COMING ATTRACTIONS: One Hundred (And Twenty Six) Films To Look Forward To In The New Year!

I honestly didn’t think I was going to come up with a hundred and twenty six films for this annual round…

Some of these selections are still in development or pre-production stages too, while others are also likely due for a release in 2027. To that end, I’m just listing them here for continuity and partly in case those titles end up getting a 2026 slot. Either way, I think we have a pretty sizeable list worth taking a gander at, and you’ll be wise to note the films of interest with “TBA” next to them as I do not plan on updating this article. This is only a speculative spotlight piece eyeing what’s ahead so the rest is up to you guys, and I’ll be sure to update with future posts in the long haul.

I might put together another bonus list like I did last year as well depending on what pops up. For now, have fun sifting through this list of upcoming variety action films lining up the new year.

We Bury The Dead – January 2: Zak Hilditch’s SXSW 2025 pick sees Daisy Ridley leading the survival thriller about a woman whose search for her missing husband amid the aftermath of a catastrophic military experiment sees her stumbling upon corpses of people who are still alive.

Greenland: Migration – January 9: The sequel to Ric Roman Waugh’s 2020 survival thriller continues the epic journey of a family to find safe haven as a comet hurdles toward Earth.

The Internship – January 13: Lizzy Greene plays “a ruthless, highly trained assassin, raised from childhood in a top-secret CIA program known only as The Internship” who sets out to “dismantle the institution that stole her youth.” Directed by James Bamford.

The Rip – January 16: Joe Carnahan’s latest Netflix contribution joins Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for the story of Miami cops who discover a stash of millions in cash, leading to distrust as outsiders learn about the huge seizure, and making them question who to rely on.

Night Patrol – January 16: Directed by Ryan Prows, the film stars Jermaine Fowler, Justin Long, RJ Cyler, Freddie Gibbs, CM Punk, and YG, for the story of an LAPD officer who must put aside his differences with the local street gangs when he discovers a local police task force harboring a horrific secret that endangers the residents of the housing projects he grew up in.

In Cold Light – January 23: Maxime Giroux’s newest crime thriller comes from Saban Films and features Maika Monroe as an ex-con fresh out of prison and looking to reclaim her drug empire following the murder of her brother. Troy Kotsur, Helen Hunt, and Allan Hawco also star.

Mercy – January 23: Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson lead Timur Bekmambetov’s sci-fi thriller about a detective who must prove his innocence after being accused of a crime.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die – January 30: Sam Rockwell leads Gore Verbinski’s return to theatrical fun about a man claiming to be from the future and who takes the patrons of an iconic Los Angeles diner hostage in search of unlikely recruits in a quest to save the world. Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Asim Chandhry, Tom Taylor, and Juno Temple also star.

Shelter – January 30: Jason Statham’s first drop in the new year will come from Black Bear Pictures and follows a seaside recluse who rescues a young girl from near drowning, only to unwittingly sets off a violent chain reaction that brings him face to face with his past. Also starring Naomi Ackie, Bill Nighy, and Bodhi Rae Breathnach.

Cold Storage – February 6: Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, and Liam Neeson head up Jonny Campbell’s crackling sci-fi horror thriller romp that revolves around three people who must survive the night and save humanity from extinction when a mutating, highly contagious fungus escapes a sealed facility.

Crime 101 – February 13: From Amazon MGM Studios. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry, writer/director Bart Layton’s adaptation of Don Winslow’s acclaimed 2021 novella of the same name follows an elusive thief whose presumably last job finds him colluding with a disillusioned insurance broker as a relentless detective closes in.

Protector – February 20: In Adrian Grünberg’s new action thriller, Milla Jovovich plays an ex-soldier forced to face her violent past when her daughter is kidnapped to be trafficked.

Redux Redux – February 20: Michaela McManus is a loner traversing different mutiversal timelines in her unending quest to avenge her daughter or possibly save her life. Directed by Kevin and Matthew McManus and starring Michaela McManus, Stella Marcus, Jeremy Holm and Grace Van Dien, this was a Fantasia favorite. Coming from Saban Films.

How To Make A Killing – February 20: John Patton Ford directs a darkly comedic adventure starring Glen Powell and Margaret Qualley about a blue-collar worker once disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family who will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.

Samurai Vengeance – February 27: Tasuku Emoto and Kenji Watanabe headline writer and director Takashi Minamoto’s latest adaptation of Sayako Nagai’s award-winning 2023 best-selling novel. The Edo-set story sets sail with an act of vengeance, and the arrival of the suspect’s relative a year and a half later to learn the truth of the incident.

Outright Losers, Hidden Masters – TBA: It was back in June when director Peter Chan Ho-sun spoke to Variety’s Naman Ramachandran about a martial arts epic he was developing. Set in London, the film will “centers on individuals who possess ancient martial arts skills that function like superpowers,” with a story that also “explores how these abilities were historically tied to power structures.” Cool!

Scream 7 – February 27: Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox return to the franchise for a new installment that sees them battling Ghostface one more time. Directed by Kevin Williamson.

Golden Kamuy: Attack on Abashiri Prison – March 13: The Immortal Sugimoto’s story continues in Kenji Katagiri’s feature sequel following the 2024 film adaptation of Satoru Noda’s hit manga and the follow-up WOWOW/Netflix series. Kento Yamazaki and Anna Yamada lead the mix of new and returning cast members as our characters race against one another to assemble a scattered map leading to hidden treasure.

Project Hail Mary – March 20: Phil Lord and Chris Miller direct the upcoming sci-fi tale starring Ryan Gosling who plays an amnesiac astronaut at the center of a mission to save Earth from a catastrophic event.

They Will Kill You – March 27: It’s been some years since I got to post about Kiril Sokolov who directed the incredible Why Don’t You Just Die?. This one brings Zazie Beetz, Patricia Arquette, Tom Felton and Heather Graham into the mix for the story of a woman who takes a job as a housekeeper in a NYC high-rise, unaware of the building’s history of disappearances. Can’t wait!

Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come – April 10: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (a.k.a. Radio Silence) direct the sequel which follows Samara Weaving in the aftermath of our heroine’s harrowing ordeal with the Le Domas family.

The Resurrection – April 17: With no connection to the Universal line of monster films, Lee Cronin’s new take on a classic IP hails from Warner Bros. Pictures and stars Jack Reynor and Laia Costa.

Normal – April 17: Ben Wheatley’s TIFF crowdpleaser from John Wick scribe Derek Kolstad follows Bob Odenkirk as a temp sheriff who stumbles upon a huge discovery after foiling a bank robbery. Magnolia picked up the rights back in September.

Khan Tumhara – May (Eid ul-Adha): Hailing from Hum Films in association with MD Productions and Behive Trans Media, the new action adventure epic out of Pakistan is directed by Ehteshamuddin, and stars Maya Ali and Bilal Ashraf. Footage was first presented at the tenth edition of the Hum Awards in Texas.

Mortal Kombat II – May 8: A mix of new and returning Kombatants headline Simon McQuoid’s since-delayed sequel to the 2021 reboot based on the Netherrealm Studios tournament fighting game franchise, from Warner Bros. Pictures.

The Mandalorian and Grogu – May 22: Jon Favareau directs Pedro Pascal, Signorney Weaver, and more in the newest feature film continuation of the hit Disney+ series about a bounty hunter and his ward, a green baby alien with its own incumbent gifts.

Masters Of The Universe – June 5: Hitting Prime Video in the new year and based on the Hasbro animation and toy property, the film stars Nicholas Galitzine, in the title role from director Travis Knight, along with Idris Elba, Alison Brie, and Jared Leto.

Supergirl – June 26: Milly Alcock takes the reins for DC Studios’ Superman follow-up, directed by Craig Gillespie and focusing on Kara Zor-El’s story and her darker origin before finally reaching Earth. There’s a trailer coming this week too so, that’s awesome!

The Odyssey – July 17: Christopher Nolan’s new film has long since banged out record ticket sales with Matt Damon starring in the film and based on Homer’s epic, opening from Universal Pictures. Also starring are Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and John Leguizamo.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day – July 31: Destin Daniel Cretton rejoins the cast of the previous installments led by Tom Holland for another new adventure as Marvel paves the way into the next phase.

Mutiny – August 21: Plane director Jean-François Richet is back in the saddle with Jason Statham in the role as a man out to uncover a global conspiracy after witnessing the murder of his billionaire boss.

Cliffhanger – August 28: The Jaume Collet-Serra-directed revival of the original 1993 hit thriller which starred Sylvester Stallone now sees Lily James treading the terrain for the story of a woman forced to confront her fears high atop the Dolomites to rescue her family from a gang of kidnappers.

How to Rob a Bank – September 4: Amazon MGM Studios is shepherding David Leitch’s new heist thriller about a crew of bank robbers using social media to document heists that they have pulled off, leading to pursuit from the police. Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, Anna Sawai, Pete Davidson and more star.

Resident Evil – September 18: Zach Cregger is directing the theatrical Sony Pictures reboot adapting the hit video game franchise, from a script he writes with Shay Hatten.

The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender – October 9: Voice-starring Dave Bautista, Eric Nam, and Steven Yuen, the Lauren Montgomery-directed animated adventure continues the saga from its serial hit predecessor for Paramount Pictures.

Street Fighter – October 16: Starring Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo and more, Kitao Sakurai is the third and latest director to helm a live-action take on the classic Capcom fighting game.

Karateka – October 30: From Warner Bros. Pictures and Netflix, Andrea Ros and Patrick Criado lead the cast for Aritz Moreno’s martial arts biopictoral drama inspired by the triumphant tale of Olympic Gold medalist Sandra Sánchez.

Trinidad – November 13: Laura Alvea and José Ortuño direct the upcoming Spanish western adventure starring Gabriela Andrada in the title role. Also starring Paz Vega and Karla Sofía Gascón, the film follows a young woman who arrives in the Wild West with her mother and sister, and manages to eke out a living thanks to her skills in weapons, while also making her share of enemies in the process.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping – November 20: Francis Lawrence directs the follow-up to The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, and will depict Panem and its 2nd Quarter Quell. Starring Joseph Zada, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Violent Night 2 – December 4: Tommy Wirkola’s gonzo viking take on Santa continues with the epic beatdowns as David Harbour’s portrayal sees good old St. Nick stranded in a crumbling New Jersey mall, cut off from the North Pole, and forced to dish out his own brand of justice against a gang of criminals.

Avengers: Doomsday – December 18: The Infinity Saga may be over, but a ton of familiar faces are returning to the fray for the latest epic chapter of the MCU with Robert Downey Jr. in the pivotal role of Doctor Doom.

Dune: Part Three – December 18: Warner Bros. brings full circle the cosmic interplanetary epic threequel based on Frank Herbert’s literary work, and directed by Denis Villeneuve. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya reprise their roles with newer faces added to the mix for a story that sees Paul Atreides forced to come to terms with the religious jihad he has unleashed due to his ascension to Emperor, and a “Messiah” to the Fremen. Principal photography wrapped back in November.

Werwulf – December 25: Robert Eggers directs the upcoming Focus Features release about a mysterious creature who stalks a foggy countryside as local folklore becomes a terrifying reality for the villagers. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and Willem Dafoe.

Cosmic Samson – December: Big things are happening for the production team over at Weekend Blockbuster with a new endeavor that has Abihjith Joseph is directing, and actor Sandeep Pradeep starring in the title role of whatever this mysterious feat is. I only learned of this because Vlad Rimburg reposted the reel beneath signaling his attachment to the project which I’m pretty sure will galvanize fans of Southeast Asian film spectacle.

Seek – TBA: Shane Kosugi makes his directorial debut which follows a clandestine unit of ninja that falls into tumult when an explosive new weapon surfaces.

Seek 2 – TBA: The sequel to Shane Kosugi’s directorial debut that returns lead actor Kansuke Asano to the screen and centers on the elite ninja organization.

Ninja Wars – TBA: Koichi Sakamoto is tripling up his Ninjaverse with a cast that unites those of his Blackfox and Shogun’s Ninja films, and many more for a brand new martial arts action adventure.

OK! Madam 2 – TBA: Production is already underway for the sequel to the 2020 action comedy, rejoining Lee Chul-ha at the helm directing actors Uhm Jung-hwa and Park Sung-woong. Plot details remain pending.

Order Of The Dragon – TBA: Vjekoslav Katusin proffers a whos-who in action stardom for his own tribute to 80s and 90s martial arts fandom with the likes of Ron Smoorenburg, Steven Seagal, and more in the cast.

Mayday – TBA: Writer/director duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein take on the action comedy tale of a Lieutenant whose recon mission over Soviet territory goes awry, forcing him to crash-land and survive in Russian wilderness while evading capture or rescue. Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh, and Maria Bakalova are among the cast.

High Stakes Holiday – TBA: Shaun Paul Piccinino directs a cast led by Madeleine McGraw, Violet McGraw, and Andrew Koji, in the story of two witty sisters in Vegas who get tangled in a holiday heist and join forces with an ex-MI6 guard to outmaneuver a master thief and recover a diamond gauntlet before Christmas.

Pig Village – TBA: Lee Sang-yong’s latest packs in a ham fistful with Don Lee headlining the English-language story of a bareknuckle boxer who soon becomes ensnared in a web of crime and corruption, and battling a horde of foes all vying for the same pot of money at a last stop hotel near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Kingdom 5 – TBA: Based on Yasuhisa Hara’s hit manga, Shinsuke Sato continues the enduring Warring States saga that now sees awarded actor Kento Yamazaki’s lead role taking on bigger tasks in repping the Qin state.

Emperor – TBA: Sophie Cookson leads the way opposite Adrien Brody for Lee Tamahori’s 16th century epic which follows young Johanna “Of Ghent”, and her quest for revenge on the holy Roman Emperor Charles V for the death of her father. The film marks Tamahori’s final stake at the helm following his untimely death in November.

Kickboxer: Armageddon – TBA: This film took a long time to brew but news picked up in the second half of this year with filming dates and locations announced in October and November. Joined by Mark Dacascos and Georges St. Pierre among others, the film reteams leading man Alain Moussi with director Dimitri Logothetis for a threqueel revamp of the 1989 martial arts tastemaker that starred Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo – TBA: Takashi Miike’s latest endeavor in the crime arena will see him putting his touch on the titular IP with Lily James and Shun Oguri headlining the tale of a gambling-addicted Tokyo cop and an FBI agent searching for a missing politician’s daughter, while a mysterious killer lurks in the criminal underworld, watching their every move.

Colony – TBA: Yeon Sang-ho’s new horror thriller stars Gianna Jun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook and more with a story that descends into chaos whe a rapidly mutating virus transforms turns a biotech conference into a ground zero battlefield between survivors and the infected.

Brawl – TBA: Julien Royal directs actor Nassim Lyes in the story of a former boxing champion challenged with raising an autistic son. Lyes has been hitting it big in the past year and change since Xavier Gens’ Mayhem! and shark thriller Under Paris which may be getting a sequel.

Bedlam – TBA: Jon Shaikh’s latest follows Scott Adkins in a period tale about a fiery street boxer who infiltrates London’s infamous Bedlam asylum to rescue his imprisoned sister, unleashing chaos in a brutal underworld of cage fights, corruption, and revenge.

Infiltrate – TBA: Writer/director James Mark helms Tim Rozon, Alain Moussi, and more for the story of an ordinary woman compelled by a mysterious voice to delve into the dark underbelly of organized crime, determined to rescue her kidnapped husband from its clutches.

Special Op: Rent-a-Cop – TBA: William Butler’s action comedy sees Michael Jai White in the role of an  After falling in love and leaving Special Ops, special agent Brock Belfry finds himself working security in a small town and ends up escorting a van full of senior citizens to Las Vegas for their summer trip. But the trip will not go smoothly as he realizes that his arch enemies have tracked him down and plot to take him out.

Dying For Living – TBA: Director Patrick Kilpatrick also stars along with Cynthia Rothrock, Costas Mandylor, and more for the story of an aging hitman who seeks redemption, ensuing an explosive tale of love, betrayal and intrigue.

On The Hunt – TBA: Jared Cohn directs Nicky Whelan who stars as a former military woman who takes on a ruthless criminal underworld in a race against time to find her missing daughter. Til Schweiger and Cam Cigandet also star.

Hellfire – TBA: Stephen Lang takes the lead in a film directed by Isaac Florentine where a drifter steps up to settle a score with a ruthless crime boss holding his small town under his boot. Dolph Lundgren, Harvey Keitel, and Johnny Yong Bosch also star.

The Lock In – TBA: Nathan Geering’s independently-produced martial arts thriller follows a man trapped in a pub who finds himself caught in the crossfire between a mysterious bartender and a gang hell bent on killing him at any cost. To make matters worse our hero has arranged to go on a romantic date at the pub. When his date arrives things immediately take a turn for the worse as the pub closes it’s doors and holds a deadly event known as The Lock In. What started out as a romantic evening turns into a fight for survival. Also starring Connor Lee Dye, Scott Matthews, Drew Sinclair, and Keith Vitali.

The Original Gangster – TBA: Syamsul Yusof is a ways from revealing further what’s in store for this latest contempotary crime action thriller out of Malaysia. That includes plot details, sadly, although I believe the film is very much in post production. I’m confident that this is actually going to be a thing. Stay tuned!

New Generation War: Reawakened Man – TBA: Believer 2 director Baek Jong-yeol’s new action thriller starring Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Seung-ho, Kang Ki-young, Kim Si-a, and Kim Sung-ryung. The story follows a man who, after everytime he dies, can revive himself after three days.

Glass Dragon – TBA: Hard Revenge Milly herself, Miki Mizuno returns to the driver’s seat for her newest lead action role signaling the feature debut of filmmaker Nik Shaw, whose freshman thriller sees a martial artist accelerating her plans when things go wrong for her and her daughter. Mark Dacascos and Maryjun Takahashi also star.

Spades – TBA: Johnny Yong Bosch and Jason Narvy reunite on screen once again, pitting a detective and a vigiliante on a collision course with a ruthless crime syndicate for an exciting new action thriller with Bosch at the helm.

Mexicali – TBA: Formerly titled The Farmer, stunt professional Luke LaFontaine’s directorial debut sees Bren Foster as an ex-fighter-turned-farmer forced to throw down against a vicious gang.

Beast In Me – TBA: Daniel MacPherson plays a fisherman who gloves up for an octagon war against a vicious opponent to provide for his family and avenge his brother’s death. Tyler Atkins directs with Russell Crowe, Bren Foster and Luke Hemsworth also starring.

Relentless – TBA: It’s early days as we speak while actor and martial artist Bren Foster continues the process of directing his second feature since Life After Fighting, in which he will also star. Read more about it here.

He Bled Neon – TBA: Drew Kirsch’s new thriller long since wrapped filming in late 2024 and is in post production. Joe Cole of Gangs Of London fame centers on a man who journeys to Las Vegas for the funeral of his estranged brother, whose death unravels a dark web of crime and forces him to confront his past.

Foster – TBA: Timothy Woodward Jr directs a cast led by James Franco, Ron Perlman and Natalie Burn, set in the 1980s and follows a man chasing redemption away from his violent past whilst caring for an addict’s young son.

Breaking Cover – TBA: Scott Adkins reteams with Legacy Of Lies director Adrian Bol for the story of a seemingly ordinary back-office worker whose father-daughter hunting trip turns into a relentless fight for survival, unearthing the father’s past as a covert operative.

Gandhari – TBA: Announced last Fall, Devashish Makhija’s Netflix-bound action flick stars Taapsee Pannu as a mother on a relentless and harrowing pursuit to find and rescue her kidnapped daughter.

Blades Of The Guardians – TBA: Yuen Woo-Ping shepherds an adaptation of Xu Xianzhe’s hit manhua. The 7th century tale sees a highly-skilled swordsman thrust into danger when a simple escort mission unravels into something deadly. Starring Wu Jing, Nicholas Tse, Yu Shi, and Jet Li.

The Furious – TBA: Action stalwart Kenji Tanigaki makes his directing debut casting Xie Miao as a simple tradesman who fights his way through a complex web of criminals and evil agents in a frantic attempt to win back his kidnapped daughter by any means necessary. Miao leads an ensemble that also lists Joe Taslim, Jeeja Yanin, and Yayan Ruhian.

The Unleashed Blaze – TBA: Derek Kwok’s thematic sequel to the late Gordon Chan’s Raging Fire follows Andy Lau as a Hong Kong police commander faced with an explosive crisis that arises in a bitter reunion with a familiar face. Nicholas Tse joins the roster as well as Ci Sha, German Cheung and Carlos Chan.

Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business – TBA: Anushman Jha returns for another action-packed offering following director Victor Mukherjee’s 2023 hit. Jha will be joined by Sunny Pang of Havoc and Headshot fame as the villain, along with the likes of Tony Jaa and Dan Chupong if the film’s IMDb page is of any hint.

Timur – TBA (US): Releasing in Indonesia on December 18, actor and action star Iko Uwais’s directing debut is based on a true story and follows a dangerous mission to rescue hostages during the 1996 crisis in Mapenduma. With any luck, a U.S. release will follow suit shortly after, although it’ll likely mean a 2026 release anyway.

Wings Of Dread – TBA: Qin Pengfei co-directs with Ashton Chen who stars opposite Iko Uwais for the story of an airline officer battling hijackers while on en route to his honeymoon.

POW! – TBA: There is next to nothing about this movie anywhere online except for the cast and crew and production company behind it. That said, that the man who directed MMA actioner Sangkar, and that this film also has Yayan Ruhian involved is enough to pull me in.

Humint – TBA: The current status of this one is unknown but Ryoo Seung-wan is the man directing this latest thriller which sees North and South Korean agents clashing during an investigation of an incident at the Vladivostok border. Zo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Park Hae-joon and Nana star.

The Surgeon – TBA: Announced back in May, Roshan Sethi’s action thriller sees Michelle Yeoh as a retired surgeon abducted and forced to operate on a mystery patient.

The Tiger – TBA: The trad-Silat fighting method of “pamacan” is front and center of Ardiansah Sulistiana’s new action thriller about a West Javanese family whose secret tiger-style martial art gets exposed through a viral video, leading to conflict with an outsider determined to claim their heritage. Cecep Arif Rahman and Epy Kusnandar star in the film which screened for the 20th Jogja-NETPAC Film Festival this month.

Shadow Transit – TBA: Pedring Lopez directs Yoshi Sudarso and Qymira for the story of a grieving photojournalist and troubled DJ who flee through Manila’s criminal underworld while a dangerous syndicate pursues them. The film just recently played for audiences at the QCinema International Film Festival.

Toxic – March 19: Afterburn and Day Shift director J.J. Perry pairs up with an all-Indian stunt squad for director Geetu Mohandas’s latest action epic starring Yash and produced by Venkat K. Narayana.

New Police Story 2 – TBA: Presumably directing the long-awaited sequel Nicholas Tse, the actor also reunites on screen with Jackie Chan and Daniel Wu, reprising their roles from the first film and continuing the saga as our two heroes face retribution from the ex-con they imprisoned years earlier.

Legend Of The White Dragon – TBA: After years of affirming his craft under his Bat In The Sun label, Aaron Schoenke’s long-awaited directing debut sets the stage for late actor and martial arts superstar Jason David Frank’s final role as a fallen hero who must find a way to redeem himself and regain his lost powers for a fighting chance against a villain with a deadly vendetta.

Penance – TBA: Starring Stephano Rodriguez and Travis Gomez, Nikolas Pelekai’s feature directing debut is one of the meatiest gatherings of stunt talent for an independent action flick in recent history. The Fantastic Fest favorite follows a mute mercenary and his partner on a dark and violent mission of vengeance and retribution against the crime lord who murdered his sister.

Kung Fury 2: The Movie – TBA: There’s no telling when David Sandberg’s feature follow-up to his overnight shortfilm hit will arise, but there’s no way we’re not looking forward to watching a splashy, neon-lit adventure full-up with 1980s allure and over-the-top action and cheese galore following up our hero’s time-traveling, Nazi-slaughtering shenanigans. President Schwarzenegger-approved!

Chameleon – TBA: Gensan Punch helmer Brilliante Mendoza shepherds a 1990s-set thriller based on the true story of a Filipino transgender woman, Marie, drawn into the Yakuza underworld after befriending the rebellious daughter of a powerful boss. Eiji Okuda, Rina Takeda, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Shogen, and Ikken Yamamoto star.

Night Fever – TBA: A small change to the title aside, the film brings writer/director Kim Pan-su together with actors Woo Do-hwan, Jang Dong-geun, and Lee Hye-ri, for a Bangkok-set crime tale about a former boxing champion who plots his revenge after being set up for a murder he didn’t commit.

Godzilla Minus Zero – TBA: There aren’t any details here quite yet, but Takashi Yamazaki’s untitled follow-up to his 2023 smash hit.

The Last Secret Of The First Emperor – TBA: Nguyen Phan Quang Binh directs Johnny Tri Nguyen’s long-awaited return to the action forefront for a martial arts period tale about seven warriors on a top-secret mission: to transport 99 coffins as a strategic diversion to ensure that the tomb of Vietnam’s first Emperor remains an eternal secret from their enemies.

Kung Fu – TBA: Kai Ko, Leon Dai, and Berant Zhu star in Giddens Ko’s new coming of age action adventure comedy based on the director’s 2005 novel. The movie sees a high school loser and his friend begin to discover themselves after defending a homelessman who turns out to be a 500 year-old swordsman itching to settle a centuries-old score with his rival.

Eastbound Traffic – TBA: Starring Paula Berwanger and Mickey Koga, co-star Chuck Johnson debut directs a crime that follows a guilt-ridden woman’s harrowing journey into Tokyo’s sex industry while search of answers following her sister’s disappearance.

The Conspiracy – TBA: I couldn’t help but jog my memory a little more as it’s been about six years since this production took place. This year could finally be when actor/director François Mequer gets to put out his international action thriller about a pair of troubled search-and-rescue contract experts work together to save a Senator’s daughter and thwart an even deadlier conspiracy. Mequer stars along with late actor/martial artist Max Repossi.

Nightingale – TBA: William Kaufman is back in the chair directing an action thriller set against the backdrop of the Ukrainian-Russian war. LaMonica Garrett plays a U.S. SpecOps operative and private military contractor on a mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter from a mercenary, played by Daniel Bernhardt

Atlas King – TBA: Nika Agiashvili directs an action crime flick that follows an ex-fighter who comes home to bury his friend and joins forces with his godson to plot a heist targeting a mob boss. Michael Bisping and Cuba Gooding Jr. headline this one.

Rough Dog – TBA: From La Katana Films and Imani Films, actor and filmmaker George Karja heads up the independent thriller about a Romanian ex-con who jets out to turn Spain’s criminal underworld upside down, creating more than a PR nightmare for a Spanish politicians ministerial campaign. Karja directs and stars along with co-scribe/star Bryan G. Thompson, and actress Xin Wang.

Cold Light I and II – TBA: George Karja’s back-to-back foray with actress Daniela Xandru who plays a woman whose mission of vengeance turns into a quest for justice after unearthing a human trafficking ring. The story will be a two-part tale with the first titled Cold Light: Luna, and the second being Cold Light: Nadia.

Fall 2 – TBA: Harriet Slater stars as a woman mourning the death of her sister. When she partakes in an adventure with a friend to cross infamous plank walk of Mount Kwan in Thailand, a sudden rockslide leaves them stranded on a fragile plank 3000 feet in the air, forcing Jax must confront her deepest fears and fight for survival to find closure. Directed by Michael and Peter Spierig.

Mysaa – TBA: Writer/director Rawindra Pulle’s new action thriller is turning out to be one of the more exciting titles to arrive in the new year, backed in part by the presence of Andy Long Nguyen as action director. The story revolves around the Gond tribes, with none other than Rashmika Mandanna leading the charge as a lionhearted protagonist on a lifetime quest for answers.

Krrish 4 – TBA: Years in the making, details remain pending on Hrithik Roshan’s long-awaited return to the highly-evolved superhero saga that began with 2003’s Koi… Mil Gaya. IMDb has Roshan’s name attached as director as well as of this write up so do with that info what you will.

King – TBA: Siddharth Anand directs Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone for the story of a vengeful assassin who takes on a protégé, embarking on a perilous journey that pushes their survival skills to the limit against overwhelming odds and unforgiving environments.

Purgatory: Zone Of Murderers – TBA: Jonathan Hyun Myung Lee shares the helm with actor and action star Bruce Khan of Revenger fame for a celebrated return to the screen. Set in a dystopian prison, an ex-cop makes a deal with the government to take down the inmates who’ve seized control of the facility, and their leader.

Seeking The King – TBA: Collaborating with the electric VFX team behind Space Sweepers and Hansan: Rising Dragon, The Battle: Roar To Victory director Won Shin-yeon transports viewers to the 1980s, chronicling the explosive action that ensues between the North, South and the U.S. when a giant robot lands in a village near the DMZ. Koo Kyo-hwan, Yoo Jae-myung, Seohyun, and Eric Roberts star.

The Forbidden City – TBA: Gabriele Mainetti’s new martial arts action drama already hit our radar much to our delight but it stands to be noted that Well Go USA is on track to roll this one out stateside. You’re gonna wanna snag this one however which way you can, although I pray that there’s a theatrical and physical media plan for this as well.

War Machine – TBA: The Patrick Hughes-directed Netflix action sci-fi rolled cameras in Australia back in September. The movie “follows the final 24-hours of the world’s toughest selection program, as a team of Army Rangers encounter a threat beyond their imagination”. Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, Jai Courtney, and Esai Morales are among the cast.

Eugene The Marine – TBA: Hank Bedford directs the Scott Glenn-led thriller as an ex-soldier and widower whose dark and violent past begins to surface just as he starts to open his life up a little more to the people he encounters daily. The film also stars Annette O’Toole, Shioli Kutsuna, and Jim Gaffigan.

Ikatan Darah – TBA: Sidharta Tata’s Uwais Pictures prospect stars Livi Ciananta as an ex-champion fighter thrust into a new competition when her brother is marked for death by his loanshark’s vengeful brother.

Skyline: Warpath – TBA: Liam O’Donnell directs a prequel set at the top of the titular alien invasion saga. Iko Uwais returns as ex-small time criminal-cum-resistance leader, Sua, treading dangerous jungle terrain to fend off foes both alien AND human, in order to transport an alien artifact that could give the resistance a fighting chance. Also starring are Scott Adkins, Randall Bacon, and Louis Mandylor, as well as franchise cohort Yayan Ruhian.

Sakamoto Days – TBA: Toho’s newest release finds Ren Meguro and Fumiya Takahashi leading the way as mentor and mentee in Yuichi Fukuda’s adaptation of the hit hitman manga comedy.

A Colt Is My Passport – TBA: From Amazon MGM Studios and Orion Pictures, Gareth Evans’s exciting reunion with actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù brings to life a reimagining of Takashi Nomura’s 1967 yakuza crime flick. Penned by Chris Webb, the new film is set in 1978 Detroit and centers on a Vietnam vet-turned-contract killer who ends up on the run following a hit on a gangland boss. Tim Roth, Jack Reynor, Lucy Boynton, Victor Alli, Ewan Mitchell, Burn Gorman, and Noah Taylor also star.

Carte Blanche – TBA: Gerardo Herrero is on the way with a new war thriller starring Iván Pellicer, Víctor Clavijo, and Salva Reina The film brandishes a harrowing, transformative epic tale about a suicidal legionaire fighting in 1920s Morocco who, in the span of fifteen years, finds a new lease on life upon learning he’ll have to fight the same people who were once his comrades.

Toxico – TBA: Writer/director Lorenzo Lerín’s feature debut casts Javier Bódalo, Lucía Díez, Pedro Casablanc, Chechu Salgado, Nacho Guerreros, and more for the story of a band of thieves living on the outskirts of society. When what was supposed to be one last heist goes amiss, it unleashes a maelstrom of potentially fatal events.

In Tandem – TBA: Luc Walpoth’s new thriller stars Emile Hirsch and Benjamin Norris. The actors play two former high school pals whose pasts clash as they fight to survive an ill-prepared mountain climb. Inspired by the award-winning documentary, “The Dawn Wall”.

Nail House – TBA: Rocket Jump’s Freddie Wong and Matt Arnold steer the new independent action comedy feature about two brothers – a high-strung waiter, and a fast-talking chef – torn apart by tragedy and reunited to defend their late mother’s restaurant from the clutches of a sinister tech goon and his henchmen. More here!

Panda Plan 2 – TBA: Luan Zhang proffers a sequel that follows his 2024 zany comedy which placed Jackie Chan squarely in a meta action comedy caught in upheaval when armed mercenaries descend on a zoo in an attempt to steal a beloved rare panda. Sequel details remain pending.

Hope – TBA: Na Hong-jin’s ensemble action sci-fi follows residents of a harbor town caught in a desperate fight for survival against something they have never encountered before. Hwang Jung-min, Hoyeon, Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, and Zo In-sung star.

Kung Fu Deadly – TBA: Fergal Costello is at the helm with action director Lee Huang for the story of two hapless pest controllers who are thrust into mortal danger when they accidentally tranquilize a Taoist hunter of Chinese undead aka “Jiangshi” who are spreading through the city. Having interrupted her pursuit of a centuries old enemy and with the clock ticking, they must reluctantly band together to rid the city of this supernatural menace the only way they know how: extermination. Steven He and Michael Tient star.

Mary Magnum: Jiu-Jitsu Nun – TBA: Jose Montesinos is back and bringing some kickass into the new year with a concept that freshly wrapped filming this year and is currently in post-production. Story details remain somewhere whispered in a confession booth but expect Paula Rae Taylor donning the habit along with a revolver and enough leglocks, armbars and chokeholds to keep you firmly tapped in!

Lee B. Golden III

fcsyndicate@outlook.com | Web

Native New Yorker. Been writing for a long time now, and I enjoy what I do. Be nice to me!