The beginning of a new year meansaudiences can officially begin their countdowns forsome exciting crime thrillersset to release in 2025.Based on these ten selections alone, there already proves to be a great variety in the genre, meaning there’s likely something for every type of audience to look forward to. In the new year, several original stories will be introduced to fans of crime thrillers, and somesequels to celebrated franchiseswill be released as well.
Mission: ImpossibleandJohn Wickare two of the biggest franchises with films out this year.The Final ReckoningandBallerina, respectively, will continue to expand upon the established action-filled worlds audiences have grown to love over the years. Additionally, some lesser-known internationalfilmswill have a 2025 release, opening them up to more audiences, including Hong Kong’sThe Prosecutorand Finland’sOrenda.The trailers andexclusive imagesfrom these upcoming 2025 films look promisingand garner excitement, with crime thrillers being one of many genres audiences can look forward to as the new year kicks off.
The Prosecutor
Cast
The Prosecutor is a crime drama directed by Donnie Yen Chi-Tan. It follows former detective prosecutor Huo Zihao as he investigates a wrongful conviction in a drug trafficking case, confronting corrupt lawyers and criminals to uphold justice and reveal the truth.
Released in Hong Kong at the end of 2024, Donnie Yen’sThe Prosecutorwill be available for a wider range of audiences to enjoy in 2025. Directed, produced, and led by the famed martial artist,The Prosecutoris just one of the manyupcoming films starring Yen. The film revolves around his character, a prosecutor, who puts his career at risk to help a wrongfully accused defendant and find the real culprit.
The last film Yen starred in wasJohn Wick: Chapter 4in 2023. In the film,Yen plays Caine, a blind assassin tasked with killing Keanu Reeves' John Wick.Yen’s performance received praise from criticsas he was a convincing opponent for Wick and showed off his celebrated martial arts skills. Critical reviews that have come fromThe Prosecutor’s initial release praise the film’s gripping crime story and stylish fight choreography, making audiences all the more eager to watch the film in 2025.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
Sheriff “Big Nick” O’Brien tracks Donnie Wilson to Europe after his daring escape. As Donnie becomes deeply involved with diamond thieves and the Panther mafia, the stakes rise with a plan to rob the world’s largest diamond exchange.
Den of Thievesdidn’t impress critics much in 2018, but the film did relatively well with audiences, and it’s seen as one ofGerard Butler’s best action movies. Now, in just a few days, the sequel,Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, will be released. The film takes place after the events of the firstand follows Butler’s Big Nick teaming up with O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s Donnie Wilson to take down a group of criminals from the inside.
The firstDen of Thievesmovie was largely reminiscent of acclaimedheist films likeHeat, and though it didn’t quite live up to its potential, there is still much anticipation regarding the 2025 sequel. Once enemies, now partners,it’ll be exciting to see how Butler and Jackson’s on-screen alliance looks.Exclusive images and the trailer forDen of Thieves 2: Panteraappear to be just as action-packed and entertaining as its predecessor.
Alarum
Alarum, directed by Michael Polish, follows two rogue spies who have gone off-grid and married, triggering a global pursuit by international spy organizations. Set in a winter honeymoon cabin, they become targets as they are suspected of possessing a vital hard drive linked to the network known as Alarum.
Led by Sylvester Stallone and Scott Eastwood, the crime thrillerAlarumtellsthe story of spies on the run from agencies hunting them down. In the film, Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald’s characters are two former assassins who come across an important flash drive. Their possession of the flash drive sets them out on the run, and they’re accompanied by Stallone’s agent character, who wishes to help them.
Rounding out the cast are Ísis Valverde, D. W. Moffett, and Luke Cage actor Mike Colter. The trailer forAlarumfeatures an abundance of explosions and gunfire. Taking into consideration the limited information surrounding the film,Alarumis sure to satisfy fans of the crime, action, and thriller genres with its action scenes alone. Thenon-stop, high-stakes actionseems to be the perfect setting for the duo of Stallone and Eastwood, and audiences don’t have to wait much longer to see it.
Black Bag
Black Bag is a Steven Soderbergh directed thriller from Focus Features. Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Regé Jean Page and Marisa Abela lead the cast, along with Naomie Harris, Pierce Brosnan, and Tom Burke. The story, which is currently under wraps, was written by David Koepp.
Centering spy films around couples sets up an intriguing conceptas stronger ties and loyalties are tested by the job. Such a concept is the premise of Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming thriller,Black Bag. The film’s Woodhouse couple is played by Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.
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They’re supported by a cast made up of actors like Pierce Brosnan, Regé-Jean Page, and Marisa Abela. The film sees Blanchett’s Kathryn accused of betraying the nation. As a result, Fassbender’s George is caught in the middle and must determine whether his loyalty lies with his wife or his country.
With Soderbergh’s previous work and the film’s cast in mind,Black Bagis sure to be nothing short of tense and gritty. The expected tone of the film makes it one of the moreanticipated releases this year, and it’ll be released two months after Soderbergh’s other 2025 project, the horror filmPresence.
A Working Man
A Working Man follows Levon Cade, a former black ops soldier, as he navigates a quiet life working in construction. Upon the abduction of his boss’s daughter by human traffickers, Cade embarks on a mission to rescue her, uncovering a vast network of corruption in the process.
FromThe BeekeeperandFurydirector David Ayer comes the upcoming thrillerA Working Man. Co-written by Ayer and Sylvester Stallone, the film stars Jason Statham, Michael Peña, David Harbour, and Jason Flemyng.Statham and Ayer had previously collaborated onThe Beekeeper, which proved to be a hit with audiences and received relatively positive reviews from critics.
The quality and success ofThe Beekeeperboost the excitement and anticipation surroundingA Working Man.
The quality and success ofThe Beekeeperboost the excitement and anticipation surroundingA Working Man. The 2025 film isbased on the novelLevon’s Tradeby Chuck Dixon, an author best known for his contribution to Marvel and DC Comics.
The film follows Statham as Levon Cade, an ex-black ops agent, searching for his boss' daughter. Along the way, Levon uncovers a criminal conspiracy that risks turning his life upside down.A Working Man’s original release date was at the beginning of the year, but audiences will only have to wait a few months longer to see the engrossing thrills unfold.
Drop
Drop follows widowed mother Violet on her first date in years at an upscale restaurant. Initially charmed by her date Henry, Violet’s evening takes an unsettling turn as she becomes increasingly disturbed by a series of anonymous messages sent to her phone, leading to escalating tension and suspense.
With numerous appearances on TV throughout her career, Meghann Fahy gained the most attention for her role inThe White Lotusseason 2. Now, Fahy is set to lead the thrillerDropbyHappy Death Daydirector Christopher Landon. Starring alongside Brandon Sklenar, the film seesFahy’s character, a widowed mother, terrorized by a series of anonymous messagesfollowing her first date in years.
The film’s premise is familiar, but considering Landon’s history as a horror director,Drop’s thrills are likely going to be accompanied by an overall eerie tone, setting it apart from other 2025 crime thrillers. Blumhouse Productions is behindDrop, and they’re expected to have a big year. Other 2025 releases by Blumhouse Productions include sequels toM3GANandThe Black Phone, along with the Universal Monsters filmWolf Man.
The Amateur
The Amateur follows a brilliant yet introverted CIA decoder whose life is upended when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. Defying his supervisors' inaction, he embarks on a personal mission to seek justice.
The Amateuris athrilling ’80s spy moviebased on Robert Littell’s novel of the same name.Littell’s novel is once again being adapted into a film, this time one directed by James Hawes. Known best for his television contributions, Hawes' work includes episodes ofPenny Dreadful,Black Mirror, and more recently,Slow Horses.
Hawes’The Amateurstars Rami Malek as a CIA cryptographer who loses his wife after a terrorist attack. Malek’s Charles Heller sets out on a solo mission to track down those responsible for his wife’s death after it’s made clear his bosses won’t provide him any help.
Malek’s role inMr. Robot, which bears some resemblance to his character inThe Amateur, and Hawes' involvement inSlow Horsesincrease the excitement surrounding the film. Both TV shows have earned high levels of praise for their captivating, gritty narratives, andThe Amateuris expected to have a similar approach to its story.
Orenda
Orenda is a fantasy drama that follows a young woman who discovers she possesses mystical powers that connect her to an ancient lineage of guardians.
From Finnish director Pirjo Honkasalo comesOrenda. The upcoming release of the film certainly isn’t as acknowledged as other releases in the United States, but it’s still a film worthy of interest and anticipation. Set on a remote island,Orendaexplores darker themes of guilt when the journey of two women crosses paths. One woman arrives on the island to bury her deceased husband, and the other is a priest who left her church after feelings of doubt.
The film is expected to have a more emotional narrative with tense thrills that will keep a strong hold of audiences' attention.Orendastars Finnish actors Pirkko Saisio and Alma Pöysti in leading roles. The latter actor earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2023 for her role inFallen Leaves. The romantic comedy won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was positively received by critics.
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they pursue a formidable AI called the Entity that has compromised global intelligence networks. With new allies and a haunting figure from Hunt’s past in pursuit, they must act quickly to avert a global catastrophe.
Despite those involved with the film expressing their desires to continue the series, the trailer and promotion surroundingMission: Impossible – The Final Reckoningseem to set upthe film as the franchise’s final installment. Beginning the franchise in 1996, Tom Cruise returns as IMF agent Ethan Hunt to take down a powerful AI known as Entity.
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Joining Cruise in the film are otherMission: Impossibleactors like Ving Rhames, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, and Vanessa Kirby.The Final Reckoning’s trailer is packed with familiar action sequences and dangerous circumstances audiences are used to seeing Ethan in.
However, with the possibility that it’s the last installment in the franchise, the safety and happy endings for beloved characters can’t be guaranteed.Audiences have been eagerly awaiting the movie’s releaseafterDead Reckoning Part Onein 2023 and expect a handful ofevents to happen inThe Final Reckoningif it is to be the end of the franchise.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Ballerina follows Eve Macarro during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, as she undergoes rigorous training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. The film expands on the John Wick universe, charting Eve’s initiation into the clandestine world of professional assassins.
Set between the events ofJohn Wick: Chapter 3 – ParabellumandChapter 4,Ballerinaacts as a spin-off to the beloved series of films. Ana de Armas leads the film as Eve Macarro, who trains as an assassin and seeks revenge against those who killed her father.
The film’s trailer and interviews with its cast hint at a promising extension of theJohn Wickworld.
Reprising their roles from previous films intheJohn Wickfranchiseare Keanu Reeves, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, and Anjelica Huston.Ballerinawas originally set to be released in the summer of 2024. However, it was delayed a year and went through multiple reshoots.
The film’s trailer and interviews with its cast hint ata promising extension of theJohn Wickworld. It appears the celebrated aspects of theJohn Wickfilms, like the fight choreography and enthralling narratives, will be balanced with an appreciated bit of novelty that comes with de Armas' character.
