Movies - Paramount’s 2025: The Year of Big Stories, Bigger Stars, and Beloved Franchises

By Mulder, 27 december 2024

Paramount Pictures is poised to make 2025 a standout year in cinema, unveiling a rich tapestry of films that blend original storytelling, beloved franchises, and innovative concepts. The lineup showcases the studio’s commitment to delivering diverse entertainment that appeals to audiences worldwide, with films spanning genres from musical biopics and psychological thrillers to animated adventures and high-octane action epics. Let’s dive deep into the remarkable slate of films set to light up screens throughout the year.

In February is Vicious, a psychological horror film from Bryan Bertino that plunges audiences into a world of paranoia and existential dread. Starring Dakota Fanning, the story centers on a woman who receives a mysterious package, triggering a series of events that unravel her sense of reality. Known for his mastery of tension and atmosphere in films like The Strangers, Bertino crafts a chilling exploration of human vulnerability, ensuring that Vicious will linger in the minds of viewers long after the credits roll.

March introduces an unexpected hero in Novocaine, a thriller directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen. Jack Quaid stars as Nate, an unassuming man born with congenital insensitivity to pain, who is thrust into an extraordinary situation when his dream girl, played by Amber Midthunder, is kidnapped. Nate’s unique condition becomes both his greatest asset and his greatest challenge as he embarks on a perilous mission to rescue her. With its blend of intense action sequences and emotional stakes, Novocaine has been described as a thrilling mix of Taken and Unbreakable, promising to captivate audiences with its unique premise.

As the summer blockbuster season approaches, Paramount pulls out all the stops with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in this climactic chapter of the beloved franchise. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the film continues the saga of Hunt’s battle against “the Entity,” a rogue artificial intelligence threatening global security. Known for its jaw-dropping stunts, the Mission: Impossible series raises the bar yet again, with reports of Cruise piloting a helicopter through treacherous canyons. The film promises to deliver not just edge-of-your-seat action but also a poignant farewell to one of cinema’s most enduring characters.

July offers a delightful change of pace with Les Schtroumpfs – Le Film, an animated feature that reimagines the world of the Smurfs for a new generation. Directed by Chris Miller and featuring a star-studded voice cast, including Rihanna as Smurfette, the film combines whimsical storytelling with stunning animation. Early glimpses suggest a vibrant, immersive world that captures the charm of the original while infusing it with fresh humor and heart, making it a must-see for families and fans alike.

Comedy takes center stage in August with Naked Gun, a reboot of the beloved slapstick franchise. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, the film stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson in a modern retelling of the absurd adventures of Detective Frank Drebin. Test audiences have praised the film’s clever blend of nostalgia and contemporary humor, ensuring that it will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.

Adding to the intrigue is an untitled project from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, set to debut in August. While details remain under wraps, the duo’s track record suggests audiences can expect sharp satire, bold humor, and a fearless approach to storytelling. Whether it’s a biting social commentary or a wildly imaginative narrative, this project is sure to generate excitement and discussion.

As the year winds down, Edgar Wright’s The Running Man takes center stage in November. An adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian novel, the film stars Glen Powell in a gripping story about a man forced to compete in a deadly game show in a totalitarian future. Wright’s signature style, characterized by dynamic visuals and sharp storytelling, promises to elevate the source material into a thrilling cinematic experience. With its timely themes and adrenaline-pumping action, The Running Man is poised to be one of the year’s most talked-about films.

Paramount Pictures’ 2025 lineup is a testament to the studio’s ability to balance artistic ambition with mainstream appeal. From the emotional depths of Better Man to the pulse-pounding thrills of Mission: Impossible and the comedic charm of Naked Gun, the slate offers something for every taste. By combining bold original concepts with the revitalization of beloved properties, Paramount is not only catering to diverse audiences but also reaffirming its position as a leader in the entertainment industry. As moviegoers eagerly await these releases, it’s clear that 2025 will be a year to remember for Paramount Pictures and its fans.

The 2025 Line-up :

Vicious
Written and directed by Bryan Bertino
Produced by Richard Suckle
Starring  Dakota Fanning, Kathryn Hunter, Mary McCormack, Rachel Blanchard, Devyn Nekoda
Cinematography : Tristan Nyby
Production company : Atlas Independent
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates : February 26, 2025 (France)
Synopsis : A young woman plunges into a disturbing labyrinth contained in a mysterious gift.
Note : From horror aficionado Bryan Bertino, Vicious delivers a bone-chilling psychological narrative. Starring Dakota Fanning, the film follows a woman grappling with paranoia after receiving a cryptic package from a stranger. Fans of Bertino's earlier work (The Strangers) can expect his signature tension-building and chilling atmospherics.

Novocaine 

Directed by Dan Berk, Robert Olsen
Written by Lars Jacobson
Produced by Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell, Drew Simon
Starring  Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh
Cinematography : Jacques Jouffret
Edited by Christian Wagner
Production companies : Infrared Pictures, Safehouse Pictures, Circle of Confusion
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : March 12, 2025 (France), March 14, 2025 (United States)
Synopsis : When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, Nate, an ordinary man, turns his inability to feel pain into an unexpected strength in his fight to find her.
Note : Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, this thriller introduces Nate, an everyman who feels no physical pain, played by Jack Quaid. When his dream girl (Amber Midthunder) is kidnapped, Nate embarks on a daring rescue mission, leveraging his unique condition. With thrilling action sequences and an emotionally resonant story, Novocaine has been described as a blend of Taken and Unbreakable.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Written by Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen
Based on Mission: Impossible by Bruce Geller
Produced by Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie
Starring  Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Angela Bassett, Henry Czerny
Cinematography : Fraser Taggart
Edited by Eddie Hamilton
Music by Lorne Balfe
Production companies : Skydance, TC Productions, New Republic Pictures
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : May 21, 2025 (France), May 23, 2025 (United States)
Synopsis : Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Note : Tom Cruise is back for one of the most anticipated films of the year. Following the events of Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt faces his toughest adversary yet: the enigmatic AI entity called "The Entity." The franchise continues to push boundaries with gravity-defying stunts—one sequence reportedly involves Cruise piloting a helicopter through the Grand Canyon. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the film promises to bring the franchise to a climactic and emotional conclusion.

The smurfs – The movie
Directed by Chris Miller
Written by Pam Brady
Based on The Smurfs by Peyo
Produced by Ryan Harris, Rihanna, Laurence Jay"Brown, Tyran Ty-Ty Smith
Starring  Rihanna, Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, J. P. Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, John Goodman
Production companies : Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Movies, Marcy Media Films, LAFIG Belgium, Peyo Company
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : J July 16, 2025 (France), uly 18, 2025 (United States)
Synopsis : An animated musical film revolving around the iconic creations of Peyo.
Note : Bringing back the beloved Smurfs, this animated reboot directed by Chris Miller features an A-list voice cast including Rihanna as Smurfette and Nick Offerman as Papa Smurf. The film aims to modernize the Smurf lore for new audiences while retaining the charm that made them household names. Early concept art suggests stunning visuals that transport viewers to a lush, colorful Smurf village.

Naked Gun 
Directed by Akiva Schaffer
Written by Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, Akiva Schaffer, Mark Hentemann, Alec Sulkin
Story by Seth MacFarlane
Based on Police Squad! by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker
Produced by Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins
Starring  Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Runnels, CCH Pounder, Busta Rhymes
Cinematography : Brandon Trost
Production companies : Paramount Pictures, Fuzzy Door Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : August 1, 2025 (United States), August 5, 2025 (France)
Synopsis : Based off the widely popular comedy franchise The Naked Gun and television series Police Squad! by Jim Abrahams and David Zucker and Jerry Zucker.
Note : Paramount revisits the classic slapstick franchise with Naked Gun, starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Directed by Akiva Schaffer (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), this reboot promises absurd humor and modern twists on the iconic gags. The comedic chemistry between Neeson and Anderson has been a standout in test screenings, sparking excitement among fans of the original.

The Running Man
Directed by Edgar Wright
Written by Edgar Wright, Michael Bacall
Based on The Running Man by Stephen King
Produced by Edgar Wright, Nira Park, Simon Kinberg
Starring  Glen Powell, Katy O'Brian, Daniel Ezra, Karl Glusman, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Jayme Lawson, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy
Edited by Paul Machliss
Production companies : Genre Films, Complete Fiction
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : November 7, 2025 (United States), November 7, 2025 (France)
Synopsis : First quarter of the 21st century. Dictatorship has taken hold in the United States. Television, the supreme weapon of the new power, reigns unchallenged over the people. A single channel broadcasts a game show followed by millions of fans: “The Great Hunt”. Ben Richards, a man with nothing left to lose, decides to enter the deadly competition. For thirty days, he must flee the dreaded “hunters” on his trail, actively aided by a population encouraged to denounce him. Any means necessary to eliminate Ben Richards...
Note : Edgar Wright, known for his stylized filmmaking (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead), tackles Stephen King’s dystopian novel The Running Man. Starring Glen Powell, the film takes audiences into a brutal future where a deadly game show serves as both entertainment and punishment. Wright has teased the film as a mix of social critique and adrenaline-pumping action, featuring a pulsating synth-heavy score to match its retro-futuristic aesthetic.

The SpongeBob Movie ; Search for SquarePants (Bob l'éponge - Le film : A la recherche de l'éponge perdue)
Directed by Derek Drymon
Based on SpongeBob SquarePants by Stephen Hillenburg
Produced by Pam Brady, Lisa Stewart
Starring  Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, Mark Hamill
Production companies : Nickelodeon Movies, United Plankton Pictures
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : December 17, 2025 (France), December 19, 2025 (United States)
Synopsis : Follow SpongeBob as he travels to the depths of the ocean to face the ghost of the Flying Dutchman.
Note : The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is set to be the fourth installment in the beloved animated series' cinematic lineup. Scheduled for a theatrical release on December 19, 2025, the movie follows SpongeBob as he ventures into the ocean's deepest depths to confront the ghostly Flying Dutchman. Series veteran Derek Drymon directs the film, with the original voice cast reprising their roles, joined by Mark Hamill as the Flying Dutchman. 

Photos : Boris Colletier / Mulderville