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May 4
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The Avengers
Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America all come together in Marvel's superhero climax flick that has had fanboys drooling since the release of Iron Man in 2008.
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans
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May 11
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Dark Shadows
Vampires are still in vogue in the summer of 2012, with Johnny Depp playing dress-up again as vampire Barnabas Collins in Tim Burton's take on a '60s gothic soap opera of the same name. Lots of other big names here, including Helena Bonham Carter (natch).
Stars:
Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Moretz, Michelle Pfeiffer, Bond Girl Eva Green
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The Dictator
Sacha Baron Cohen tries to re-create some of that Borat magic — let's be honest, Brüno pretty much sucked — starring in a movie said to be inspired by the novel Zabibah and the King by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Stars:
Sacha Baron Cohen, Megan Fox, John C. Reilly
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What to Expect When You're Expecting
Famed pregnancy guidebook heads to the big screen with an ensemble cast that follows five couples as they go through the childbirth process. Quite possibly the Mother of All Chick Flicks.
Stars:
Cameron Diaz, Isla Fisher, Jennifer Lopez
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May 18
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Battleship
This sci-fi naval war flick has been delayed twice — it was originally set for a May 2011 and then an August 2011 release — which doesn't bode well for its non-awfulness. Directed by Peter Berg (Hancock).
Stars:
Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna
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May 25
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Men in Black III
Next summer it will be 10 years since we were entertained by MIB 2... and The Osbournes. While this looks like both an extremely unnecessary sequel and a shameless cash grab, at least it will be in 3-D!
Stars:
Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin
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June 1
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Rock of Ages
Big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical was originally scheduled for a 2011 release, but eclectic cast — Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, to name a few — provide hope.
Stars:
Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin
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Snow White and the Huntsman
In 2012's dueling Snow White movies, The Brothers Grimm: Snow White (the one starring Julia Roberts) gets the jump on Huntsman (the one starring Kristen Stewart) with a March 16 release. Filming on this pic was shut down recently due to the rioting in London.
Stars:
Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth
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June 8
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Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Alternatively titled David Schwimmer Was Looking for Work, the third movie in the series has Ben Stiller (Alex the Lion), Chris Rock (Marty the Zebra), and Schwimmer (Melman the Giraffe) all returning as they join a circus to in an effort to get back to New York. In 3-D, of course.
Stars:
Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer
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Prometheus
Ridley Scott–directed sci-fi horror/thriller that, depending on who you talk to, is a prequel to Scott's Alien.
Stars:
Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron
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June 15
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That's My Boy
After most people enjoyed a nearly 100% Adam Sandler–free 2011 summer movie season (he was the voice of the monkey in Zookeeper), he's back in 2012 alongside Andy Samberg in a comedy about a crochety old man (James Caan) who moves in with his son (Sandler) as he's about to get married.
Stars:
Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, James Caan
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Jack the Giant Killer
An adult take on the Jack and the Beanstalk story, directed by Bryan Singer (Valkyrie). It's shot with motion-capture technology and was partially filmed in the British forest said to have inspired J. R. R. Tolkien to write The Hobbit.
Stars:
Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy
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June 22
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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Again with the vampires! Based on Seth Grahame-Smith's 2010 mashup novel featuring Abraham Lincoln as having a secret identity as a vampire hunter. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), and in 3-D.
Stars:
Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Benjamin Walker
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Brave
A Pixar pic, but unlike any previous Pixar pic, with a Brothers Grimm–style setting, a female protagonist, and a female director (well, co-director). In 3-D.
Stars:
Emma Thompson, Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly
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June 29
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G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation
Sequel to the critically panned (but financially successful) 2009 version gets A-list upgrade with Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson joining Channing Tatum as part of the G.I. Joe team.
Stars:
Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson
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July 3
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The Amazing Spider-Man
Reboot of the Spider-Man movie franchise after Spider-Man 4 was cancelled in 2010, falling victim to the badness of Spider-Man 3. It follows Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) as he develops his super powers in high school after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Also in 3-D.
Stars:
Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone
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July 13
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Ice Age: Continental Drift
Also known as Ice Age 4 — yeah, we couldn't believe there have been that many, either — Manny, Diego, and Sid use an iceberg as a giant ship to reunite with the rest of the herd.
Stars:
Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo
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Ted
Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane's directorial debut stars Mark Wahlberg as an average guy whose childhood teddy bear (voiced my MacFarlane) comes to life and gets in the way of romance with the woman of his dreams (Mila Kunis).
Stars:
Mila Kunis, Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane
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July 20
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The Dark Knight Rises
With the possible exception of The Avengers, the most highly anticipated movie of Summer 2012. The principal cast is back along with the addition of Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman.
Stars:
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway
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July 27
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Here Comes the Boom
If we were to tell you that next summer there will be an action comedy starring Kevin James as a mixed martial arts fighter, co-starring Salma Hayek and Henry Winkler, you'd probably say, "No way!" Here Comes the Boom opens July 27.
Stars:
Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler
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August 3
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The Bourne Legacy
Fourth (and final?) movie in the Bourne series, this time, oddly, without Jason Bourne. Jeremy Renner headlines this Bourne-less version with Rachel Weisz as his love interest and Edward Norton as the villain.
Stars:
Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
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Total Recall
Remake of the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger–Sharon Stone sci-fi actioner, this time with Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale in the leading roles.
Stars:
Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale
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August 10
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Dog Fight
Mix old-school manchild Will Ferrell with new-school manchild Zach Galifianakis and you have the makings of double-manchild comic gold! Now if director Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) can just stay out of the way...
Stars:
Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis
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August 17
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The Expendables 2
Sequel to Sylvester Stallone's 2010's maligned, mocked, yet very profitable testosterone-fest, this time directed by Simon West (replacing Sly). Bruce Willis has been added to the AARP-aged cast, and it's rumored that despite his personal problems, Arnold Schwarzenegger may reprise his role as Trench.
Stars:
Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone
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ParaNorman
Stop-motion animated zombie flick (got all that?) about a misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead and takes on ghosts, zombies, and moronic grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
Stars:
Leslie Mann, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck
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