The beginning of a new year means audiences can officially begin their countdowns for some exciting crime thrillers set 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 some sequels to celebrated franchises will be released as well.
Mission: Impossible and John Wick are two of the biggest franchises with films out this year. The Final Reckoning and Ballerina, respectively, will continue to expand upon the established action-filled worlds audiences have grown to love over the years. Additionally, some lesser-known international films will have a 2025 release, opening them up to more audiences, including Hong Kong’s The Prosecutor and Finland’s Orenda. The trailers and exclusive images from these upcoming 2025 films look promising and garner excitement, with crime thrillers being one of many genres audiences can look forward to as the new year kicks off.
The Prosecutor
January 10, 2025
Released in Hong Kong at the end of 2024, Donnie Yen’s The Prosecutor will be available for a wider range of audiences to enjoy in 2025. Directed, produced, and led by the famed martial artist, The Prosecutor is just one of the many upcoming 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 was John Wick: Chapter 4 in 2023. In the film, Yen plays Caine, a blind assassin tasked with killing Keanu Reeves’ John Wick. Yen’s performance received praise from critics as he was a convincing opponent for Wick and showed off his celebrated martial arts skills. Critical reviews that have come from The 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
January 10, 2025
Den of Thieves didn’t impress critics much in 2018, but the film did relatively well with audiences, and it’s seen as one of Gerard 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 first and 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 first Den of Thieves movie was largely reminiscent of acclaimed heist films like Heat, 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 for Den of Thieves 2: Pantera appear to be just as action-packed and entertaining as its predecessor.
Alarum
January 17, 2025
Led by Sylvester Stallone and Scott Eastwood, the crime thriller Alarum tells the 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 for Alarum features an abundance of explosions and gunfire. Taking into consideration the limited information surrounding the film, Alarum is sure to satisfy fans of the crime, action, and thriller genres with its action scenes alone. The non-stop, high-stakes action seems 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
March 14, 2025
Centering spy films around couples sets up an intriguing concept as 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. 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 Bag is sure to be nothing short of tense and gritty. The expected tone of the film makes it one of the more anticipated releases this year, and it’ll be released two months after Soderbergh’s other 2025 project, the horror film Presence.
A Working Man
March 28, 2025
From The Beekeeper and Fury director David Ayer comes the upcoming thriller A 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 on The Beekeeper, which proved to be a hit with audiences and received relatively positive reviews from critics. The quality and success of The Beekeeper boost the excitement and anticipation surrounding A Working Man.
The 2025 film is based on the novel Levon’s Trade by 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
April 11, 2025
With numerous appearances on TV throughout her career, Meghann Fahy gained the most attention for her role in The White Lotus season 2. Now, Fahy is set to lead the thriller Drop by Happy Death Day director Christopher Landon. Starring alongside Brandon Sklenar, the film sees Fahy’s character, a widowed mother, terrorized by a series of anonymous messages following 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 behind Drop, and they’re expected to have a big year. Other 2025 releases by Blumhouse Productions include sequels to M3GAN and The Black Phone, along with the Universal Monsters film Wolf Man.
The Amateur
April 11, 2025
The Amateur is a thrilling ’80s spy movie based 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 of Penny Dreadful, Black Mirror, and more recently, Slow Horses. Hawes’ The Amateur stars 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 in Mr. Robot, which bears some resemblance to his character in The Amateur, and Hawes’ involvement in Slow Horses increase the excitement surrounding the film. Both TV shows have earned high levels of praise for their captivating, gritty narratives, and The Amateur is expected to have a similar approach to its story.
Orenda
April 17, 2025
From Finnish director Pirjo Honkasalo comes Orenda. 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, Orenda explores 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. Orenda stars Finnish actors Pirkko Saisio and Alma Pöysti in leading roles. The latter actor earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2023 for her role in Fallen Leaves. The romantic comedy won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was positively received by critics.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
May 23, 2025
Despite those involved with the film expressing their desires to continue the series, the trailer and promotion surrounding Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning seem to set up the 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. Joining Cruise in the film are other Mission: Impossible actors 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 release after Dead Reckoning Part One in 2023 and expect a handful of events to happen in The Final Reckoning if it is to be the end of the franchise.
Ballerina
June 6, 2025
Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Ballerina acts 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. Reprising their roles from previous films in the John Wick franchise are Keanu Reeves, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, and Anjelica Huston. Ballerina was 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 at a promising extension of the John Wick world. It appears the celebrated aspects of the John Wick films, like the fight choreography and enthralling narratives, will be balanced with an appreciated bit of novelty that comes with de Armas’ character.