There’s nothing quite like a great movie to give you some much-needed escapism from the stresses of work, family, and everything else you’re balancing. And if you’ve already run through the feel-good movies on Netflix or gobbled up our favorite book-to-film adaptations, you’re probably looking for something new. Luckily, there’s a slew of great movies out this season to freshen up your watch list.
We’re at the exciting point in the year where Hollywood has just given out the industry’s top awards; now that the dust has settled, we can look forward to watching the movies that will be the talk of 2025. And we’re psyched to see new career-defining performances, clever writing, gorgeous cinematography, and daring direction. Devoted movie buffs can expect the spring 2025 turnout to include flicks big and small — from a supernatural tale about a dead unicorn to a tense thriller about a journalist on a remote compound. No matter your taste, you’ll end the season with a bevy of new favorite films to talk about well in advance of any type of award show.
Best New Movies: Spring 2025
Novocaine (March 14)
When the girl of his dreams gets kidnapped, a mild-mannered bank executive turns his inability to feel pain into an unexpected advantage as he fights bad guys to get her back. Jack Quaid stars as the unexpected hero of this comedic action film.
Opus (March 14)
In this gripping thriller, a young journalist (Ayo Edebiri) travels to a remote compound owned by an iconic pop star (John Malkovich) who mysteriously vanished decades ago. Surrounded by a cult of sycophants, she has to extricate herself from his twisted plan.
Who By Fire (March 14)
In this Canadian-French drama, a film-buff teen spends a summer with his best friend Max’s family in a remote log cabin. Expect a slice-of-life, coming-of-age vibe about a boy with high hopes who learns that his heroes can’t necessarily be trusted.
The Heirloom (March 21)
In this Canadian comedy, a young couple decides to adopt a rescue dog during quarantine. As the pair begin to acclimate their traumatized new family member, Eric, a filmmaker who has been suffering from writer’s block, becomes inspired to write a new screenplay about…a couple adopting a dog. Metafictional elements soon enter the story as Eric begins “directing” the film in his head in real time.
Death of a Unicorn (March 28)
This comedy horror film stars Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega as a father and daughter who accidentally kill a unicorn before discovering its body has supernatural healing properties. Soon, they realize they’re being hunted down by the unicorn’s mate, who aims to murder everyone connected to the unicorn’s death and subsequent exploitation.
Freaky Tales (April 4)
The year? 1987. The place? Oakland, California. The subjects? An NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teenage punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector, all of whom embark on an action-packed collision course starring Pedro Pascal.
Gazer (April 4)
In this chilling thriller, a young mother with the brain disorder dyschronometria struggles to perceive time. In an effort to support her daughter, she takes a dangerous job from a mysterious woman, unaware of the dark consequences that await.
Drop (April 11)
Violet is a single mother who goes to an upscale restaurant to meet Henry, a charming and handsome date that she met online. However, her romantic evening soon turns into an absolute nightmare when she receives phone messages from a mysterious, hooded figure who threatens to kill her son and sister unless she kills Henry.
Sacramento (April 11)
Starring Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, and Maya Erskine, this sentimental film follows two old, mis-matched friends who reconnect on an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento.
On Swift Horses (April 25)
Daisy Edgar-Jones and Jacob Elordi star in this tense drama about forbidden love. Muriel (Edgar-Jones) and her husband Lee are about to begin a new life in California. But their plans are upended by the arrival of Lee’s charismatic brother, Julius (Elordi), an itinerant gambler with a mysterious past. A dangerous love triangle quickly forms, but Julius soon takes off in search of the young card cheat he’s fallen for. After he leaves, Muriel’s longing for something more propels her into a secret life — and some gambling — of her own.
