Paramount Pictures lit up CinemaCon 2025 with an emotional, nostalgic, and star-studded presentation that affirmed its commitment to big-screen spectacle. From Tom Cruise’s heartfelt tribute to Val Kilmer to the adrenaline-pumping debut of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the studio celebrated cinema as both legacy and evolution.
Theatrical Experience as a Sacred Space
Paramount’s domestic distribution president opened with a rallying call to theater owners: it’s time to reshape how audiences engage with film. Ideas like limited trailers, no pre-show ads, “Bring Your Own Bucket” days, and flexible pricing were proposed to preserve the premium nature of going to the movies.
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“People love movies, and they will never stop loving movies,” he said, noting that what’s changed is how they consume them. Paramount sees 2025 not just as a rebound year but as a bold inflection point for exhibition innovation.
Tom Cruise and McQuarrie Dominate with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise received a standing ovation as he introduced the finale to his signature franchise, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Accompanied by longtime collaborator Christopher McQuarrie—whom Cruise called “an artist for all time”—the duo took time to reflect on their decades-long creative partnership and paid tribute to industry legends like Val Kilmer. The trailer stunned audiences with massive set pieces, emotional stakes, and the return of Angela Bassett. Paramount confirmed the film’s exclusive theatrical release on May 23, 2025.
Edgar Wright’s The Running Man Unleashes Mayhem
Edgar Wright and breakout action star Glen Powell debuted footage from The Running Man, a high-octane reimagining of the Stephen King novel. Set in 2025, the film taps into media obsession and spectacle violence with Powell playing reluctant contestant Ben Richards.
Joined on stage by Josh Brolin and Colman Domingo, the trio promised a movie that’s both thrilling and timely. “This isn’t just another dystopian future—this is now,” Wright said.
Channing Tatum Is Roofman in a Wild, True-Crime Ride
Channing Tatum surprised the crowd with the first footage from Roofman, the unbelievable true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a polite thief who famously evaded capture by hiding in the rafters of retail stores. Directed by Derek Cianfrance, the film mixes absurdity and emotion in equal parts. “It’s a ride,” Tatum said. “It’s hilarious, it’s heartfelt, and it’s completely insane.”
Animated Slate Brings Family Fun, Franchises, and Rihanna’s Smurfs
Family films took center stage with multiple animated tentpoles:
- The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants introduced Mark Hamill as the villainous Flying Dutchman.
- The Smurfs movie—featuring original music by Rihanna and a voice cast including James Corden—revealed a magical real-world rescue mission.
- A new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles project from director Jeff Rowe and producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg was teased.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Last Chosen One, directed by Lauren Montgomery and starring Dave Bautista and Steven Yeun, officially got its title.
- And of course, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Pups Go Prehistoric delivered a dino-sized promise for kids.
The Return of The Naked Gun
Liam Neeson steps into Leslie Nielsen’s shoes in the Naked Gun reboot, with Pamela Anderson joining the cast. Footage showcased slapstick mayhem, absurd punchlines, and plenty of fourth-wall-breaking zaniness that aims to reintroduce the spoof genre to modern audiences.
Romance and Emotion with Regretting You
Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestseller, Regretting You taps into cross-generational drama and trauma. The film only just started production, but an on-set moment revealed its tone: emotional, intimate, and deeply loyal to Hoover’s fanbase.
Beyond 2025: What’s Brewing
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Paramount teased:
- Children of Blood and Bone, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.
- Hard Peace, a new war epic from David Ayer starring Brad Pitt.
- Kendrick Lamar’s untitled comedy with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
- A fourth Sonic the Hedgehog film.
- A Scream entry with Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott front and center.
Paramount Picutres, A Studio Anchored in Legacy, Moving Toward the Future
Brian Robbins, Paramount Pictures CEO, used the stage to champion Paramount’s 100+ year legacy and its unwavering faith in theatrical storytelling. “We never wavered in our conviction that the big screen matters,” he said.
And as Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie led the final moments of the presentation, it was clear: Paramount isn’t just delivering movies—it’s delivering moments.
What title from Paramount Pictures CinemaCon slate are you most excited about? Are you ready for the final Mission: Impossible? Which animated film do you think will dominate the box office? Share your picks and reactions with us on social media!
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