Originality is a hard thing to come by in the mainstream film releases of today. While there are still some filmmakers that have the clout to command big studio budgets for original concepts, the fact is unless your name isTarantino, Spielberg,orNolan, most studios aren’t willing to fork out the money necessary to produce films based on unknown properties.
RELATED:Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ Keeps Growing as Jason Clarke and Lousie Lombard Join Cast
That’s what makes these films unique. Either the works of directors who have two or three films under their belts but still haven’t quite graduated to the status of those aforementioned, or greenlit simply on the strength of the central ideas, if you’re looking for something different in the endless sea of adaptations, prequels, sequels and remakes, these films are worth looking out for.
‘The Adam Project’ (dir. Shawn Levy, release date July 02, 2025)
Like it or lump it, we’re living in the middle of a Ryan Reynolds-issance. Ever sinceDeadpool’s titanic success,Ryan Reynoldswent from the fringes to a real box-office draw. Most of the films he’s involved in are successful, but another noticeable thing about his recent career is his tendency to line up for original films.
The Adam Project, directed byShawn Levy, looks set to continue this tradition for the actor. Based on an original concept, the film sees time traveling pilot Adam Reed team up with a younger version of himself on a mission to save the future. This looks like a modern update on something likeE.T.orThe Last Starfighterand will be suitable for all ages audiences and sci-fi fans.
‘The Lost City’ (dir. Aaron Nee & Adam Nee, release date July 21, 2025)
Sandra Bullockplays romance author Loretta Sage, whose popular novels starring hero Dash Chicvance are worldwide bestsellers.Channing Tatum’smodel Alan Caprison portrays Dash on the covers of the novels, but when eccentric billionaire Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe) captures her and demands she lead him to the treasure from her last novel, Alan must become the hero he’s played for years.
Direct by Aaron Nee and Adam Nee, This film looks like it will be an awful lot of fun. A throwback to the 80s and 90s romantic adventure films likeRomancing the StoneorSix Days, Seven Nightsbut with a clever meta update, the formula is set to be a winner. With a great cast,The Lost Citywill be one forfans of a light-hearted romp.
‘The Northman’ (dir. Robert Eggers, release date June 20, 2025)
After a promising debut in 2015’sThe Witch,RobertEggerscemented his status as a filmmaker to watch with 2019’slaudedThe Lighthouse.His style is unashamedly old-school, defined by an astonishing eye for detail and a commitment to using as many props, sets, costumes, and design work that is period-accurate as is humanly possible.
RELATED:‘The Northman’: Release Date, Trailer, Cast, Plot and Everything We Know So Far
WhileThe Northmanis in some ways a departure for the director, appearing to be more revenge fantasy than eerie horror, it appears these defining aspects of his previous work are intact for this film. With a script written in collaboration with an Icelandic poet and an impressive cast, this will definitely be one to look for when it hits cinemas.
‘Disappointment Blvd’ (dir. Ari Aster, release date unknown 2022)
Another impressive up-and-coming filmmaker,Ari Aster,has firmly established his chops as a horror auteur with the one-two punch ofHereditaryandMidsommar. Both films are held up asgreat examples of modern horror, and Aster’s collaboration with A24 Films continues with this latest.
Not much is known about the plot so far, beyond Aster’s description of it as “an intimate, decades-long portrait of one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time.” WithJoaquin Phoenixin the lead — clicking with Aster in a manner described by fellow actorStephen McKinley Hendersonas “sympatico” — expect big things from Aster’s third film.
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (dir. Daniels, release date July 01, 2025)
After getting their start in music videos, the directorial debut ofDaniels(Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) withSwiss Army Man(starringPaul DanoandDaniel Radcliffe), was an off-the-wall concept delivered with a surprising amount of heart. Their highly anticipated follow-up is this high-concept multidimensional sci-fi action film produced by theRusso brothers’company.
Industry legendMichelle Yeohleads the filmas Evelyn Wang, who exists across multiple universes. She getsswept up in an dimension-spanning adventure, where she alone can save the world by connecting with the different lives she had led across the multiverse. With a supporting cast that includesJenny SlateandJamie Lee Curtis, this is an early contender for the most out-there film of the year.
‘How to Please a Woman’ (dir. Renee Webster, release date July 13, 2025)
The extremely talented comedienneSally Phillipsstars in this fun, raunchy comedy directed byRenee Webster. After feeling like she’s become “invisible to everyone,” a woman in her 50s (Phillips) sets up an all-male house cleaning service (with benefits). The film follows her as she learns to ask for what she wants and encourages other women to do the same.
With pre-screenings taking place all the way back in 2021 during Cannes' Pre-Screening Week virtual event, audiences will finally get to see the finished product in May. The film looks like it will be hilarious but also have a good message, as it explores the lives of “women of a certain age” and examines what they want.
‘Nope’ (dir. Jordan Peele, release date July 05, 2025)
Despite its universally reviled status, film lovers do have one thing to thankThe Emoji Moviefor. IfJordan Peelehadn’t been offered the role of the Poop Emoji,leading him to quit acting, we might have had to wait longer for his transition to one of the best directors working in Hollywood. Fortunately, we don’t, and withhitsGet Out!andUsunder his belt,Nopeis on its way.
RELATED:Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’ Trailer Reveals Horrors Hiding in the Clouds
The first trailer dropped last month, and it starts reasonably tamely, with a tour group being told the story of a ranch’s involvement with the first moving pictures. Of course, the peace doesn’t last long, and we’re treated to a litany of confusing and disturbing imagery. Shrouded mainly in mystery in terms of plot, this looks like it will be another excellent offering from Peele.
‘Bosch & Rockit’ (dir. Tyler Atkins, release date July 19, 2025)
One of the hits of this year’s Sydney Film Festival,Bosch & RockitseesLuke Hemsworthreturn to Australian film as a drug dealer on the run. However, things are complicated by the presence of his son, a dreamer who thinks he’s on a fantastical holiday with his father - and utterly unaware of the high stakes around him.
This isTyler Atkins’directorial debut. Working from his successful 2018 short but expanding it to feature-length, the cast also includesTransformersalum,Isabel Lucas. It also features a rarely-filmed part of Australia’s natural beauty, filmed primarily in the northern NSW region around Byron Bay.
‘Babylon’ (dir. Damien Chazelle, release date August 12, 2025)
Yet another super-talented director,Damien Chazelle’slast film, the brilliant, intenseWhiplash, nettedJ.K. Simmonsthe Best Supporting Actor Oscarhe has long deserved. It also gave us a glimpse into a world rarely seen, the hyper-competitive collegiate band circuit. Chazelle’s chops as a director have been firmly established between this and La La Land.
While not much is yet known about the plot, we do know thatBrad Pittis playingClark Gable,andMargot Robbieis playingClara Bow.Tobey Maguireis also set to appear along with serving as an executive producer. We also know that it is a period drama, set during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The Unknown Man (dir. Thomas M. Wright, release date unknown 2022)
A crime-thriller starringJoel EdgertonandSean Harris,The Unknown Manis being helmed by Australian writer and directorThomas M. Wright. His debut wasAcute Misfortune, the thought-provoking story of the sometimes antagonistic relationship between journalist Erik Jensen and artist Adam Cullen. His second feature is highly anticipated.
The film features two men meeting as strangers and striking up a friendship. However, not everything is as it seems; as it turns out, one of the men is an undercover cop who is trying to convince the other to confess to a murder. Doubtless, the details of who is playing which character will remain a mystery until the release, hopefully for the audience to solve themselves.
