2025 promises to be a stellar year for science fiction enthusiasts, offering a mix of highly anticipated new releases and returning fan favorites. With technology advancing at a rapid pace, the sci-fi genre continues to push boundaries and explore new ideas about the future, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and alternate realities. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the genre or new to it, there’s something for everyone in the world of sci-fi this year. Here are some of the must-watch sci-fi movies and shows that you won’t want to miss in 2025.
1. Blade Runner 2099 (Amazon Prime Video)
Fans of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner franchise can rejoice in 2025 as a new series, Blade Runner 2099, is set to premiere. This highly anticipated show continues the Blade Runner saga, set decades after the events of the 1982 film and its 2017 sequel, Blade Runner 2049.
- Why Watch: The series will explore the world of replicants and human conflict in a post-dystopian future. With Blade Runner 2049‘s success and the visionary direction of Ridley Scott, Blade Runner 2099 promises to be a visually stunning and intellectually thought-provoking experience.
- What to Expect: With a fresh cast and an immersive cyberpunk world, the show will delve into the rise of new power structures in a world still grappling with the ethics of artificial intelligence.
2. The Expanse: A Telltale Series (TBD)
While the Expanse television series wrapped up its successful run in 2021, fans of the series’ compelling storytelling, deep political intrigue, and outer space drama have much to look forward to in 2025. The Expanse: A Telltale Series is set to bring the captivating world of the Expanse universe back to screens with a unique twist.
- Why Watch: Telltale Games, known for their narrative-driven video games, will offer fans the chance to explore the events of The Expanse from a different perspective. Whether you’re a fan of the books, the TV show, or both, this interactive game series will bring you back to the vastness of space with new stories and characters.
- What to Expect: Interactive storytelling where your choices will impact the direction of the plot, offering a unique and personalized adventure in the Expanse universe.
3. Star Wars: Ahsoka (Disney+)
The Star Wars franchise continues to thrive with exciting new projects, and one of the most anticipated releases this year is Ahsoka. A spin-off series from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka follows the beloved Jedi character Ahsoka Tano as she searches for the missing Ezra Bridger and confronts new threats in the galaxy.
- Why Watch: Ahsoka Tano has become a fan favorite, and this series, set after the events of The Mandalorian, will give us deeper insights into her journey and expand the Star Wars universe even further.
- What to Expect: With Rosario Dawson reprising her role as Ahsoka, and a storyline that ties into the aftermath of Star Wars: Rebels, you can expect thrilling space battles, Jedi lore, and some new characters that could potentially shake up the Star Wars mythos.
4. Dune: Part Two (Theatrical Release)
Following the immense success of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune in 2021, the highly awaited Dune: Part Two will hit theaters in 2025. Based on Frank Herbert’s epic science fiction novel, this sequel will delve deeper into Paul Atreides’ journey as he seeks revenge against the forces that destroyed his family.
- Why Watch: Dune: Part Two promises to be even more visually spectacular than the first, with sweeping desert landscapes, intense battles, and a star-studded cast including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh. Fans of grand sci-fi epics will be thrilled by the deep world-building and the political machinations at the heart of this story.
- What to Expect: With the addition of more critical characters, especially the powerful and enigmatic Fremen, and the growing tension between the noble houses of the universe, Dune: Part Two is set to be a rollercoaster of action, philosophy, and environmentalism.
5. The Man Who Fell to Earth Season 2 (Showtime)
Based on the 1963 novel by Walter Tevis, The Man Who Fell to Earth premiered in 2022 on Showtime and brought the tale of an alien visitor to Earth to a new generation. The upcoming second season in 2025 will continue the story, following an alien named Faraday who attempts to save his home planet.
- Why Watch: Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Faraday, bringing an emotionally nuanced performance to the role of an alien trying to understand humanity while navigating a planet teetering on the brink of destruction.
- What to Expect: As Faraday grows more connected with humanity, the lines between alien and human will blur, resulting in a deeper exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly chaotic world.
6. Foundation Season 2 (Apple TV+)
Apple TV+’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series continues in 2025 with its second season. The show, set in a far-flung future where an entire galactic empire is on the brink of collapse, explores themes of psychohistory, rebellion, and the fight to save civilization.
- Why Watch: Season 1 of Foundation was praised for its visually stunning depiction of Asimov’s universe, but Season 2 is where the real action takes place. The new season promises to dive deeper into the conflicts brewing within the Empire, as well as the stakes involved in the quest to preserve knowledge and protect humanity’s future.
- What to Expect: More grand-scale space battles, political intrigue, and a closer look at the rise of the Foundation—a group of scientists and thinkers working to save humanity from impending doom.
7. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Rebuild – The Complete Retrospective (Netflix)
2025 will bring a special release that fans of anime and mecha sci-fi have been eagerly awaiting: a Neon Genesis Evangelion retrospective. Netflix is set to release an all-new documentary and collection surrounding Evangelion, providing fans with an in-depth look at the creation of the iconic anime, its cultural impact, and the complex themes woven into the story.
- Why Watch: Neon Genesis Evangelion has had a monumental impact on the anime genre and sci-fi in general. This retrospective will offer new insights into Hideaki Anno’s vision, the making of the show, and its lasting legacy in pop culture.
- What to Expect: Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the creators, and a look at the entire Evangelion saga, including the Rebuild films and their influence on modern sci-fi storytelling.
8. The Peripheral Season 2 (Amazon Prime Video)
Based on William Gibson’s novel, The Peripheral delves into the world of time travel, alternate realities, and the growing influence of technology on society. The first season, which premiered in 2022, set the stage for a mind-bending journey, and Season 2 promises to build on the complex plot and expand its world.
- Why Watch: The show combines high-tech espionage, cyberpunk aesthetics, and philosophical questions about humanity’s future, making it a compelling watch for fans of speculative fiction. The Peripheral also features top-tier performances from Chloe Grace Moretz and Jack Reynor.
- What to Expect: Expect more thrilling twists, alternate timelines, and a deeper dive into the technological advancements that may one day reshape the fabric of reality itself.
9. AI (Theatrical Release)
Directed by Ridley Scott, AI will hit theaters in 2025, exploring the ethical and emotional implications of artificial intelligence in a future where machines have become indistinguishable from humans.
- Why Watch: With Ridley Scott’s masterful direction and a strong cast, this film promises to explore the boundaries of consciousness, empathy, and what it means to be truly human.
- What to Expect: A captivating narrative that brings into question the role of AI in society, and the relationships that can emerge between humans and their creations.
Conclusion
With 2025 shaping up to be a blockbuster year for sci-fi fans, there’s no shortage of captivating films and shows to dive into. From expansive space operas like Dune: Part Two and Blade Runner 2099, to thought-provoking explorations of AI and human identity in The Man Who Fell to Earth and AI, this year offers something for every sci-fi enthusiast. So, grab your popcorn, your favorite streaming device, and get ready to explore new worlds and ideas that will challenge the way you see the future!