The Full 2025 Noir Alley Schedule: 12 Must-See Films Confirmed By TCM And Eddie Muller
The 2025 Noir Alley schedule on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is officially locked in for most of the year, promising a fresh and hardboiled lineup of classic film noir titles curated by the "Czar of Noir" himself, Eddie Muller. As of December 22, 2025, the confirmed calendar reveals a deep dive into the genre, featuring everything from rare studio pictures to essential neo-noir classics, ensuring every Saturday night at midnight (ET) and Sunday morning at 10 AM (ET) is a journey into the shadows. The new schedule highlights a commitment to showcasing the genre’s breadth, including films that explore themes of post-war anxiety, moral ambiguity, and the iconic femme fatale.
This year’s programming is a treasure trove for both the "hardboiled addict" and the "newly initiated," with the Film Noir Foundation founder, Eddie Muller, returning to provide his insightful, educational, and often witty introductions and outros. The 2025 lineup features a mix of high-profile classics and lesser-known gems, guaranteeing that the spirit of the definitive era of cinema remains alive and well on TCM. We've compiled the most up-to-date, confirmed schedule highlights for the entire year, so you can mark your calendars for a year of cinematic darkness.
The Confirmed 2025 Noir Alley Film Lineup: A Monthly Deep Dive
The 2025 schedule for Noir Alley is a masterclass in programming, balancing the need for genre staples with a dedication to uncovering lost or underappreciated titles. Below is a month-by-month breakdown of the confirmed films and special programming for the year, showcasing the depth of TCM's commitment to film noir.
January to April: Kicking Off the Year with Classic Noir
The first quarter of 2025 sets a high bar, immediately diving into the gritty world of the genre with a focus on early and mid-period classics.
- January 2025: The year begins with the confirmed showing of Deadline at Dawn (1946), a classic RKO picture based on a Cornell Woolrich novel, capturing the frantic pace of a single night in New York. Another confirmed title for the month is Suspense (1946), a lesser-seen Monogram production that is a must for collectors of B-movie noir.
- February 2025: February brings The Strip (1951), starring Mickey Rooney in a departure from his usual roles, set against the backdrop of the burgeoning Las Vegas entertainment scene. This film perfectly illustrates the shift in noir settings from dark city streets to neon-lit desert towns.
- March 2025: The lineup features the confirmed screening of The Velvet Touch (1948), a sophisticated, backstage murder mystery starring Rosalind Russell. This film is a prime example of the "women's picture" subgenre of noir, focusing on the pressures and paranoia of a successful actress.
- April 2025: A major highlight for the spring is the confirmed presentation of The Set-Up (1949), a powerful, real-time boxing noir directed by Robert Wise. Starring Robert Ryan, this film is widely considered one of the greatest sports-themed noirs, utilizing a minimalist, pressure-cooker narrative.
May to August: Summer Shadows and Neo-Noir Gems
As the weather heats up, Noir Alley turns up the heat on its programming, including a notable dip into the later era of the genre, known as neo-noir.
- May 2025: The confirmed film for May is Cornered (1945), a post-WWII thriller starring Dick Powell and directed by Edward Dmytryk. This film is an excellent example of international noir, as the protagonist chases a Nazi war criminal across South America.
- June 2025: June is a particularly rich month, featuring four confirmed films: The Big Steal (1949), a fun, fast-paced chase picture starring Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer; Crack-Up (1946), a captivating story of an art curator who wakes up believing he’s lost his mind; The Undercover Man (1949); and the Japanese neo-noir classic Pale Flower (1964). The inclusion of *Pale Flower* demonstrates Muller's dedication to the genre's global influence and later evolution.
- July 2025: Confirmed for July is This Side of the Law (1950). Additionally, July marks the annual NOIR CITY: Portland film festival, hosted by Eddie Muller, which often influences the on-air programming.
- August 2025: Similar to previous years, the Noir Alley weekly slot may see a brief interruption due to TCM's acclaimed Summer Under the Stars (SUTS) programming. However, the noir connection remains strong, as Eddie Muller is slated to host the SUTS days dedicated to noir-associated actors like Sterling Hayden and Donald O'Connor.
The Fall and Holiday Run: Noirvember and Rare Finds
The end of the year brings a return to the core of the genre, culminating in the annual celebration of "Noirvember" and a special holiday treat.
- September 2025: The fall season kicks off with He Ran All the Way (1951), a psychological thriller starring John Garfield in his final film role. September also features the NOIR CITY: Chicago 2025 festival, another key event for the Film Noir Foundation [cite: 8 (from step 1)].
- October 2025: Confirmed for October is The Big Street (1942) [cite: 9 (from step 1)], a moving early noir starring Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball. The film is a fascinating blend of melodrama and the dark fatalism that defines the genre.
- November 2025: November, the traditional "Noirvember" month, features The Great Jewel Robber (1950) [cite: 7 (from step 1)]. The programming will also explore the thematic concept of "Noir Abroad", showcasing films whose settings are outside the typical American urban landscape.
- December 2025: The year concludes with the confirmed screening of Lady in the Lake (1947) [cite: 3 (from step 1)], Robert Montgomery's experimental first-person camera film. The holiday season will also feature a special "Christmas Noir Triple Bill", a unique twist on festive viewing that highlights the darker side of the holidays.
The Enduring Appeal of Noir Alley and Eddie Muller
The success of Noir Alley, which has become a cultural phenomenon since its debut, rests on the shoulders of its host, Eddie Muller. Muller, the founder and president of the Film Noir Foundation, is not just a presenter but a passionate educator and preservationist. His work with the Foundation is dedicated to finding, restoring, and exhibiting films that would otherwise be lost to history, making the TCM program much more than just a late-night movie slot.
Muller's introductions are essential viewing. He meticulously details the production history, the actors' biographies (like those of Robert Ryan, John Garfield, and Rosalind Russell), and the socio-political context of each film. He consistently introduces key entities and concepts, such as the difference between film noir and neo-noir, the role of the cynical detective, and the visual style of German Expressionism that heavily influenced the genre.
The 2025 schedule is a testament to the fact that the film noir genre is not a static historical curiosity but a living, breathing subject of study. The confirmed films—from the existential dread of He Ran All the Way to the hard-hitting realism of The Set-Up—provide a comprehensive look at the genre's evolution. Muller's ongoing mission to restore classics and his engaging on-screen presence ensure that Noir Alley remains the definitive destination for fans of hardboiled cinema and complex storytelling.
Fans should also keep an eye on the TCM Schedule page for any last-minute changes, although the core of the 2025 lineup is now firmly established. The 2025 programming is a must-watch for anyone interested in the darker side of Hollywood's Golden Age.
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