(L to R) Jackie Chan, Ben Wang and Ralph Macchio in Columbia Pictures ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
‘The Karate Kid‘ franchise is over 40 years old and is just as popular today as it was when it first began!
Starting with 1984’s ‘The Karate Kid’, which starred Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio, the series has spawned three sequels, a remake, an animated series, and the Netflix series ‘Cobra Kai‘, which has breathed fresh life into the IP.
The franchise is now returning to the big screen once again with ‘Karate Kid: Legends‘, which opens in theaters on May 30th and stars Ben Wang. The new movie will also feature legendary actor Jackie Chan reprising his role as Mr. Han from the 2010 remake, alongside Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso from the original film.
In honor of the release of ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, Moviefone is counting down every ‘Karate Kid’ movie and TV show ever made, from forgettable to legendary.
Mr. Miyagi in the 1989 ‘The Karate Kid’ cartoon. Photo: DIC Enterprises/Saban Entertainment.
Daniel and his mentor Mr. Miyagi travel the world with their Okinawan friend Taki Tamurai in search of an ancient Japanese talisman stolen from an old fishing village.
Hilary Swank in ‘The Next Karate Kid’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) decides to take Julie (Hilary Swank), a troubled teenager, under his wing after he learns that she blames herself for her parents’ demise and struggles to adjust with her grandmother and fellow pupils.
In ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, after a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. Li struggles to let go of his past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates, and although he doesn’t want to fight, trouble seems to find him everywhere. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) enlists original ‘Karate Kid’ Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.
(L to R) Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi in ‘The Karate Kid Part III.’ Photo: Columbia Pictures.
Despondent over the closing of his karate school, Cobra Kai teacher John Kreese (Martin Kove) joins a ruthless businessman and martial artist (Thomas Ian Griffith) to get revenge on Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita).
(L to R) Jackie Chan as Mr. Han and Jaden Smith as Dre Parker in 2010’s ‘The Karate Kid.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
Twelve-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) could have been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother’s (Taraji P. Henson) latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying (Wenwen Han) but the cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre’s feelings make him an enemy of the class bully, Cheng (Wang ZhenWei). With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who is a kung fu master. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.
(L to R) Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in ‘The Karate Kid Part II.’ Photo: Columbia Pictures.
Summoned by his dying father, Miyagi (Pat Morita) returns to his homeland of Okinawa, with Daniel (Ralph Macchio), after a 40-year exile. There he must confront Yukie (Nobu McCarthy), the love of his youth, and Sato (Danny Kamekona), his former best friend turned vengeful rival. Sato is bent on a fight to the death, even if it means the destruction of their village. Daniel finds his own love in Yukia’s niece, Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita), and his own enemy in Sato’s nephew, the vicious Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). Now, far away from the tournaments, cheering crowds and safety of home, Daniel will face his greatest challenge ever when the cost of honor is life itself.
This ‘Karate Kid’ sequel series picks up 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament and finds Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) on the hunt for redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. This reignites his old rivalry with the successful Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who has been working to maintain the balance in his life without mentor Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita).
Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in ‘The Karate Kid.’ Photo: Columbia Pictures.
Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) moves to Los Angeles with his mother, Lucille (Randee Heller), and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali (Elisabeth Shue). He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of high school students, led by Ali’s ex-boyfriend Johnny (Willian Zabka), who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei, John Kreese (Martin Kove). Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.
Ben Wang in Columbia Pictures ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
Coming off the heels of the extremely popular Netflix series ‘Cobra Kai’, the prospect of a new ‘Karate Kid’ movie was quite welcomed. Especially when news came that the film would feature Ralph Macchio reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso from the original series and Jackie Chan returning as Mr. Han from the 2010 remake, which is now cannon to the entire franchise. However, the result is a misguided and painfully familiar story that does very little to continue the legacy of the franchise.
The bright spots in an otherwise forgettable film are Ben Wang and Sadie Stanley’s performances as Li Fong and Mia Lipani, respectively. The two young actors lead the film quite well and have a strong chemistry together. But the movie suffers from a lack of any strong antagonists, and a bizarre subplot involving Li teaching Mia’s father (Joshua Jackson) Kung Fu for a boxing match (what?), so he can pay back a loan shark who also happens to be the Sensei of Li’s rival.
The movie tries too hard to retcon Mr. Han into the original franchise, going as far as to use a scene from ‘The Karate Kid Part II’ to explain that Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) and Mr. Han were always offscreen friends. Chan doesn’t even appear in the film as much as advertised, and Macchio’s role is nothing more than a glorified cameo, leading the movie to feel more like a standalone sequel to the remake, rather than a celebration of the entire franchise.
Story and Direction
(L to R) Jackie Chan, Ben Wang and Ralph Macchio in Columbia Pictures ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
As previously mentioned, the film begins with a flashback to ‘The Karate Kid Part II’, where Mr. Miyagi (the late Morita) explains the history of Miyagi Karate to Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) and how it eventually made its way to China and was integrated with Kung Fu. The story then moves to present day China, where Li Fong (Wang) is studying at Mr. Han’s (Chan) Kung Fu academy and is hiding from his mother (Ming-Na Wen). Li recently lost his older brother due to fighting, and therefore his mother wants him to stop training, especially after she gives him the news that they are moving to New York City.
Once in New York, Li gives up Kung Fu, but quickly finds himself at odds with a local fighter named Connor Day (Aramis Knight), after he befriends his ex-girlfriend Mia (Stanley). Mia’s father (Jackson), who owns a local pizza shop and is a former boxer, owes money to Connor’s Sensei, and asks Li to train him in Kung Fu so he can compete in a boxing match and win the money he needs. But when his opponent cheats, Mia’s father is sent to the hospital and Li decides to enter the Five Boroughs Tournament, against his mother’s wishes, so he can win the money they need and have his revenge against Connor.
Mr. Han travels to New York and meets with Li’s mother to convince her to let Li compete in the contest. Once she agrees, Han visits Daniel LaRusso at Mr. Miyagi’s house in California to ask him to help train Li. It is revealed that Miyagi and Han were friends, and Miyagi had told Han about Daniel and their life changing friendship. Daniel reluctantly agrees and begins teaching Li karate, while Han teaches him Kung Fu. But now, Li must come to terms with his brother’s death and use the knowledge Han and LaRusso have taught him so he can overcome his fears and win the tournament.
Fans of ‘Cobra Kai’ hoping for a big screen version of the popular TV series will be very disappointed by ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. In fact, the film is more like a sequel to 2010’s ‘The Karate Kid’ with a storyline that is basically the same as the original movie. The film also tries to flip the script in the second act, having Li train Mia’s father, which goes nowhere and just confuses the main plot. The relationship between Li and Mia is solid, and so is the “fish out of water” aspect of Li’s character, but the movie never really capitalizes on either, changing the focus to Han and LaRusso in the third act.
On paper, the idea of making the 2010 remake cannon and combining the Han and LaRusso characters into one movie seems promising, but in practice it falls short. The film tries too hard to retcon Han into the original franchise, and his sudden history with Mr. Miyagi seems forced. Jackie Chan is good in the role, but I wish more time was spent focusing on his relationship to Li, rather than reintroducing Daniel and exploring their shared history with Miyagi. In fact, Ralph Macchio is not in much of the movie at all, basically relegated to a glorified cameo, and the character deserves better.
Jonathan Entwistle’s direction is average, and with amazing settings like New York City and Beijing, he does nothing to make those locations look like anything more than stock footage. In fact, there are several times when it becomes glaringly clear that they are shooting on a soundstage and not NYC. And for a movie in the ‘Karate Kid’ franchise, I was shocked by how boring and uninspiring the martial arts sequences were. Entwistle does nothing to elevate those scenes or bring style to the fight sequences.
Finally, several subplots were completely unneeded, such as training Mia’s father for a boxing match, Li’s turmoil over the loss of his brother, Mr. Han’s connection to Mr. Miyagi, and his recruitment of Daniel. Not to mention a disappointing cameo by William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence, which is played for laughs and not enough to win over ‘Cobra Kai’ fans.
‘American Born Chinese’ star Ben Wang makes the most of his big screen lead debut and carries the film very well. As Li, he brings confidence and charm to the role and works well off Chan, Macchio, and the rest of the cast. He is also the best thing about the otherwise poorly directed martial arts sequences and is quite believable and likable in the role.
Besides Wang, actress Sadie Stanley, last seen in the Ray Romano directed film ‘Somewhere in Queens’, is the best thing in ‘Legends’. She also brings a charming confidence to her role as Mia and has great chemistry with Wang. While at times the screenplay does the actress no favors, she finds a way to elevate the material and you completely believe that Li would put so much on the line to help her.
Jackie Chan is a living legend and its always great seeing him on screen. He brings warmth and gravitas to the role, but the script doesn’t spend enough time exploring his relationship with Li, instead trying too hard to retcon him into the larger franchise. Chan is also not given a chance to show off his own martial arts skills in the movie, which seems like a real missed opportunity. It would have been nice to have a scene where he protects Li from the bullies, the way Miyagi protected Daniel in the first film.
While he has limited screen time, Ralph Macchio does have some strong scenes with Chan, but they feel more like fan-service than rooted in Li’s story. With Miyagi actor Pat Morita passing away in 2005, pairing Macchio with Chan was a way to recapture some of the magic of the first movie, but it falls short of expectations. One could also criticize Macchio’s believability as a karate master, but since that is baked into the overall ‘Karate Kid’ franchise, I digress.
Ming-Na Wen does her best as Li’s mom but is not given any room to really explore the character and never rises above the disapproving mother role. Actor Joshua Jackson seems to be in a completely different movie and his performance is distracting. Finally, ‘Ms. Marvel’ actor Aramis Knight is unable to uplift his role and portray Connor Day as anything more than a generic bully.
In the end, ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ works too hard to combine the movie franchise’s two main characters, overlooking the themes of friendship and mutual respect between teacher and student that resonated so much throughout the first film. Despite Ben Wang and Sadie Stanley’s strong performances, the movie ultimately gets its legs swept out from under it.
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What is the plot of ‘Karate Kid: Legacy’?
In Karate Kid: Legends, after a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. Li struggles to let go of his past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates, and although he doesn’t want to fight, trouble seems to find him everywhere. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.
(L to R) Ben Wang, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio star in ‘Karate Kid: Legends’.
Moviefone recently had the honor of speaking with Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang about their work on ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Chan discussed his love for the first movie and combining the remake with the original franchise, while Macchio talked about reprising his role on the big screen opposite Jackie Chan, and Wang spoke about joining the franchise and what he learned from working with the two legendary ‘Karate Kid’ actors.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Chan, Macchio and Wang, as well as Sadie Stanley.
Moviefone: To begin with, Jackie, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and the idea of bringing Mr. Han and Daniel together in the same film?
Jackie Chan: Believe it or not, I have a long story to tell you. When I was a stunt guy, I was in a martial arts movie that was not popular anymore. Then I was disappointed, nobody hired me. Then what should we do? Even the people around me, all the martial artists, the stunt guys, we were just very depressed, and wanted to give up. No training anymore, just fooling around. Then suddenly ‘Karate Kid’ comes out. We buy the ticket, we go in, and we watch. More we watch all my friends go, “Yes. Wow. Wow.” You know, that brings you up. Then I talk to myself, “Why are you training so many years? One small thing knocks you down, you just give up. No, we should get back up. Do it again.” We will go to training, training, training. Yeah. Till suddenly another movie, ‘Rocky’, comes out. It brings me up again. The two movies bring me back to training with all my friends. Then some friends become action directors. Then some become stunt coordinators. I become an actor. I become a Jackie Chan. So, I really thank you, ‘Rocky’, and Ralph. Then many years later, Will Smith call me, “Jackie, I want you to make ‘The Karate Kid.” I said, “Me? I’m not a kid anymore.” Then he said, “Not you. You are Miyagi.” Because when I watched the movie for the first time, I already was thinking, “Oh, why him? Why not me? I want to be a Karate Kid.” But now I become a Miyagi. 40 years later, the movie is a success, and when I see Ralph, I just don’t believe it. “Wow. That’s Daniel.” We work together. Now we are becoming a Miyagi and Daniel. For me it’s just amazing.
(L to R) Jackie Chan, Ben Wang and Ralph Macchio in Columbia Pictures ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
MF: Ralph, what was it like to reprise your iconic character on the big screen and share scenes with the legendary Jackie Chan?
Ralph Macchio: I mean, that was super special. Jackie’s legendary in his career, his stunt work as an actor, and his personality in the industry is so well respected. So that was just like anytime you can work with an element of greatness, I’ll take it. I want to learn. Every experience I want to learn and gain from. The character of Daniel Russo is near and dear to the world. He has become a piece of pop culture. The original films, very few have that kind of staying power. Then through the ‘Cobra Kai’ series and how that exploded, and we got to explore different sides of all those characters and in a whole new generation of karate kids in that show then leads us to, “Okay, how do we connect these worlds?” Using that footage from ‘The Karate Kid Part II’ where we learn and are reminded that Shimpo Sensei fell asleep off the coast of China and brings back the secret to Miyagi karate to Okinawa. Now we connect the worlds. For me, it was just about how to be honest, truthful, and genuine to LaRusso. We find him in a place that he’s in this grounded element of wisdom at this point of his life, and how he can spread a piece of the legacy of Miyagi forward and help a kid in need. Then connecting the Kung Fu and the karate. It was like, okay, there’s a lot of boxes to check, but there’s organic stories to tell for a fresh new generation and in a different style. Then you add Ben to this, because my question was, “Who’s the kid?” If you don’t have a kid and you’re not leaning in and rooting for this kid in this movie, then you could come up with all the Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio you want but we need to love this kid. You need to get on his shoulders like you did with LaRusso and the other characters. Then Ben has delivered in a way that’s so cinematic and so much fun. Yet the through line of the same human themes that made ‘The Karate Kid’ what it is today are there and hopefully for a whole new generation.
Ben Wang in Columbia Pictures ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
MF: Finally, Ben, what was it like for you to join this franchise and what did you learn from working with Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio?
Ben Wang: I was a huge fan ever since I was a kid. I saw Jackie’s ‘Karate Kid’ film when I was in elementary school in a theater with my mom. Shortly thereafter I started doing after-school martial arts. So, it’s the start of what got me here in the first place. Ralph’s films were passed down to me by my aunt because they were her favorite films. So, I have known these films for as long as I remember watching movies. I am a fan, so I understand why there’s so much goodwill and so much love for this whole franchise. It was exciting for me to get to be the center of this next part and to bring the two film universes together. It’s also really terrifying because as a fan, if it wasn’t me, I’d be like, “Who’s this kid? Can he do it?” So, I knew I had a lot of work cut out for me.
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What is the plot of ‘Karate Kid: Legacy’?
In Karate Kid: Legends, after a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. Li struggles to let go of his past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates, and although he doesn’t want to fight, trouble seems to find him everywhere. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.
(Top row L to R) Destin Daniel Cretton (director, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’), Bob Persichetti (director,’ Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Phil Lord (producer, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Tyree Dillihay (director, ‘GOAT’), Zach Cregger (director, ‘Resident Evil’), (Bottom row L to R) Darren Aronofsky (director, ‘Caught Stealing’), Justin K. Thompson (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Nia DaCosta (director, ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’), Danny Boyle (director, ’28 Years Later’), and Kogonada (director, ‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Preview:
Sony has made its big presentation to the 2025 CinemaCon crowd.
‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ and ‘28 Years Later’ were among the major titles showcased.
The studio also showed footage from ‘Karate Kid: Legends.’
Theater owners are suffering right now, with takings down compared to last year, even with a solid start to 2025. So the cinema chain owners allied under what is now known as Cinema United –– formerly the National Association of Theater Owners –– will be looking for good news and plenty of potentially successful movies from the studios.
The mantra for the big cinema chains was “survive ‘till ’25,” and we’re here. Which is where CinemaCon comes in –– the big show in Vegas each year where the companies roll out stars and footage to tease what they have in the coming year.
First up was Sony, home of the ‘Spider-Verse‘ and the ‘Karate Kid‘, and we can expect both to show up somehow in the studio’s presentation.
With two and a half hours of show time to fill, the company kicked off like any student forced to give a verbal presentation –– talking about other things, including a sizzle reel of 2024 movies and lots of talk about HDR and distribution. Which is what you get when you’re at a show intended for theater owners.
But then the presentation proper began with Paul Rudd and Jack Black introducing their new comedic take on cult classic, ‘Anaconda,’ cracking a couple of jokes before segueing to welcome Sony movie boss Tom Rothman to the stage. Rothman began his opening remarks with a quip that Seth Rogen’s character in new Apple TV+ series ‘The Studio’ is based on him.
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According to Rothman, the focus of Sony’s presentation will be the filmmakers who have been laboring to produce their new output, and what better choice to start with than Danny Boyle?
Danny Boyle (director, ’28 Years Later’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
The long-anticipated third entry in the ‘28 Days Later’ franchise is also technically the launch of a new trilogy, with original duo Boyle and writer Alex Garland back behind the camera.
As the title suggests, it’s set years after the original movie set a virus that turns infected humans into rageful creatures upon London and the wider environs on England.
Boyle was there to introduce the premiere of the new trailer for the movie, which had a hard act to follow given the impressively impactful first teaser.
We’re introduced to a new world order for the country –– save havens are in place, where the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson‘s Jamie and his family live. But an ill-feted hunting trip strands him in the infected-infested outside world. We also see and hear Ralph Fiennes, a rugged survivor. We’re also told that Cillian Murphy will be back for the new movie.
Nia DaCosta (director, ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Boyle mentions that DaCosta is in production now on that movie, and that they’re looking for financing for the third. So if anyone has some quarters they can spare…
The first movie seethes onto screens on June 20th.
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Unlikely to need more in the way of cash is a certain animated sequel…
Justin K. Thompson (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’) (L), Bob Persichetti (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’) and Phil Lord (producer, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Phil Lord and directors Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson took the stage to announce that the third ‘Spider-Verse’ outing will be “bigger than the past two,” and a massive movie, in fact. So massive that it’ll be the first Sony animated pic to show on IMAX screens.
The movie, as you might have suspected from the cliffhanger ending of the second, picks up immediately, so no waiting to see what happens with Miles and co.
We also finally know when the next ‘Spider-Verse’ movie is landing… Prepare to wait until June 4th, 2027 to see this one. Yep, more than two years away!
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That’s followed by a newcomer to the CinemaCon stage…
Darren Aronofsky (director, ‘Caught Stealing’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
This is Darren Aronofsky’s first trip to CinemaCon, and he’s here to promote ‘Caught Stealing,’ his new crime thriller ‘Caught Stealing.’
Zach Cregger (director, ‘Resident Evil’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
The next adaptation of the hugely popular video game franchise comes from ‘Barbarian’ director Zach Cregger, who is in the early stages of putting this one together. He promised it’ll be nothing like the Paul W.S. Anderson/Milla Jovovich movies, but still call it a ‘Wild Ride.’
Here’s what he said:
“The movie I’m going to make is unlike any of the previous adaptations…It’s a story that follows one central protagonist from point A to point B as they descend into hell.”
Though only currently in pre-production, the movie has a September 18th, 2026 date on the books.
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And now the whistlestop tour of Sony’s slate continues with…
Stars Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie joined director Kogonada to talk up the fantastical romantic adventure, and debut the first trailer.
Expect that on September 19th.
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A change of pace to…
‘GOAT’
The animated animals-playing-basketball movie is produced by sporting icon Steph Curry, and he appeared via video to introduce the movie, which will be out on February 13th, 2026.
Following ‘GOAT,’ it was the turn of Sony distribution chief Adam Bergerman to discuss release windows, which if we’re honest, is catnip to the CinemaCon crowd.
He also mentioned the company’s continued investment in anime, spotlighted by a clip from…
From there back to more live-action matters, with word that a new ‘Insidious’ movie, co-produced by Blumhouse will be in theaters next year (August 21st, 2026, to be exact).
‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ opens in theaters on July 18th, 2025.
For this one, it’s a case of Classic Story, New Kids as a new group of teens will try to cover up a road accident only to be stalked by a hook-handed killer.
Ben Wang (L) and Ralph Macchio, from ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
The next iteration of the ‘Karate Kid’ movie franchise blends the classic (Ralph Macchio as student-turned-sensei Daniel LaRusso) with the reboot (Jackie Chan’s Sifu Han) as the two teachers combine forces to tutor the new Karate Kid, Ben Wang’s Li Fong.
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A live karate demonstration gave way to Macchio and Wang on stage, who talked up the new movie, and showed a couple of clips and the first trailer.
Destin Daniel Cretton (director, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
The latest Spidey outing brings Tom Holland swinging back to our screens for Sony’s collaboration with Marvel and the MCU proper.
With Destin Daniel Cretton taking over directorial duties, he was on stage to hype the film.
Destin Daniel Cretton (director, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
But we also heard from star Holland, who appeared via video from the set of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ to extol how the new ‘Spider-Man’ will be a “fresh start” for the franchise.
And that’s seemingly confirmed by the title: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’ Which makes some sense given the world-memory-wiping antics of ‘No Way Home.’
It’ll land on July 31st, 2026.
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But wait! There’s more. Tom Rothman returns to the stage to talk about Sam Mendes’ four Beatles biopics, one each focused on John, Paul George and Ringo (kids, ask your grandparents).
It’s being touted as a four-movie cinematic event.
The bold idea for this one is four separate movies, each one focusing on a different band member’s perspective, all shot across one year and then released together in April 2028, to make, as Rothman touts, “the first bingeable theatrical experience.”
And here comes the confirmation of the official cast…
‘The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event’, directed by Sam Mendes. (L to R) Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney), Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr), and Joseph Quinn (George Harrison). In theaters April 2028. Photo by: John Russo.
Thus ends the Sony presentation. Some hefty hitters there, and a good mix of horror and Spider-action. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
(L to R) Bob Persichetti (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Justin K. Thompson (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Phil Lord (producer, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Nia DaCosta (director, ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’) and Tyree Dillihay (director, ‘GOAT’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Moviefone has compiled a list of the most anticipated movies opening in theaters and/or streaming in 2025, which not only includes major studio releases but also smaller independent films that you won’t want to miss.
Gerard Butler as ‘Big Nick’ O’Brien in ‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’. Photo Credit: Rico Torres for Lionsgate.
Big Nick (Gerard Butler) is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s largest diamond exchange.
Isabelle Fuhrman as Charlotte in the romance film ‘Wish You Were Here’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
When the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman) searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.
(L to R) Scott Eastwood as “Joe” and Sylvester Stallone as “Chester” in the action crime thriller ‘Alarum’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
After the CIA discovers the whereabouts of two rogue spies (Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald), who have not only gone off-grid but have become husband and wife, all hell is unleashed on their winter honeymoon cabin resort in the woods by a consortium of international spy organizations who are after a ‘flight pill’, aka a hard drive, and all of whom suspect the two may have joined a network of rogue spies known as the Alarum,” according to since removed post.
Lucy Liu in ‘Presence’ directed by Steven Soderbergh. Photo: Peter Andrews. Copyright: The Spectral Spirit Company.
A family moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they’re not alone.
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‘Wolf Man’ (1/17)
Julia Garner in ‘Wolf Man’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
With his marriage fraying, Blake (Christopher Abbott) persuades his wife Charlotte (Julia Garner) to take a break from the city and visit his remote childhood home in rural Oregon. As they arrive at the farmhouse in the dead of night, they’re attacked by an unseen animal and barricade themselves inside the home as the creature prowls the perimeter. But as the night stretches on, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable.
(L to R) Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in ‘Back in Action’. Photo: Netflix.
Years after giving up life as CIA spies to start a family, Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) are pulled back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.
A pilot transports (Mark Wahlberg) an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) accompanying a fugitive (Topher Grace) to trial. As they go across the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested as not everyone on board is who they seem.
Michelle Yeoh as Georgiou in ‘Star Trek: Section 31’, streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Jan Thijs/Paramount+.
Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets and faces the sins of her past.
(L to R) Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon in ‘You’re Cordially Invited’. Photo: Amazon Prime Video.
When two weddings are accidentally booked on the same day at the same venue, each bridal party is challenged with preserving their family’s special moment.
Ariel Winter as Hayley in the thriller, ‘Like Father Like Son’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
Eli (Dylan Flashner) is a young man whose father waits on death row for the crime of murder in the first degree. As Eli’s life begins to fall apart, he discovers similar terrifying triggers in himself and takes extreme measures to ensure that the family’s string of savagery comes to an end.
Ke Huy Quan in ‘Love Hurts’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
A realtor (Ke Huy Quan) is pulled back into the life he left behind after his former partner-in-crime (Ariana DeBose) resurfaces with an ominous message. With his crime-lord brother (Daniel Wu) also on his trail, he must confront his past and the history he never fully buried.
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), Sam (Anthony Mackie) finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
Paddington in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
Paddington (Ben Whishaw) travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.
When twin brothers Hal (Theo James) and Bill (Theo James) discover their father’s old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start occurring all around them.
Daisy Ridley as Joey the action film ‘Cleaner’, a Quiver Distribution release.
Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists take over an energy company’s annual gala, seizing 300 hostages in order to expose the corruption of the hosts. Their just cause is hijacked by an extremist within their ranks, who is ready to murder everyone in the building to send his anarchic message to the world. It falls to an ex-soldier turned window cleaner, played by Daisy Ridley, suspended 50 stories up on the outside of the building, to save those trapped inside, including her younger brother.
(L to R) Cooper Hoffman and Christoph Waltz in the Action/Comedy film ‘Old Guy’, a The Avenue release. Photo courtesy of The Avenue.
An aging hitman (Christoph Waltz) is forced to train a young prodigy (Cooper Hoffman) when his employer moves to replace the old guard. But when they learn they are being betrayed, the unlikely pair turns into a lethal team – with their double-crossing bosses in their sights.
Ving Rhames as Elliot in the thriller ‘Uppercut’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
When Elliott (Ving Rhames), a tough ex-boxing champion, accepts the challenge to train Toni (Luise Grossmann), the two mismatched characters form an unlikely alliance. Their sparring and Elliott’s keen insights show the resilient young fighter that real strength comes from the challenges you overcome when life throws its biggest punches your way.
Michael Fassbender in ‘Black Bag’. Photo: Focus Features.
From Director Steven Soderbergh, ‘Black Bag’ is a gripping spy drama about legendary intelligence agents George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) and his beloved wife Kathryn (Cate Blanchett). When she is suspected of betraying the nation, George faces the ultimate test – loyalty to his marriage or his country.
In a retro-futuristic past, orphaned teenager Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) traverses the American West with an eccentric drifter and a sweet but mysterious robot in search of her younger brother.
(Center) Rachel Zegler as Snow White in ‘Snow White.’ Photo: Disney.
A live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film, starring Rachel Zegler in the title role and Gal Gadot as her Stepmother, the Evil Queen, the magical music adventure journeys back to the timeless story with beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy.
Jack Black in ‘A Minecraft Movie’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
Four misfits (Jason Momoa, Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers and Danielle Brooks) find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve.
Rami Malek in ‘The Amateur’. Photo: 20th Century Studios.
After his life is turned upside down when his wife (Rachel Brosnahan) is killed in a London terrorist attack, a brilliant but introverted CIA decoder (Rami Malek) takes matters into his own hands when his supervisors refuse to take action.
Robert Pattinson in ‘Mickey 17’. Photo: Warner Bros.
Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) has found himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job… to die, for a living.
Ben Affleck as Christian Wolff in ‘The Accountant.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
When Medina’s (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) former boss (J.K. Simmons) is killed by unknown assassins, she’s forced to contact Christian (Ben Affleck) to solve the murder. With the help of his estranged but highly lethal brother Brax (Jon Bernthal), Chris applies his brilliant mind and less-than-legal methods to piece together the unsolved puzzle.
Tom Cruise in ‘Mission” Impossible – The Final Reckoning,’ which opens in theaters on May 23rd, 2025.
After escaping a calamitous train crash, Ethan (Tom Cruise) realizes The Entity is stashed aboard an old Russian submarine, but a foe from his past named Gabriel is also on the trail.
(L to R) Jackie Chan, Ben Wang and Ralph Macchio in Columbia Pictures ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. Li struggles to let go of his past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates, and although he doesn’t want to fight, trouble seems to find him everywhere. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Taking place during the events of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum‘, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.
Gerard Butler in ‘How to Train Your Dragon’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames) stands apart, defying centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson in ’28 Years Later’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.
Racing legend Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver—while chasing one more chance at glory.
(L to R) Jonathan Bailey as paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis and Scarlett Johansson as skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, directed by Gareth Edwards.
Five years after the events of ‘Jurassic World Dominion‘, covert operations expert Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) is contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.
(L to R) David Corenswet and Krypto in ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram account.
Superman (David Corenswet), a cub reporter in Metropolis, embarks on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent.
‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo: Marvel Studios Instagram Account.
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.
2025’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
The now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.
(L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan presenting ‘Freakier Friday’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Years after Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover lightning might indeed strike twice.
Christian Bale in ‘The Bride!’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
In the 1930s, a lonely Frankenstein travels to Chicago to seek the aid of a Dr. Euphronius in creating a companion for himself. The two reinvigorate a murdered young woman and the Bride is born. She is beyond what either of them intended, igniting a combustible romance, the attention of the police and a wild and radical social movement.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael.’ Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur.
An in-depth portrayal of Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson), a complicated man, who became the King of Pop. The biopic will bring to life Jackson’s most iconic performances as it gives an informed insight into the entertainer’s artistic process and personal life.
A highly sophisticated Program called Ares (Jared Leto) is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda (Ariana Grande), the Good Witch of the North. The second of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Detectives Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the mammal metropolis upside down.
(L to R) Director James Cameron, Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington at D23 2024 presenting ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo: Disney.
In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Na’vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang. Jake’s family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits.
