Movies Coming Out in 2012 – A Complete Guide to the Year in Film

If you’re looking for a list of movies coming out in 2012, then you’ve come to the right place. Admittedly, I was a little late getting started, so we’ll pick up with the month of May and continue on through December. But even though I’ve skipped a few months, there’s still loads of quality cinema to be enjoyed during the current year. From chick flicks to psychological thrillers, 2012 has something for everybody.

While I’ve attempted to make this list of upcoming 2012 films as complete as possible, I’m only human. That means I’ve probably left out a few, especially when it comes to foreign and indie releases. If you notice an omission, be sure to let me know in the comments section. I’ll update the entry, thereby providing future readers with an even more complete rundown.

Movies Coming Out in May 2012

The summer movie scene is already in full swing in May, as numerous blockbusters-to-be are released. The Avengers is the one I’m waiting for, and it’s perhaps my most anticipated feature of all the movies coming out in 2012.

The Avengers (May 4th) – Marvel’s mightiest superhero team clashes with Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to save the planet. Written and directed by fanboy favorite Joss Whedon, the film stars Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Dr. Bruce Banner aka The Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts), and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury). Also keep an eye out for Avengers co-creator Stan Lee in his 235th movie cameo.

Dark Shadows (May 11th) – Tim Burton takes the gothic TV soap opera about a 200-year-old vampire and brings it to the big screen. Johnny Depp stars as the undead Barnabas Collins, an 18th century fellow who pissed off a witch, got turned into a vampire, and then was buried alive. After being freed, he returns home to interact with his bizarre and frequently dangerous family. Co-starring Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Moretz, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, and Alice Cooper (as himself). Look for the original Barnabas Collins–the late Jonathan Fridd–in a cameo.

The Dictator (May 16th) – The latest comedy from British funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen, The Dictator centers around Admiral General Aladeen (Cohen), the tyrannical dictator of the fictional Middle Eastern country of Wadiya. While previous flicks such as Borat and Bruno were essentially a series of gags strung together, The Dictator features a more conventional narrative structure and name cast members such as Ben Kingsley, Megan Fox, Anna Faris, and John C. Reilly. Something tells me that this won’t be a big hit in Arab countries (well, except maybe for Israel).

Battleship (May 18th) – Yes, the boardgame where players call out random coordinates to try and sink the opposing fleet has been turned into a movie. Aliens have been added to the mix, and they quickly clash with the forces of the Navy. Our heroes include a screw-up officer (Taylor Kitsch), his hottie girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker), and her disapproving father (Liam Neeson). Expect loads of special effects.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting (May 18th) – A star-studded chick flick about five couples preparing for childbirth. Stars Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, and Rodrigo Santoro.

Chernobyl Diaries (May 25th) – Based on a story by Paranormal Activity creator Oren Peli, this horror film details a group of moronic youths who decide to visit the abandoned and irradiated city that was once home to Chernobyl workers. As you might have guessed, the place isn’t as empty at it seems, and soon the ghosts of creepy Russian kids are running all over the place.

Men in Black 3 (May 25th) – Barry Sonnenfeld directed the first two films in the MIB franchise, so it’s only appropriate that he would return for the third. This time, Agent J (Will Smith) must travel back to 1969 to save Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones/Josh Brolin) from an alien assassin. Co-starring Emma Thompson, Bill Hader, Alice Eve, and a number of celebs making cameos.

Movies Coming Out in June 2012

The summer movie season is in full swing by this point, and June 2012 holds a wide array of options for eager moviegoers. Of these titles, I’m especially stoked about Prometheus, Ridley Scott’s sci-fi prequel to Alien.

Snow White and the Huntsman (June 1st) – This twist on the classic tale of Snow White stars Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth as the title characters. Charlize Theron is the evil Queen Ravenna, although this fantasy film features a massive rebellion by the heroes. In case you’re wondering, the eight dwarves include such actors as Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones, Nick Frost, and Ray Winstone.

Piranha 3DD (June 1st) – John Gulager (Feast) takes the reins of this bawdy 3D horror-comedy franchise, and this time the hungry, prehistoric piranha are turning up in swimming pools and the local waterpark. The cast includes an unusual mixture of names, including Danielle Panabaker, Christopher Lloyd, Ving Rhames (who appeared to die in the previous film), Gary Busey, David Hasselhoff, and Matt Bush. With Gulager in charge, expect this version to be even more outrageous than the last.

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (June 8th) – The third film in the computer-animated franchise finds Alex (voiced by Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Melman (David Schwimmer) and Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) stranded in Europe while returning from their adventures in Africa. Pursued by an animal control officer (Frances McDormand), they join a traveling circus to hide out. The first film in the series to be done in 3D. Expect this one to clean up at the box office.

Prometheus (June 8th) – Set in the late 21st century, Ridley Scott’s film details the exploits of a crew exploring the remnants of an advanced alien race. Of course, you just know those little acid-blooded buggers will make an appearance sooner or later. The stellar cast includes Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, and Charlize Theron.

Rock of Ages (June 15th) – Based on the Broadway musical, the film follows the developing relationship between a busboy (Diego Boneta) and a waitress (Julianne Hough) during the 1980s. Co-starring Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige, Bryan Cranston, and Malin Akerman.

That’s My Boy (June 15th) – Adam Sandler is the father. Andy Samberg is the son. After years apart, the dad shows up to reconcile on the eve of junior’s wedding. The bizarre cast includes Rex Ryan, Vanilla Ice, Dan Patrick, Susan Sarandon, Leighton Meester, Todd Bridges, and James Caan. I hope it’s better than some of the recent Adam Sandler movies.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (June 22nd) – It turns out that President Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) was also a vampire hunter, and his war against the undead and their slave-owning minions was part of the reason for the Civil War. I hope this one’s a success, and keep an eye out in 2013 for Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (no kidding).

Brave (June 22nd) – The 13th film from Pixar is set in the ancient days of Scotland and centers on Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), the spirited daughter of a king. A tradition states that the winner of a competition will determine Merida’s future husband, but the young woman decides to enter the contest for herself and control her own destiny. Voices include Billy Connolly, Craig Ferguson, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, and Robbie Coltrane.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (June 22nd) – With an asteroid on the way to wipe out all life on Earth, a man (Steve Carell) seeks out a former flame with the help of his neighbor (Keira Knightley). Also starring Adam Brody, William Peterson, Patton Oswalt, and Rob Corddry.

To Rome with Love (June 22nd) – Woody Allen’s latest romantic comedy is divided into four vignettes and stars Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Ellen Page, Antonio Albanese, and Roberto Benigni.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (June 29th) – Picking up where the last film left off, Zartan (Arnold Vosloo) uses his position as the President of the United States to have Cobra Commander released and all G.I. Joe agents branded as traitors. When most of the heroes are wiped out in a sneak attack, the survivors must struggle to take back America from the forces of Cobra. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum, and Adrianne Palicki.

Magic Mike (June 29th) – Channing Tatum is the veteran male stripper, and Alex Pettyfer is his protege. They both work at Xquisite, a club run by a former stripper named Dallas (Matthew McConaughey. Keep an eye out for Olivia Munn and pro wrestler Kevin Nash (as a stripper named Tarzan). The latest wacko project from director Steven Soderbergh.

People Like Us (June 29th) – Chris Pine stars as a financially strapped man who attends his father’s funeral and learns that the will states he must deliver $150,000 in cash to an alcoholic sister he’s never met. Co-starring Olivia Wilde, Elizabeth Banks and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection (June 29th) – The 14th film with Tyler Perry’s name attached to the title. This time around, Madea plays host to a family that’s been entered in the Witness Protection Program. Co-starring Eugene Levy, Denise Richards, John Amos, Marla Gibbs, and Doris Roberts.

Movies Coming Out in July 2012

Once upon a time, July was the undisputed king of the summer movie season. This has changed somewhat as blockbusters now get released in May and June, but July still features plenty of films that are destined to clean up at the box office. Case in point:

The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3rd) – Instead of continuing the series with star Tobey Maguire and director Sam Raimi, Columbia Pictures decided to reboot the franchise and put Spidey back in high school. This time he’s played by Andrew Garfield, and Emma Stone co-stars as love interest Gwen Stacy. Expect lots of teen angst, especially when The Lizard (Rhys Ifans) begins to make our hero’s life more complicated.

Savages (July 6th) – Oliver Stone gets back in the game with this crime thriller about a pair of marijuana growers (Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson) who take on a Mexican drug cartel to rescue their hippie girlfriend (Blake Lively). Stone knows all about weed, so I at least expect the scenes involving cannabis to be highly accurate. Co-starring Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek, John Travolta, and Benicio del Toro.

Ice Age: Continental Drift (July 13th) – The fourth film in this popular computer-animated series finds unlucky prehistoric squirrel Scrat (Chris Wedge) once again in search of his precious acorn. But this time around, his quest has major consequences, forcing Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo), and Diego (Dennis Leary) to undertake a life-changing adventure. Kids will love this one, and the Ice Age franchise always makes sure to include enough gags to keep adults awake.

Ted (July 13th) – Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy) makes his directorial debut with this tale of a Boston resident (Mark Wahlberg) whose childhood wish brough his favorite teddy bear–named Ted–to life. Now, years later, he’s looking to win over the woman of his dreams (Mila Kunis), but Ted’s disruptive behavior threatens the budding relationship.

The Dark Knight Rises (July 20th) – The conclusion to the Batman series starring Christian Bale and directed by Christopher Nolan. Set eight years after The Dark Knight, this film looks at Bruce Wayne’s continuing evolution as the grim protector of Gotham City. All the familiar faces from the franchise will return, and they’ll be joined by Anne Hathaway (Catwoman) and Tom Hardy (Bane).

Neighborhood Watch (July 27th) – Stressed out by their families, a group of suburbanites (including Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, and Richard Ayoade) start up a neighborhood watch organization as an excuse to get out of the house. But when they uncover an alien invasion plot, they have to man up and do something about it. If you’ve dreamed of seeing Jonah Hill vs. aliens, here’s your chance.

Step Up Revolution (July 27th) – The fourth film in the Step Up series finds a young woman (Kathryn McCormick) moving to Miami with dreams of becoming a professional dancer. When she falls for a fella (Ryan Guzman) who’s the leader of a talented dance crew, the duo are soon drawn into an effort to prevent the destruction of a historical neighborhood. It’s not every day that you see dancing combined with social protest.

Movies Coming Out in August 2012

I’m running out of insightful or clever things to say in these intros, so let’s get right to the movies coming out in August 2012:

The Bourne Legacy (August 3rd) – The fourth film of the franchise is set after the events of The Bourne Ultimatum, although Jason Bourne is nowhere to be found. The main character this time is Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner), a badass secret agent forced to deal with the fallout from the Treadstone debacle, and he’ll be joined by the equally heroic Stephanie Snyder (Rachel Weisz). The bad guy is Edward Norton, and the fine supporting cast includes Joan Allen, Albert Finney, Scott Glenn, and David Strathairn.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (August 3rd) – Zachary Gordon returns as Greg Heffley in the third film of the series. This one is based on two novels from Jeff Kinney, Dog Days and The Last Straw, and finds Greg trying to figure out what he’s going to do with all his free time during the summer.

Total Recall (August 3rd) – If you’re a fan of the original Arnold Schwarzenegger film, get ready for a number of changes. First off, there’s no trip to Mars. Instead, we get an earthbound power struggle between Euroamerica and New Shanghai in the year 2084. Colin Farrell stars as Doug Quaid, a laborer who signs up for a virtual vacation and inadvertently unlocks supressed memories about being a spy. But are these memories real or simple wish fulfillment? Co-starring Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, and Bill Nighy.

The Campaign (August 10th) – Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis show off their comedic chops as a pair of North Carolina residents competing for a congressional seat. Co-starring Brian Cox, John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd, Dylan McDermott, and Jason Sudeikis.

Hope Springs (August 10th) – Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep play a couple who seek counseling after 30 years of marriage. Turns out their marriage counselor is none other than Steve Carell. Let the hilarity begin!

The Expendables 2 (August 17th) – Some of your favorite actions stars–including Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, and Dolph Lundgren–once again hit the big screen as international mercenaries taking on impossible missions. This time they’re pitted against a team of rival mercs (led by Jean-Claude Van Damme), and one of their own is murdered. New faces to the franchise include Liam Hemsworth and Chuck Norris, and expect Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger to expand on their cameos from the previous film.

ParaNorman (August 17th) – A spooky animated film about a young boy with a talent for speaking to the dead. When zombies begin to run amock in his hometown, he’ll have to find the courage to stop an ancient curse and deal with a bunch of lame grown-ups. Featuring the voices of Casey Affleck, Kodi-Smit McPhee, Tempestt Bledsoe.

Sparkle (August 17th) – A remake of the 1976 film about three sisters who form a singing group during the heyday of Motown. Jordin Sparks has the lead, and Whitney Houston co-stars as her mother (in her final film appearance).

The Apparition (August 24th) – A couple (Sebastian Stan and Ashley Greene) unwisely participates in a college experiement concerning the supernatural. Before long, they find themselves plagued by a malicious entity, and they must turn to an expert (Tom Felton) for help. Supposedly based on a true story, but take that with a grain of salt.

Hit and Run (August 24th) – When his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) needs a ride to Los Angeles, a former getaway driver (Dax Shepard) in the Witness Protection Program risks everything to help her. This action/comedy/romance co-stars Bradley Cooper, Beau Bridges, and Tom Arnold.

Premium Rush (August 24th) – Joseph Gordon-Levitt shows off his action side in this film about a New York City bicycle messenger being chased around town by a crooked cop (Michael Shannon).

7500 (August 31st) – While flying over the Pacific Ocean, a group of airline passengers come face-to-face with the supernatural. Starring Leslie Bibb, Jamie Chung, Amy Smart, and Scout Taylor-Compton.

Lawless (August 31st) – Set during the days of Prohibition, this John Hillcoat (The Road) film stars Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jason Clarke as three brothers trying to keep their bootlegging business alive. Co-starring Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Mia Wasikowska, and Jessica Chastain.

The Possession (August 31st) – When a young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, she has no idea that it’s cursed. Now, her father and mother must put aside their differences to help free her from a malevolent entity. Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick.

Movies Coming Out in September 2012

The biggest movies coming out in 2012 have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean a number of quality releases can’t be found as the weather starts to turn cooler. Check out this list of the movies coming out in September 2012:

Finding Nemo 3D (September 14th) – The 2003 animated hit from Pixar gets a new release and the 3D treatment. In case you’re unfamiliar, it centers around a father (voiced by Albert Brooks) who goes searching for his missing son (Alexander Gould). And since it’s a Pixar film, it should come as no surprise that the characters are fish instead of people. It made over $850 million at the box office the first time around.

For a Good Time, Call…(September 14th) – Two college pals (Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor) get themselves a swank NYC apartment, but mounting bills force them to start a phone sex line to make ends meet. Co-starring Seth Rogen and Justin Long.

Resident Evil: Retribution (September 14th) – This is the fifth film in the series, and this time zombie-killing badass Alice (Milla Jovovich) finds herself in the heart of Umbrella’s headquarters. Numerous revelations have been promised, and you can expect lots of whacked-out monsters waiting to be gunned down. Michelle Rodriguez–supposedly killed in the first film–makes a return.

Dredd (September 21st) – After the Americans messed it all up (Sylvester Stallone and Rob Schneider!), the Brits finally have a shot at bringing their homegrown hero to the big screen. I’m talking about Judge Dredd (Karl Urban), a no-nonsense cop patrolling a massive city in a post-apocalyptic world. Olivia Thirlby co-stars as his new partner, and Lena Headey plays the head of a terrorist organization.

House at the End of the Street (September 21st) – Elisabeth Shue and Jennifer Lawrence play a mother and daughter who move to a new town and learn the house next door holds horrifying secrets.

Killing Them Softly (September 21st) – Brad Pitt lends his starpower to this tale of an underworld employee (Pitt) who investigates a robbery that was pulled during a mob-protected poker game. Co-starring James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins and Ray Liotta. Based on the 1974 novel Cogan’s Trade.

The Words (September 21st) – Bradley Cooper stars as Rory Jansen, a celebrated author who has a secret: He stole his work from someone else. Now he has to pay the price, but how high will it be? Co-starring Jeremy Irons, Zoey Saldana, Olivia Wilde, and Dennis Quaid.

End of Watch (September 28th) – Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena star in this gritty tale of cops and the daily perils of the their job. The footage is shot with handheld cameras to capture the immediacy of the situation, and the film co-stars Anna Kendrick and America Ferrera.

Hotel Transylvania (September 28th) – Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) owns a fabulous resort that caters to monsters. It’s also his daughter’s (Selena Gomez) 118th birthday, and he’s invited plenty of his friends to celebrate. But when a normal human (Andy Samberg) arrives by mistake, Dracula must keep his little girl from falling in love. A computer-animated comedy that also features the voices of Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Cee Lo Green, and David Spade.

Looper (September 28th) – In the year 2042, Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) makes his living as a “looper,” which means he kills and disposes of people who are sent to him from the year 2072. But when the older version of himself (Bruce Willis) arrives as a victim, Joe can’t resist letting him escape. Big mistake. Now the mob is after Joe, and he’s got to track down his older and meaner counterpart.

Trouble with the Curve (September 28th) – You might have thought that Gran Torino was Clint Eastwood’s final acting role, but now he returns in this tale of an elderly baseball scout who brings his daughter (Amy Adams) along as he prepares to look at one last big league prospect. Co-starring Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, and Matthew Lillard.

Won’t Back Down (September 28th) – Two mothers try to cut through all the red tape and improve the quality of their local inner-city school. Starring Viola Davis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Holly Hunter, and Ving Rhames.

Movies Coming Out in October 2012

Since Halloween is right around the corner, you can always expect at least a few horror movies to get released in the month of October. For my money, I’m stoked about Taken 2, as it provides yet another opportunity to ogle Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace, not to mention watch Liam Neeson open a can of whoop-ass.

Butter (October 5th) – An adopted girl (Yara Shahidi) fnds out she’s a natural at sculpting butter, and her newfound talent pits her against the obsessed wife (Jennifer Garner) of the current champion (Ty Burrell). An ensemble comedy that also includes Olivia Wilde, Hugh Jackman, Rob Corddry, and Alicia Silverstone.

Frankenweenie (October 5th) – Tim Burton expands upon his 1984 short film about a young boy who turns to science to resurrect his recently deceased dog. Shot with stop motion, this animated dark comedy includes the voices of Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder, Martin Landau, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, and Christopher Lee. Expect the usual dose of dark colors, quirky characters, and Danny Elfman music.

Sinister (October 5th) – A crime novelist (Ethan Hawke) moves into a new home and witnesses the death of the previous residents thanks to some found footage. Unfortunately, this also awakens a most unpleasant supernatural being. Co-starring Vincent D’Onofrio.

Taken 2 (October 5th) – Retired badass Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) and his wife (Famke Janssen) are kidnapped by the father of one of the men he killed in the previous film. Maggie Grace is back, and the always excellent Rade Serbedzija also joins the cast. Directed by Olivier Megaton (Colombiana and Transporter 3).

The Master (October 12th) – Paul Thomas Anderson helms this drama about a post-WWII religion with similarities to Scientology. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the founder of the faith, while Joaquin Phoenix is his idealistic right-hand man. Co-starring Amy Adams and Laura Dern.

Here Comes the Boom (October 12th) – When his school’s music program is in danger of being eliminated, a mild-mannered biology teacher (Kevin James) begins raising money by entering MMA events. Co-starring Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler, Joe Rogan, Bas Rutten, and Melissa Peterman. Directed by Frank Coraci (The Waterboy).

Argo (October 12th) – Set during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, this Ben Affleck movie tells the true story of six U.S. diplomats who attempt to get out of the country by posing as a film crew scouting locations for a project called Argo. Starring Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Clea DuVall, Kyle Chandler, Michael Parks, and Alan Arkin.

The Big Wedding (October 19th) – When their family gathers for a wedding, a couple who’ve been divorced for years must once again pretend to be happily married. Stars Robert DeNiro, Amanda Seyfried, Robin Williams, Topher Grace, Katherine Heigl, Susan Sarandon, and Diane Keaton. Wanna take bets on whether or not they fall in love again?

Paranormal Activity 4 (October 19th) – Yet another installment in this surprisingly long-running franchise. The details aren’t clear at this time, but that’s been the story will previous releases. Expect lots of found footage and plenty of jump-out-of-your-seat scares.

Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (Ocotber 26th) – Ever since the events of the previous film, Heather Mason (Adelaide Clemens) has been on the run with her father (Sean Bean). But when her 18th birthday arrives, and her father goes missing, Heather begins to learn a number of terrifying truths about her origin. Co-starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Kit Harrington, Radha Mitchell and Malcolm McDowell.

Of Men and Mavericks (Ocotber 26th) – This sports drama stars Jonny Weston as Jay Moriarity, a surfer who’s determined to ride the California break known as Mavericks. Co-starring Gerard Butler, Leven Rambin, Elisabeth Shue, and Abigail Spencer.

Alex Cross (Ocotber 26th) – Tyler Perry takes off his dress to play Alex Cross, a Washington DC detective searching for the serial killer who murdered a member of his family. The talented supporting cast includes Rachel Nichols, Matthew Fox, Jean Reno, and Edward Burns.

Fun Size (Ocotber 26th) – Nickelodeon favorite Victoria Justice stars as Wren, a clever teen who loses her brother on Halloween night and tries to track him down. Also featuring Jane Levy, Thomas Mann, Chelsea Handler, and the thespian skills of Johnny Knoxville.

Movies Coming Out in November 2012

As 2012 enters the home stretch, the following films can be expected to be unleashed on your local multiplex. Of this bunch, I’m most enthusiastic about the return of 007 in Skyfall.

Wreck-It Ralph (November 2nd) – A computer-animated flick from Disney feauturing the voice of John C. Reilly as Wreck-It Ralph, a massive arcade game villain who sets out to show that he can be a hero. Also featuring voice work from Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch.

Red Dawn (November 2nd) – Originally scheduled for a 2010 release, this story of small-town American teens who resist a foreign invasion will finally hit theatres. The North Koreans are the bad guys this time, replacing China during the post-production process (and Russia in the original). The “teens” will be played by Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Adrianna Palicki, Isabel Lucas, and Josh Hutcherson. Jeffrey Dean Morgan will take over the Powers Booth role as the veteran soldier who helps mentor the kids.

The Guilt Trip (November 2nd) – Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen star as a mother-son duo who take a trip across the United States. That should tell you everything you need to know about this one.

Skyfall (November 9th) – James Bond is back! In the 23rd film of the franchise, Bond must save MI6 from the threat of the villainous Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem). Daniel Craig returns in the lead role, and he’s joined by Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Albert Finney and Naomie Harris. After being absent from the last two films, gadget geeks will also be delighted by the appearance of Q (Ben Whishaw). Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty).

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 (November 16th) – The blockbuster Twilight series finally comes to a close. This time, the newborn child of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) is threatened by the Volturi, and it’s up to the Cullens and other vampire clans to protect her. You can also expect Jacob (Taylor Lautner) to play a sizable role, especially since he became bound to protect young Renesmee in the previous film. You can also expect him to spend most of the movie without a shirt.

47 Ronin (November 21st) – When their master is slain and they wind up banished, a group of 47 samurai go looking for revenge against a corrupt Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano). Believe it or not, the lead character is played by Keanu Reeves, a half-British and half-Japanese outcast who has nothing to do with the real-life story and national legend of Japan. Just imagine if the Japanese made a version of The Alamo and cast one of their own as the hero who helps out Davey Crockett and William Travis.

Gravity (November 21st) – When debris collides with a space station, all but two of the astronauts aboard are killed. That just leaves Ryan Stone (George Clooney) and Matt Kowalsky (Sandra Bullock), and the duo’s struggle for survival makes up the bulk of this sci-fi thriller. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men).

The Silver Linings Playbook (November 21st) – This David O. Russell comedy stars Bradley Cooper as Pat Peoples, an ex-teacher who spends four years in a mental institution and then tries to reconnect with his ex after moving in with his parents. Co-starring Robert DeNiro, Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Tucker, and Anupam Kher. Based on the Matthew Quick novel.

Rise of the Guardians (November 21st) – Blending action and comedy, this computer-animated film tells the story of legendary guardians of children–including Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), Jack Frost (Chris Pine), and the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman)–who must combine forces to keep the Bogeyman (Jude Law) from bringing perpetual darkness and despair to the world.

Movies Coming Out in December 2012

The following films will be released during the final month of 2012. While The Hobbit should be a great deal of fun, I’m most looking forward to Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino’s latest project.

Hyde Park on Hudson (December 7th) – Bill Murray plays President Franklin D. Roosevelt in this tale of the leader’s affair with his cousin (Laura Linney) during the 1939 visit of the King and Queen of England.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (December 14th) – After the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, director Peter Jackson goes back to the J.R.R. Tolkien well with this two-part adaptation about the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman). Expect to see plenty of faces from the LOTR series, as Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis have all signed on. The second part of the film–The Hobbit: There and Back Again— will be released in December of 2013.

Les Miserables (December 14th) – The musical adaptation of the classic Victor Hugo novel gets the big screen treatment in the latest project from Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech). Hugh Jackman stars as the heroic Jean Valjean, and he’s joined by Russell Crowe (Inspector Javert) and Anne Hathaway (Fantine).

Hunter Killer (December 21st) – When a crazed general kidnaps the Russian president, it’s up to Navy Seals and an American submarine officer to rescue him. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Gerard Butler (and maybe Sam Worthington, according to rumors).

Untitled Kathryn Bigelow Project (December 21st) – While it doesn’t have a title yet, this latest feature from Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow revolves around the mission that terminated Osama bin Laden. The cast includes Joel Edgerton, Mark Strong, Jessica Chastain, and Kyle Chandler.

Life of Pi (December 21st) – While stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean, a young Indian boy nicknamed Pi (Suraj Sharma) must survive and explore his spirituality while surrounded by a Bengal tiger and various other exotic animals. Directed by Ang Lee, the film is adapted from Yann Martel’s best-selling 2001 novel and co-stars Tobey Maguire and Gerard Depardieu.

One Shot (December 21st) – Tom Cruise stars as Jack Reacher, the badass drifter hero of the popular Lee Child series. In this film, Reacher is called upon by the accused to investigate a sniper’s rampage that left five people dead. Robert Duvall, Richard Jenkins, Werner Herzog and Rosamund Pike co-star. It’s interesting to note that Reacher was 6’5″ in the novels and known for his raw power, something that wasn’t lost on fans when Cruise signed up for the lead.

This Is Forty (December 21st) – Director Judd Apatow assembles some familiar faces–including Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segal, Megan Fox, Albert Brooks, John Lithgow, and Melissa McCarthy–for this comedic spin-off of 2007’s Knocked Up.

Django Unchained (December 25th) – Set in the years before the Civil War, Quentin Tarantino’s Western stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a freed slave who goes searching for his wife (Kerry Washington) with the assistance of a German bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz). Leonardo DiCaprio co-stars as Calvin Candie, the slave owner in possession of the young woman. The wonderful supporting cast is rounded out by Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Johnson, Tom Savini, and Sacha Baron Cohen.

The Great Gatsby (December 25th) – Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the charismatic title character in this screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 literary masterpiece about love and tragedy in the Roaring ’20s. Joel Edgerton and Carey Mulligan are unhappy couple Tom and Daisy Buchanan, while Tobey Maguire stars as lead character Nick Carraway.

Playing the Field (December 25th) – George (Gerard Butler) is a former athlete who’s always been a crappy dad. He tries to change all that by becoming the coach of his kid’s soccer team. Unfortunately, all those hot soccer moms hanging around–including Jessica Biel, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Uma Thurman–aren’t going to make things easy. Dennis Quaid co-stars.

Parental Guidance (December 25th) – Billy Crystal plays a granfather who gets stuck watching his grandkids while his daughter goes to work. In the beginning, the lovable old fella tries to employ modern methods to get the kids to behave, but he soon finds himself resorting to an old school style of discipline. This comedy co-stars Marisa Tomei and Bette Midler.

That completes our look at all the movies coming out in 2012. This should be a great year for cinephiles, whether you’re a fan of highbrow art or lowbrow trash. And just in case you’re still in the mood to read about cinema, here are a few other quality links from Only Good Movies:

• Good Action Movies
• 10 Movie Roles Megan Fox Should’ve Played
• Top 85 Robot Movies
• 10 Good Colin Firth Movies

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