Paramount Pictures has recently made significant adjustments to its release schedule for 2025, indicating a robust strategy to dominate the box office in an increasingly competitive landscape. Among the most notable additions is Edgar Wright’s much-anticipated remake of **The Running Man**, featuring Glen Powell. Scheduled for a release on November 21, 2025, just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, this strategic timing positions it to attract a larger audience during a peak viewing period. This release date will place it in direct competition with **Wicked: Part Two** and other noteworthy films like an upcoming Warner Bros. event movie, which underscores the fierce rivalry among studios for holiday box office supremacy.
Moreover, Paramount has adjusted its plans for films targeting awards recognition. Originally slated for a November 27 release, the project premiering at Venice and Telluride will now open in a limited capacity on November 29, expanding broader on December 13. This film, directed by Tim Fehlbaum, stars a formidable cast including Peter Sarsgaard and John Magaro. It explores a gripping narrative centered around a live terrorism incident during the 1972 Munich Olympics, a theme that resonates with contemporary audiences while offering a poignant reflection on historical events. The revised timeline for this release likely aims to optimize its impact during the highly contested awards season.
In addition to the adjustments on awards contenders, Paramount is also moving its horror film **Vicious** up from August to February 28, 2025. The film, directed by Bryan Bertino and featuring Dakota Fanning, promises an intense narrative where a woman grapples for survival in a labyrinth of terror. This strategic shift could be aimed at filling the early-year horror void, leveraging the genre’s increasing popularity during that time. The move showcases Paramount’s agile response to market trends and allows them to capitalize on potential audience enthusiasm for fear-oriented films during a period typically dominated by less horror-focused offerings.
In a notable shift for family-friendly content, Paramount has also pushed its animated **Smurfs** musical movie from a Valentine’s Day release to July 18, 2025. This not only positions it for a summer audience but also temporally separates it from competing family films, enabling it to capture market share during peak family viewing times. The voice cast is stellar, featuring a diverse lineup, and its summertime release gives it an opportunity to generate substantial box office revenue against other animated films.
As these strategic decisions unfold, Paramount appears to be positioning itself adeptly within the competitive landscape of 2025. With various genres represented and scheduling conflicts with heavyweight titles, the studio must navigate carefully to leverage the strengths of its diverse slate. This multi-faceted approach, from horror to animation, ensures that Paramount is not only capitalizing on existing audience expectations but is also prepared to adapt rapidly as market dynamics evolve. The upcoming years will undoubtedly be pivotal for Paramount, as it seeks to reinforce its brand and amplify its cinematic footprint in a progressively crowded environment.