Upcoming Releases: January 2025

Happy new year from Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®)! We’re so excited to see what 2025 has to offer the world of pop culture collectibles, starting with this list of upcoming releases. Here’s what’s kicking off the year in January:

Upcoming Comic Releases

Ultimate Wolverine #1 – January 15

From Chris Condon (That Texas Blood) and Alessandro Cappuccio (Moon Knight) comes Wolverine’s introduction into the Ultimate Universe!

Ultimate Wolverine #1 sees Logan facing trouble almost immediately. In order to maintain control of their corner of the Maker’s world, three members of his council — Magik, Colossus and Omega Red — deploy their most lethal asset: the Winter Soldier. Who is the weapon behind the mask? Only time will tell!

Featuring the talents of Chris Condon, Alessandro Cappuccio, Frank Martin, Bryan Valenza and more, Ultimate Wolverine #1 hits comic store shelves on January 15!

Other notable comics releasing in January 2025 include:

• Deadpool & Wolverine #1 – January 1
• Sam Wilson, Captain America #1 – January 1
• Aquaman #1 – January 8
• Lucky Devils #1 – January 8

Upcoming TCG Releases

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Prismatic Evolutions – January 17

2025 is starting off strong with one of the most anticipated Pokémon TCG releases in history: Prismatic Evolutions!

Following Evolving Skies (August 2021), Prismatic Evolutions is the latest set to feature the ever-popular Eeveelutions. The chase cards in the set include special illustration rare versions of each of Eevee and its eight evolutions: Umbreon, Espeon, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Leafeon, Glaceon and Sylveon, each portrayed in a beautiful stained-glass portrait with Terastallized crowns adorning their heads. Like Evolving Skies, Umbreon is the ultimate chase card, with Japanese variants of the card already selling for hundreds of dollars on the secondary market.

Prismatic Evolutions pre-sales are already sold out on many online platforms, and secondary market sales of Elite Trainer Boxes are reaching $150 per box. However, there’s still a chance to score the elusive special set at MSRP when it releases in stores on January 17. Don’t wait — go out and grab it while it’s hot!

Other notable TCG sets releasing in January 2025 include:

• Disney Lorcana: The First Chapter (China release) – January 1
  • Japan release – January 25
• Magic: The Gathering: Innistrad Remastered – January 24
• Yu-Gi-Oh!: Supreme Darkness – January 24
• Flesh and Blood: The Hunted – January 31

Upcoming Sports Card Releases

2024 Panini Illusions Football – January 10

The NFL Playoffs are right around the corner, and so is the upcoming release of a football card fan favorite: the 2024 Panini Illusions Football set. Releasing on January 10, Panini's mid-level series that utilizes several different designs and printing technologies will once again feature a wide variety of NFL legends of the past, current Pro Bowlers and a fresh class of rookies.

The 100-card base set has a new background design but features the same doubled up images of players that collectors have come to love, with a full-bodied color image overlapped by a black and white close-up image in the background. Numerous premium hits are once again available to chase, including serial-numbered color parallels, memorabilia patch cards and coveted autographed cards.

The new 2024 Panini Illusions Football set is ready for kick-off on January 10!

Other notable sports cards releasing in January 2025 include:

• 2024 Topps Archives Baseball – January 8
• 2024 Donruss Football – January 15
• 2024 Panini Prizm NASCAR Racing – January 15
• 2023-24 Topps Finest Basketball – January 23
• 2024-25 Panini Prizm Basketball – January 29

Upcoming Video Game Releases

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD – January 16

The iconic Wii title returns, visually enhanced and portable!

Stomp, blast and roll your way across DK Island as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong! Players will lead the Kong Duo through 80 fun levels of diverse environments to help the two recover their precious banana collection from the evil Tiki Tak Tribe. Stomp enemies, blast through barrels and ride rockets, minecarts and even Rambi the Rhino across nine worlds ranging from the seaside to the middle of a volcano.

Like the Wii version, players can team up in 2-player local co-op to play the entire game together. Take the role of Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong and take on the Tiki Tak Tribe together with your favorite person! Or, if you’re playing solo, look out for barrels — they may contain Diddy Kong, who will help you out on your adventure!

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD swings onto the Nintendo Switch on January 16!

Other notable video games releasing in January 2025 include:

• Freedom Wars Remastered – January 10
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins – January 17
• Tales of Grace f Remastered – January 17
• Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles – January 23
• Tails of Iron II: Whiskers of Winter – January 28

Upcoming Film Releases

Better Man – January 10

The surprise box office biopic hit about Robbie Williams finally releases to all US audiences in January!

Biopic films that tell the stories of popular artists have become a popular subgenre of film in recent decades, and English singer and songwriter Robbie Williams is getting into the mix in a unique way. Instead of hiring a famous actor to play his character in the movie, he’s portraying himself… as a CGI chimpanzee. In his words, William says that he has always felt “less evolved” than other humans, and in a genius move, has decided to play and voice his own character in his life story.

Better Man experienced a limited US release at the end of December, and reviews have been extremely positive. It’s no surprise, really, since the movie was produced and directed by Michael Gracey — the man responsible for The Greatest Showman (2017) and the upcoming live-action release of Disney’s Tangled (TBA). With these two powerhouses at the head of this movie’s production, nothing is impossible.

Experience Robbie Williams’ meteoric rise, dramatic fall and resurgence to stardom when Better Man gets a wide release on January 10!

Other notable films releasing in January 2025 include:

• The Damned – January 3
• Den of Thieves 2: Pantera – January 10
• Wolf Man – January 17
• Flight Risk – January 24
• Companion – January 31