in theaters everywhere on Jan. 10, with a Paramount+ debut to follow.

Back in Action

Craving some kick-butt comedy? Well, get ready for Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz to leap back into stunt-packed comedy with Back in Action.

Centering on a couple who were once spies and are now dedicated parents to their two children, this romp from Horrible Bosses helmer Seth Gordon pitches its heroes — well — "back in action." The film's first teaser gave a sense of the kind of fight scenes, family funniness, and enthralling chemistry its headliners share. It's a fine-looking movie, but it's especially exhilarating to see Diaz and Foxx back on screen.

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Kyle Chandler, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, McKenna Roberts, Rylan Jackson, and Glenn Close

How to watch: Back in Action debuts on Netflix Jan. 17.

One of Them Days

From Insecure producer Issa Rae, Insecure writer Syreeta Singleton, and Rap Sh!t director Lawrence Lamont, One of Them Days is a tale of female friendship in a time of financial hardship. Keke Palmer and SZA star as broke besties Dreux and Alyssa, who need to make rent by 6 p.m. or face eviction from their Los Angeles apartment. So, how can they come up with some quick cash?

A first trailer studded with stars gives some ideas. Perhaps a predatory loan? (Katt Williams warns no!) Selling your blood? Well, that's a dicier proposition when a newbie nurse played by Abbott Elementary's Janelle James comes on the scene. Even trying to get into the sneaker-selling business can be brutal. What else do these queens of comedy have in store for us in 2015? We can't wait to find out.

Starring: Keke Palmer, SZA, Janelle James, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams, and Maude Apatow

How to watch: One of Them Days opens in theaters Jan. 17.

Wolf Man

After the rousing success of his rebooted Invisible Man, writer/director Leigh Whannell returns with a new vision of Wolf Man. For this fresh spin on a classic Universal Monster, Whannell begins with a familiar horror scenario: A metropolitan couple goes to the country for what should be a dreamy getaway — but turns into a dark nightmare.

Poor Things' Christopher Abbott stars as Blake, a San Francisco family man who takes his wife (Apartment 7A's Julia Garner) and child (Matilda Firth) to the house he's recently inherited, which lies in a remote, wooded part of Oregon. An accident with their moving van gets them off to an awful start. But things get worse when a roaring beast chases them through the forest, far from cell phone reception. And now dear daddy has a festering bite on his arm. What could this possibly mean for this family of three? (Nothing good.)

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Matilda Firth, Sam Jaeger, Ben Prendergast, and Benedict Hardie

How to watch: Wolf Man opens in theaters Jan. 17.

Grafted

How far would you go to be beautiful or fit in? Director Sasha Rainbow chases this question down in the grisly horror-thriller Grafted.

This stomach-churning story of self-discovery (and self-destruction) begins with Wei (Joyena Sun), a Chinese student who travels to New Zealand on a scholarship to pursue medical research. There, she is beguiled by her popular cousin Angela (Jess Hong) and her friends, but is swiftly shunned because of her social awkwardness and a facial difference that she views as a curse. Could science give her a fresh face and a new lease on life? But at what cost?

Starring: Joyena Sun, Jess Hong, Jared Turner

How to watch: Grafted debuts on Shudder Jan. 24.

Inheritance

Neil Burger (Limitless, Divergent) helms an espionage thriller about the ties that bind (and maybe suffocate).

After the death of her mother, a young woman named Maya (Phoebe Dynevor) sees her estranged dad (Rhys Ifans) re-enter her life. But it's more a business proposition than a loving father-daughter moment. As seen in the trailer above, he offers her a gig as a spy, and when he goes missing, she finds herself on the run, trapped in a web of subterfuge, globe-trekking, and conspiracy. Will she prove to be her father's daughter? Or something greater?

Starring: Phoebe Dynevor and Rhys Ifans

How to watch: Inheritance opens in theaters Jan. 24.

Presence

Director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp previously teamed up for the tech-paranoia thriller Kimi. Now, they've reunited for a ghost story that's told from the perspective of the ghost.

SEE ALSO: 'Presence' review: Steven Soderbergh and David Koepp deliver a uniquely thrilling ghost story

Soderbergh himself shoulders the camera, providing a first-person (or first-spirit) point of view for the whole of Presence. As I wrote in my review out of TIFF, "Presence is extraordinary for all it tells through its moving camerawork alone."

The film follows a family whose interpersonal dramas fascinate the unseen and unheard (but not unfelt!) presence that floats among them. Who is the ghost? What does it have to do with the often-bickering family of four? Presence will reveal its secrets in theaters.

Starring: Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland, and Chris Sullivan

How to watch: Presence opens in theaters Jan. 24.

You're Cordially Invited

Forget Bridezillas and Bride Wars. This kooky R-rated comedy is about the hilarious mayhem that happens when you pit a devoted father of the bride (Will Ferrell) against a loyal sister of another bride (Reese Witherspoon).

When a gorgeous lakeside wedding venue accidentally double-books two nuptials, the brides-to-be (Geraldine Viswanathan and Meredith Hagner) are kept blissfully unaware as their relatives duke it out for the picture-perfect celebration of love. Coming from writer/director Nicholas Stoller, the filmmaker behind such heart-warming and hilarious comedies as Neighbors and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, You're Cordially Invited is destined to delight.

Starring: Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Meredith Hagner

How to watch: You're Cordially Invited comes to Prime Video Jan. 30.

Companion

Give yourself over to some truly wild love with Companion. As proudly proclaimed by the twisted teaser above, this film comes from New Line Cinema, the studio behind Nicolas Sparks' romance The Notebook and the deeply deranged horror-thriller Barbarian. And Companion appears to be the love child between these two very different movies.

Jack Quaid (Star Trek: Lower Decks, Scream 5) and Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets, The Boogeyman) co-star as a couple engaged in a violent romance. Is this going the way of Natural Born Killers, Badlands, or True Romance? We can't wait to find out.

Starring: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend

How to watch: Companion opens in theaters Jan. 31.

FebruaryHeart Eyes

Josh Ruben has steadily been carving out a name for himself in horror-comedies. In 2020, he wrote, directed, and starred in the clever and creepy anthology offering Scare Me alongside the enchantingly smirking Aya Cash. The following year he unleashed Werewolves Within, a lupine whodunnit filled with comedy notables. Now, he's taking aim at Valentine's Day with the slasher Heart Eyes.

The film's first teaser gives a glimpse of the titular killer, along with some of the tropes it'll hit — like a lovers' lane slaying. But chiefly, this preview gives a great sense of the gore in store and a glimpse at Ruben's sick sense of humor. So, date night viewing is all set.

Starring: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster

How to watch: Heart Eyes opens in theaters Feb. 7.

Love Hurts

Everything Everywhere All at Once Oscar–winner Ke Huy Quan steps out of supporting roles and into the leading man position for Love Hurts. This action-comedy promises to make the most out of his moxie, as well as his skill for fight choreography and pratfalls.

To his friends and neighbors in the Milwaukee suburbs, Marvin Gable (Quan) is a mild-mannered real estate agent, quick with a smile and a heart-shaped cookie. But on one fateful Valentine's Day, his dark past comes back to haunt him. More specifically, his former partner-in-crime Rose (West Side Story Oscar–winner Ariana DeBose) resurfaces, along with plenty of trouble. Get ready for fight scenes, bonkers action, and — of course — the rousing music of THE Celine Dion!

Starring: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Marshawn Lynch, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, André Eriksen, and Sean Astin

How to watch: Love Hurts opens in theaters Feb. 7.

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep

The follow-up to The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, this animated adventure delves deeper into the fantastical world portrayed in Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher novels, which spawned both the popular video game series and the Henry Cavill-fronted Netflix series. Specifically, Sirens of the Deep is inspired by a short story called "A Little Sacrifice," which can be found in Sapkowski's short story collection Sword of Destiny.

As you can tell from the trailer, this film will follow the Witcher through a new war, which involves sexy sirens, a fleet of sharks, and some high-seas action to boot. Are you ready?

Starring: Doug Cockle, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra, and Christina Wren

How to watch: The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep debuts on Netflix Feb. 11.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

First, there was Bridget Jones's Diary. Next came Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, and then there was Bridget Jones's Baby. It's been 24 years since Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant first set hearts aflame as a hot but mismatched pair of lovers, and now they've reunited for a fresh misadventure about fiftysomethings who've grown older, but not up.

Based on Helen Fielding's novel of the same name, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy catches up with its eponymous heroine as she navigates the terrain of dating as a widowed mother. (RIP, MARK DARCY!) While her old roguish flame Daniel Cleaver (Grant) is still about, she's got hot prospects in a much-younger beau (Leo Woodall) and a dashing gentleman (Chiwetel Ejiofor). But who delivered her a night of mind-blowing sex? We'll find out this Valentine's Day.

Starring: Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Isla Fisher, Josette Simon, Nico Parker, and Leila Farzad

How to watch: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy debuts on Peacock Feb. 13.

Paddington in Peru

2025 is starting off kind and polite with the marmalade-loving bear, Paddington.

The first two installments, Paddington and Paddington 2, shared his stories of coming to England, befriending the Brown family, and dodging the clutches of a tenacious taxidermist and the schemes of a self-obsessed actor. For Paddington in Peru, the eponymous hero is returning to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who has gone missing in the Amazon jungle!

What part in this adventure will a chipper nun played by Olivia Colman and a swaggering treasure hunter portrayed by Antonio Banderas have to play? We can't wait to discover whatever silly shenanigans this much-anticipated family film has to offer.

Starring: Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, and Carla Tous

How to watch: Paddington in Peru opens in theaters Feb. 14.

Captain America: Brave New World

The fourth installment of the Captain America film series dovetails as a sequel to the TV drama The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. So, you might want to begin revisiting all of the above (and four Avengers movies) ahead of Captain America: Brave New World.

In this much anticipated action-thriller, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) takes on the mantle of Captain America, confronting an international incident with a superhero style all his own. Directed by Julius Onah (Luce), Captain America: Brave New World also brings Harrison Ford into the MCU as U.S. President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. Even if you're not up on the comics, the teaser poster alone — featuring hulking red fingers palming Captain America's signature shield — promises a mighty foe sure to bring the fight-scene spectacle audiences crave.

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford

How to watch: Captain America: Brave New World opens in theaters Feb. 14.

The Monkey

Remember those terrifying toy monkeys that would clang terrible cymbals while staring at you with red, beady eyes? Back in 1980, this creepy critter inspired a Stephen King short story. And in 2025, Osgood Perkins, the freaky filmmaker behind Longlegs, is bringing his film adaptation of The Monkey to theaters. For added oomph, this cheeky thriller is produced by James Wan.

Theo James stars as twin brothers Bill and Hal, who find the horrid toy in their father's attic. But no sooner does this artifact get dusted off than people begin to die. Coincidence? Or curse?

Starring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy

How to watch: The Monkey opens in theaters Feb. 21.

Last Breath

In 2019, director Alex Parkinson delivered an intense documentary about the rescue effort to save a deep sea diver trapped on a seabed with only minutes of oxygen left in his tank. Now, Parkinson is re-imagining this incredible story with a star-studded cast in a thriller sure to take your breath away. Both are named Last Breath.

While a storm rages above, a diver leagues below seems doomed. But not if his team has anything to say about it. Woody Harrelson brings his grizzled determination to a story of courage, brotherhood, and the risk of going where most men fear to tread (or swim).

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, and Cliff Curtis

How to watch: Last Breath opens in theaters Feb. 28.

MarchNight of the Zoopocalypse

Got kiddos who love scary stuff? Well, then mark your family's calendar for Night of the Zoopocalypse, a zombie movie sure to excite the budding horror fan in your household.

Directed by Ricardo Curtis and Rodrigo Perez-Castro, this animated offering begins in the Colepepper Zoo, where the human visitors are protected from the animal inhabitants by glass and barred enclosures. But when a strange comet drops an extraterrestrial virus into the zoo, who will protect the animals from its zombie-fying effects? Leave it to an unlikely ensemble — a wolf, mountain lion, lemur, capybara, and pygmy hippo — to not only survive but also save the day!

Starring: David Harbour, Scott Thompson, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Gabbi Kosmidis 

How to watch: Night of the Zoopocalypse opens in theaters March 7.

The Rule of Jenny Pen John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush star in "The Rule of Jenny Pen." Credit: IFC / shudder

In the fall of 2024, The Rule of Jenny Pen got tongues wagging when it played the genre-loving Fantastic Fest. This freaky horror offering from director James Ashcroft (helmer of the exceptionally harrowing Coming Home in the Dark) also won the praise of the one and only Stephen King. Per Dread Central, the king of horror tweeted, "I watched one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. It’s called The Rule of Jenny Pen, and I urge you to watch it when it appears on Shudder."

Geoffrey Rush stars as an arrogant judge named Stefan Mortensen, who is laid low by a near-fatal stroke. Partially paralyzed and moved to a retirement home, his situation gets much, much worse when he collides with a fellow resident, Dave Crealy (Lithgow) who expertly switches from genial to malicious. With Mortensen essentially cornered, Crealy inflicts on him a twisted game he calls "the Rule of Jenny Pen," employing an odd doll as an instrument of torment. When the staff fails to step in, it's up the judge to make his own ruling, and bring down a sentence on Crealy and his Jenny.

Starring: John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush 

How to watch: The Rule of Jenny Pen opens in theaters March 7.

Sinners

Ryan Coogler, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Black Panther and Creed, reteams with Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, an original thriller that has the bloody whiff of a vampire myth.

Jordan stars as twins who try to leave the troubles of their lives behind by returning to their hometown. Unfortunately for them, a rancid evil has creeped in and rules the night. This first teaser is enticing, offering a period piece that promises genre thrills and a political subtext. Plus, since it's slated to be released in IMAX, Sinners seems assured to be a visual stunner.

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo

How to watch: Sinners opens in theaters March 7.

Black Bag

All we know about Black Bag at the time of publishing is it's a spy drama that — like Presence — brings together screenwriter David Koepp and director Steven Soderbergh. And for added intrigue, the cast is led by Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender. Consider us seated.

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Pierce Brosnan, and Tom Burke

How to watch: Black Bag opens in theaters March 14.

Alto Knights

Previously, director Barry Levinson has collaborated with leading man Robert De Niro on a barrage of very different movies, ranging from the dark crime drama Sleepers to the political satire Wag the Dog to the madcap mobster comedy Analyze That (which Levinson produced) and the Bernie Madoff biopic The Wizard of Lies. Their latest team-up, Alto Knights, could be anything from hard-nosed pathos to a wacky comedy. However, since it's scripted by Nicholas Pileggi (Goodfellas, Casino), this is most certainly a gangster movie that places De Niro in his sweet spot. But the 81-year-old, two-time Oscar winner won't be on cruise control here.

Named for the notorious New York social club, Alto Kings will focus on the feud between warring crime bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello — with De Niro in both roles. Sold. Who needs a trailer?

Starring: Robert De Niro, Cosmo Jarvis, Debra Messing, and Matt Servitto

How to watch: Alto Knights opens in theaters March 21.

Snow White

Disney continues to turn their animated classics into live-action re-imaginings with Snow White. Starring as the eponymous princess is West Side Story's Rachel Zegler, who can be seen singing and dancing with the lovable seven dwarves in the teaser above. And that's lovely. But we're here for Gal Gadot serving face (the fairest in the land?) as the wicked queen. She shined as Wonder Woman. Now, as one of Disney's baddest baddies, Gadot is downright glorious.

With a screenplay from Barbie's Greta Gerwig and Secretary's Erin Cressida Wilson, Snow White could be a fresh take on this age-old tale. Helmed by Marc Webb (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, 500 Days of Summer), this princess tale will likely have a dash of cutting wit to help the apple bite go down.

Starring: Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot

How to watch: Snow White opens in theaters March 21.

AprilA Minecraft Movie

From Jared Hess, the mind that brought us the offbeat genius of Napoleon Dynamite, comes A Minecraft Movie. And yeah, it's going get about as weird as chucking quesadillas at a llama named Tina.

Inspired by the massively popular sandbox video game, A Minecraft Movie is a live-action movie in which a band of misfits — played by Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen — end up in a bizarre land that's made of cubes. There, imagination is key to the game — and survival! But fear not. Though they're stalked by hedges and square-headed hogs, our unlikely heroes have an almighty mentor/"toolbag" named Steve (Jack Black).

Starring: Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, Matt Berry, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen

How to watch: A Minecraft Movie opens April 4.

The Amateur

Rami Malek headlines this espionage thriller as Charlie Heller, a sharp and shy CIA decoder who is happy working a desk job at Langley. That is, until his beloved wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. Furious that his supervisors aren't leaping into action to track down those responsible, Charlie goes into the field on his own. To get the revenge he seeks, he'll not only have to survive a hunt for this homicidal squad, but also his colleagues trying to stop him.

From the looks of this first trailer, The Amateur offers a tense tale, studded with dramatic twists, cat-and-mouse thrills, and some ruthless — and inventive — kills. You had us at a shattering rooftop pool.

Starring: Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, and Laurence Fishburne

How to watch: The Amateur opens in theaters April 11.

Drop

Filmmaker Christopher Landon has made such darkly funny horror-comedies as the time-loop slasher Happy Death Day and its sequel, as well as the body-swap killer-thriller Freaky. He also wrote the screenplay for the teen twist on Rear Window that is Disturbia. He's leaving colleges and teen hysterics behind for Drop.

Written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, this horror-thriller centers on a widowed mother who's back on the dating scene. But when a series of spooky anonymous texts flood her phone while she's on a first date, she has to wonder if she's being harassed by the wanna-be beau before her.

Starring: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, and Ed Weeks

How to watch: Drop opens in theaters April 11.

Mickey 17

Bong Joon-ho is a modern master of genre-bending cinema, having bestowed upon viewers the gnarly yet funny serial killer thriller Memories of Murder, the humorous yet scary monster movie The Host, the wickedly entertaining eat-the-rich comedy Parasite, and the tense yet quirky end-of-the-world action epic Snowpiercer. Now, he's got his sights set on space.

Robert Pattinson stars in Mickey 17, named for the 17th printing of an earthling who has signed up to be an "expendable." For the layperson, that means Mickey has agreed to take on dangerous space jobs that could kill him. But no bother, because the company can print out a new body for his conscientiousness to inhabit if anything happens to him physically. However, when Mickey literally comes face-to-face with himself, this multiples mistake has everyone in a violent uproar. It's mayhem the way only Bong Joon-ho can imagine it.

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo

How to watch: Mickey 17 opens in theaters April 18.

Until Dawn

Adapted from the spooky Supermassive video game, Until Dawn follows a group of teens to a remote ski lodge for a getaway they'll never forget. It was there, one year ago, that a cruel prank led to twin sisters rushing out into the cold, dark forest, never to be seen again. With their friends reunited, the truth of what happened that night could come out — along with a vengeance streak that could end them all.

Directed by David F. Sandberg (Annabelle: Creation), this Until Dawn has recast most of the characters, though the deliciously devilish Peter Stormare will reprise his role from the game as Dr. Alan J. Hill.

Starring: Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Ji-young Yoo, Odessa A'zion, Maia Mitchell, Belmont Cameli, and Peter Stormare

How to watch: Until Dawn opens April 25.

MayThunderbolts*

What superhero fatigue? The MCU is back again with its 36th installment, Thunderbolts*, which is sort of the Marvel version of Suicide Squad.

United by CIA director Valentine de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), misfit antiheroes like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell) take on an even bigger Big Bad. But don't expect them to be all noble about it. They're more about the snarking and the smoldering. Lucky us.

Starring: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen, Rachel Weisz, Wyatt Russell, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

How to watch: Thunderbolts* opens in theaters May 2.

Golden

Following his musical biopic filled with LEGO flare, Piece by Piece, Pharrell Williams is looking to dive deeper into his past with Golden. Set in the housing complex in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he grew up, this musical promises to be a real dazzler. Not only does it boast a long list of stars from music, TV, and film, but also it's being helmed by Michel Gondry, the visionary behind such surreal movies as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep, and Mood Indigo.

So, prepare for your mind to be blown and your ears to be happy.

Starring: Janelle Monáe, Brian Tyree Henry, Quinta Brunson, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Tim Meadows, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jaboukie Young-White, and Missy Elliott

How to watch: Golden opens in theaters May 9.

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning

Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, the sequel to 2023's explosively entertaining Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.

Picking up where the seventh entry left off, this movie will chase Hunt as he seeks the key-like MacGuffin to topple a worrisome A.I. known as "The Entity." That means facing off against power-hungry foes, putting his loyal team at risk, plunging into a flood submarine, and lots, and lots, and lots of running. What can we say? Mission: Impossible knows what we want.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Ving Rhames, Pom Klementieff, and Esai Morales

How to watch: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning opens in theaters May 23.

Karate Kid: Legends

Ralph Macchio returns as Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid: Legends. This, the sixth film in the martial arts franchise, brings together the stories of Karate Kid 1 to 3, and the 2010 reboot, which starred Jackie Chan as a Mr. Miyagi-like mentor named Mr. Han.

In Karate Kid: Legends, Daniel and Mr. Han team up in Beijing to train a new prodigy named Li Fong (American Born Chinese's Ben Wang). But something tells me their teaching styles may not exactly align!

Starring: Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Ming-Na Wen, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, and Ralph Macchio

How to watch: Karate Kid: Legends opens in theaters May 30.

JuneFrom the World of John Wick: Ballerina

Knives Out's Ana de Armas headlines this John Wick spinoff, which is set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. The film's first trailer (seen above) teases how the story of ballerina/assassin-in-training Eve collides with Keanu Reeve's puppy-avenging badass. They have friends in common, like NYC's Continental Hotel manager Winston Scott (Ian McShane). Reeves himself is also slated to pop up in Ballerina. However, as Eve looks equally adept at shooting, martial arts, and looking killer cool whether dancing or brawling, this spin-off seems certain to entertain Wick's biggest fans.

Starring: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves

How to watch: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina opens June 6.

Elio

Disney and Pixar are offering audiences a fresh vision of alien-human interaction this summer with Elio.

Named for its eponymous underdog, Elio centers on a young boy who is mistakenly identified as the head of Earth, and so is swept away to meet an extraterrestrial delegation eager to understand our planet and its inhabitants. (Good luck!) Representing not just all humans but all life on Earth puts a lot of pressure on this charismatic kiddo. But on this journey, he's sure to make strange (and silly) new friends, and find his inner strength. And hijinks. We comfortably predict spacey hijinks.

Starring: America Ferrera, Yonas Kibreab, Jameela Jamil, Zoe Saldana, and Brad Garrett

How to watch: Elio opens in theaters June 13.

How to Train Your Dragon

Cressida Cowell's enchanting book series How to Train Your Dragon first launched a fleet of high-flying animated movies and spinoff cartoon series. Now, writer/director Dean DeBlois, who's been at the helm of these movies since the first outing in 2010, is back with a live-action re-imagining.

The Black Phone's Mason Thames will step into the shivering shoes of Hiccup, while The Last of Us' Nico Parker will play his crush, Viking girl Astrid. Gerard Butler is reprising his role as Hiccup's hard-nosed dad Stoick the Vast, while Nick Frost, Y2K''s Julian Dennison, and The Fall of the House of Usher's Ruth Codd join the cast as Vikings.

Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gerard Butler, and Ruth Codd

How to watch: How to Train Your Dragon opens in theaters June 13.

28 Years Later

First, there was 28 Days Later, then 28 Weeks Later. Now, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland are back with 28 Years Later, delivering a devastating new dose of dystopia on a zombie-laden (well, infected-persons-laden) planet.

Set long after the second film in this frightening franchise, 28 Years Later finds the Rage Virus ravaging the world as a squad of very attractive survivors struggle to remain uninfected. I don't know anything else about the characters, but look at that cast. It's a smokeshow ensemble!

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Cillian Murphy

How to watch: 28 Years Later opens June 20.

M3GAN 2.0

Among Mashable's most anticipated movies of 2025 is Blumhouse's sequel to M3GAN. Sure, the killer AI doll bit it at the conclusion of the first movie. But that ending definitely left room for her to return. Will it be in the M3GAN vs M3GAN face-off we dream of? Will she step up her dance moves to make M3GAN 2.0 a full-blown horror musical? It's too soon to say.

But good news already abounds: M3GAN's director Gerard Johnstone and writer Akela Cooper are back for this enticing sequel, as are Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, and Jenna Davis, who provides the killer doll's perfectly prim yet menacing voice. And thrilling news for Kiwi comedy fans — Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords, 2014's What We Do In the Shadows) is joining the fun in an undisclosed role. Will he be friend or foe to M3GAN 2.0?

Starring: Allison Williams, Jenna Davis, Violet McGraw, Timm Sharp, Aristotle Athari, and Jemaine Clement

How to watch: M3GAN 2.0 opens June 27.

F1

Brad Pitt drives into the high-octane world of Formula One racing with F1. Starring opposite The Banshees of Inisherin's Kerry Condon and Being the Ricardos' Javier Bardem, Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former pro driver who comes out of retirement to mentor a new prodigy on the scene (Damson Idris).

Reuniting Top Gun: Maverick's director Joseph Kosinski and writer Ehren Kruger, F1 is sure to offer action, macho drama, and a hero who doesn't know the meaning of the word "quit."

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Shea Whigham

How to watch: F1 opens June 27.

JulyJurassic World Rebirth

The Jurassic Park franchise roars on, this time leaving behind Chris Pratt, Bryce-Dallas Howard, and the first film's iconic trio of Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum. As this sequel's title suggests, Jurassic World Rebirth brings in a new group of kids and grown-ups who should know better to mess with dinosaurs at their own peril.

SEE ALSO: 'Jurassic World: Dominion' review: A big, dumb animal that deserves extinction

Set five years after Jurassic World: Dominion, the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park film series will follow an expedition to a tropical region, where three mighty prehistoric beasts could hold the cure to some of humanity's woes. Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali lead a star-studded cast, but we're most excited about the return of Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp (Presence, Kimi, Death Becomes Her) to the series. Teaming with The Creator helmer Gareth Edwards, this dynamic duo could make these movies watchable again!

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

How to watch: Jurassic World Rebirth opens July 2.

Superman View this post on Instagram

On Instagram, writer/director James Gunn shared this first look at David Corenswet as Superman, signaling a reset for Warner Bros. superhero movies. Say goodbye to the DCEU and hello to the DCU, a relaunched franchise that will build from Superman.

The official logline for this reboot is as follows (courtesy of Variety): "[Superman] tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned."

Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, and Nicholas Hoult

How to watch: Superman opens in theaters July 11.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Tweet may have been deleted

The Fantastic Four are getting rebooted and ushered into the MCU in 2025. While the plot details of this superpowered quartet's new adventure are under wraps, fans have plenty of reason to shriek in anticipation from the cast alone. Director Matt Shakman managed to cast three of the internet's boyfriends in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Stranger Things' Joseph Quinn will play the fiery Johnny "The Human Torch" Storm. The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bachrach will give gruff but lovable a new go as Ben "Thing" Grimm. And Pedro Pascal of The Last of Us will swagger into the role of Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic. Rounding out the foursome as Sue "The Invisible Woman" Storm is The Crown's Vanessa Kirby. And with Robert Downey Jr. coming back to the MCU — not as Tony Stark but as Fantastic Four foe Doctor Doom — might we anticipate he'll pop up here?

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn

How to watch: The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters July 25.

AugustThe Naked Gun

Yep. They're rebooting Naked Gun. And if you — like me — grew up with the dynamically dopey Leslie Nielsen as Detective Sergeant Frank Drebin, you might be dubious of any attempt at recasting. To that I say: They got Liam Neeson. And by "they," I mean The Lonely Island's Akiva Schaffer, co-writer/co-director of Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. If anyone could recapture the magic of this trilogy, it's the bonkers brains behind one of the best mockumentaries of all time

Plus, Neeson is no stranger to turning his tough guy persona into cop-centered comedy. In The Lego Movie, he expertly pivoted between voicing the two-faced Good Cop/Bad Cop. In Derry Girls, he played Chief Constable Byers, who was befuddled by the rants of the annoying Uncle Colm. And if you want to go way back, he played a horny, homicidal, and hilarious ghost in 1988's haunted house comedy High Spirits. Simply put, we're optimistic about this curious comedic reboot.

Starring: Liam Neeson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Pamela Anderson, Danny Huston, and Cody Rhodes

How to watch: The Naked Gun opens Aug. 1.

Nobody 2

In 2021, Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk turned action hero in Nobody, a dark comedy about a former assassin turned office worker who falls back into that violent life — whether he likes it or not. Well, one good turn (at the box office) deserves another, so Odenkirk is reprising his role as Hutch Mansell, former contract killer. Much of the old gang is back, in fact, including Connie Nielsen as Hutch's wife, Becca, and RZA as his brother, Harry. New to the team is The Shadow Strays director Timo Tjahjanto, who's taken up the helm. So anticipate action that is jaw-dropping, if not downright jaw-breaking.

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA, Christopher Lloyd, Sharon Stone, Colin Hanks, and John Ortiz

How to watch: Nobody 2 opens Aug. 15.

Thread: An Insidious Tale

The Lambert family isn't the focus of this spin-off film, though it's still set within the world of Insidious. Following the horrors in Insidious: The Red Door, Thread: An Insidious Tale will star Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani as a pair of grieving parents who attempt to travel back in time to prevent the death of their daughter. How does The Further factor in? We'll see this summer.

Starring: Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani

How to watch: Thread: An Insidious Tale opens Aug. 29.

SeptemberThe Conjuring: Last Rites

Critics may have eye-rolled over The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, but the third movie in the Ed and Lorraine Warren franchise made bank at the box office. So, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will return as the Christian couple who combat supernatural evils through faith.

The Devil Made Me Do It director Michael Chaves is back at the helm, with The Conjuring 1 and 2 helmer James Wan producing. What case from the Warren Files might they plumb next?

Starring: Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson

How to watch: The Conjuring: Last Rites opens in theaters Sept. 5.

Downton Abbey 3

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes reteams with Downton Abbey: A New Era director Simon Curtis for the third spin-off movie from the deeply adored English drama series. Also back will be much of the cast we've come to love for their upstairs posturing and downstairs drama.

Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Dominic West, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera, Douglas Reith, and Dominic West

How to watch: Downtown Abbey 3 opens in theaters Sept 12.

Saw XI

This frightening slasher franchise is going strong. Following the critical acclaim and box office success of Saw X, director Kevin Greutert returns with an 11th installment that promises to be grisly. Beyond graphic violence and gnarly kills, we're not sure what else to expect at this point. But Saw fans don't need anything else to be marking their calendars.

Starring: TBD

How to watch: Saw XI opens in theaters Sept. 26.

The Bride!

The Wolf Man isn't the only Universal Monster getting a makeover in 2025. Maggie Gyllenhaal pulls double duty as writer/director of The Bride! — an intriguing re-imagining of the iconic 1935 classic The Bride of Frankenstein. Pulling inspiration from James Whale's sequel to Frankenstein and the original sci-fi novel of Mary Shelley, Gyllenhaal carves a new chapter for her bride.

Set in 1930s Chicago, The Bride! follows a murdered young woman (Men's Jessie Buckley), who is resurrected by Dr. Euphronius to be the romantic partner to his monster (Christian Bale). But this revived heroine has more than love on her mind, and she evades police while engaging in a fight for radical social change. Let's go, ghouls!

Starring: Christian Bale, Jessie Buckley, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, and Penelope Cruz

How to watch: The Bride! opens Sept. 26.

OctoberMichael

Director Antoine Fuqua has collaborated with stars like Denzel Washington and Will Smith on such intense dramas as The Equalizer trilogy, Training Day, and Emancipation. Now, he's turned his focus to the life story of the celebrated and controversial King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Stepping into the pop icon's moon-walking shoes is Jaafar Jackson, his 28-year-old nephew, son of Jermaine Jackson. Backing him up are Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Michael's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. And setting the stage is John Logan, three-time Academy Award–nominated screenwriter of Hugo, The Aviator, and Gladiator. Which is all to say, on paper, this is a compelling prestige pic, and Lionsgate moving its release from April to October could suggest they see it as an award season contender.

Starring: Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Laura Harrier, Larenz Tate, and Miles Teller

How to watch: Michael opens in theaters Oct. 3.

Tron: Ares View this post on Instagram

A stand-alone sequel to 2010's Tron: Legacy, Tron: Ares stars Jared Leto as the titular character. Per Disney's official logline: "Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with AI beings."

AI has been at the center of a slew of recent movies, including AfrAId, Atlas, The Creator, and M3GAN. What will Disney's sci-fi drama from Joachim Rønning, helmer of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, have to say about it? That's a mystery we can't solve just yet.

Starring: Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Cameron Monaghan, Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Hasan Minhaj, and Jeff Bridges

How to watch: Tron: Ares opens in theaters Oct. 10.

The Black Phone 2

A decade after the sick thrills of Sinister, director Scott Derrickson, screenwriter C. Robert Cargill, and leading man Ethan Hawke reunited for 2021's The Black Phone, a grisly adaptation of a Joe Hill short story. It's a twisted tale of stranger danger involving ghost boys, a captive kid, and Hawke as The Grabber, a villain who channels his mercurial moods into chilling masks.

At this time, it's hard to say where this haunting tale can go next. But we're ready to find out.

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, and Miguel Mora

How to watch: The Black Phone 2 opens in theaters Oct. 17.

Mortal Kombat 2

Cue the battle music! Director Simon McQuoid is reuniting with the cast of his 2021 live-action reboot Mortal Kombat for a sure-to-thrill sequel. Based on the wildly popular video games from Midway Games, this film series follows Cole Young (Lewis Tan), a down-on-his-luck mixed-martial artist whose secret lineage pulls him into a world of super-powered battles for the future of the Earthrealm.

Reprising their roles in Mortal Kombat 2 are Hiroyuki Sanada, Jessica McNamee, Tadanobu Asano, and Mehcad Brooks. New to the cast isn The Boys' Karl Urban, who's set to play the cocky and charismatic Johnny Cage. Game on!

Starring: Hiroyuki Sanada, Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Karl Urban, Tadanobu Asano, and Mehcad Brooks

How to watch: Mortal Kombat 2 opens in theaters Oct. 24.

NovemberPredator: Badlands

In 2022, writer/director Dan Trachtenberg delivered a fresh spin on the Predator franchise with Prey, a human-versus-alien movie set in 1719 Great Plains. In 2025, he returns with Badlands, the ninth installment of this ferocious sci-fi series.

This stand-alone adventure will star Elle Fanning, who memorably confronted a mysterious monster in 2011's Super 8. Little is known about the plot, beyond a casting call: "the two main storylines delve into the intricate bond of two very different sisters, [and] their familial ties are put to the ultimate test as they pursue divergent paths and missions."

Starring: Elle Fanning

How to watch: Predator: Badlands opens Nov. 7.

Now You See Me 3

Nine years after Now You See Me 2 thrilled audiences with its blend of heist hijinks, devious deceits, and practical magic, the Horsemen are back. What are these charismatic and trouble-chasing magicians up to? Well, we have no idea just yet. But look at how the deck is stacked with an all-star cast! Add to that Zombieland helmer Ruben Fleischer, and crackling action-comedy seems assured.

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Rosamund Pike

How to watch: Now You See Me 3 opens in theaters Nov. 14.

The Running Man

This 2025 offering isn't just a remake of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie The Running Man. It's also a reunion of Twisters stars Glen Powell and Katy O'Brian, and of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World's leading man Michael Cera and director Edgar Wright. So, there's a lot of charm coming in this dark tale, based on a 1982 Stephen King novel.

If the original movie adaptation is anything to go on, The Running Man will be set in a future dystopian America, where a totalitarian police state rules — even over art, media, and reality TV. Thus, a falsely convicted cop is forced to participate in a deadly, prime-time game show called The Running Man to snatch his chance at freedom. That is, if he can survive. What will Wright and company bring to this concept in an age where reality TV has given us not only hours of entertainment but also the rise of Joe Rogan and Donald Trump? We're eager to find out.

Starring: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Katy O'Brian, William H. Macy, Emilia Jones, and Michael Cera

How to watch: The Running Man opens in theaters Nov. 21.

Wicked: Part Two

For better or for wicked, we're in the middle of one long intermission. With Wicked: Part One, director Jon M. Chu brings the Broadway hit to the silver screen, full of star power courtesy of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as unlikely besties Elphaba and Glinda. But Wicked: Part One climaxes with "Defying Gravity," leaving fans to wait an entire year before seeing Act II!

Along with the return of its dazzling leading ladies, Wicked: Part Two will also welcome back the dashing Jonathan Bailey, the sinisterly suave Jeff Goldblum, and hordes of flying monkeys. But as this story veers into the more familiar terrain of The Wizard of Oz, what fresh magic might Chu — who's previously wowed us with musicals like Step Up 3D and In The Heights — have in store?

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Marissa Bode, and Ethan Slater

How to watch: Wicked: Part Two opens Nov. 21.

Zootopia 2

Zooptopia's Jared Bush returns for this much-anticipated sequel that will usher audiences back into the wild, eponymous metropolis.

Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman reprise their voice roles as determined bunny cop Judy and wily but kind fox Nick. In their new adventure, the odd couple will be on the tail of a mysterious reptile, drawing them into new neighborhoods within their wooly city. Will their friendship survive another rocky ride through Zootopia's shady underbelly?

Starring: Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, and Shakira

How to watch: Zootopia 2 opens in theaters Nov. 26.

DecemberFive Nights at Freddy's 2

In 2023, director Emma Tammi's live-action adaptation of the popular video game franchise Five Nights at Freddy's kicked butt at the box office. Now, the sequel is coming to level up the creepy fun.

We can safely assume that with Josh Hutcherson returning as plagued security guard Mike Schmidt, the sequel will take us back to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. There, rotting animatronics with a grisly origin stalk the rooms. But with their father/foe slain in the first movie, what fresh mayhem might they raise now?

Starring: Elizabeth Lail, Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, and Piper Rubio

How to watch: Five Nights at Freddy's 2 opens in theaters Dec. 5.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Following the box office success of Avatar: The Way of Water, Avatar: Fire and Ash is poised to take Christmas 2025 by storm!

James Cameron's third installment of his ambitious sci-fi film series will return audiences to the world of Pandora, where the Na'vi battle against human military forces to preserve their environment and culture. Little is known about the plot at this point, though we can expect this sequel to continue exploring new new corners of the planet and other Na'vi communities. Plus, Everything Everywhere All at Once star Michelle Yeoh is joining the ensemble as human scientist Dr. Karina Mogue. All promising details. But will Cameron answer our burning questions from his last stunner?

SEE ALSO: 6 burning questions we have after 'Avatar: The Way of Water'

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, David Thewlis, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Yeoh, and Oona Chaplin

How to watch: Avatar: Fire and Ash opens in theaters Dec. 19.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea — and is coming up on his fifth feature film? SpongeBob SquarePants!

First, there was The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, then Sponge Out of Water, Sponge on the Run, and Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie. Now, with The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, the lovable chuckler will set forth on a new adventure, traveling the expanse of the oceans to confront the ghost of the Flying Dutchman! Expect things to get silly — and spooky!

Starring: Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Brian Doyle-Murray, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Mr. Lawrence, and Carolyn Lawrence

How to watch: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants opens in theaters December 19.

UPDATE: Dec. 5, 2024, 1:05 p.m. EST This article has been updated to reflect the latest release information.