2025 is set to be a cinematic extravaganza, with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning topping the list as the most eagerly awaited film, according to a recent poll.
Movie buffs are eagerly awaiting Tom Cruise’s return as Ethan Hunt in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the spy series.
Close behind is Jurassic World: Rebirth, the latest instalment in the dinosaur franchise, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, which continues James Cameron’s visually spectacular sci-fi epic.
Other films causing a stir among cinema-goers include 28 Years Later, an addition to Danny Boyle’s chilling post-apocalyptic tale, and the high-octane Fast and Furious 11.
Jake Ashton from OLBG, the company that conducted the research, highlighted the buzz around these cinematic blockbusters: “Avatar: Fire and Ash is the early favourite to break the $1bn (£974k) barrier at the box office.”
He continued: “The previous two films in the series both exceeded expectations, reaching the $2bn mark (£1.58m), making them some of the highest-grossing films ever.”
Ashton also hinted that Jurassic World: Rebirth could emulate the financial success of its predecessors, aiming for the $1bn milestone achieved by earlier films. However, he warned against overconfidence, citing Joker: Folie a Deux, which failed to meet expectations despite the hype it generated before its release, reports The Mirror.
The study also shone a light on UK cinema-goers’ habits and preferences. It turns out that one in five Brits makes a trip to the pictures every few months, while 15% are monthly movie enthusiasts.
But according to the poll, 20% aim to ramp up their cinema visits when 2025 rolls around. This is compared to a mere 10% who expect to cut back.
Price is a big contributor when it comes to reasons for visiting less, the research revealed that the most film buffs are willing to fork out is around £10.98 for a ticket.
Looking back at 2024, Deadpool pairing with Wolverine clinched the title of blockbuster of the year, with Paul Mescal’s Gladiator II hot on their heels. Animation and musicals continued its success streak with Despicable Me 4 and Wicked making waves among audiences.
Ashton declared: “Next year, movie lovers are in for a treat, with some of the most popular franchises releasing their latest instalments.”
“Let’s see what the UK public has to say – sometimes it’s the films we least expect which provide us with the most entertainment,” he added.