Warner Bros 2025 Film Slate: A Bold Mix of Originals, Sequels, and Reboots

Burbank, CA, May 17, 2025 – Warner Bros. Pictures is gearing up for an ambitious and diverse 2025, with a slate of 13 films that blend high-profile originals, long-awaited sequels, and the launch of the rebooted DC Universe (DCU). After a mixed 2024 with hits like Dune: Part Two and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice alongside underperformers like Joker: Folie à Deux, the studio is banking on a mix of auteur-driven projects, franchise expansions, and family-friendly adaptations to reclaim box office dominance. From James Gunn’s Superman to Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, here’s a comprehensive look at Warner Bros.’ 2025 theatrical releases, as showcased at CinemaCon 2025 and detailed across industry reports.

January 31: Companion

• Director: Drew Hancock
• Cast: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage
• Genre: Thriller/Horror
• Synopsis: A weekend getaway at a remote cabin turns chaotic when one guest is revealed to be not what they seem. Described as a twisted love story from the creators of Barbarian, the teaser trailer hints at Jack Quaid’s unhinged character torturing Sophie Thatcher’s Iris, who harbors a mysterious spark.
• Outlook: Despite positive reviews, early box office returns are modest, grossing $37 million worldwide against a $20 million budget. Its dark, R-rated tone may limit mainstream appeal but could attract horror fans.

March 7: Mickey 17

• Director: Bong Joon Ho
• Cast: Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Michael Monroe
• Genre: Sci-Fi Dark Comedy
• Synopsis: Mickey Barnes, an “expendable” employee, undertakes a life-threatening mission to colonize an ice planet, exploring themes of sacrifice and survival. Directed by the Oscar-winning Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), the film faced multiple release date shifts (originally March 2024) due to extensive post-production for an optimal cut.
• Outlook: With a $118 million budget, Mickey 17 has grossed $120 million worldwide but is considered a box office disappointment due to a low viral trailer response (6:1 ratio vs. Superman’s 317:1). Its niche sci-fi premise may struggle to break even, though Bong’s auteur status could draw critical praise.

March 14: The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (Distributed by Ketchup Entertainment in the U.S.)

• Director: Pete Browngardt
• Cast: Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Fred Tatasciore
• Genre: Animated Comedy
• Synopsis: Daffy Duck and Porky Pig team up to save the world from an alien invasion in this standalone Looney Tunes adventure.
• Outlook: Aimed at family audiences, this film is expected to perform modestly due to its niche appeal and limited U.S. distribution through Ketchup Entertainment. Its low budget should ensure profitability.

March 21: Alto Knights

• Director: Barry Levinson
• Cast: Robert De Niro (dual role as Frank Costello and Vito Genovese), Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci
• Genre: Biographical Crime Drama
• Synopsis: Set in 1950s New York, the film follows former friends and crime bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese as betrayals and jealousies lead to a deadly clash, with De Niro playing both roles.
• Outlook: Released with minimal marketing (no trailer as of November 2024), Alto Knights has underperformed, earning just $9 million worldwide against a $50 million budget. Its niche appeal and lack of buzz suggest a financial loss, despite De Niro’s star power.

April 4: A Minecraft Movie

• Director: Jared Hess
• Cast: Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, Jennifer Coolidge
• Genre: Live-Action/Animated Adventure
• Synopsis: Four misfits are pulled through a portal into the cubic Overworld, where they team up with expert crafter Steve (Jack Black) to survive and return home. Directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), the film leverages the global popularity of the Minecraft video game.
• Outlook: Projected to open at $70 million, this family-friendly adaptation is a strong contender for Warner Bros.’ biggest 2025 hit, bolstered by a 50:1 trailer viral ratio and a comedic cast. Co-funded by Legendary (75%), it mitigates financial risk for Warner Bros.

April 18: Sinners

• Director: Ryan Coogler
• Cast: Michael B. Jordan (dual role), Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo
• Genre: Vampire Thriller
• Synopsis: Twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return to their Jim Crow-era hometown, confronting the Ku Klux Klan and a supernatural evil. Directed by Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), this blends historical drama with horror.
• Outlook: A critical and early box office success, Sinners is gaining traction for its unique premise and Coogler’s reputation. Its $40 million budget and 10% Domain financing reduce risk, positioning it as a potential sleeper hit.

June 27: F1 (Co-release with Apple Original Films)

• Director: Joseph Kosinski
• Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
• Genre: Sports Action Drama
• Synopsis: Retired F1 driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) mentors a young racer (Damson Idris) after a career-ending crash, with real-life F1 stars like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen appearing as themselves. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film promises high-octane racing sequences.
• Outlook: With a strong trailer response and Kosinski’s track record, F1 is a major summer contender. Its global appeal to racing fans and star-studded cast could drive significant box office returns.

July 11: Superman

• Director: James Gunn
• Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Isabela Merced
• Genre: Superhero
• Synopsis: The first film in the rebooted DCU follows Clark Kent (David Corenswet) balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing in a world already populated with superheroes. Featuring Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), it aims to blend old-school heroism with modern flair.
• Outlook: As Warner Bros.’ flagship release, Superman carries immense expectations to revive the DCU after the DCEU’s struggles. With a 317:1 trailer viral ratio and Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy pedigree, it’s poised for strong critical and commercial success, potentially grossing over $500 million worldwide.

August 8: Weapons

• Director: Zach Cregger
• Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Toby Huss
• Genre: Horror/Thriller
• Synopsis: A horror-infused take on Magnolia, this follows interconnected stories involving missing children, police corruption, cults, and witchcraft. Originally slated for 2026, positive test screenings moved it to 2025.
• Outlook: Cregger’s Barbarian success fuels hype, but its ambitious, non-linear narrative may limit mainstream appeal. Expected to perform moderately, with potential for cult status if reviews are strong.

September 26: One Battle After Another

• Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Sean Penn, Alana Haim
• Genre: Drama
• Synopsis: Plot details remain under wraps, but this Paul Thomas Anderson-directed film promises a character-driven epic with a star-studded ensemble, continuing his tradition of ambitious storytelling.
• Outlook: Anderson’s Imax release and auteur appeal could drive critical acclaim, but its box office success depends on accessibility. Warner Bros.’ investment in original films hinges on its performance.

September 26: The Conjuring: Last Rites

• Director: Michael Chaves
• Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson
• Genre: Horror
• Synopsis: The final chapter in The Conjuring series sees Ed and Lorraine Warren face their last demonic case, building on the franchise’s $2 billion global box office legacy.
• Outlook: A reliable horror franchise, it’s expected to perform strongly, likely grossing $200–$300 million worldwide, appealing to fans of the series.

October 10: Mortal Kombat 2

• Director: Simon McQuoid
• Cast: Lewis Tan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Karl Urban
• Genre: Action/Martial Arts
• Synopsis: Cole Young, descendant of Scorpion, returns for the iconic fighting tournament, with Karl Urban as Johnny Cage. A sequel to the 2021 hit, it aims to expand the Mortal Kombat universe.
• Outlook: The first film’s modest success ($84 million worldwide) suggests a solid fanbase, and Urban’s addition could boost appeal. Expected to gross $100–$150 million globally.

October 24: Final Destination: Bloodlines

• Director: Zach Lipovsky, Adam B. Stein
• Cast: Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Rya Kihlstedt
• Genre: Horror
• Synopsis: A college student plagued by violent nightmares returns home to break a deadly cycle threatening her family, continuing the Final Destination franchise’s death-defying legacy.
• Outlook: With a built-in horror fanbase, this reboot is likely to perform well, potentially grossing $100–$200 million worldwide, especially with its Halloween-adjacent release.

November 21 and December 19: Untitled Event Films

• Details: Warner Bros. has scheduled two “event films” for these dates, but no titles or details have been confirmed. Speculation includes potential releases like Dune: Messiah or other franchise expansions, but no official announcements have surfaced.
• Outlook: The lack of information makes projections difficult, but these slots suggest high-profile releases to capitalize on holiday seasons.

Strategic Context and Outlook

Warner Bros.’ 2025 slate, led by co-chairs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, emphasizes experimentation with original films (Sinners, Weapons, One Battle After Another) alongside franchise heavyweights (Superman, The Conjuring: Last Rites, Mortal Kombat 2). The studio’s $4.5 billion investment in original content reflects a bold pivot from the DCEU’s struggles, but early flops like Alto Knights and Mickey 17 highlight risks. Posts on X praise the slate’s variety, with @kyalbr noting, “That’s one hell of a slate,” though @javier078’s mention of unconfirmed titles like Constantine suggests fan speculation outpacing official announcements.

The pressure is on Superman to anchor the DCU and Warner Bros.’ financial recovery, with experts warning that failure could jeopardize the studio’s future, drawing comparisons to Fox’s 2019 Disney acquisition. Meanwhile, A Minecraft Movie and F1 are expected to drive family and action audiences, respectively, with strong box office potential. The studio’s strategy to leverage premium video-on-demand (PVOD) and Max streaming for underperformers mitigates some risk, with Domain financing 10% of most titles’ budgets (except A Minecraft Movie at 75% by Legendary).

Despite executive shakeups, including the exit of marketing president Josh Goldstine and distribution president Andrew Cripps, Warner Bros. remains committed to theatrical releases under De Luca and Abdy’s vision. The 2025 slate’s success hinges on balancing risky originals with proven franchises, with Superman and A Minecraft Movie likely to lead the pack.

Sources: ScreenRant, Collider, Warner Bros. Entertainment Wiki, The Wrap, Deadline, Reddit’s r/boxoffice, IMDb, X posts by @kyalbr, @OnlyMcFisherMan, @NextBestPicture