Cinemacon - CinemaCon 2025 : Warner Bros Sets the Gold Standard With a Dazzling Showcase of Big Ideas, Star Power and Theatrical Ambition

By Mulder, Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, 01 april 2025

If there was any lingering doubt about Warner Bros’ ambitions for the future of the theatrical experience, their powerhouse presentation at CinemaCon 2025 silenced it with authority. Held in the buzzing heart of the Colosseum, the showcase was more than just a sizzle reel of what’s to come—it was a cinematic statement of intent. Executives Jeff Goldstein, Pam Abdy, and Mike De Luca led the charge, emphasizing not only the strength of the studio’s upcoming slate, but also their belief in the irreplaceable magic of watching movies together on the big screen. What followed was a generous, emotionally charged, and frequently jaw-dropping stream of talent appearances, project debuts, world premieres, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes that painted a bold, eclectic portrait of Warner Bros' vision for the next year of filmgoing.

The early momentum came with an on-stage appearance from Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jessie Buckley, who were on hand to present The Bride, Gyllenhaal’s highly anticipated and idiosyncratic take on the Frankenstein mythology. This is no ordinary horror film—it’s a deeply stylized, emotionally volatile reworking that pulses with raw energy. Buckley described the script as like being plugged into an electrical current, while Gyllenhaal spoke openly about her belief in the big-screen experience, noting that shooting on IMAX made me a total convert, and that there’s a difference when you see it on beautiful movie screens. Gyllenhaal referred to The Bride as the punkest love story that’s ever existed, and suggested that each of us carries a hint of the monstrous inside. That emotional complexity, paired with a lush visual aesthetic and feminist reinterpretation, sets The Bride apart as one of the most artistically ambitious films in the 2025 lineup. The CinemaCon crowd was treated to the first exclusive footage, and the buzz in the room afterward suggested that this is going to be a major conversation-starter come release time.

Warner Bros then pivoted into genre territory with a thrill-heavy segment courtesy of New Line Cinema, featuring none other than Richard Brener on stage to introduce a monstrous medley of upcoming horror releases. A reel showcasing Final Destination: Bloodlines, Weapons, The Conjuring: Last Rites, and Mortal Kombat II left fans breathless and hungry for more. Mortal Kombat II, set for release this October, appears to be doubling down on martial arts carnage, while The Conjuring: Last Rites, coming in September, promises a chilling return to form for the franchise. Yet it was Final Destination: Bloodlines that seemed to traumatize—in the best way—the assembled audience, with several attendees visibly shaken by the intensity of the extended clip shown. And then there was Weapons, the mysterious new project from Barbarian’s Zach Cregger. He arrived in person to present a CinemaCon-exclusive teaser that reportedly stunned the room into silence. The footage teased a sprawling narrative that shifts genre gears midstream and carries a visceral emotional undercurrent—something between dread and melancholy. It’s clear that New Line’s genre arm is embracing not just scares, but high-concept horror with auteur fingerprints all over it.

Then came a major flex of real-world spectacle with the reveal of F1, the upcoming Formula 1 racing film from director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. It’s no exaggeration to say that this was one of the most jaw-dropping reveals of the day. Shot during real Formula 1 races around the globe, the film stars Brad Pitt—who, yes, actually raced on real tracks, at real speeds. According to Kosinski, Pitt drove up to 180mph, pushing not just the car but the realism of action filmmaking itself to new limits. What’s revolutionary here is not just the action, but how it was captured—an unprecedented collaboration with F1 that allowed Kosinski to bring cameras to places they’ve never been during actual Grand Prix events. The audience was treated to the first ten minutes of the movie, and it’s safe to say that the reaction bordered on euphoric. This isn’t just a sports film—it’s an experiential thrill ride that aims to make you feel like you’re inside the cockpit at every hairpin turn.

Switching gears again, Warner Bros Animation took the stage and brought some levity and whimsy to the presentation. Bill Damaschke, head of WB Animation, shared an impressive slate of upcoming animated features, including The Cat in the Hat, Bad Fairies, Margie Claus, and The Lunar Chronicles. The spotlight, however, was squarely on The Cat in the Hat, which is being reimagined with an expansive new narrative and a voice performance by Bill Hader that already has people talking. Hader, ever the comic genius, introduced the trailer and then shared an SNL clip that he jokingly presented as his audition tape for the role. In a hilariously deadpan moment, he described his process as waking up, showing up in a robe, arguing with the studio guard, and then just doing the magic. The trailer for The Cat in the Hat, which drops in February 2026, was met with joy and laughter, suggesting a fresh take that stays true to Seussian charm while pushing into exciting narrative territory.

But perhaps the most emotional and rapturously received segment of the presentation came during the unveiling of James Gunn’s new Superman film. Gunn, flanked by producers and stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult, delivered an intimate, heartfelt address about why Superman still matters. This isn’t a bombastic retread—it’s a story about empathy, hope, and the resilience of human kindness. We took this job because we believe in the power of the theater-going experience, Gunn said, underscoring his passion not just for superheroes but for the shared emotional journey of moviegoing. Corenswet described what it meant to him to wear the cape, recalling a moment where he flew into the sunset and truly felt like he was witnessing the magic of cinema in real time. Rachel Brosnahan shared that she met with real journalists to prepare for Lois Lane and emphasized the timeless relevance of stories that speak to everyone. Nicholas Hoult, full of dry wit, revealed he had auditioned for both Batman and Superman, but ultimately found his path into the DC universe as a character that hasn’t yet been officially announced—but clearly has fans intrigued.

Then came the world-exclusive new world premiere clip for Superman, a sweeping and emotional teaser that placed character first and spectacle second. Far from a typical action trailer, this glimpse into Gunn’s Metropolis was poetic, visually stunning, and surprisingly tender. One scene in particular—Superman walking at night through a moonlit field, the wind catching his cape—left many in the room visibly moved. This is a movie that celebrates kindness and human love, Gunn concluded. And in that moment, it felt like everyone in the room collectively understood the film’s deeper purpose. As an added touch of sincerity, Nicholas Hoult declared, I’m so excited to watch this with my son, drawing a warm reaction from the crowd. It wasn’t just marketing—it was a love letter to generational storytelling.

The presentation concluded with teases of other major title Sinners, as well as a surprise video message from Ryan Coogler about future collaborations. Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and even Leonardo DiCaprio appeared to introduce One Battle After Another, a drama that explores deep emotional entanglements and situationships, in Taylor’s words. The film received its first sneak peek, with Hall and Taylor praising the collaborative atmosphere and emotional honesty of the storytelling. It added yet another layer to the diverse cinematic tapestry Warner Bros is weaving for the year ahead.

All in all, the Warner Bros presentation at CinemaCon 2025 wasn’t just a checklist of upcoming releases—it was a cinematic manifesto. The studio made a compelling case for why theatrical releases matter, why stories told at scale with emotional intelligence and artistic ambition still have the power to move, thrill, and unite us. In a world of streaming options and fragmented attention spans, Warner Bros stood proudly for the immersive power of the movie theater. From horror to animation, from racing realism to superhero soul-searching, from electric love stories to existential monster tales, this was a lineup that refused to be boxed in. If CinemaCon is any indication, Warner Bros isn’t just planning for the future—they’re actively shaping it, one bold, heartfelt, and gloriously cinematic film at a time.

For a limited time you can check the official photos in our Flickr page

Photos : Getty Images for Cinemacon