Jonathan Sim
Paramount Pictures delivered an expansive presentation at CinemaCon, opening with a high-energy sizzle reel narrated by Tom Cruise and featuring appearances from a wide range of talent including Timothée Chalamet, James Cameron, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mckenna Grace, Teyana Taylor, Johnny Knoxville, Marlon Wayans, Jon M. Chu, Miles Teller, Chris Pratt, Will Smith, Issa Rae, James Wan, John Krasinski, Callum Turner, and Mark Wahlberg, culminating in a striking image of Cruise perched atop the Paramount water tower. The tone was immediately clear: this is a studio thinking big, both creatively and structurally.
That ambition was underscored by David Ellison, who outlined a bold theatrical strategy tied to the studio’s future alongside Warner Bros., promising a minimum of 30 theatrical releases annually across both studios, each with a full theatrical rollout and a 45-day exclusive window before transitioning to streaming after 90 days. It was a direct appeal to exhibitors, reinforcing Paramount’s commitment to the big screen at a time of industry uncertainty.
The slate itself reflected that scale, leaning heavily into major franchises while also introducing a wide variety of new projects. Paramount provided an update on the live-action Call of Duty film, directed by Peter Berg and written by Taylor Sheridan, set for a June 30, 2028 release.
The studio is also continuing its biggest brands with new installments of Transformers, G.I. Joe, and World War Z, while confirming that Top Gun 3 will reunite Tom Cruise with Jerry Bruckheimer. More on that in a separate piece.
Animation and family franchises were a major focus, with Sonic the Hedgehog 4 set for March 2027, featuring a cast that includes Ben Schwartz, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, series newcomer Kristen Bell, and Jim Carrey, with Robotnik apparently stepping into a world-saving role.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 will introduce fan-favorite villains Shredder and Krang next year, while PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie arrives August 14 with a voice cast including Mckenna Grace, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, and Terry Crews, alongside new music from the Backstreet Boys. The studio also debuted a trailer for The Angry Birds Movie 3 in theaters December 23 and confirmed continued investment in animated storytelling.
Horror and thriller fans were given plenty to look forward to, including Possession from Parker Finn starring Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner, as well as a new Longlegs project featuring Nicolas Cage (previously reported on the site). John Krasinski also appeared via video to give an update on A Quiet Place Part III, set for July 30, 2027, continuing one of Paramount’s most successful modern horror franchises.
Comedy and legacy IP were also front and center. The cast of Scary Movie, including Marlon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, and Anna Faris, took the stage to preview the next installment, leaning into the franchise’s signature irreverence with jokes aimed at just about everyone. Meanwhile, Johnny Knoxville introduced footage from Jackass: Best and Last, billed as the final chapter of the long-running stunt series.
Original films and prestige projects added further variety to the slate. Damien Chazelle is developing a new film starring Cillian Murphy, Daniel Craig, and Michelle Williams, while Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow will star Daisy Edgar-Jones and be directed by Sian Heder (CODA). Get Lite, directed by Teyana Taylor, draws inspiration from dance classics like Footloose and Flashdance, while the animated The Naughty List from Robert Rodriguez adds another genre entry to the mix.
Action and genre filmmaking continued with Street Fighter, which brought an eclectic cast to the stage including Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Callina Liang, Eric André, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, David Dastmalchian, Andrew Schulz, Vidyut Jammwal, Olivier Richters, and 50 Cent, with a world premiere trailer that leaned into high-energy combat and global appeal.
Biographical and inspirational storytelling also had a place in the presentation, with Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story starring David Corenswet, introduced by former NFL quarterback Phil Simms. The film emphasizes legacy and impact, with the message that true success lies in how one affects others. A Skydance Sports produced movie, it hopes to follow in the footsteps of Air, among other titles. Heart of the Beast, directed by David Ayer and produced by Chazelle, will star Brad Pitt, while K-Pop Superstar: The Movie tells a coming-of-age story about a Korean-American girl chasing her dreams, set for February 2027.
One of the more unexpected moments came with Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, introduced by Johnny Depp, who will portray Ebenezer Scrooge. Depp took the stage following a trailer debut, adding a layer of intrigue to the studio’s holiday slate.
Meanwhile, Children of Blood and Bone closed out the presentation with a powerful showing, as Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Thuso Mbedu, and director Gina Prince-Bythewood introduced a trailer for the fantasy epic. Featuring a predominantly Black cast and set for a January 15, 2027 release, the film promises a large-scale, mythic story rooted in culture and identity.
Adding to the spectacle, James Cameron and Billie Eilish appeared to present a 3D look tied to Hit Me Hard and Soft, further showcasing Paramount’s commitment to immersive cinematic experiences.
Across its presentation, Paramount made it clear that it is doubling down on theatrical filmmaking at every level, from massive franchise continuations to bold new originals, all while positioning itself for a future defined by scale, consistency, and a deep investment in the big-screen experience.
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