Next On Netflix Confirms 'Plankton: The Movie' Release Date, Windows For 'Wake Up Dead Man', 'Long Story Short'
New images for 'Happy Gilmore 2' and 'Fear Street: Prom Queen' were also released
Just 30 days into 2025, Netflix unveiled its first Next on Netflix showcase for the year. Unfortunately for most of the titles, this showcase was more about looks than information. But at the very least, it gave us three new images from the second Netflix-exclusive SpongeBob SquarePants movie, Plankton: The Movie, the first color image for the next Knives Out mystery, Wake Up Dead Man, the first look at Bojack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s new cartoon Long Story Short, and a new look at Happy Gilmore 2, which released its first teaser on Christmas Day.
But first, let’s start off with something that’s actually new to coverage and exerts the least regurgitation. A fourth Fear Street film, Prom Queen following the trilogy of 2021 films released in back to back weeks 1994, 1978, and 1666/1994 Part 2, and taking place between the former two (I imagine there will be something to explain it along the way) has been set for a summer release. Directed by Matt Palmer and written by him and Donald Mcleary, the synopsis reads “Welcome back to Shadyside. In this next installment of the blood-soaked Fear Street franchise, prom season at Shadyside High is underway, and the school’s wolfpack of It Girls is busy with its usual sweet and vicious campaigns for the crown. But when a gutsy outsider is unexpectedly nominated to the court, and the other girls start mysteriously disappearing, the class of ’88 is suddenly in for one hell of a prom night.” The ensemble cast includes India Fowler as Lori Granger, Suzanna Son as Megan Rogers, Fina Strazza as Tiffany Falconer, Ariana Greenblatt as Christy Renault, Ella Rubin as Melissa McKendrick, Ilan O’Driscoll as Linda Harper, Rebecca Ablack as Debbie Winters, as well as David Iacono, Chris Klein, Lili Taylor, Katherine Waterston, Darrin Baker, Damian Romeo, Dakota Taylor, Eden Summer Gilmore, Brennan Clost, and Cecilia Lee.
Plankton: The Movie was confirmed to be releasing on March 7, as initially reported previously in a USA Today 2025 Movie Preview, and is present on its Netflix page. The logline still reads the vague “Plankton’s world is flipped upside down when his plan for world domination is thwarted once again.” Directed by Dave Needham, the Chum Bucket proprietor’s voice actor Mr. Lawrence is co-writing with Kaz and Chris Viscardi from a story wholly his. The executive producers are longtime staff Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller. Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper wrote the music with music supervisors Karyn and Otis Rachtman, and the film will feature original songs written by Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords, Linda Perry, Mark Mothersbaugh & Bob Mothersbaugh. The cast also features Jill Talley as Plankton’s computer wife Karen, Tom Kenny as SpongeBob (and maybe Gary), Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick, Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy, Clancy Brown as rival Mr. Krabs, and Rodger Bumpass as Squidward.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knoves Out Mystery began filming with a black and white pic posted by writer-director Rian Johnson reintroducing Daniel Craig as “everybody’s favorite ascot-wearing sleuth” Benoit Blanc with a brand new look. Now, his first color photo has him standing in church with Josh O’Connor without even a character name available. No one among him, Josh Brolin, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, Thomas Haden Church, Annie Hamilton and Daryl McCormack have had their character names or descriptions revealed. It now has a fall release window, as does Long Story Short, which sees its art style made public for the first time. The synopsis reads it’s about “a family over time… the shared history, the inside jokes, the old wounds. If you've ever had a mother, father, sibling, partner, or child, this is the show for you — and by the way, would it kill you to call them?"
Happy Gilmore 2 didn’t have its summer window confirmed yet, but it did release an image of Gilmore, played once again by Adam Sandler, taking a swing with Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, as his caddy. A plot synopsis still hasn’t been released, but the film sees the returns of Christopher McDonald as rival Shooter McGavin, Julie Bowen as presumed now-wife Virginia Venit, Dennis Dugan, the first film’s director as Doug Thompson, the commissioner of the pro golf tour there, and Ben Stiller as Hal, then the abusive orderly. The Substance’s Margaret Qualley, Nick Swardson, Kid Cudi, and Sandler’s Uncut Gems director Benny Safdie all have roles still yet to be revealed. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is among one of many cameos that include rapper Eminem and professional golfers Keegan Bradley, John Daly, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Jack Nicklaus, Corey Pavin, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, and Lee Trevino. With directing taken on by Kyle Newacheck, director of previous Sandler Netflix film Murder Mystery, Dugan will still executive produce, with Jack Giarraputo and Robert Simonds producing. Tim Herlihy returns to write and produce.
Sources: Bloody Disgusting, NickAlive! (1, 2)/USA Today, Tudum, The Hollywood Reporter, Comic Book Resources