Cinemacon - CinemaCon 2025 : Universal Pictures and Focus Features Light Up Las Vegas With a Monumental Showcase of Cinema’s Future

By Mulder, Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, 02 april 2025

CinemaCon 2025 opened in grand, almost operatic fashion as Universal Pictures set the bar high—very high—with a live orchestra performing the iconic Universal logo theme, right there on stage in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. This wasn't just a charming gesture or a nostalgic wink. It was a thunderous declaration of intent. Universal was here not simply to promote upcoming releases but to remind the world—with music, with spectacle, with ambition—of the studio’s legacy and its vision for the future of theatrical storytelling. As Mike Knobloch, President of Music and Publishing, introduced the segment, a cinematic montage took over the screen, highlighting the most iconic titles from the studio's storied past. It was a spine-tingling trip through movie history, one that effortlessly flowed from the past to what was promised to be an exhilarating look ahead. This reverent opening prepared the room for a showcase that was not only comprehensive but emotionally engaging—reminding exhibitors and media alike of the deeply rooted cultural power of movies seen on the big screen.

As NBCUniversal executives Donna Langley and Peter Levinsohn took to the stage, their presence underscored how seriously the studio views the theatrical window and how much is being invested—not only financially, but creatively—in bringing audiences back to cinemas. But no amount of executive statements could rival the electricity in the air when the first major reveal dropped: Jurassic World: Rebirth. The next evolutionary leap in the beloved dinosaur saga was revealed with a mix of heartfelt fandom and epic ambition. Director Gareth Edwards took the stage alongside Mahershala Ali and Scarlett Johansson, all clearly passionate about the new direction for the franchise. Johansson, with her signature blend of humor and charisma, confessed she would’ve played any role, even if her character got devoured in the first five minutes. Edwards, on the other hand, shared a wonderfully nerdy anecdote about his childhood condition that forced him to rewatch Jurassic Park ten times a year. The film, shot on location in the lush jungles of Thailand, appears to embrace a more grounded, adventurous tone. The CinemaCon audience became the very first group—apart from Ali himself—to catch an early glimpse of footage from the film, and judging by the buzz in the room, Universal might have another massive hit roaring toward box office glory.

After the prehistoric thrills, the tone shifted to family entertainment and vibrant animation as DreamWorks Animation stepped up with the first cinematic adaptation of Gabby’s Dollhouse. Margie Cohn presented the film and offered attendees an exclusive first trailer, signaling the studio’s intention to broaden Gabby’s already massive young fanbase with a colorful and theatrical adventure. The momentum continued with the return of The Bad Guys in The Bad Guys 2, where Awkwafina and Craig Robinson stole the show with their quick wit and teasing insights into the sequel’s new plotline: this time, our reformed criminals are lured back into chaos by a new squad—the Bad Girls. The sequel looks like it will double down on the slick visuals and buddy-comedy charm that made the first a surprise hit, and with a confirmed release date of August 1st, it’s primed to be a summer favorite.

Then came one of the presentation’s crown jewels: the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, which had premiered earlier that day and returned to the stage with director Dean DeBlois, Gerard Butler, and Nico Parker. Fans were already on a high from the morning’s premiere, but CinemaCon saved the biggest news for last—an official announcement that the next installment in the series will arrive in June 2027. This kind of early commitment not only reflects Universal’s confidence in the project but also its plans to build a tentpole franchise that could rival the animated version’s emotional impact and narrative scope.

The surprises kept rolling as Marlon Wayans brought a jolt of horror-comedy energy to the stage to introduce HIM, a psychological horror film produced by none other than Jordan Peele. Directed by Justin Tipping and co-starring Tyriq Withers, the film will debut on September 19, 2025, and looks to blend social commentary with supernatural thrills in the kind of genre-defying package that Peele has perfected in recent years. Wayans, always the showman, joked about being the only Wayans left in the room, lightening the mood before a tense, visually striking sneak peek unspooled onscreen.

The genre shifts continued with Bob Odenkirk returning as the everyday-man-turned-assassin in Nobody 2, which promises more gritty action and darkly comedic mayhem. Though plot details remain under wraps, the footage made it clear that this sequel will raise the stakes and expand the world of the original cult hit. The audience welcomed Odenkirk back with audible enthusiasm, a testament to how well the first film resonated with moviegoers craving smart, character-driven action.

Peter Kujawski, Chairman of Focus Features, then took over with a more poetic tone, declaring that movie theatres pollinate our entire global culture. His message wasn’t just philosophical—it was a reaffirmation of Focus’s dedication to releasing diverse, elegant, and thought-provoking films. In a rare treat, attendees were shown a trio of first looks: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which will close out the beloved British saga in suitably grand fashion; Bugonia, a genre-bending satire that appears to mix science fiction with absurdist humor; and The Phoenician Scheme, a sleek and suspenseful espionage tale. These previews were brief but captivating, teasing a varied lineup that speaks to the art-house audience without sacrificing broad appeal.

Then came a full-on horror carnival, as Jason Blum stormed the stage in full Freddy Fazbear costume to introduce Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, which will arrive in theaters this December. With Blumhouse now a cornerstone of Universal’s release slate, his antics were more than justified. Blum revealed that the studio has not only Drop—a mysterious new thriller releasing next week—but also three sequels to their most successful properties in the pipeline. The room burst with excitement again as Black Phone 2 was previewed, introduced by CinemaCon’s Rising Star Madeleine McGraw, who shared that making these films is not scary at all—though watching them is a different story. The moment escalated into surreal territory when thirty M3GAN performers marched onstage to announce the trailer for the next entry in that killer-AI saga. Finally, Blum joined forces with James Wan to introduce SOULM8TE, a futuristic chiller arriving in January 2026, showcasing Blumhouse’s continued evolution into tech-driven psychological horror.

Just when it seemed the presentation had peaked, Jim Orr stepped in to reveal Universal’s release plans for 2026—and it was an absolute juggernaut of a slate. In April, the Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel returns to dominate family audiences, followed by Minions 3 in July, and the long-anticipated Shrek 5 lighting up Christmas. But perhaps the biggest teases of all were the confirmations of new films from both Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan slated for summer 2026—each shrouded in mystery, each instantly commanding attention from press and fans alike.

To close the showcase with theatrical magic and emotional weight, Wicked: For Good brought the house down. Director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt were joined by stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, both speaking candidly about the challenges and joys of bringing Wicked to the screen. Grande reflected on Glinda’s inner journey, while Erivo expressed awe at the production’s scale and heart. The CinemaCon crowd became the first audience ever to see footage from the film, and it reportedly delivered in spades—dazzling visuals, sweeping songs, and heartfelt performances that promise a holiday-season event of epic proportions.

In the end, Universal Pictures and Focus Features didn’t just deliver a studio presentation—they staged a full-fledged celebration of cinema. With a dazzling array of talent, genres, and surprises, their CinemaCon 2025 showcase reaffirmed a commitment not just to big franchises, but to emotional resonance, creative risk-taking, and the shared joy of the theatrical experience. It was a presentation rooted in legacy but unafraid to break new ground, offering something for every kind of movie lover. From dinosaurs and dragons to Broadway witches and haunted video game mascots, the future of Universal is as bold and bright as the orchestra’s opening notes—and audiences everywhere are in for one hell of a ride.

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Photos : Getty Images for Cinemacon