Get ready for popcorn season! Summer 2025 is shaping up to be one of the biggest movie seasons in years, packed with superheroes, speed demons, dinosaurs, and a healthy dash of nostalgia.
We know May isn’t technically summer, but with the bright mornings and a grand stretch in the evening, it’s starting to feel like it – and the blockbuster action is heating up already. From Marvel’s latest ensemble adventure to fresh spins on childhood classics, the upcoming slate has something for everyone.
Here’s your guide to the blockbusters set to light up Irish cinemas from May through August.
May
Thunderbolts* (in cinemas now)
Marvel is back with a bang – but this time, the heroes aren’t exactly squeaky clean. Thunderbolts* unites a team of reformed (and not-so-reformed) antiheroes, including fan favourites like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), for a mission that’s anything but straightforward. Directed by Jake Schreier, this promises to be one of Marvel’s grittier entries to date.
Lilo & Stitch (May 23)
Prepare for the nostalgia wave. Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch brings the beloved story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and her chaotic alien companion to a new generation. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, this reimagining has been carefully crafted to capture the heart of the original while offering plenty of fresh magic.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (May 23)
Tom Cruise is back for what is expected to be his final mission as Ethan Hunt. After Dead Reckoning Part One landed in 2023, The Final Reckoning promises an explosive send-off packed with death-defying stunts and emotional twists. Can Cruise outdo himself one last time? If history is anything to go by, don’t bet against him.
June
How to Train Your Dragon (June 13)
DreamWorks brings Hiccup and Toothless to life in a live-action adaptation of the much-loved animated trilogy. Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick, Hiccup’s formidable father. With breathtaking visuals and heartstring-tugging moments guaranteed, this is one for families and lifelong fans alike.
F1 (June 27)
Brad Pitt puts the pedal to the metal in F1, a high-octane drama directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski. Pitt stars as a retired Formula 1 legend who returns to the track to mentor a rising star. Real F1 teams and drivers are involved in the production, adding a layer of authenticity to what could be this summer’s sleekest blockbuster.
Kerry Condon, the Tipperary-born actress known for her role in The Banshees of Inisherin, stars as Kate McKenna, the race director of the fictional APXGP team and the first female technical director in Formula 1.
July
Jurassic World: Rebirth (July 2)
Dinosaurs rule the earth once again. Rebirth launches a fresh chapter of the Jurassic saga, starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, with Gareth Edwards in the director’s chair. Expect stunning new creatures, breathtaking locations, and the kind of dinosaur mayhem audiences can’t resist.
Superman (July 11)
James Gunn’s Superman flies into cinemas with David Corenswet donning the iconic cape. Gunn promises a heartfelt, human take on Clark Kent, exploring his balance between Earth and Krypton. With Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and an ensemble cast of heroes and villains, this could be a major turning point for the DC Universe.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (July 18)
The 90s are calling – and they’ve brought Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. with them. The slasher hit gets a legacy sequel as a new generation of teens find themselves haunted by past mistakes. With the original stars returning, expect plenty of nods to the classic alongside fresh scares.
Fantastic Four: The First Steps (July 25)
Marvel’s First Family is finally getting the modern reboot fans have been demanding. Directed by Matt Shakman, The First Steps stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, with Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach rounding out the team. After years of speculation, anticipation couldn’t be higher.
August
The Naked Gun (August 1)
Liam Neeson takes on one of his most unexpected roles yet – stepping into the bumbling shoes of Frank Drebin Jr. in a reboot of the classic spoof franchise. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, expect ridiculous stunts, absurd one-liners, and Neeson like you’ve never seen him before.
Freakier Friday (August 8)
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reunite for a revisit to the body-swap comedy that brings a modern twist to the beloved 2003 hit. With a fresh generation thrown into the mix, Freakier Friday looks set to deliver laughs, chaos, and perhaps even a few life lessons along the way.
