Proof in the popcorn: 2025 films are harnessing the power of nostalgia.
In 2025, Hollywood is harnessing the irresistible pull of nostalgia, reminding us that the big screen is the ultimate way to experience the stories we know and love. This year’s lineup of sequels, reboots and iconic franchises taps into the emotional power of the past to captivate audiences in the present. These films aren’t just a nod to the past, they’re a celebration of timeless storytelling that continues to unite generations and light up cinema screens with familiar faces and fresh adventures.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Releases in cinemas September 11.
Fifteen years after audiences were first introduced to the Crawley family, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale marks a poignant farewell to one of the most beloved period dramas of our time. With its lavish sets, emotional depth and upstairs-downstairs dynamics, the film is set to resonate with P25–54 female audiences who have grown with the series and are ready to return for one final, heartfelt chapter.
Tron: Ares
Releases in cinemas October 9.
More than 40 years after the original and 15 years since Tron: Legacy, Tron: Ares returns to the grid with a bold new chapter. Designed to captivate a fresh generation of P18–39 audiences, the film also pays tribute to the legacy of the 1982 cult classic, reigniting nostalgia for those who experienced the dawn of digital adventure while bringing new fans into the fold.
Mortal Kombat II
Releases in cinemas October 23.
Fatalities, finishers and fierce nostalgia collide as Mortal Kombat II brings the legendary game franchise to the big screen once again First launched in 1992, the game defined a generation of arcade brawlers, and now, its cinematic return is perfectly primed for P18–39 male audiences eager to relive the brutal battles that shaped their youth.
The Running Man
Releases in cinemas November 6.
The cult-classic The Running Man is getting a high-octane reboot, reimagining the 1987 sci-fi thriller for today’s audience. Buzzworthy actor Glen Powell steps into the role made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger, bringing new energy to the film’s dystopian, media-saturated world. With its explosive action and sharp social commentary, the film is set to resonate with P25–54 male audiences who recall the original, while engaging a new generation of thrill-seekers.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
Releases in cinemas November 13.
Nearly a decade since the last instalment, the magic returns with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. Packed with slick illusions and fast-paced heists, the film brings back the thrill for P18–39 audiences, especially younger viewers who were captivated by the original films' clever twists and high-stakes sleight of hand.
Zootopia 2
Releases in cinemas November 27.
Almost ten years after its debut, Zootopia 2 returns to the clever, colourful world that captured the imagination of audiences everywhere. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back on the beat, solving even bigger and bolder cases in their bustling animal metropolis. The film is a natural fit for P25–54 family audiences, especially young parents who loved the original and are now introducing it to their children. With its mix of warmth and wit, Zootopia 2 delivers a truly multigenerational cinematic experience.
Anaconda
Releases in cinemas December 26.
The 1997 cult classic slithers back into cinemas with Anaconda, offering a nostalgic mix of jungle terror and campy thrills. Equal parts horror and humour, the film has broad appeal across P18–39 and P25–54 audiences—drawing in younger viewers for the creature-feature spectacle and older audiences for a fun throwback to ‘90s survival flicks.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
Releases in cinemas December 26.
From his pineapple under the sea to the big screen once again, SpongeBob returns for another absurd adventure in Search for SquarePants. First introduced to audiences in 1999 with the show’s very first episode, SpongeBob has been a pop culture staple for over two decades. This latest chapter taps into that enduring nostalgia for P25–54 family audiences, especially parents who grew up with the series and now get to share the joy and laughter with their own kids.
*Source: CineTAM 2025