Futures should matter more in economic geography to address the increasing complexity and uncertainty of regional development. This article argues that economic geographers should adopt a forward-looking perspective, particularly through critical realism, to better understand and shape regional futures. While traditional economic geography has focused on historical and structural factors, the future is increasingly unpredictable and influenced by multiple, often conflicting, time regimes. Economic geographers must engage with the future as much as the past to remain relevant, especially in the face of challenges like climate change, inequality, and demographic shifts. The article highlights the limitations of current approaches, which often emphasize path dependency and lock-in in regional development. These approaches fail to consider alternative, more sustainable futures that could benefit broader populations. While some scholars have called for more attention to regional futures, the concept remains underdeveloped in economic geography. The paper suggests that future-oriented research should focus on understanding the causal mechanisms and configurations that could lead to desirable regional outcomes. Critical realism is proposed as a framework for future-oriented research in economic geography. It emphasizes the importance of multiple possible futures, which are real but not yet manifested. The future is shaped by both human agency and structural factors, and understanding this interplay is crucial for developing sustainable and equitable regional futures. The article also discusses the epistemological challenges of studying the future, noting that knowledge about the future is not certain but can be approximated through "knowledge surrogates." Methodologically, the paper suggests that future-oriented research should involve a disciplined imagination of what is feasible, probable, and desirable. This includes developing new methodological tools that allow for speculative rigor. The article also emphasizes the importance of normative stances in research, advocating for a progressive and transformative approach to regional development that prioritizes equity and justice. In conclusion, the article argues that economic geography must adopt a forward-looking perspective to address the complex and uncertain challenges of regional development. By integrating critical realism and focusing on causal mechanisms, economic geographers can better understand and shape the future, ensuring more sustainable and equitable outcomes for regions.Futures should matter more in economic geography to address the increasing complexity and uncertainty of regional development. This article argues that economic geographers should adopt a forward-looking perspective, particularly through critical realism, to better understand and shape regional futures. While traditional economic geography has focused on historical and structural factors, the future is increasingly unpredictable and influenced by multiple, often conflicting, time regimes. Economic geographers must engage with the future as much as the past to remain relevant, especially in the face of challenges like climate change, inequality, and demographic shifts. The article highlights the limitations of current approaches, which often emphasize path dependency and lock-in in regional development. These approaches fail to consider alternative, more sustainable futures that could benefit broader populations. While some scholars have called for more attention to regional futures, the concept remains underdeveloped in economic geography. The paper suggests that future-oriented research should focus on understanding the causal mechanisms and configurations that could lead to desirable regional outcomes. Critical realism is proposed as a framework for future-oriented research in economic geography. It emphasizes the importance of multiple possible futures, which are real but not yet manifested. The future is shaped by both human agency and structural factors, and understanding this interplay is crucial for developing sustainable and equitable regional futures. The article also discusses the epistemological challenges of studying the future, noting that knowledge about the future is not certain but can be approximated through "knowledge surrogates." Methodologically, the paper suggests that future-oriented research should involve a disciplined imagination of what is feasible, probable, and desirable. This includes developing new methodological tools that allow for speculative rigor. The article also emphasizes the importance of normative stances in research, advocating for a progressive and transformative approach to regional development that prioritizes equity and justice. In conclusion, the article argues that economic geography must adopt a forward-looking perspective to address the complex and uncertain challenges of regional development. By integrating critical realism and focusing on causal mechanisms, economic geographers can better understand and shape the future, ensuring more sustainable and equitable outcomes for regions.