The film industry is preparing for a bustling Christmas season in 2025, as Sony announces the release of their reimagined Anaconda, starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, set to hit theaters on Christmas Day.
Anaconda is an upcoming action-comedy horror movie directed by Tom Gormican and written by Gormican and Kevin Etten. The film features a cast that includes Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Selton Mello, Daniela Melchior, Thandiwe Newton, and Steve Zahn. Serving as the sixth entry in the Anaconda franchise, it offers a fresh take on the 1997 film originally directed by Luis Llosa. The project is being developed by Columbia Pictures and Fully Formed Entertainment, with its release set for December 25, 2025.
Cast
- Jack Black as Doug McCallister, a wedding videographer caught in an unexpected adventure.
- Paul Rudd as Ronald “Griff” Griffen Jr., an aspiring actor stuck in minor roles, hoping for his moment to shine.
- Selton Mello as Santiago Braga, a mysterious figure with his own agenda.
- Daniela Melchior as Ana Almeida, a resourceful and adventurous explorer.
- Thandiwe Newton as Claire Simons, a close friend of Doug and Griff who joins their journey.
- Steve Zahn as Kenny Trent, another of Doug and Griff’s companions, bringing his charm and humor.
- Ione Skye as Malie McCallister, Doug’s supportive and loving wife.
Production
In January 2020, Columbia Pictures began developing a reimagining of the 1997 cult classic Anaconda, with Evan Daugherty attached as the screenwriter. In March 2023, Tom Gormican was brought on board as the film’s director. By August 2024, Jack Black and Paul Rudd had been cast in the lead roles, with Gormican confirmed to direct from a script he co-wrote with Kevin Etten. Daniela Melchior joined the cast in September 2024. In January 2025, Thandiwe Newton, Steve Zahn, Selton Mello, and Ione Skye were added to the lineup, and principal photography began that same month in Australia.
Christmas Day 2025 is shaping up to be a competitive box office event, with several major films set for release. Lionsgate has scheduled The Housemaid, a thriller directed by Paul Feig and starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. A24 is bringing Marty Supreme, a sports drama featuring Timothée Chalamet as a ping-pong champion. Adding to the mix, Sony is set to release their reimagined action-comedy Anaconda, starring Paul Rudd and Jack Black, promising a fresh take on the cult classic creature feature.
The film is directed by Tom Gormican and features Daniela Melchior among its ensemble cast. The screenplay is written by Gormican and Kevin Etten, the duo behind The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Brad Fuller and Andrew Form are producing the project under their Fully Formed production company.
The original Anaconda, released in 1997, starred Jennifer Lopez, Jon Voight, Owen Wilson, and Ice Cube. The story followed a documentary crew that is taken hostage by a crazed hunter determined to capture a massive and deadly anaconda. The film was a financial success, earning $65.9 million domestically from a $16.6 million opening weekend and grossing $136.9 million worldwide. It also contributed to the early box office success of both Lopez and Cube.
Also set to open on Christmas Day 2025 are Sarah’s Oil from Amazon MGM Studios, an untitled project from Angel Studios, and an untitled major release from Universal. These films will arrive just after Disney and 20th Century Studios debut James Cameron’s highly anticipated Avatar: Fire & Ash on December 19, 2025. That same pre-Christmas weekend will also see the release of an untitled Warner Bros. project and a new SpongeBob SquarePants movie from Paramount.
Sony is looking to maintain momentum into 2026, as the studio recently announced that 28 Days Later: The Bone Temple, a sequel directed by Nia DaCosta, is set to hit theaters on January 16, 2026.