At CinemaCon 2025, Walt Disney Studios captivated audiences with a dynamic presentation, unveiling an impressive lineup of upcoming films across its diverse portfolio. The event showcased the studio’s commitment to delivering both innovative storytelling and nostalgic revivals, reinforcing its influential position in the entertainment industry.
Disney presented its 2025 slate on the big screen for everyone to see. They were also the only studio to allow the press to record and take photos of talent during the presentation.
Major Announcements and Highlights:
- Avatar: Fire and Ash Director James Cameron introduced the third installment in the Avatar franchise, slated for release on December 19, 2025. The film will explore new Na’vi tribes, including the peaceful Wind Traders and the antagonistic Ash People, promising a deeper and more character-driven narrative.
- Freakier Friday Actresses Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reunited on stage to promote the sequel to the beloved 2003 film Freaky Friday. The duo expressed enthusiasm about reprising their roles, with the sequel set to premiere in theaters on August 8, 2025.
- TRON: Ares Actors Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges presented an extended trailer for the highly anticipated third installment in the TRON series. The film follows a sophisticated program named Ares who ventures into the real world, marking humanity’s first encounter with AI beings. TRON: Ares is scheduled to open on October 10, 2025.
- Predator: Badlands Actress Elle Fanning unveiled a first look at this new addition to the Predator franchise. Set in the future on a remote planet, the story follows a young Predator who teams up with Fanning’s character, Thia, on a perilous quest for the ultimate adversary. The film is set for release on November 7, 2025.
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps Marvel Studios provided a glimpse into their upcoming reboot, featuring the superhero team facing new challenges and introducing characters like the Silver Surfer. The film aims to blend a retro-futuristic aesthetic with high-stakes action.
- Zootopia 2 An exclusive clip showcased the return of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they embark on a new adventure involving a mysterious reptile in the Marsh Market. The sequel is scheduled for release on November 26, 2025.
Other films featured in the panel include:
The live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch which looked absolutely adorable. Jeremy Strong and Jeremy Allen White came onstage for Deliver Me From Nowhere, the new Bruce Springsteen biopic. This film definitely looks like it has some potential to be an awards favorite. Jamie Lee Curtis came back to the stage along with Ella McCay for the James L. Brooks film Ella McCay. James L. Brooks himself is presented with the Cinema Verite Award.
During the Marvel Studios presentation, Kevin Feige spoke on recorded message about Doomsday and said they are days away from filming. He also disclosed that more actors will be announced and that the Avengers, the Wakandans, the Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts, and the original X-Men will be fighting Doctor Doom.
During a first look at the Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer. The footage opens with our titular family/superhero group being brought onto a talk show, it is established that the Fantastic Four have been around for a good while in this alternate universe of the MCU and are beloved by their society. Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) and Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) arrive late to dinner with Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bacharach), but to make up for it, she announces that she is pregnant. Johnny congratulates the couple, saying Sue will make a great mom and joking that Reed has some work to do.
Things seem to be going well in this dimension until the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) comes to Earth and warns the Fantastic Four that their world has been marked for imminent destruction. The shadow of Galactus is shown looming over New York, and the Silver Surfer tells our heroes they are in a race against time to save Earth from destruction. A civilian asks Reed Richards if they are going to be okay, to which he answers, “I don’t know.” We see him consumed by his research, burdened by their heroic responsibilities.
Sue and Reed make a promise for the future of their child, and we are shown Reed giving a speech and telling the public that the Fantastic Four will protect them. The trailer ends with a shot of the Silver Surfer riding on the iconic board away from the burning flames of an explosion.”
The clip of Thunderbolts* showed the following:
It opens with Winter Soldier and Red Guardian driving through the city. “What kind of super serum did you get?” Red Guardian asks. “Hydra,” says Bucky. “Are we there yet?” Yelena Belova yells from the back of the truck. The truck parks at Avengers Tower and Belova and John Walker fight a crew of security guards. Walker smashes one with his shield. Bucky nearly chokes one to death, but is interrupted by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, “I left the door unlocked for you!” she says. “Can you believe how many fights took place exactly here,” asks Fontaine as the team enters the main office of Avengers Tower. The group argues. Boots stomp down the stairs and the footage cuts away.
Disney’s presentation at CinemaCon 2025 underscored its dedication to expanding beloved franchises while introducing fresh narratives, ensuring a compelling cinematic experience for audiences in the coming years.