When it comes to the film-release calendar these days, summer doesn’t unofficially start with Memorial Day weekend. It starts the first weekend of May, when the big brawny action pictures begin to land in movie theaters around the world. School’s out — and all those superhero sagas, space operas, fantasy worlds, animated adventures and other fantastic flicks are in.
So, what’s coming to your local cinema this summer? While not a complete list of U.S. summer-release dates, the list below (linked to each film’s official Web site) highlights the movies that may be of particular interest to the nerd herd.
- May 3 – Iron Man 3 (out already in Europe and some reviews are in.)
- May 16 – Star Trek: Into Darkness
- May 24 – Fast and Furious 6
- May 24 – Epic
- May 31 – After Earth
- June 14 – Man of Steel
- June 21 – World War Z
- June 21 — Monsters University
- July 3 — Despicable Me 2
- July 3 – The Lone Ranger
- July 12 – Pacific Rim
- July 19 – R.I.P.D.
- July 19 – RED 2
- July 26 – The Wolverine
- August 2 – 300: Rise of an Empire
- August 7 – Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
- August 9 – Elysium
- August 9 — Planes
- August 16 – Kick-Ass 2
- September 6 – Riddick
If you want to process the data visually, the Republic of Geek site has an artfully designed calendar and for one-stop viewing, the Geek Generation site has the trailers all in one place. IMDb’s Trailer Gallery and iTunes Movie Trailers are other sites to trailer-graze. For coming attractions on the go, check out the Flixster app for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry and phones with WAP browsers, Apple’s Movie Trailers app for iOS or any of the trailer apps in the Google Play Store designed for Android devices.
And not to forget one of the high points in summer-movie history: More than 30 years ago, the Star Wars franchise did its part in making the season an incredibly exciting time to pile into the car go see movies with your like-minded pals. So whether it be mall, multiplex, art house, IMAX, drive-in or wherever you grab your movies, have a great time — and may the Fourth be with you.