Here at Esquire, we’re developing a new subgenre of new films called “speculatively sexy.” This is a descriptor for a movie that seems to promise a lot of sex. *cough*challenger*cough* – but only features one or two scenes that are actually sexy. I understand that not every movie can recreate babygirl. (It was totally sexy, if you ask me.) But was it really too much to ask for a romantic lead to kiss at the end of Twister? ! Hopefully 2025 won’t let us down.
In case you didn’t know, we’re still a little obsessed with 2024’s captivating slate of movies. Many of the films planned for 2025 are seemingly so with me – especially sexy. So far, we’re most excited about the upcoming Robert Pattinson and Zendaya starrer, The Drama. The History of Sound also features a period romance between Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. We’re excited about it too. Don’t forget Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Frankenstein movie “The Bride!” There’s also a Cate Blanchett spy movie directed by Michael Fassbender and Steven Soderbergh.
Continue below for the rest of this year’s lineup of steamy releases.
marked men
Starring: Chase Stokes and Sidney Taylor
Why we’re excited: The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes has released a movie about a tattoo artist named Ruhl Archer (Outer Banks’ Chase Stokes) who falls in love with pre-med student Shawn Landon (Taylor) . From the trailer alone, I’m picking up on the post-franchise vibe here.
Release date: January 22nd
Bridget Jones: angry about the boy
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall
Why we’re excited: It’s Bridget Jones! I’m personally rooting to see Ejiofor and Jones, but her new love interest (played by Woodall) in the trailer is her junior of 27 years. He’s named Roxtar, and that should absolutely be taken as an immediate red flag.
Release date: February 13th
black bag
Starring: Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett
Why we’re excited: Fassbender and Blanchett star as George and Kathryn Woodhouse, a Smith-esque Mr. and Mrs. Spy couple who keep their personal and professional lives separate. When Kathryn is accused of treason, it’s up to George to investigate.
Release date: March 14th
Nice Indian Boy stars Jonathan Groff and Karan Soni.
nice indian boy
Starring: Jonathan Groff and Karan Soni
Why we’re excited: This quirky romantic comedy opens with a great pairing in Jonathan Groff and Karan Soni. Reportedly, they will also take care of their family’s desire for a traditional Indian ceremony while planning their dream wedding.
Release date: April 4th
bride!
Starring: Christian Bale and Jesse Buckley
Why we’re excited: Buckley plays the Bride of Frankenstein in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s upcoming take on the famous horror story. She stars alongside Bale. Bale recently teased a sexy monster photo of himself in costume. Count Orlok, he is not.
Release date: September 26th
Robert Pattinson and Zendaya are co-starring in the highly anticipated film The Drama.
drama
Starring: Robert Pattinson and Zendaya
Why we’re excited: The story reportedly follows the couple as they face a crisis on the eve of their wedding. Norwegian director Christopher Borgli makes the film Hells.
Release date: TBA
Jennifer Lawrence will produce and star in the upcoming drama, Die, My Love, My Love, alongside Robert Pattinson and Lakith Stanfield.
die my love
Starring: Robert Pattinson (again!), Jennifer Lawrence, Lakeith Stanfield
Why we’re excited: Lawrence stars as a woman suffering from postnatal depression and events. She cheats on her husband (Pattinson) with another character played by Stanfield.
Release date: TBA
The whirlwind romantic comedy Dead Lover will premiere in 2025.
dead lover
Starring: Grace Glowiecki and Ben Petrie
Why we’re excited: The Lonely Grave (Glowiecki) in what the Rotterdam International Film Festival calls “a story charged with the chaos of body snatching, bad poetry and unholy desire” He tries to revive his lover (Petrie).
Release date: TBA
Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor star in sonic history.
history of sound
Starring: Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor
Why we’re excited: The upcoming historical romance film follows the relationship of two young men who record folk music together in 1910s New England. If movies are leaning heavily on the sexy side again this year, it’s sonic history.
Release date: TBA
Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans star in Celine Song’s The Materialist later this year.
materialist
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal
Why we’re excited: Director Celine Song continues Past Lives with a movie about another complicated love triangle. This time, the audience is reportedly being treated to a “matchmaker, her perfect match, and an ex-boyfriend.” It’s also very easy. Haven’t you seen the movie where Johnson, Evans, and Pascal are stuck in a love triangle?
Release date: TBA
More sex in movies:
